the other shoe

I'd decided not to comment on this NYT article, waiting for the other shoe to drop:

U.S. Identifies Vast Mineral Riches in Afghanistan

Turns out there IS another shoe!

As Rachel reveals tonight, this 'news' ain't exactly news: Afghanistan's mineral resources have been known for some time.
So - this story - from the Pentagon! - looks a lot like OUR GOVERNMENT controlling information to promote policy.
I shouldn't really be surprised!

... and, oh yeah: there's another 'shoe' buried in the story itself:

At the same time, American officials fear resource-hungry China will try to dominate the development of Afghanistan’s mineral wealth, which could upset the United States, given its heavy investment in the region. After winning the bid for its Aynak copper mine in Logar Province, China clearly wants more, American officials said.

As in Iraq, China wants to be a major player in developing Afghan's natural resources!

... and I'm just more than a little leery of OUR "heavy investment" in Afghanistan.
INVESTMENT??? - NO!!!... we've poured tons of $$$ into Afghanistan, but I don't think "investment" is the right description of this waste!

Me? Let China come in!... Heck - I'd even be okay with bringing in the Chinese army to protect the mines!
Just so's Afghanistan's not OUR problem anymore!

Stop the madness!