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Mayor Calvo Says Botched Drug Raids Are Commonplace
Radley Balko points out this remark from Berwyn Heights Mayor Cheye Calvo, which I think ranks among the best commentary we've heard in the press following a botched raid:
This was broadcast nationally on CNN, which clearly takes the paramilitary drug raid controversy to a level we haven't seen previously. Unfortunately, the rise of this issue from a frequent topic at drug policy and libertarian blogs to a full-blown national concern has followed the path many of us reluctantly predicted: something horrible had to happen to an appropriate spokesperson.
We knew it was just matter of time, but I wasn't expecting it to come so soon. Maybe I should have. In the short-term, we can look forward to likely reforms in Prince George's County and hopefully even at the state-level in Maryland. But what this means in the long-term is that future incidents carry greater potential to be recognized by the press as part of a disturbing pattern. Too often, botched drug raids generate obligatory local media, while the larger issue goes unaddressed. Bloody fiascos are dismissed as isolated incidents only to be forgotten and eventually repeated.
Let it therefore be understood now and remembered when the time comes that there is nothing isolated or unusual about innocent people and pets being shot during poorly executed drug raids. It happens all the time and this latest controversy should provide an ample imperative for those covering such incidents in the future to connect the appropriate dots.
"The reality is that this happens all the time in this country and disproportionally in Prince Georges county and most of the people to whom it happens donât have the community support and the platform to speak out. So I appreciate you paying attention to our condition but I hope youâll also give attention to those who may not have the same platform and voice that we have." [CNN video via Rawstory]
This was broadcast nationally on CNN, which clearly takes the paramilitary drug raid controversy to a level we haven't seen previously. Unfortunately, the rise of this issue from a frequent topic at drug policy and libertarian blogs to a full-blown national concern has followed the path many of us reluctantly predicted: something horrible had to happen to an appropriate spokesperson.
We knew it was just matter of time, but I wasn't expecting it to come so soon. Maybe I should have. In the short-term, we can look forward to likely reforms in Prince George's County and hopefully even at the state-level in Maryland. But what this means in the long-term is that future incidents carry greater potential to be recognized by the press as part of a disturbing pattern. Too often, botched drug raids generate obligatory local media, while the larger issue goes unaddressed. Bloody fiascos are dismissed as isolated incidents only to be forgotten and eventually repeated.
Let it therefore be understood now and remembered when the time comes that there is nothing isolated or unusual about innocent people and pets being shot during poorly executed drug raids. It happens all the time and this latest controversy should provide an ample imperative for those covering such incidents in the future to connect the appropriate dots.
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TV Networks Refuse to Allow Discussion of Marijuana Laws
One of the few remaining tactics for effectively defending our marijuana laws is to prevent them from even being discussed:
Ack, we mustn't expose anyone to the crazy ideas of Rick Steves! Wait, isn't he that really nice Lutheran guy who hosts a popular travel show on public television? So then why should we be terrified of him?
Um, pardon me sir, but we're actually trying to massively reduce illegal activity. I wouldnât have thought this to be intellectually challenging, but if we were to change our marijuana laws, then it wouldn't be illegal. See? This doesnât promote illegal activity. Marijuana laws create illegal activity and we'd like to discuss that.
Of course, marijuana reformers are constantly accused of childishness. We are dismissed as self-interested hippies waiving the banner of personal freedom whenever it suits us, while refusing to engage in serious conversations about empirical data and sound public policy. Yet, what can be said about those who serve as gatekeepers in the marketplace of ideas and abuse their authority by arbitrarily blocking discussion of ideas they find objectionable?
In truth, it is often opponents of the reform argument who act childishly, feigning irrational concerns that simply permitting debate will somehow aggravate the drug problem. Such behavior must be recognized for what it is: a great insult to the intelligence of the public.
The TV program is titled "Marijuana: It's Time for a Conversation," but it's unlikely many viewers of network stations will be talking about it.
Of the three local network stations, only one agreed to run the show, produced by the American Civil Liberties Union and hosted by travel writer Rick Steves. [Seattle Times]
Ack, we mustn't expose anyone to the crazy ideas of Rick Steves! Wait, isn't he that really nice Lutheran guy who hosts a popular travel show on public television? So then why should we be terrified of him?
Jim Clayton, vice president and general manager at KOMO, the ABC affiliate, refused to sell time. The show, he said, promoted marijuana use.
"The last I checked, it's illegal," Clayton said. "We don't use our public airways to promote illegal things."
Um, pardon me sir, but we're actually trying to massively reduce illegal activity. I wouldnât have thought this to be intellectually challenging, but if we were to change our marijuana laws, then it wouldn't be illegal. See? This doesnât promote illegal activity. Marijuana laws create illegal activity and we'd like to discuss that.
Of course, marijuana reformers are constantly accused of childishness. We are dismissed as self-interested hippies waiving the banner of personal freedom whenever it suits us, while refusing to engage in serious conversations about empirical data and sound public policy. Yet, what can be said about those who serve as gatekeepers in the marketplace of ideas and abuse their authority by arbitrarily blocking discussion of ideas they find objectionable?
In truth, it is often opponents of the reform argument who act childishly, feigning irrational concerns that simply permitting debate will somehow aggravate the drug problem. Such behavior must be recognized for what it is: a great insult to the intelligence of the public.
Blog
Cartoon: Dogs as SWAT Team Target Practice
PolitickerMD sent us a copy of their latest editorial cartoon, about the killing of two dogs by a Prince Georges County, Maryland, SWAT team:
Click here for the original article.
By the way, the Lima, Ohio, SWAT team, whose officer was just acquitted for the killing of Tarika Wilson and the maiming of her infant child, killed two dogs too. They shot people on one floor and dogs (pit bulls) on another.
To be fair, the guy they were targeting supposedly unleashed the pit bulls on the officers who came after him downstairs. But that's no excuse -- he was defending himself from invaders of unknown nature who as far as he could tell intended to kill him -- had they not sent in a SWAT team for this minor situation, none of it would have happened at all.
Click here for the original article.
By the way, the Lima, Ohio, SWAT team, whose officer was just acquitted for the killing of Tarika Wilson and the maiming of her infant child, killed two dogs too. They shot people on one floor and dogs (pit bulls) on another.
To be fair, the guy they were targeting supposedly unleashed the pit bulls on the officers who came after him downstairs. But that's no excuse -- he was defending himself from invaders of unknown nature who as far as he could tell intended to kill him -- had they not sent in a SWAT team for this minor situation, none of it would have happened at all.Event
Medical Marijuana Protest and Meeting
Medical marijuana patients and advocates will hold a demonstration before attending the county Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday to urge the board to drop its doomed lawsuit seeking to overturn sta
In The Trenches
Press Release -- Patients to San Bernardino Board of Supervisors: Stop Wasting Tax Dollars on Failed Lawsuit
Â
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEÂ Â Â
AUGUST 11, 2008
Patients to San Bernardino Board of Supervisors: Stop Wasting Tax Dollars on Failed Lawsuit
Medical Marijuana Advocates to Protest, Attend Aug. 12 Supes' Meeting
CONTACT: Aaron Smith, MPP California organizer, 707-575-9870
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. â Medical marijuana patients and advocates will hold a demonstration before attending the county Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday to urge the board to drop its doomed lawsuit seeking to overturn state medical marijuana laws.
   San Bernardino and San Diego county officials have contended that federal laws prevent them from obeying state requirements to issue medical marijuana identification cards to qualified patients who desire them. Although the case has already been dismissed twice, most recently last week in a unanimous decision by the 4th District Court of Appeals, San Diego's Board of Supervisors has already voted to appeal the case again, this time to the California Supreme Court.  Â
   "In a time of staggering budget deficits and inevitable cuts to county services, San Bernardinoâs officials must cease this meritless and wasteful litigation and obey the laws protecting medical marijuana patients," said Aaron Smith, California organizer for the Marijuana Policy Project, who will attend the demonstration and Board of Supervisors meeting. "If compassion for seriously ill San Bernardino patients isn't enough to make the board stop this nonsense, then respect for county taxpayers and the rule of law ought to be."
   WHAT: Demonstration calling on San Bernardino officials to drop its lawsuit against state medical marijuana laws, followed by Board of Supervisors meeting
   WHEN: Aug. 12 â Demonstration begins at 11 a.m. Demonstrators will walk to the Board of Supervisors meeting at 12:30 p.m.
   WHERE: Demonstration begins at the San Bernardino County Health Administration Building at 351 N. Mountain View Ave., and will end at the Board of Supervisors meeting at 385 N. Arrowhead.
   With more than 25,000 members and 100,000 e-mail subscribers nationwide, the Marijuana Policy Project is the largest marijuana policy reform organization in the United States. MPP believes that the best way to minimize the harm associated with marijuana is to regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol. For more information, please visit www.MarijuanaPolicy.org.
####
In The Trenches
420 Drug War NEWS 08/11/08
Drug Truth Network Update: 4:20 Drug War NEWS from 90.1 FM in Houston and dozens of radio affiliates in the US and Canada & on the web at www.kpft.org.
We provide the "unvarnished truth about the drug war" to scores of broadcast affiliates in the US, Canada and Australia.
4:20 Drug War NEWS 08/11/08 to 08/17/08 now online (3:00 ea:) Select online at www.drugtruth.net
Sun - Presidential Candidate Ron Paul discusses marijuana laws
Sat - Ralph Nader 4/4
Fri - Ralph Nader 3/4
Thu - Ralph Nader, 2/4
Wed - Presidential Candidate Ralph Nader discusses drug war and corporate crime in America 1/4
Tue - Terry Nelson reports for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition
Mon - Former Drug Czar Lee Brown speaks to American Bar Association Drug War Panel
Next - Century of Lies on Tues, Cutural Baggage on Wed (Now With Transcripts):
- Cultural Baggage 12:30 PM ET, 11:30 AM CT, 10:30 AM MT & 9:30 AM PT: TBD
- Century of Lies 12:30 PM ET, 11:30 AM CT, 10:30 AM MT & 9:30 AM PT: TBD
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