I don't know how Phil Smith finds the time to report on all the stories the DRCnet covers. But it is rather impressive the manner in which you manage to stay on top of all the grim and glorious drug war issues. There was a story you missed however regarding a report from the Center for Law and Justice in Albany, NY. The report proved beyond a shadow of doubt that the State of New York State among it's many drug task force operations has systematically target the South End of Albany and it's African-American citizens with drug sweeps that netted 90 suspects who were all convicted under RICO status and conspiracy charges which combined totaled 600 years in prison.

Only one local TV station WTEN Channel 10 covered the story. After the press conference where CLJ Executive Director, Dr. Alice Green announced the results of the report, the report sought out the Albany County Sheriff, Craig Apple to comment on the CLJ report. Sheriff Apple dismissed the report by explaining that these(Draconian) drug sweeps were the result of police data gathered that pin pointed the high crime areas. This excuse attempts to justify these drug sweeps as a necessary precaution for the public's safety.

"We don't choose the color of the skin of the people that are arrested in these sweeps." Apple explained, "It's all based on careful data we analyze, process and investigate."

WHAT A CROTCH OF SHIT! There is no data from the affluent suburban areas since law enforcement never deploys resources that might gather data. If you live in those well-to-do area drugs are essentially legal.

On a personal note, my sister pulled over by the Albany Police as she was coming out of a motel from visiting a friend who happen to live a drug infested area. The cops searched her car and when they didn't come up with any contraband, they simply explained that she had failed to signal when she pulled of the Motel's parking. I work for the Albany Chapter of the ACLU and provided my sister with the forms to lodge a complaint against the APD. Most victims of this police crap don't have the connects or awareness to fight  back. I hope if anyone reading this post will be reminded the ACLU is an alley to victims of this abuse and take advantage of their services should anyone encounter one of these "Routine" traffic stops.

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Phil Smith and William Aiken: Good stuff, gentlemen. It is sadly to be admitted by everyone brave enough to do so that the hateful, wasteful, astonishingly unjust drug war is also racist to the core. The statistics are well known and clear enough for even drug warriors to understand: Blacks, in general, smoke less pot that whites, but are busted more often. Well over 90% of New Yorkers cited as a result of that wholly repulsive "stop and frisk" policy -- the one that creates arrestable "public display" offenses out of simple pot possession tickets -- are black or brown. 'Twas ever thus, America, and you need to own up to it.

Good grief, this one should transcend any sort of political divide, I think. It's an issue of basic justice. An illustrative critique of our justice system is that it is geared to be fair, to follow procedures, to enforce propriety and fairness in the processes. Other systems, such as that in France, seek to promote a just result in each individually considered case. Justice, proportionate and appropriate, is the goal.

Both of you have important roles in helping set this right. I, too, am giving it my best. But, dang, people are just bombarded daily with such BS about the important issues that it gets harder and harder to break through the distortion field. Still, there's no secret, there's simply ... persistence.

I bet that Sheriff did not have to take a drug test like a common tax payer.What has seperated us from them?They are more of a drain on our resources taxwise than welfare and we want them to prove their sobriety for the pentance they receive.When will our court and law enforcement take the same tests as civil workers and welfare reciepients as they make a hell of alot more and steal even more.

Could Obama use NDAA To Arrest Militias on the Premise members are Militants and Belligerents that pose a threat to National Security?  

Recently the Obama administration stated to Federal Judge Katherine Forest that under (NDAA) The National Defense Authorization Act of 2012 the President had authorization to lock up belligerents indefinitely. That they (were justified) to lock belligerents up indefinitely—because cases involving belligerents directly-aligned with militants against the good of America—warrants such punishment.) Pres. Obama could use NDAA provisions to order U.S. Military Forces to round up without evidence, millions of Americans including militias by alleging they are belligerents or a threat to National Security. Many observers believe Obama intends to extend NDAA to imprison U.S. Citizens in Indefinite Detention not involved with or associated with enemy forces.

Hitler included similar provisions in his fascist (Discriminatory Decrees signed February 28, 1933). Almost immediately after the German Parliament passed Hitler’s laws, the Reich Government ordered the arrest of German Citizens and confiscated their guns without probable cause or evidence; delegated powers to German Police and other authorities to arrest anyone Nazi authorities claimed attempted or incited public unrest: arrested among others were outspoken Germans, writers, journalists, peaceful protestors and artists. After World War II the East German Secret Police (Stasi) used the threat of Indefinite Detention to forcibly recruit thousands of informants.

The U.S. 2012 NDAA legislation Obama signed 12-31-11 is similar to Hitler’s 1933 fascist laws the SS and Gestapo used to target persons in Germany for arrest, imprisonment and execution without probable cause; and confiscate millions of dollars of property. Hitler used his laws to suspend Parliament and the Supreme Court insuring his laws could not be rescinded.

During the Obama Administration's recent request for a (stay) to stop U.S. District Judge Katherine Forrest blocking enforcement of vague NDAA provisions, the Obama Administration—never clarified what constitutes a (belligerent); or militant; or what belligerent activities (directly aligned with a militant) to order a belligerent’s arrest or indefinite detention; or what is against the good of America. Under vague provisions of NDAA, the President could accuse anyone of being (directly aligned with militants by way of any political or other association; activity, statement, writing or communication with an individual or group government deemed (militant) to arrest and indefinitely detain Americans. Writers, journalists, Americans that disagree with or question U.S. Government or its allies—may under NDAA be subject to arrest and indefinite detention.

NDAA 2012, like Hitler’s 1933 Discriminatory Decrees enforces censorship; refers to the Patriot Act e.g. warrant-less searches of private property and forfeiture of property from persons not charged with crime. Provisions in NDAA 2012 keep the door open for corrupt U.S. police; government agents and provocateurs which there are many, to falsify reports and statements to target any American, group or organization for arrest, indefinite detention, complete disappearance; civil asset forfeiture of their property.

You may have noted NDAA referred to the USA Patriot Act. The Patriot Act lends itself to Government / police corruption; the Federal Government may use secret witnesses and informants to cause arrests and civil asset forfeiture of Americans’ property. Witness(s) and informants may be paid up to 50% of assets forfeited. Federal Government under 18USC may use a mere preponderance of civil evidence, little more than hearsay to Civilly Forfeit Private Property. Under the Patriot Act innocent property owners may be barred by government knowing the evidence federal government uses to forfeit their property.

Sections of NDAA 2012 are so broad, it appears U.S. Government or the President could (retroactively) deem an American’s past 1st Amendment activities prior to passage of 2012 NDAA—supported hostilities, terrorism or (Belligerents) to order the arrest and Indefinite Detention of any U.S. Citizen, writer, group or organization.

Under NDAA 2012 it should be expected that indefinitely detained U.S. Citizens not involved in terrorism or hostile activities, not given Miranda Warnings when interrogated, not allowed legal counsel or habeas corpus may be prosecuted for non-terrorist (ordinary crimes) because of their (alleged admissions) while held in Indefinite Detention.