40th Anniversary Drug War Continues, SWAT Raid Music Video, More Wire
The 40th anniversary of Richard Nixon's declaration of the drug war continues. First, footage from LEAP's press conference, followed by their march from the National Press Club to the Office of National Drug Control Policy office to hand-deliver their report to drug czar Kerlikowske:
Comedian/Activist Randy Credico has made a startling discovery, with his first release from the "Nixon: The Lost Tapes" collection. In Credico's (parody) excerpt, Nixon says he was duped into calling for a drug war and says he regrets it:
We link Reason again, this time with their new music video, No Knock Raid. Don't watch it if you're about to try to get to sleep:
If you haven't already, check out my post last week about Reason's current magazine issue, "Criminal Injustice."
The Wire is back in the news too. Last weekend we noted that Attorney General Eric Holder really wants another season of the show, but David Simon says they'll only do it if he ends drug prohibition. On Thursday Holder said okay!
Unfortunately he was only joking -- and the drug war is no joking matter. Still, I interpret it as reflecting implicit respect for the anti-drug war viewpoint -- we'll take it.
A resilient bad idea
Forty years ago Richard Nixon that is, declared that the USwas at war, at war with drugs. As history keeps reminding us, in order to stop its people challenging its internal institutions and saving it from showing its undemocratic colours (think Anti Vietnam Protests, the Civil Rights Movement, Anti Globalisation Demonstrations, etc., etc.) the US “exports” its internal conflicts and demands other countries to fight its fights. Instead of putting its own house in order and face the consequences for doing so, the US puts the onus on others and expects them to pay the lion’s share of the political and social costs of its policies.
The so-called War on Drugs is no exception. Instead of an internal war, the War on Drugs is fundamentally an external war where other countries, think of Mexico, Colombia, and the like, are fighting it and in the process paying an extraordinary high price in terms of thousand and thousand of killings, death sentences for drug offences, corruption, destruction of democratic institutions,… you name it!
Forty years have passed, and it is up to every sensible, rational person to make it sure that it stops here. This is an opportunity to let our politicians know that Prohibition and the so-called War on Drugs is not only irrational and ineffective, it is barbaric, inhumane and a crime against humanity. So, wherever you are in the world, take any step, no matter how small it may seem, to let those who are supposed to represent your interests know that it is time to pursue more enlightened drug policies. So for those in the UK, for instance, you can join Release campaign Drugs – It’s Time For Better Laws here:
http://www.release.org.uk/
Remember, Prohibition is not, and has never been, the solution to the so-called drug problem; on the contrary, it has only made things worse. Remember, it is Prohibition itself which must be ended. Remember, it should not be confined to a particular drug or to one side of the drug trade. It not only concerns marijuana, but all drugs; not just the decriminalisation of the demand but perhaps more importantly, the legalisation and regulation of the production, too.
Gart Valenc
http://www.stopthewarondrugs.org
Comedy Act
Ah, Eric Holder is such the comedian.
What's funnier than the "War on Drugs?"
Comedy Act
Ah, Eric Holder is such the comedian.
I mean, what's funnier than the "War on Drugs", right?
The Outlaw Mary Jane A tale as sung b
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