Sunday, February 15, 2004

Canada blasted for believing its citizens are free A U.S. report that has been hitting Canadian media sites in the past two hours says that Canada is too terrorist friendly. A serious charge, but let's take a closer look at it. First, the report (titled Nations Hospitable to Organized Crime and Terrorism (pdf) and completed in October) is prepared by the Library of Congress in an arrangement with the CIA Crime and Narcotics Center, which naturally continues to try to link drug policy with terrorism (and is influenced by the administration's drug war). Second, some of the language in the report is downright offensive. Canada is blamed in part for: The Canadian Constitution guarantees rights such as the right to life, liberty, freedom of movement, freedom of speech, protection against unreasonable search and seizure, and protection against arbitrary detention or imprisonment that make it easier for terrorists and international criminals to operate. In addition, a technologically advanced economy and infrastructure facilitate operations and activities as well as providing a myriad of opportunities for abuse. This tone continues later in the report: Perhaps until recently, there has also not been widespread concern that Canada could be the victim of a terrorist attack. Sensitivity to civil liberties combined with this low threat perception has made both the adoption and the enforcement of tougher immigration laws and strong counter terrorism measures more difficult. The fact that the 2002 bill designed to make Canada's immigration laws less favorable to terrorists and international criminals is entitled the "Immigration and Refugee Protection Act" serves as an indication of the prevailing concern for or priority placed upon civil liberties in Canada. Is it just me, or is it extremely disturbing that the United States would, in an official report, talk about civil liberties and individual rights in a country as a negative factor? Aren't these qualities that the United States used to value? (And in fact, if a government of the people stops supporting these rights and liberties, doesn't it lose its legitimacy?) 7:12:12 PM |  drug policy | Links | permalink | comment []

Your tax dollars at work TalkLeft reports that the cost of prosecuting Tommy Chong for making bongs was $12 million. This comes by way of Chong's attorney who got the information from the government prosecutors. It's outrageous, but not particularly surprising. The amount of tax money that's thrown away in this drug war would probably be enough to end world hunger. But let's just look at the cost of prosecuting Tommy for making some pipes: $12 million would pay for treatment for 3,500 drug addicts for an entire year. $12 million would pay for enough needle exchange programs to prevent 1,258 HIV infections. $12 million as a direct grant to me would stimulate spending in my household and help the economy. Got any other ideas of what we could do with $12 million? Leave them in the comments. Update: Some additions: It would also provide 1,000 AIDS victims antiretroviral drug therapy for a year [David] 12 million would also buy approximately one million large pepperoni pizzas with side orders of cheesy dots from Domino's.[David] After listening to All Things Considered tonight, I'll also add that $12 million would pay to add new technology that prevents fuel tanks from exploding to 48 passenger jets. 6:30:55 PM |  drug policy | Links | permalink | comment []