Tuesday, July 26, 2005

I want to see pictures of this... Link IROQUOIS FALLS, Ont. -- Police in northern Ontario have charged a Toronto man after they found marijuana fields stretching "three football fields in length" in what is considered to be one of Canada's largest pot busts. Investigators found more than 21,000 marijuana plants behind a home nestled in the woods of Iroquois Falls, east of Timmins. 7:30:33 PM |  drug policy | Links | permalink | comment []

Colombian drug lords turned down Bin Laden's money Interesting story in the New York Post today. Osama bin Laden tried to buy a massive amount of cocaine, spike it with poison and sell it in the United States, hoping to kill thousands of Americans one year after the 9/11 attacks, The Post has learned. The evil plot failed when the Colombian drug lords bin Laden approached decided it would be bad for their business... The story interestingly highlights some important differences between terrorists and drug traffickers. Drug traffickers are running a business (albeit an often horribly violent, murderous one) that is profit/bottom-line oriented. Political actions are only used as a tool to increase profits. Terrorists, on the other hand, use money as a tool to further their "political" activity. Despite the attempts to link the two, there are strong reasons why they often do not mix well, and this is one such case. Sure, there are likely instances of terrorists profiting from drug trade (and the Post article goes on to dredge up some ancient Asa Hutchinson claims in that area), but those are primarily a result of the profitability caused by prohibition. 9:12:10 AM |  drug policy | Links | permalink | comment []

Always good to know your rights Flex Your Rights.org has put together a handy Citizen's Guide to Refusing New York Subway Searches. If you're going to be riding the subway, check it out. It is always important to know, celebrate, and defend your rights as an individual. Seems to me that's part of being an American. Radley Balko notes that Jeff Jarvis is fine with the searches. And what precisely is the privacy problem? If the cops catch you carrying something illegal, well, you shouldn't be carrying anything illegal. If they catch you carrying the latest Playboy -- or, more embarrassing, Radar -- then don't worry; they've seen worse. Sure thing, Jeff. You won't mind then if we go through your nightstand and closets? Or do a body cavity search on you? After all, if you haven't done anything illegal, why should you worry? Yep. Sounds like a great way to beat those who hate our freedom. 12:02:44 AM |  drug policy | Links | permalink | comment []