Saturday, February 23, 2008

If God can't enforce prohibition... Delightful OpEd by Peter Christ in the New York Star Gazette: Don't Tax Drugs, Legalize Them Good all the way through. The conclusion nails it nicely. Some point to alcohol Prohibition as the prime example of how a prohibition fails. I choose instead to draw upon a far older example. When Adam and Eve were living in the Garden of Eden, surrounded by paradise with all their needs met, there was only one thing prohibited to them. Yet, in spite of their perfect existence, they couldn't resist that one temptation. I ask you, if God can't enforce prohibition, what makes us think we can do better? 10:19:07 PM |  drug policy | Links | permalink | comment []

Drug Czar on rampage of stupidity It's all political -- it's all a way to promote his drug war... In this article, Walters blames U.S. marijuana users for "contributing" to the bloody wars in Mexico. Here, he says that U.S. prosecutors need to go after more of the low and mid-level marijuana offenders, including those where the evidence isn't that strong. However, here, he claims that the Mexico drug fight is success and is driving up prices (with the unfortunate side-effect of additional border violence). Each of these articles was also an opportunity for Walters to ask for more money for the drug war. I think it's fair to say that these bodies aren't a result of America pot-smokers, or prosecutors gone mild, or any kind of success. If they're going to haunt anyone, it'll be the drug warriors. [Thanks Walter, Scott, and Lee] 6:23:37 PM |  drug policy | Links | permalink | comment []

first up against the wall when the revolution comes... ...Thailand's new prime minister "My government will decisively implement a policy against drug trafficking. Government officials must implement this policy 24 hours a day, but I will not set a target for how many people should die," said Samak Sundaravej, the new prime minister. The interior minister Chalerm Yubamrung, said: "When we implement a policy that may bring 3,000 to 4,000 bodies, we will do it," I'm a pacifist and opposed to the death penalty, yet I find myself growing willing to set a target for how many people should die. One. And his name is Samak. 12:22:26 AM |  drug policy | Links | permalink | comment []