Comments on: Cato Unbound – the War on Drugs in Mexico

By: Osborne Perry Anderson

Osborne Perry Anderson — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 07:53:58 +0000

“Truth is treason in the kingdom of lies” Ron Paul

“I wonder which puppet best represents me, the puppet on the left or the puppet on the right?” – Bill Hicks RIP

Not all the treasures of the world, so far as I believe, could have induced me to support an offensive war, for I think it murder; but if a thief breaks into my house, burns and destroys my property, and kills or threatens to kill me, or those that are in it, and to “bind me in all cases whatsoever” to his absolute will, am I to suffer it?

Thomas Paine, The American Crisis, No. 1, December 19, 1776

By: Where Kleiman gets annoyed once again that people are having a discussion « Drug WarRant

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 03:05:11 +0000

[...] costs to society of drug use, and few (other than legalizers) have stepped up to correct that (See James Roberts just last week at CATO: “Numerous studies have totaled up some of the costs to taxpayers and [...]

By: James Roberts mans the barricades « Drug WarRant

James Roberts mans the barricades « Drug WarRant — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 03:36:31 +0000

[...] Roberts mans the barricades Last week, I wrote about the excellent discussion on the war on drugs going on over at Cato Unbound. I’m pleased to see that discussion has [...]

By: truthtechnician

truthtechnician — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 22:51:20 +0000

Buc said it and it’s worth repeating: Prohibition can’t last forever.

By: Clay Gooding

Clay Gooding — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:42:13 +0000

When America and the world finally allows the “Woodstock Nation” to finish what we started,the prohibition will be recognized for exactly what it is,a protection for the profits of the pharmaceutical industry,and the textiles industries,and the pulpwood industry,and now 60% of the ONDCP budget requirements. Not to mention the fodder for the private prison industry that has keeps our prisons filled,and stores replacement prisoners in private industrialized county jails,ready to fill any empty space
at a moments notice.
And now there is a flood of studies ,testifying to the extraordinary medical applications,including the possibility of marijuana being a cure for melanoma and other forms of cancer,and a possible cancer blocking agent.
Our government had a study in 1985 that said marijuana had showed the possibility of being a cancer treatment and a cancer preventative,but further studies were not done,because they don’t want a cure for cancer,or to block cancer,the pharmaceutical companies want to treat cancer,not cure it.
The drug war declared on the Woodstock Nation is and has always been about the dollars,and never to protect or stop anything.

By: Buc

Buc — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 05:44:43 +0000

Jim, you know, I used to be that way too. I am just thrilled that I no longer am like that anymore and that I can look at people not based upon what they do in their own time. I thank the Lord for helping me overcome my prejudices, as I know many people won’t ever do so.

When you think about it, the fact that there is such strong opposition to the drug war, both in terms of number of people and groups actively trying to stop it, is amazing. The government spoon feeds you from day one that drugs are bad and drug users/dealers belong in the criminal “justice” system. It’s very difficult to break government propaganda messages, even if they are irrational. Just look at how Germany accepted the degradation of the Jewish people in the 1930s and 40s. Most people were of the, ‘If it doesn’t affect me I don’t care’ attitude. I am just pumped though when I see how many people, especially non-users, who can look at somebody that uses cocaine or cannabis or heroin or steroids and say to them, ‘No, you don’t belong in jail and you should be allowed to do as you please.’

Prohibition can’t last forever, but the Feds will try their damnedest for as long as they can.

By: Jim Hilsenteger

Jim Hilsenteger — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 03:37:55 +0000

I have followed the War on Drugs fairy tale for the last 4 years. I do not do illicit drugs nor do I have any desire to do so. However, a friend’s son was picked up for dealing marijuana and this personal experience motivated me to research Drug Prohibition to better understand it. I had always accepted the message “tough on crime” and “throw away the key”. However, when the War on Drugs landed in my backyard, I began to ask questions. After 4 years of research, I am totally disappointed in my lack of critical thinking. How could I have blindly accepted the media message of the War on Drugs….more police, more prisons????

It is clear to me that we need more information not slogans. I believe we need to have an open, public debate on Drug Prohibition and discuss what is working and what is not. I have created a website (www.crackonomics.com) to encourage a grassroots movement to have an online public debate. Many of us have thrown our hands in the air and said this current drug policy is not working but what can we do??? Well, it has got to the point where we must do something. Otherwise, the violence in Mexico will have moved and will be in our neighborhood. The public needs to get involved, as the politicians appear to be too fearful to lead the debate.

By: Randy

Randy — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 21:04:06 +0000

I take it that Mr. Roberts is part of the “use=abuse” line of thinking so prevalent among drug warriors.

His kind can only see the costs of drug abuse, but they can’t see or they ignore the costs of prohibition.

Rather pathetic responses from him.

By: kaptinemo

kaptinemo — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:33:19 +0000

It’s coming down to the moralists versus the bean-counters. And when it comes to funding, the bean-counters will win.

The moralists will pee-and-moan, but they did the same thing after the 18th Amendment was repealed, crying oceans about hypothetical crime waves that never appeared. While the bean-counters began appropriating the money formerly allocated for the equivalent of snark-hunting for better purposes.

So, Mr. Roberts, meet “Mr. Dry” You have a lot in common…including historical relevancy…

By: permanentilt

permanentilt — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 19:00:28 +0000

Aye, Roberts represents the current state of the Republicans in this country, completely unwilling to logically think through their opinions if it in any way contradicts the evil vs. good thinking they have been taught their entire lives. They are willing to believe anything that even modestly supports their opinion, completely unwilling to hear anything that questions that opinion, and ready to outright lie or make up some false association to SOOOOCIALISM, euthanasia, the devil, illegals or some other representative evil when their opinion has absolutely no defense at all.

This is our drug war. There is no logic, there are no facts, there is only Fox News, Rush Limbaugh, and false ideology based on a holier than thou attitude…..