Monthly Archives: July 2009

Congress is actually making progress toward giving us some real (if incremental) reform. At least four of the worst excesses of the federal war on drugs appear likely to be rolled back this year — the crack/powder cocaine sentencing disparity, … Continue reading →

I am becoming a huge fan of Gus Kerlikowske. But, you say, how can that be? Kerlikowske opposes marijuana legalization. Of course he does. He’s the drug czar and required to by law. It’s the way he does it — … Continue reading →

One new thing that we’re seeing recently is leaders, former leaders, and press of foreign countries willing to speak out against the U.S. Drug War. Not only are they learning about the failures and destruction of the drug war, but … Continue reading →

We all had a good laugh a couple of days ago with the story of the undercover police selling drugs to the undercover Sheriff’s deputy in Statesville, NC. Well, here’s another one that looks like it came right from the … Continue reading →

Again, i got all excited – today’s Chicago Sun Times — plastered across the entire front page is a picture of someone smoking a joint with the headline screaming Cook County going to pot If you‰re busted carrying a small … Continue reading →

I got pretty excited for a minute when I read the breathless news from Liberty Counsel reported on CNW: … liberals in Congress have nonetheless passed a $768 million dollar Financial Services Appropriations bill š without allowing debate š that … Continue reading →

The Founding Fathers never wanted a national police force. In fact, there were adamantly opposed to the idea, having a strong distrust of centralized authoritarian structure. They specifically left out the powers to form any kind of national structure for … Continue reading →

TPMCafe Book Club is focusing this week on Ryan Grim’s new book This Is Your Country on Drugs: The Secret History of Getting High in America. So far… The Economics of Abuse by Mark Kleiman There is No Such Thing … Continue reading →

Thoreau over at Unqualified Offerings has a couple of excellent posts worth reading, including You can’t spell “defeat” without D, E, and A and… Drug War Explained: A friend who doesn‰t pay much attention to law and politics asked me … Continue reading →

Radley Balko covers it: Last week, an undercover New York City police officer participating in a drug buy shot and killed 49-year-old Shem Walker during an altercation at Walker‰s home in Brooklyn. Police say Walker, described by family and neighbors … Continue reading →