http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/19202.page Public Action http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#1106421 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#1106421 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#1101647 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#1101647 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#1045214 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#1045214 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#1004613 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#1004613 GMT
I think your last point is incredibly important. If this society is so wonderful, how come so many people are so unhappy that they're either using legal or illegal drugs to change their moods? SOME ADHD drugs are just legalized meth, what's good about that?

I'd like to see differentiations made on the basis of how far the drug is from the originating plant. Coca leaves? Legal, chew 'em up. Cocaine/crack can stay scheduled. Raw opium? Legal, smoke up, lie down, and smile. Heroin can stay scheduled. Then up the penalties for refining same.

We have the ability to make fine distinctions. I suggest we do so.]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#1029618 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#1029618 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#1009623 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#1009623 GMT
How well did prohibition work in this country when it was enacted?
It accomplished nothing but set the stage for the most violent and entrenched criminal success story of the 20th century and did absolutely nothing to curb demand.

It merely took alcohol out of a socially and legally-controlled arena and placed it into an uncontrolled criminal for-profit endeavor, exactly as the current war-on-drugs has played out.

Is legalization a better option?

Obviously when you know the alternative has proven itself to be a complete and utter failure, then ANY option is wiser.

The drug war has fostered nothing but an expensive self-perpetuating bureaucracy, a huge criminal underworld, and a complete lack of product control resulting in needless overdose deaths.

One of the most mis-guided policies I've seen play out in my 56 years of "political watch".

]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#1002665 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#1002665 GMT
Just end the war. It is similar to the crime caused by prohibition.
The drug war is what concerns me, not that there are people who use drugs but their are those who feel they have the moral authority to ruin others lives who choose to use a drug. ]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#994867 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#994867 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#991423 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#991423 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#991413 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#991413 GMT
My advice and my opinion; Let the Mexican government deal with it. Get as minimal help as possible with it, since they can learn a thing or two from it. Keep the U.S out. Definately.]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#991012 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#991012 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#990813 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#990813 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#990812 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#990812 GMT
Instead of doing the same thing over and over again in the USA why not decriminalize, regulate and control "drugs"? By making them illegal and imposing judicial punishment the law appears to drive the activities underground where they cannot be controlled. This is how and where crime reportedly attends drug use and drug use spawns criminality. To control something like drug use requires that it's use be visable.

To my thinking, the Dutch have the right idea. To me they are wise government probably because they been around alot longer than the USA. They are a pragmatic and cost-sensible government who know what works to fight dangerous hard-drug use and drug-related criminality. The USA should pay immeadiate attention to that model. I think the USA's problem is that they have created and listened to their own propaganda for so long - and created laws based on that - that irrationality and more of that status quo is all they have and all they can possibly imagine.
]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#990621 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#990621 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#990267 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#990267 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#990076 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#990076 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#990052 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#990052 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#990033 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#990033 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#989811 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#989811 GMT My respect to president Calderon for declaring the war to drug cartels knowing that it won't be easy because the problem has evolved in so many ways.
I feel for my relatives that are still living there and see police activity almost on a daily basis and I can't imagine the stress that creates to everybody.
I hope that our God will protect all individuals (including the president) that wake up everyday investigation and finding ways to eliminate the drug cartels.]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#989492 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#989492 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#989232 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#989232 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#989214 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#989214 GMT Most of the problem in Mexico drug war will disaper . Is a fact That DEA or US army should take stronger actions to stop the drug problem that USA face.]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#988825 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#988825 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#988411 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#988411 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#988248 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#988248 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#988236 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#988236 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#988024 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#988024 GMT
The United States is the neighbor of Mexico and one way the US can help the neighbor is by providing aid to defeat the cartel leaders. Mexico has proven that it's willing to get rid of the drug problem, Vicente Fox and Felipe Calderon, have worked hard to show this to the world and to mobilize their weanpory. It is time for a good neighbor to step up and help end this drug war before it gets worst.]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#988017 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#988017 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#988012 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#988012 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#987840 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#987840 GMT Are you concerned about the drug war in Mexico?

I am only concerned as it indicates how the demand from the U.S. for these substances is impacting another country's citizens. Once again, misguided policy on the part of the U.S. government has had incredibly negative repercussions for others (as well as our citizenry).

Do you fear this might spill over into the United States?

Please take more care in constructing your questions. Please avoid the use of loaded terms such as "fear." I do not "fear" that this (by which I assume you mean the concommitant violence associated with this so-called "war"), because it is already here in the U.S. We are a violent society -- merely look at our entertainment, football, hockey -- make believe "war," not to mention full-contact or extreme fighting. Interesting how such a moralistic and holier-than-thou society is diverted from church on Sundays by the Barcalounger and a "cold one."

What should Washington do about it?

Once again, a laughable conceit that I will attempt to address.
Washington cannot "do" anything. It is paralyzed by special interests, some overt, and some only discernible because of their imputed existence, much like a "political dark matter." It is quite likely that the Europeans and Canadians are correct when they claim that the large American tobacco interests have taken to money laundering for the illegal cartels. After all, that money is going somewhere, now isn't it? I's be curious to examine the books of the large multi-nationals carefully - wonder if their might be some irregularities.

Actually, I am most concerned about the state of the fourth estate - the press. This piece was a joke. Please try and deal with the true underlying issues, not picayune superficialities.

Good luck and let's try a little harder next time, please?]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#987836 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#987836 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#990263 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#990263 GMT
a joint task force is a joint waste of money.

the last endevore such as this resulted in training the zetas, the enforcement arm of the gulf cartel. our new plan, the meridia initative (i hope this is rethought) will result in a new arm of the sinaola cartel (a personal opinion) (i could have guessed the wrong cartel, but the results will remain the same.)

legalizing is not the answer either. leagal means profit, as long as profit is in the equation, refer to a war against the wind.

not legal, not illegal altho not a politicaly correct classification that i know of would be the best solution.

the us government (the worlds largest consumer of drugs) could purchase the material direct from the farmers that cultivate it, at farm prices

the drug cartels have been eliminated with step one. without one shot fired. no profit, no drug cartel.

clinics could deliver safe doses to any drug addict that needed the drug. free of charge.

sounds expensive maybe, but far less expensive than our current methods of housing drug addicts in prison. over half,, way over half, of our prisons could be closed.

no profit for drug dealers means there would be none. i dont see that it takes a rocket scientist to figure that one out.

the fact that our government,,, and the government of mexico, in seeming to fail to recognize this, leads me to believe both are into the drug trade up to their noses.

there would still be drug addicts,,, for a number of years, until they all died off. once a drug addict always a drug addict, and i have never met one who wanted to be a drug addict.

not only would the profits dissapear, being free, (the only solution) would also eliminate the need for 90% or more of other crimes in the us such as robbery and burglary as the main purpose for committing these crimes is for the purpose of purchasing drugs, which are way more than way overpriced due to our current war against (the wind).

i somehow feel our polititians who are making a good profit on their current course will never admit the obvious.]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#989476 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#989476 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#987632 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#987632 GMT murder one another over turf, customers and competition. During US alcohol
prohibition of the 1920s, rival bootlegger gangs routinely gunned down one
another for the same reasons as modern drug cartels do. Once prohibition ended
in 1933, most of the violence stopped.

If marijuana were legally available at the liquor store, marijuana growers and
sellers would become legitimate business people. Marijuana cartels would have to
move on - they wouldn't be able to thrive in a competitive marketplace.

Most agree, with the exception of drug warriors whose livelihoods depend on its
illegal status, that marijuana is far less harmful to society and individuals
alike than alcohol.

If harder drugs, like cocaine and heroin, were legally available in regulated doses, in
a supervised setting, HIV transmission and deaths from overdose would almost certainly plummet. Hard drug users
could also be offered counseling and detox programs, instead of filling prisons to
overflowing with them.

When hard drug users no longer have to steal in order to pay exorbitant street prices for drugs, society is better off. With legitimate companies providing drugs in a regulated, supervised setting, the drug cartels will have to find another line of work.

Taking the profitability factor out of illegal drug trafficking is the only truly effective way to end drug gang violence.
]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#987621 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#987621 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#987446 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#987446 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#987422 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#987422 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#987420 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#987420 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#987417 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#987417 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#967053 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#967053 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#964023 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#964023 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#990262 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#990262 GMT
I believe that it is false to assume that if drugs were made legal more crime would be the result. It is far more likely that drug-crime would be reduced as was alcohol-crime after the repeal of prohibition. Whether they are good for you or not, if drugs were legal and well regulated (perhaps like pharmceuticals), I believe that crime would be reduced.]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#846450 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#846450 GMT what I am concerned about is a war that has been lost twenty years ago and all the people who have been placed in jail and had there lives destroyed over a illness called addiction
not to mention the huge amounts of illegal money that is pumped into the criminal world
making drugs more tolerable would go a long way in slowing the downward turn in this never ending search for lifes meaning ]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#844014 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#844014 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#838029 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#838029 GMT
Prohibition is the noose we are hanging ourselves with. Catherine Austin Fitts makes a frightful analysis: http://www...lars1.html --- John Thomas]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#831611 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#831611 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#831089 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#831089 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#830920 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#830920 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#829622 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#829622 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#829212 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/theworld/posts/list/739609.page#829212 GMT