According to a recent preview of his trip in The Washington Post, the president is expected to promise swifter delivery of drug-war aid and increased efforts by the U.S. to stop the flow of American weapons to Mexico. But the best solution to what’s plaguing Mexico right now is the one topic that will almost assuredly be off the table: legalizing marijuana. Marijuana makes up 60 to 70 percent of the Mexican drug trade. Lifting prohibitions on it in the United States would eradicate a major source of funds for the cartels.
Another instance in which the Obama team has moved away from a fresh, realistic consideration of drug policy involves a federal program called the Byrne Grant, which ties federal funding for local police departments directly to drug arrests. During the campaign, both Obama and running mate Joe Biden pushed to revitalize this damaging program, which warps local police’s priorities, encouraging them to jack up arrest statistics by prowling for low-level offenders. In several areas, unaccountable, militaristic multi-jurisdictional drug task forces have wreaked havoc on minority and low-income communities. Byrne Grant task forces were responsible for the wrongful arrest of dozens of black residents of Tulia, Texas, in 1999, as well as a similar calamity a year later in Hearne, Texas (which is the inspiration for the upcoming movie, American Violet).
Then there’s Afghanistan. Obama’s new plan for the country is not only foolish, it may well undermine U.S. national security. The Associated Press reported last month that a major focus of Obama’s plan “will be modeled after the federal Drug Enforcement Administration’s campaign against drug cartels in South America.” The problem is that the federal government’s anti-drug efforts in South America have failed. Despite America spending $6 billion on anti-drug efforts in Colombia since 2000, cocaine production increased 27 percent over that period. The situation on the continent is so bad that the three previous presidents of Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia recently wrote an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal calling for an end to the U.S.-led drug war. Now Obama wants to use the same methods in Afghanistan.
via – The Daily Beast “Obama’s Demented Drug Policy“
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Same Old Wine
by:Kenny Loggins
Well we give them the election
They keep filling our heads full of lies
Can we trust in new directons
When their promises are in disquise
Well someday the truth will catch up
I just hope it don’t catch us all by surprise
They preach this thing, religion
But we show no faith at all
Follow suit on Sunday
But on Monday, forget it all
If the times should find us needing him
Then my friends, Lord have mercy on our soul
It’s the same old wine
In a brand new bottle
It’s the same old wine
In a brand new bottle
Teach our children virture
Then we send’em off to war
Then we ask ourselves the question
What and the hell are we fighting for
If you should find a reason
Well don’t be afraid to open the door
Well don’t be afraid
Same old wine
From a brand new bottle
Same old wine
From a brand new bottle
The same old wine
From a brand new bottle
Here’s the song (sing along now):
http://tinyurl.com/cd2kvl
Ron Paul in `12
Sorry bout dat mon! Got the munchies after I watched it.
Here it is:
http://tinyurl.com/deugr9
I think sameoldwine meant to paste this link: http://tinyurl.com/deugr9
Can you re-check that link, sameoldwine? It’s taking me to a blog about the 100 Best Southern Foods.
Your link takes me to a southern foods article.
Check out this brilliant piece from Bill Moyer’s last night http://tinyurl.com/a3hjpm and combine it with the successful 8 year complete decrim story in Portugal (which has little to no mention) and you have an in the park home run on sanity.
Jah guide y’all
The clothes are off Mr. Prez. Your arse is showing. (I really am not into that so quit it!)
As Mr. Becker says: “NO MORE, DRUG WAR”