Pubdate: Fri, 13 Sep 2002 Source: Blade, The (Toledo, OH) Copyright: 2002 The Blade Contact: http://www.toledoblade.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/48 Author: Jim Boehm RAISE THE WHITE FLAG IN WAR ON DRUGS What do the Portuguese, Dutch, governor of New Mexico, the Unitarian church, Detroit police chief, and Blade columnist Gwynne Dyer have in common? They all have caught up with the Libertarians in recognizing the insanity of the war on drugs, which actually is a war on people. Mr. Dyer says, "the war on drugs is one of the most counter-productive activities in which human beings have engaged." It's obvious we have learned nothing from Prohibition. With Prohibition we saw a tenfold expansion in organized crime just as we see huge increases again. We've seen cocaine production when drugs were legal at 10 tons go to 700 tons because of this stupid war. We see heroin financing al-Qaeda. Why aren't they financing their terrorism from the sale of Scotch or cigarettes? It's because government has made heroin illegal. The Freedom Daily said, "The connection between booze and the Mafia was broken not by teetotaling but by ending Prohibition." Then there are those foggy minds who say if we legalize drugs usage would go through the roof. Guess what? Anyone who wants drugs is now using them. We can't even keep drugs out of jails. If Nike dispensed with all its advertising, sales would decrease. So what would be the impact on the drug scene without pushers? The drug war has cost billions and destroyed millions of lives. It has taken an unconscionable toll on the black community. It has financed terrorism, empowered government, and destroyed our freedoms. Let's raise the white flag. It was the Depression that ended Prohibition. With the legalization of marijuana in Arizona, and when the hypocrites we elect with their rabid lust for revenue see the revenue generated, you will see a lightning domino effect of states following suit. It's about time! Jim Boehm Drummond Road - --- MAP posted-by: Alex