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Presidential hopeful and former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson calls (once again) for

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…Stop Digging!

From the AP: The number of homicides in Mexico rose by nearly a quarter in 2010 compared to the year before as the drug war intensified across the country, Mexican statisticians said Thursday. The National Institute of Statistics and Geography recorded 24,374 homicides over the course of last year, a 23 percent increase from 19,803 in 2009. Last year’s figure…

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We got another kingpin!

Those Mexican drug kingpins are dropping like flies. By my count thismakes eight! Let me know when the violence stops.

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$90 Billion and Counting…

Crime & Justice News reports on this story: As Congress debates border-security funding and as governors demand more assistance, the Associated Press investigated what taxpayers spend securing the U.S.-Mexico border. Using White House budgets, reports obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests, and congressional transcripts, the tally is $90 billion in 10 years. For taxpayers footing the bill, the returns…

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The Elusive Search for “Mr. Kingpin”

The LA Times reports that the ATF Director is expected to resign over the “Fast and Furious” gun program. It sure does seem a little strange for law enforcement to watch guns being sold to criminals and not acting. The operation marked a rare instance in which ATF agents allowed guns to “walk” into the hands of criminals, ostensibly with…

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Drug Dealers vs. Business

[I just stumbled across this postfrom 2008 and rather liked it (if I do say so myself). I don’t really remember writing it. And since I don’t remember writing it, I figure you don’t remember reading it! So here it is again:] A liquor store in Baltimore is being forced to close because a man was killed there and drug…

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The Voices Grow Louder: End the Drug War

Jimmy Carter writes in the New York Times. And Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle tells it like it is. And before you dismiss a Cook County Board President, consider that Cook County (Chicago) is larger than some 30 states. And in the article there are some very good words from the new Chicago Police Superintendent, Garry McCarthy (whom I’ve…

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Narcotics Officer Says End War On Drugs

Neill Franklin was my commanding officer when I graduated from the police academy. Now we’re co-authors and friends. Here, on WBAL, he talks about ending the drug war. You can also read a good article about Neill Franklin in The Fix.

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A Sixth Season of The Wire…

…As soon as the Department of Justice is “ready to reconsider and address its continuing prosecution of our misguided, destructive and dehumanising drug prohibition.”

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U.S. can’t justify its drug war spending, reports say

Duh. But what gives this report a little twist is that it comes from the U.S. Government. Despite the obvious, “Obama administration officials strongly deny that U.S. efforts have failed to reduce drug production or smuggling in Latin America.” What is it about being President that makes one keep fighting a failed drug war? From the LA Times.