Good question! And it’s answered by Ted Hesson in his good article in Fusion.net. Spoiler alert: No. Second spoiler: I’m quoted. Third spoiler: I curse (yet again).
Tag: war on drugs
We Got Another Kingpin! (14)
It’s been a few months, and actually “we” didn’t get him. But he was gotten all the same. From the BBC: “Mexican police have found the body of Aquiles Gomez, who was thought to be one of the main leaders of the Knights Templar drug cartel.” We win! (for the fourteenth time and counting…) As I wrote back in 2011:…
The sound of the drug war slowly crumbling…
…now includes police chiefs saying we should decriminalize small amounts of marijuana. It’s not that bold of a statement, but it is coming from an active chief of police! From Mlive: [Petersburg, Virginia, Police Chief John] Dixon said drug use and addiction ought to be addressed by public health officials, not police. He said that police often view drug arrests…
Still of the Day
Direct predecessor to DEA agents proudly displaying their prohibition victory. After another decade of trying to make alcohol go away, Americans would wise up and regulate alcohol. Guys like these would then continue the prohibition fight against other drugs. It’s 92 years later and more than two million Americans are behind bars. Keep on keeping on! [Enlarged version here. Taken…
“Just the world we live in”
A stun grenade exploded in a baby’s face. According to the BBC: The Swat officers had used a stun grenade, called a flash bang, as they entered the residence. The device, which creates bright bursts of light and noise to temporarily disorient its targets, landed in 19-month-old Bounkham “Bou Bou” Phonesavanh’s playpen, where it burned the child’s face and created…
This guy might be brilliant…
Mark Oslermay I’m talking about. Don’t know him from Adam: “We Need Al Capone Drug Laws“
(Former) Narc in Vice
Neill Franklin, once my commanding officer and now my friend (and coauthor) featured in Vice Magazine. I love Vice Magazine. And just because I’ve also been featured in it.
“The true lives of low-level drug dealers”
Erin Rose wrote a great piece in Salon about your average run-of-the drug dealer. It’s not like Breaking Bad (though it is in Albuquerque). It’s not like Baltimore’s Eastern District. Most drug dealers are not violent. Most drug dealers are not black. Some highlights (but it’s worth reading in its entirety): Rico works a full-time job and only deals as…
We Got Another Kingpin! (13)
“El Chapo, Most-Wanted Drug Lord, Is Captured in Mexico.” “This is an absolutely huge get.” “Big strike.” “A landmark achievement, and a victory for the citizens of both Mexico and the United States.” So don’t believe the headline, “Drug kingpin’s bust may have no effect.” Or the nay-sayers: “It’s bad news for Mazatlán. “He was keeping the peace.” We win!…