tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1571201204115952544.post7867184464069095319..comments2024-03-15T00:21:37.019-07:00Comments on The Trench: DetoxJames Gundunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16141055666432969361noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1571201204115952544.post-86257029592893359822009-08-31T15:58:53.550-07:002009-08-31T15:58:53.550-07:00Yes the War on drugs should be viewed through a sc...Yes the War on drugs should be viewed through a scientific lens and be more considerate of individual privacy. Ideology can be dangerous when coupled with something as universal as drug use. One problem with personal consumption is that drugs are an integral part of all crime, so usage in private may inadvertently harm third parties. Decriminalization is by no means a panacea for America, simply an option to consider.<br /><br />Listening to South America has additional benefits. Right now the balance is still skewed towards military operations. President Obama could minimize opposition by emphasizing social and economic initiatives. The same principle can theoretically be applied to the Taliban. Overemphasis on opium farmers negatively impacted society. The new strategy targets drug lords, but without a stable Afghanistan the opium trade is unlikely to end.James Gundunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16141055666432969361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1571201204115952544.post-64639814115362492652009-08-31T07:30:46.650-07:002009-08-31T07:30:46.650-07:00Debaters debate the two wars as if Nixon’s civil w...Debaters debate the two wars as if Nixon’s civil war on Woodstock Nation didn’t yet run amok. One needn’t travel to China to find indigenous cultures lacking human rights or to Cuba for political prisoners. America leads the world in percentile behind bars, thanks to ongoing persecution of hippies, radicals, and non-whites under banner of the war on drugs. If we’re all about spreading liberty abroad, then why mix the message at home? Peace on the home front would enhance credibility. <br /><br />The drug czar’s Rx for prison fodder costs dearly, as lives are flushed down expensive tubes. My shaman’s second opinion is that psychoactive plants are God’s gift. In God’s eyes, it’s all good (Gen.1:12). The administration claims it wants to reduce demand for cartel product, but extraditing Canadian seed vendor Marc Emery increases demand. Mr. Emery enables American farmers to steal cartel customers with superior domestic product.<br /><br />The constitutionality of the CSA (Controlled Substances Act of 1970) derives from an interstate commerce clause. This clause is invoked to finance organized crime, endanger homeland security, and throw good money after bad. Official policy is to eradicate, not tax, the number-one cash crop in the land. America rejected prohibition, but it’s back. Apparently, SWAT teams don’t need no stinking amendment.<br /><br />Nixon promised the Schafer Commission would support the criminalization of his enemies, but it didn’t. No matter, the witch-hunt was on. No amendments can assure due process under an anti-science law without due process itself. Psychology hailed the breakthrough potential of LSD, until the CSA halted all research. Marijuana has no medical use, period.<br /><br />The RFRA (Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993) allows Native American Church members to eat peyote, which functions like LSD. Americans shouldn’t need a specific church membership to obtain their birthright freedom of religion. Denial of entheogen sacrament to any American, for mediation of communion with his or her maker, precludes free exercise of religious liberty.<br /><br />Freedom of speech presupposes freedom of thought. The Constitution doesn’t enumerate any governmental power to embargo diverse states of mind. How and when did government usurp this power to coerce conformity? The Mayflower sailed to escape coerced conformity. Legislators who would limit cognitive liberty lack jurisdiction. <br /><br />Common-law must hold that adults own their bodies. The Founding Fathers decreed that the right to the pursuit of happiness is inalienable. Socrates said to know your self. Lawmakers should not presume to thwart the intelligent design that molecular keys unlock spiritual doors. Persons who appreciate their own free choice of path in life should tolerate seekers’ self-exploration.<br /><br />Simple majorities in each house could repeal the CSA. The books have ample law on them without the CSA. The usual caveats remain in effect. You are liable for damages when you screw up. Strong medicine requires prescription. Employees can be fired for poor job performance. No harm, no foul; and no excuse, either. Replace the war on drugs with a frugal, constitutional, science-based drugs policy.Antinomianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00604354518404421014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1571201204115952544.post-22065387082188047612009-08-31T06:55:31.813-07:002009-08-31T06:55:31.813-07:00Armed conflict is almost always about dick-measuri...Armed conflict is almost always about dick-measuring and almost never addresses the underlying grievances that sparked the calls-to-arms. Social efforts are always the real battle-front. Inter-state conflict is now only one way among many that we wage war, and therefore, the notion of fighting drugs with guns is lacking, as you point out.<br /><br />Turning an illicit economic activity into a licit one is brilliant on all fronts. I've seen several analysts saying that the US and the West as a whole should purchase opium from Afghans to fuel our pharma industry rather than thinking along the lines of eradication. To the extent that this would create a feedback loop with the Taliban et al would make it moot. In South America, however, where the war is with drugs specifically, something along these lines seems plausible.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com