Eric,
I have really mixed emotions on the cops involved in drug enforcement,
and I appreciate your pointing this facet of the problem out. I know
it's their job, and they should certainly be honored for doing it,
particularly if they're injured or killed in the line of duty. However,
the issue is much larger than the individual cops and their families.
Someone with better access to crime statistics could shed more light
but, IMO, the size of all police forces has grown dramatically over the
past three decades as a direct consequence of the so-called, "drug war."
Not only have the sheer numbers of law enforcement officers grown, the
weaponry and technology they use today is mind-boggling. Since drug
criminals are the primary target for this manpower, weaponry and
technology, take drug enforcement off the table (for marijuana, at
least), and the need for large, military-style police forces should
lessen significantly.
The case has been made, and I believe, that many people actually favor a
full-tilt drug war, even if unsuccessful, because it provides the excuse
for larger, better equipped police forces. It might be illuminating to
see the percentage of police budgets allocated to drug enforcement.
--John
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> Gutsy is right, because there are so many people that have bought into the
> status quo. How do you look at the spouse and kids of a law officer who
> was killed in a drug raid and tell them that their loved one died for
> nothing? Regardless of your position on criminalization or legalization,
> you have to be able to see how they might see that as a slap in the face.
>
> I have to say that it bugs me when people whine about jails that are
> crowded with drug users. Hello? Are we supposed to let them go even if
> they're found guilty? The rule of law says that if it's illegal and you do
> it, you go to jail. If you don't like the law, work to change it, but
> don't whine when you get busted doing something that's illegal.
>
> I will agree that we often jail people for whom a treatment program would
> be a much better choice, but then there are the cases like Darryl
> Strawberry, where the guy's been given treatment instead of jail FOUR
> TIMES. Each time he violates his parole, they send him back to treatment
> instead of throwing his butt in jail like they would anyone else in the
> same situation.
>
> Okay, I'll get off my soapbox now...
> |--------------------------+----------------------------------------------|
> |Eric A. Laney |I'd love to, but I'm building a pig from a |
> |Systems Engineer |kit. |
> |LAN Optimization Team | |
> |Voice: 813.978.4404 | |
> |Pager: 888.985.8519 | - What to tell a Loser|
> |--------------------------+----------------------------------------------|
>
>
> Lee
> <[EMAIL PROTECTED] To: CF-Community
><[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> iaone.net> cc:
> Subject: Re: Leeegalisssee ittt!
> 08/02/2001
> 11:14 AM
> Please respond
> to
> cf-community
>
>
>
> >Sadly, we've been discussing this issue for more than 30 years. It's
> >understandable that the WWII generation might have been willing to
> >criminalize marijuana (believe it or not, it didn't used to be illegal),
> >but their children's generation is now in power, and still it remains
> >illegal.
> >
>
> It's all about politics. It's not safe ground for any politician to talk
> legalization. It's too risky and it's just not worth it. I'm sure many of
> our recent leaders (almost all of had some exposure to drugs), would
> privately say legalize it. It's going to take a gutsy statesman to make
> anything happen in this arena.
>
> Lee
>
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