Drug War’s March of Folly

[marmar]

from Consortium News:



Drug War’s March of Folly

Exclusive: Four decades ago, President Richard Nixon declared a “war on drugs,” setting in motion one of the most destructive exercises in prohibition in American history. Legal rights of citizens were trampled, countless billions of dollars were expended, violence spread and the prisons filled, but little progress was made. And, Richard L. Fricker notes that the destructive folly continues.

By Richard L. Fricker
June 22, 2011


When U.S. presidents label some national challenge a “war,” watch out. It rarely ends well – and that’s not just for military conflicts like the wars in Vietnam, Iraq or Afghanistan. It goes for the decade-long “war on terror” and the four-decade-long “war on drugs.”

That’s partly because once the word “war” is attached, many Americans expect “victory” and any flagging of support is deemed “weak” or “defeatist” or even “disloyal.”

So, in Campaign 2004, when Sen. John Kerry said the U.S. should try to reduce terrorism to a “nuisance” that law enforcement could handle – rather than wage “war” to eradicate a tactic used throughout human history – his reasonable comment was seized upon as a “gaffe” that highlighted his supposed lack of manhood, compared to tough-guy George W. Bush.

Similarly, most politicians have been afraid to question the “war on drugs” that was declared by President Richard Nixon 40 years ago – on June 17, 1971. There had been anti-drug laws before that, but Nixon chose to cast the struggle not as a social problem to be managed but as a “war” to be fought and won, for a “drug-free America.” ..........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://consortiumnews.com/2011/06/22/drug-wars-march-of-folly/

[RKP5637]

1. Yet another of Americas' stupid inane expensive wars that goes nowhere but to

pad the pockets of those waging it...