The Drug War Wall Begins to Fall

Nora Callahan

Executive Director of the November Coalition

Thanks for that reminder and video of the Berlin Wall at your post at The Field. The idea that people will gather around their kitchen tables, community groups and look at many issues anew is comforting. I was watching a Nightline segment the other night wherein President Obama explained why he needed to go to town meetings and face the hard questions. It's as if so many have complained so long, we don't remember that kind of November, when suddenly walls came down and people were reunited with loved ones. It can happen. Good can happen. I haven't forgot it, but the video surely reinforced a sleeping memory. The elderly release provision in the Second Chance Act will spare my brother a year of 5 and half that is left. I'd hoped we do far better and not have to make a sad joke of the paltry relief he got, when we were together again -- free on a breeze somewhere and shooting the breeze. Thank you for a great summary of events of the last week. Chuck hopes you don't mind if he features it in the Razor Wire...

Nora - I'm always happy when Razor Wire republishes our work. The guys and gals on the inside don't generally have access to Internet, after all.

.. and then there's the remainder of the apparatus which has inserted into HR1 an ungodly chunk of money for the drug war and mexican border patrols. check HR1 for insertions that stand out against the intent of the bill

Why is Marijuana being discussed as a narcotic? It is a mild stimulant that speeds up bodily function. The term "narcotic" should refer to substances like opiates and barbituates that slow down body functions. The perversion of language in this drug war is so ridiculous that most critics feel forced to misspeak the language of the liars. BTW, Cocaine and Amphetamines are not narcotics either although you can't tell that from our news media. Of course, my drug education curriculum barely even mentions banned drugs. After all, because of the total lack of measurable standards and dearth of actual legitimate studies little to no reliable information is known about these drugs - at least the versions of these drugs that are available on the streets [thanks to drug policy]. Instead I concentrate on personal abuse problems and how kids can minimize the effects in their own lives. This is how it should be when discussing drugs. Without personal abuse problems, drugs are just another way to deal with life. Do it responsibly and the problems are minimal.

I didn't refer to marijuana as a narcotic in my story. You seem to be saying that a publication titled Narco News shouldn't ever report about marijuana? That's just silly.

Now we can start to work harder. There is so much dead wood to remove we'd ought to split harder and use the energy generated to heat and cook on.As the dominoes fall we are the ones best equipped to keep the focus clearly on the power shift. 1. It's not about drugs, it's about money and money is power. 2. The corrupt have to be eliminated from their seats of power, some sent home, most to prison for the killings.3 The idea of power must be examined, simplified and placed in the hands of the people. Education must become real so the people can grow to use the tools of the mind to maintain their liberty. There must be health care for all so the patients can heal themselves with the help of professionals. That means we the people need to grow not smarter: rather wiser.

As a Colombian citizen, I believe it would greatly benefit the reduction of crime. I would go even further and also ask for the decriminalization of prostitution and make both matters of public health.