Pubdate: Wed, 01 Mar 2000 Source: Summit Free Press (CO) Copyright: 2000 Summit Free Press, Inc. Contact: PO Box 8386, Breckenridge, CO 80424 Feedback: http://www.summitfreepress.com/contact_us_page.htm Website: http://www.summitfreepress.com/ Author: Mike Plylar NEWSPAPERS ARE MOUTHPIECE FOR DRUG WAR Dear Summit Free Press: Newspapers around the country denounce the TV networks for taking money to echo themes and slogans concocted by Drug Czar Barry McCaffrey and his ONDCP. So, what's the problem? Newspapers have long been a mouthpiece for the drug war establishment and have unquestioningly regurgitated every statement and rumination of the anti-drug cartel, no matter how ludicrous or false. Was it the money? Are the newspapers upset because their integrity was donated for free, as a "service to the public", while the television networks discovered a literal gold mine and were paid so handsomely for "sending the government's messages", prime time. The newest frenzy in the form of the "meth epidemic" is presently being created by McCaffrey and his cronies, just like the "crack plague" that was concocted during the '90's. The rural papers and politicos approach "The Czar" with "hat in hand" wanting their share of public funds to combat this impending catastrophe. From Billings, Montana to Riverside, California, the pandering continues and it's the same old "song and dance". The local media "pumps up the volume" with questionable facts and statistics compiled by the feds. Local drug "professionals" and law enforcement jump on the bandwagon and if all the propaganda is presented and broadcast properly and the populous is sufficiently enraged, the deluge of money from Washington is guaranteed to come. It's all about money, with another drug epidemic soon to follow the last and sure to be conquered with a massive contribution of your tax dollars, even though, most of these scourges never existed, except in our own collective beliefs and memories. The nation's and world's media could and should make amends by researching and presenting the facts. You should provide your readers a great service by questioning the statistics, the money, and the "facts", manufactured by the government. That is how to make things right. But maybe this time it will be different. With the "money machine" unmasked, maybe the people and the media will acknowledge the obvious, "the Czar wears no clothes", and the taxpayers are the losers in this unending "War on Drugs, for MONEY", carried on by our nation's shameless mercenaries, who feed at America's most egregious examples of "pork barrel" politics, the "War On Drugs". There is a positive perspective to all this. By publishing stories about network "drug payola", you have heightened the awareness of the people concerning, how the "Drug War" has invaded every fabric and institution of our society. One can no longer trust the message or the messenger, because it was probably bought and paid for by the government. Read their messages. The words, drugs and money, are always used profusely and interchangeably. Where illegal drugs are discussed, money won't be far behind. It's all about money. Always has been. But, now it's different. It's no longer a secret and we are watching very closely. Sincerely, Mike Plylar, Kremmling - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D