Pubdate: Mon, 24 Jun 2002 Source: Peak, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2002 Peak Publications Society Contact: http://www.peak.sfu.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/775 Author: Myron Von Hollingsworth "LEGALISE IT..." Truth to tell, the drug warrior police, politicians, officials, media and civilians don't list victory as an objective in their expensive and oppressive trillion dollar war. Just remember that the drug czars' and warriors' jobs depend on the perpetual prosecution of - but never a victory in - the drug war. The politicians also rely on the drug war to sustain their constituent industries and institutions that depend on the economics of prohibition in order to make generous profits and campaign contributions that keep the drug warrior politicians in power and, therefore, keep themselves in business. Maybe the corrupt politicians and media are required to adhere to the party line of prohibition because law enforcement, customs, the prison and military industrial complex, the drug testing industry, the "drug treatment" industry, the INS, the CIA, the FBI, the DEA, the politicians themselves et al. can't live without the budget justification, not to mention the invisible profits, bribery, corruption and forfeiture benefits that prohibition affords them. The drug war also promotes, justifies and perpetuates racist enforcement policies and is diminishing many freedoms and liberties that are supposed to be inalienable according to the constitution and bill of rights. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth