Pubdate: Thu, 14 Mar 2002
Source: Boulder Weekly (CO)
Copyright: 2002 Boulder Weekly
Contact:  http://www.boulderweekly.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/57
Author: Chris Mandel
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n472/a06.html?3006

HIPPIE WAR

The article by Paul Dougan about the true nature of the drug war strikes me 
as very clear-sighted and honest ("War on ponytails," Speaking Out, Feb. 
28). He cuts a clear path through the propaganda and confusion surrounding 
this issue. I'm writing this letter to put his thoughts into a broader context.

Dougan concludes that the drug war is a social war on the counterculture, 
which puts it directly in line with American institutions such as 
segregation, WW II Japanese concentration camps, and the Indian wars. This 
is a strong allegation, but the implications of this social war go even 
further. We live in a world where, as a whole, old-growth forests, jungles, 
and coral reefs are rapidly shrinking, while deserts are growing. The 
Earth's temperature rises, while it's bio diversity is plummets. The 
counterculture that Dougan writes about is the heart of the movement to 
save our biosphere from one of the most dramatic die-offs of the planet's 
history.

Let's also put forfeiture laws and plea bargains into the picture. The 
property of suspected drug offenders can be permanently taken from them 
without an arrest ever being made. And, if an arrest is made, the case will 
most likely be settled without ever going to trial.

Simplistically put: There is a strong chance that the Earth is on the brink 
of one of the worst catastrophes of natural history, and it may be within 
the power of human kind to prevent, or at least limit, the severity of this 
occurrence. The social group most active and committed to this endeavor is 
the hippies. Unfortunately, this group is chained down by the fact that 
most of its members can, perfectly legally, be imprisoned and/or have their 
property stolen at anytime, without a trial.

Chris Mandel/Lafayette
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