Pubdate: Thu, 27 Aug 2009 Source: El Paso Times (TX) Copyright: 2009 El Paso Times Contact: http://www.elpasotimes.com/formnewsroom Website: http://www.elpasotimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/829 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n785/a06.html Author: Gray Turner DRUG CONFERENCES HELPING CARTELS The recent Border Security Conference in El Paso was unsuccessful, but the drug lords appreciate the information and plans. The $1.4 billion U.S. Merida Initiative is realized by the Mexican drug lords, and they want more. One U.S. speaker (an assistant czar) announced that the new drug strategy will not include a war on drugs. This same Obama assistant czar also reported that this new strategy will not include a legalization of drugs. The drug lords welcome both announcements. During the U.S. booze prohibition (1919-1933), my Canadian border town made money helping bootleggers in running booze all over New England and beyond. When Prohibition was repealed this criminal system, and its players, dried up and the U.S. and states then controlled and taxed booze, which provided benefits. Now untaxed and uncontrolled drugs are everywhere in U.S. society. This costs the taxpayers billions of dollars and many lives unsuccessfully fighting drugs. Yes, these drug profits are huge, and do influence the U.S. government decision-makers. Just follow the dollar. There is a system in place to control legalized drugs (in addition to tobacco and booze), and reap the tax benefits and the collateral good. Gray Turner East El Paso - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake