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"It must be remembered that there is nothing more difficult to plan, more doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to manage, than the creation of a new system. For the initiator has the enmity of all who would profit by the preservation of the old institutions and merely lukewarm defenders in those who would gain by the new ones." Machiavelli
The War on the War on DrugsBy DIA, Section News
So many thoughts and ideas running around my head on this one that I think I'll do what is something i recommend elected officials try once in a while....go with the advice of someone smarter than me who isn't on a government payroll. Mr. Upton Sinclair:
"It's impossible to make a man understand something when his livelihood depends on him not understanding it."Let's all think about that. And then perhaps we can think about someone who is on the payroll fighting that glorious War on Drugs. Albany County Sheriff, James Campbell For 41 years I've been doing this, and it's a slap. I am as angry as I am disappointed."41 years. Probably put a lot of people in prison for possession of drugs. I'd think after 41 years there must be no one left doing drugs, right? No? Well, then how about if its not working after 41 years we keep doing the exact same thing? That sounds brilliant. Yes, apparently the Albany police are not happy with Soares' comments (see Sinclair above). And there are people on this site who think Soares shouldn't speak the truth because it might affect his working relationship with the Albany Police. Many of those same people will say that he shouldn't be prosecuting the officer in this video. Because he might upset the police. We've got some issues in this city that need to be addressed. They certainly might upset the police if we address them. Why people think we shouldn't talk about anything that might upset the police (or the mayor) is mind boggling. Doing the right thing is difficult and often upsets people. If it was easy, everyone would do it. It isn't. So, we have to rely on a few people with the balls to actually do it. Now some might say the police are just there to enforce the law, not talk about changing it to make it better. But who better to have a discussion about changing the laws that the people who enforce it? Like the police...or the DA. Well, Chief Tuffey is having none of it. But at least he wants to meet with Soares to talk about it. "When he comes back, he really needs to meet with us to explain," Tuffey said. "It's disingenuous to the officers who go out every day who are not highly paid, contrary to what he said."Its also disingenuous to imply that Soares said that all officers are overpaid. Or that we don't need officers to enforce the law. I'm sure that Soares will be more that willing to talk with Tuffey. I'm not convinced he will be willing to listen. Its also disingenuous to say that there are not officers that are highly paid, like Mr. Tuffey. "It's impossible to make a man understand something when his livelihood depends on him not understanding it."Let's see what the Cato Institute has to say about the war on drugs. Since the days of "Just Say No," this domestic quagmire has lasted longer than the Vietnam War. It has killed, detained and bullied innocent citizens and non-violent offenders in a futile campaign to vacuum every last cannabis seed from America's streets. This fool's errand isn't cheap. Between 1990 and 1999 alone, federal anti-drug law-enforcement activities have cost taxpayers $81 billion. States and cities have spent even more. Meanwhile, low-cost drugs have become even more plentiful.Although the locals will attack Soares and try to make this a political issue and say Soares is attacking all the good cops who work the streets of Albany County, they are missing the point. Soares is starting a discussion our country needs to have. I'm quite certain he knows he will be attacked for it. Kudos to him for being courageous enough to stand up and say this. If you want to disagree with him, try talking about what he is talking about instead of talking about him. Soares appears to be the rare politician who is making good on his campaign promises. He said he would do this and he is doing it. Perhaps his opponents would've worked harder to defeat him if they realized that, unlike their candidates, he wasn't just lying during his campaign, he was speaking the truth. Rare indeed. Update [2006-5-4 5:34:57 by DIA]: I recommend doing some reading about the war on drugs. I've already cited the Cato institute on this one. I don't agree with them on much. Now I'll give you the National Review. Its a long read but I recommend you check it out. Here is what you will read: We are joined in our judgment by Ethan A. Nadelmann, a scholar and researcher; Kurt Schmoke, a mayor and former prosecutor; Joseph D. McNamara, a former police chief; Robert W. Sweet, a federal judge and former prosecutor; Thomas Szasz, a psychiatrist; and Steven B. Duke, a law professor. Each has his own emphases, as one might expect. All agree that the celebrated war has failed, and that it is time to go home, and to mobilize fresh thought on the drug problem in the context of a free society. This symposium is our contribution to such thought.
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All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective companies. Comments are owned by the Poster. The Rest © 2005 The Management