Pubdate: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 Source: Roanoke Times (VA) Copyright: 2008 Roanoke Times Contact: http://www.roanoke.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/368 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n381/a08.html Author: Kirk Muse Vested interests keep the drug war going I'm writing about Matthew Fogg's outstanding April 12 commentary, "War on drugs is a war on our youth." The so-called war on drugs is a huge industry and huge bureaucracy. Victory in the drug war is not possible, nor is it the goal. Victory would mean that the drug war industry and bureaucracy are out of business. There are basically two types of people who support the so-called war on drugs: those who make their livelihood from it -- this includes politicians and bureaucrats who are probably on the payroll of the drug cartels -- and suckers, taxpayers who have bought into the lies and propaganda of the drug war industry and bureaucracy. Suckers who are willing to deny liberty and freedom to others, but think their own liberty and freedom will never be in jeopardy. Suckers who believe that criminalizing a substance will make it go away. Suckers who think that drug prohibition somehow protects children. Suckers who think that giving criminals control of dangerous drugs somehow protects children and our society. Suckers who think they live in a free country even though the United States is the most incarcerated nation in the history of human civilization. Kirk Muse Mesa, Ariz. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake