| July 21, 2000 #158 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Table of Contents
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
In addition to the terrific coverage by High Times below, MAP also hit another milestone recently by topping 40,000 fully searchable news articles in the news archive at http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
FEATURE ARTICLE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
FREEDOM FIGHTERS OF THE MONTH - MARK GREER AND MATT ELROD - MAP'S NET | ||||||||||||||||||||
The top site bookmarked on my Web browser at HIGH TIMES is mapinc.org,
the DrugSense/Media Awareness Project's collection of over 37,000 drug-
related news articles. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The MAP Inc Website is the most-surfed drug-policy site in the nation,
averaging over 70,000 hits a day last March and getting over 100,000
one day April. | ||||||||||||||||||||
According to a Webtrends.net comparison, the DrugSense/MAP Websites are
more popular then those of the Drug Czar's Office, Partnership for a
Drug-Free America, CASA and DARE combined. Last April, almost 8,000
other sites had links to MAP. Aside from news clips, which are also
accessible on lists "asset forfeiture" to "raves," the site offers
guides to writing letters to the editor, and contains links to over 75
pot and hemp sites, 83 general drug-policy reform sites and 20
prohibitionist groups. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The site is the brainchild of Mark Greer, 52, a former computer
salesmen from Southern California. Greer discovered the Internet in
1993, and hooked up with the Drug Reform Coordination Network. They
originally collected articles to help people write anti-Drug War
letters to the editor. But Greer soon realized that the articles were
worth archiving. Today. he says, MAP has 400 to 500 "NewsHawks," almost
all volunteers, sending in about 1,000 articles a month from the US,
Canada, Western Europe and Australia. He's now trying to arrange
translations of stories from Colombia and Mexico. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Greer split from DRCNet in late 1994, establishing DrugSense as an
umbrella group to encompass other activities, primarily helping less
technical activists get access to the Web. Webmaster Matt Elrod came
aboard in 1995. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Elrod is also Webmaster for Kevin Zeese's Common Sense for Drug Policy,
and has done computer work for the November Coalition, the Drug Policy
Foundation and the Vancouver Compassion Club, as well as offering free
"hand-holding and technical support" to scores of' other groups.
Sometimes, he confesses, he feels "a bit of an armchair activist,"
working out of a log house on B.C.'s Victoria [sic] Island, a long way
from the drug raids in the ghettos or the Skid Row of Vancouver's
Downtown Eastside. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Still, he contends, the Net is an invaluable information resource for
activists. "We've won the Internet battle, because we're not limited to
soundbites," he says, "in any debate, the prohibitionists are pounded
into the dust." | ||||||||||||||||||||
Greer echoed that theme at last May's DPF conference, noting that while
MAP offers links to prohibitionist Websites, the likes of DARE and the
PDFA don't reciprocate. "Our secret weapon is accuracy," he said. "We
link to them --- they don't link to us," | ||||||||||||||||||||
"Out in the streets, I'd just be another body," Elrod concludes. "We all have to do our part, and this is the best way I can." | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
~~~~ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Mark Greer: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Matt Elrod: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Drug Reform Coordination Network: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Common Sense for Drug Policy: | ||||||||||||||||||||
The November Coalition: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Drug Policy Foundation: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Vancouver Compassion Club | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cited Prohibitionists: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Drug Czar's Office: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Partnership for a Drug-Free America: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
A picture of MAP board and staff meeting at the DPF conference is on
line here: http://www.mapinc.org/image/dsboard/ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
WEEKLY NEWS IN REVIEW (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Domestic News- Policy | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (1-3) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Unabashed by "Cookiegate" or by the furor over previous attempts to
influence media content, McCzar revealed that ONDCP was about to
launch a new campaign to coerce the high profile Film Industry to toe
the party line on drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||
In addition, the czar wanted to start placing cookies again. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Reaction to these initiatives was cool; but for varying reasons- an important Congressional ally worried openly about image, while most editorial writers were more concerned about the First Amendment | ||||||||||||||||||||
(1) HOLLYWOOD, THE NEW FRONT IN DRUGS WAR (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
White House Gives Movie Industry Lead Role In Fight Against Teenage
Abuse | ||||||||||||||||||||
The White House yesterday announced it is opening a new front in its
anti-drugs campaign, targeting Hollywood's entertainment industry in an
attempt to encourage films to promote its drugs-free message.
Undeterred by controversy earlier this year about his tactics for
persuading television companies to adopt a similar message, the White
House drugs "tsar", General Barry McCaffrey, confirmed that he intends
to "leverage popular movies and videos" to promote the White House
campaign against teenage drugs use. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(2) DRUG CZAR WANTS TO REOPEN THE 'COOKIE' JAR (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
WASHINGTON - White House drug czar Barry McCaffrey said Tuesday he
wants to turn his office's Internet "cookie" machine back on to find
out what turns on kids about drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||
But lawmakers warned McCaffrey that continuing controversies over White
House drug office snooping on Internet users, and paying Hollywood
scriptwriters to put anti-drug messages in TV sitcoms, are undermining
public confidence in the government's $1 billion, five-year anti-drug
campaign. "We can't afford to have kids thinking that every anti-drug
message portrayed on TV was planted by the government. Likewise, we
cannot afford to have their parents fearing that they are being spied
upon every time they visit a government Web site for information or
help," said Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., chairman of the House Government
Reform criminal justice subcommittee. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(3) EDITORIAL: THE PARTY LINE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Drug Czar Aims To Infiltrate Hollywood. | ||||||||||||||||||||
It turns out drug czar and retired Army Gen. Barry McCaffrey wasn't
content with paying off TV networks to slip "anti-drug" messages into
the scripts of 109 (and still counting) episodes of entertainment
programs like "E.R." and "Beverly Hills, 90210" -- even going so far as
to preview the episodes and "suggest changes." | ||||||||||||||||||||
No, after that Orwellian scheme was exposed by the online magazine Salon, back in January, came the April revelation that at least six major magazines and newspapers had also met the drug czar's "matching requirements" under 1997 legislation that requires media outlets to "match" every dollar spent by the government to purchase anti-drug ads. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
But now comes a further revelation, in Tuesday's Los Angeles Times,
that the drug czar planned to disclose in congressional testimony this
week a plan to also "leverage popular movies" into featuring these
approved anti-drug messages. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Producers and publishers who sell out our heritage of a free and
skeptical press for such paltry payoffs should be exposed. Then, the
same Congress which was once wise enough to forbid the Voice of America
from broadcasting government propaganda (no matter how seemingly
well-intentioned) inside America should similarly put this drug czar
out of the domestic propaganda business. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (4-7) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
An accurate overview in the Christian Science Monitor discussed the
recent push toward court-mandated treatment as an alternative to
incarceration. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Lest we read all such measures as a call for moderation or a change in
policy, steadfast defenses of prohibition continue to appear in
heartland newspapers. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel editorial was typical, despite a
relatively frank admission that the drug war doesn't work, their main
corrective is just another fatuous sermon. | ||||||||||||||||||||
On the other hand, a stark, no-nonsense assessment of drug war
failures and call for new strategy by another Texas daily should give
ONDCP something to ponder. | ||||||||||||||||||||
(4) IN DRUG WAR, TREATMENT IS BACK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
California Credits Treatment With Its First Drop In Prison Inmates In
Two Decades. | ||||||||||||||||||||
NEW YORK - After a quarter century of toughness toward criminals, a
movement is growing nationwide to emphasize treatment for nonviolent
drug offenders and other forms of alternative sentencing rather than
simply lock them up. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The move is being driven by the need to deal with the social and
economic costs of burgeoning prison populations, and the belief that
the get-tough approach hasn't helped alleviate the nation's core drug
problem. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(5) EDITORIAL: DRUG LEGALIZATION ISN'T COST-FREE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Remember the television commercial that showed an egg frying in a pan, with the announcer's grim narration, "This is your brain on drugs"? It didn't take a public service announcement to convince me that doing drugs is a profoundly bad lifestyle choice. That said, I continue to be amazed at those who suggest that drug legalization somehow would produce less of a drain on society than the current war on drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Is the current "war on drugs" working? Not by a long shot. The
government is arresting plenty of drug dealers - and users - only to
find plenty more where they came from. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Educators and parents clearly need to do more to imbue in our young
people that drug use is an inherently dangerous endeavor. Indeed, one
cannot have too much awareness of those dangers. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The antidote to the current system, however, is not legalization. It is time for the drug-legalization crowd to stop implying that such an endeavor is cost-free. As Ron Owens said, "We could lose a generation." | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(6) OPED: HAVE YOU TALKED TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT DRUGS YET? (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
If it hasn't happened yet, one day or night soon it will. Your child,
just like my own, will be offered drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Maybe it's the first time he or she has been offered a chance to get
high. Maybe it's just the first time this weekend. Sometimes, our kids
have to decide several times a day whether they want to share a joint,
sniff some heroin or pop some Ecstasy. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Most kids have to start making these decisions between the age of 13
and 14. Each and every time the choice of what to do is theirs, and no
matter where you live, the problem is probably closer to your child
than you think. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(7) EDITORIAL: CHANGE THE STRATEGY (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
In 1972 while the Vietnam War was being fought in Southeast Asia and on
the streets of America, President Richard Nixon's administration
launched a new war - the war on drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The United States failed to win the Vietnam War. This nation's 28-year
battle against drugs continues to escalate with no likelihood of
victory in the foreseeable future. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Actually, drugs are more available and used by more Americans today
than when the battle cry was first raised nearly three decades ago.
It's time for Congress members and administration officials who persist
in calling their anti-drug efforts a war to admit that their battle
tactics have resulted in 28 years of failures. It's time for a change
in tactics. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Law Enforcement & Prisons | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (8-9) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The sentencing- in the same week- of a rural Louisiana police chief
and the former US Army chief of Colombian anti-drug operations-
provided an interesting contrast is what passes for justice when it
comes to the war on drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||
(8) FEDERAL JUDGE GIVES EX-CHIEF TONGUE-LASHING, 33-MONTH TERM (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
LAFAYETTE -- A former Duson police chief got a tongue-lashing and a
33-month sentence from U.S. District Judge Richard Haik at his
sentencing on drug conspiracy charges. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tom Deville, 51, was accused of ignoring a Duson drug ring operated by
Lanier "Pop" Cherry and later acting as a drug runner in the
operation. The sentence given Monday was the maximum under federal
sentencing guidelines. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(9) NOBODY QUESTIONS THE COLONEL (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Why did James Hiett get just five months for covering up his wife's drug-running in Colombia, while his chauffeur got more time? Another case study in the drug war, in which white perps get off easy. He may be going to jail, but Col. James Hiett remains a virtuoso of denial. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Hiett's sentencing revealed not an overprotective husband, but a
military policy in which blindness is the operative strategy -- a habit
of mind so entrenched that neither Col. Hiett nor the Clinton
administration nor the U.S. Congress can renounce it, even as the
prison door is swinging shut. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (10-11) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Other sentencing and enforcement discrepancies caught the attention of
opinion writers: a deadly accurate interpretation of the Pofahl case
appeared in the Fresno Bee; the NY Times printed a realistic
assessment of the injury done Governor Whitman's political fortunes by
an embarrassing photo from '96. | ||||||||||||||||||||
(10) EDITORIAL: MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCES (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Unjust, Overly Harsh Sentencing Law Should Be Repealed. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Amy Pofahl walked out of prison last week after spending nine years of a 24-year drug conspiracy sentence behind bars. Pofahl served that time while her husband -- a Stanford law school graduate and wealthy businessman who was convicted along with her but cooperated with prosecutors -- was given three years probation. He also served a three-year sentence in Germany, where he was originally arrested. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Amy Pofahl is a textbook example of the idiocy and injustice of federal
mandatory minimum-sentencing laws that allow prosecutors to offer deals
to higher-ups in a drug ring who, because of their own complicity, have
the knowledge about principals in the drug operation. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(11) EDITORIAL: GOVERNOR WHITMAN'S GAFFE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
A startling photograph has surfaced showing Gov. Christine Todd Whitman of New Jersey grinning while frisking a black man who has his hands up and is facing a wall. The picture was taken on a night in 1996 when she accompanied state troopers who were patrolling in Camden. The man she frisked had apparently already been searched by the troopers for weapons and drugs and then handed over to the governor. The man had not been accused of any crime. The picture has caused a furor, and Mrs. Whitman is now criticizing her critics for taking the picture "out of context." But the fact remains that the posed look of the photograph and Mrs. Whitman's smiling expression add up to the appearance of a gratuitous insult. The controversy over the photo may also help explain why Mrs. Whitman has had so much trouble putting the political problem of racial profiling by New Jersey state troopers behind her. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Cannabis & Hemp- | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (12-14) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
In the past week, a rapid-fire series of events returned the Bay Area
to its familiar position at the center of the medical marijuana
controversy. A UCSF study confirmed the safety of cannabis in
patients on protease inhibitors; the City issued its first patient ID
cards; and Judge Breyer, who played a villain the first time around,
was recast as a hero when he ruled that the Oakland CBC could again
serve patients. | ||||||||||||||||||||
(12) POT USE SAFE FOR HIV PATIENTS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Advocates Hopeful UCSF Researcher's Work Will Pave Way For Medical Use
Of Marijuana | ||||||||||||||||||||
DURBAN, South Africa - The first U.S. study using medical marijuana for people with HIV has found that smoking the plant does not disrupt the effect of antiretroviral drugs that keep the virus in check. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The results were announced Thursday at the 13th International AIDS
Conference and are the first to be released from research conducted at
San Francisco General Hospital into the use of marijuana by people
infected with HIV. Given the scarcity of data about the possible
medical uses of marijuana, the results have been eagerly awaited by
advocates in this heavily debated issue. | ||||||||||||||||||||
It took four years for UC San Francisco professor Donald Abrams to jump
through hurdles erected by the federal government to get the research
under way, and in the process he was restricted to focusing on
marijuana's safety rather than its effectiveness. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(13) CITY IDS ENTITLE SICK TO USE MARIJUANA (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Card-Holders Safe Under Local Law | ||||||||||||||||||||
SAN FRANCISCO -- With $25 and a doctor's note, sick people can get an
official city ID card entitling them to use marijuana, the city
district attorney announced Friday. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The program shields card-holders caught with the drug from local
prosecution -- though marijuana possession remains illegal under
federal law. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(14) JUDGE OKS POT FOR OAKLAND CLUB (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A federal judge on Monday cleared the way for an
Oakland club to distribute marijuana for medicinal purposes, saying the
government hasn't proven why seriously ill patients should be denied
the drug. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
In allowing the Oakland club to operate, Breyer modified an injunction
he issued in 1998 that shut down that club and five others. In his
ruling Monday, he noted that the U.S. 9th District Court of Appeal
ordered him to consider an exemption for patients who face imminent
harm and have no effective legal alternative to marijuana. The Oakland
club was the only one that had appealed. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (15) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
In contrast to the American federal government, Canada clearly wants to "medicalize" cannabis; that they are afraid to do so probably has more to do with us (and our certain displeasure) than with them. | ||||||||||||||||||||
(15) CN BC: PIONEERS OF COMPASSION (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
If you were to peek through the window of the Compassion Club's
Vancouver building space, you might think that you were looking at the
reception area of a hip, young doctor's office: a smiling receptionist
greets clients as they walk through the doors; the waiting area is
painted a bright yellow and is filled with enough plants to start up a
small greenhouse; some soothing Sarah McLaughlin tunes blend in with
the faint sound of clients' chatter. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Then you walk into the club and the smell hits you. It's a smell that would bring a smile to the face of any hippie-at-heart. Welcome to the Compassion Club, Canada's largest medical marijuana buyers club. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
International News | ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (16-17) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Two items from ex Commonwealth nations illustrate universal drug law
effects on government workers; they eventually corrupt weak cops while
discouraging the honest ones. | ||||||||||||||||||||
They also turn most politicians into abject cowards; has AG Petter
ever considered that bureaucrats should not always wait to be pushed
into doing the right thing? | ||||||||||||||||||||
(16) AUSTRALIA: WHY THE WAR CAN'T BE WON (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
There was no such thing as a drug problem when John McKoy joined the police force 36 years ago. There was no drug squad, no street dealers and parents didn't worry that their children would become junkies. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Long before the heroin issue became a huge social problem, McKoy could
see the storm clouds. He foresaw an epidemic when many, inside and
outside the force, thought it was still manageable. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Now, as McKoy retires from the force, he is urging authorities to look
for new approaches to heroin use, and to not expect police to protect
society from itself. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(17) CN BC: PETTER REFUSES TO ENDORSE SAFE-FIX SITES FOR ADDICTS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Attorney-General Andrew Petter says the B.C. government is interested
in "harm reduction strategies" for Vancouver's drug problem, but he
does not endorse safe injection sites for addicts. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Harm Reduction Action Society announced this week that it has
already rented property to set up a facility where addicts can inject
drugs in the presence of medical personnel. | ||||||||||||||||||||
But Petter said Wednesday safe injection sites are not being considered
by the B.C. government and they won't be unless they win blanket
support from communities. | ||||||||||||||||||||
"I don't think there is universal support for that in the community.
Unless there were, I don't see us moving ahead on it. If there were
[universal support], that is something we would have to consider,"
Petter said. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (18-19) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Those wishing to better understand the impending Colombian fiasco-
including the rationale of both "Plan Colombia's" critics and
advocates- would do well to download all of John Otis' seven part
Houston Chronicle series. | ||||||||||||||||||||
A shorter article by former El Tiempo editor Francisco Santos supplies some additional nuances- especially with respect to kidnappings which FARC relied on before drug revenues were made more available to them. | ||||||||||||||||||||
(18) HOUSTON CHRONICLE SERIES ON COLOMBIA (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
COLOMBIA'S WAR ON DRUGS GETTING HOTTER | ||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Pumps In $862 Million; Skeptics Wonder If It Will Help LA GABARRA, | ||||||||||||||||||||
Colombia -- Tucked in the wilderness of northern Colombia, the rustic
kitchen contains all the key ingredients. Bags of cement are stacked in
one corner of the wooden hovel, gasoline drums in another. Nearby lies
an ankle-deep pile of glossy green coca leaves. The caustic aroma of
acetone and ammonia permeates the air. Here, workers prepared ash-blond
coca paste, an unrefined rendition of cocaine,.... | ||||||||||||||||||||
By the time three government helicopters touch down in a nearby coca
field, the lab's workers are nowhere to be seen. A dozen police
officers with automatic rifles storm the hut, splash it with gasoline,
then set it ablaze. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Yet ...no one declares triumph. Narcotics traffickers will be back to
rebuild the labs, authorities admit. And police acknowledge that they
likely will be back to torch them. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Welcome to the war on drugs in Colombia. Or, rather, welcome back.
This tropical drama has been playing out in some form for decades.
It's as if TV executives forgot to cancel Miami Vice in the 1980s and
the story meandered on with new plot twists and a revolving cast of
cops, drug runners and guerrillas. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Even if many Americans have lost interest in the script, analysts say
it's time to tune back in. Because of U.S. tax dollars, the battle is
about to heat up. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Other Articles in Series: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Escobar's Drug Cartel Put Colombian Cocaine On Map | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Despite Risks, US-Backed Crop-Dusters On A Mission | ||||||||||||||||||||
Colombia Rolling In Cocaine Crop | ||||||||||||||||||||
US Aid Package For Colombia | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(19) THE COLOMBIAN NIGHTMARE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Narco-trafficking Has Brought Colombia Escalating Terror And Violence. It Brought Francisco Santos The Agonies Of Kidnapping And Exile. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Hundreds of thousands of families displaced. Tens of thousands of
citizens kidnapped. Thousands of businessmen and their families fleeing
the country because of the danger. Dozens of intellectuals assassinated
or threatened. Dozens of human-rights activists dead and disappeared.
Hundreds of journalists exiled, kidnapped and murdered. | ||||||||||||||||||||
The internal armed conflict that Colombia is living through today
destroys the country and its future. Citizens from all social classes
feel in their own flesh the pain of war. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
In 1980, Colombia had only 50 kidnappings. Murders numbered fewer than
5,000 per year. Paramilitary forces did not exist. And membership in
the six guerrilla groups that were active then totaled less than 10,000
men. | ||||||||||||||||||||
So what happened in Colombia? Why in only 20 years has the violence in
general and in the guerrilla struggle in particular reached today's
levels? How does one explain that in only one generation the murder toll
has climbed to 23,000 a year and abductions to more than 3,000 a year?
There is only one answer: drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (20) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Analysts have generally been slow to make specific predictions about how the Mexican election surprise might affect prosecution of the drug war. This pious nonsense is typical of the few items which have made their way into print.; nothing new here- just the same old sermonizing. | ||||||||||||||||||||
(20) OPED: MEXICO'S BAD HABIT (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Riding the crest of the wave that swept him into the upset election for president of Mexico, Vicente Fox has declared war on corruption and drug traffickers. His ambitious proposal for a crackdown includes an increase in arrests of drug lords, border patrols and a sweeping overhaul of the law-enforcement system, which has been corrupted by traffickers. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dismantling a multibillion-dollar industry will not be easy with increased trade and migration and involves increased cooperation in apprehension, convictions and exposure of money-laundering operations. | ||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
HOT OFF THE 'NET (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Jack Herer Suffers Stroke | ||||||||||||||||||||
While we could find no specific news item on the subject we wanted to
be sure our readers were aware the well known author of "The Emperor
Wears No Clothes" Jack Herer suffered a stroke recently. Jack's currently
recovering in the VA Hospital there. The prognosis is good, he's
recovering use of his right side, he's speaking, and he's improving by
the minute. For those who are interested, here is the info on where to
send cards/flowers/prayers: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Jack Herer | ||||||||||||||||||||
A good article from last April on Jack can be read at | ||||||||||||||||||||
Good luck and speedy recovery Jack! | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Arrested | ||||||||||||||||||||
Too late for this weeks issue but worth noting Kareem Abdul Jabbar was
arrested on marijuana charges. He has been using it as medicine to treat
migraine headaches. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Read the New York Times article at: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Time Magazine Article on Shadow Conventions | ||||||||||||||||||||
Rumor has it that this weeks Time Magazine will run an article on the
Shadow Conventions. Details to follow in next weeks issue. If you can't
wait keep an eye on the MAPNews archive: | ||||||||||||||||||||
or the Time web site at: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Keep up to date on all Shadow Convention developments at: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
QUOTE OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||
"I'm aware of the Government theory that the entirety of drug
prohibition rests on my deciding for the government, but that's the
government's problem, not this court's..." -- U.S. District Judge Charles
Breyer | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
DS Weekly is one of the many free educational services DrugSense offers
our members. Watch this feature to learn more about what DrugSense can
do for you. | ||||||||||||||||||||
TO SUBSCRIBE, UNSUBSCRIBE, OR UPDATE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
We wish to thank all our contributors, editors, NewsHawks and letter
writing activists. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is
distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior
interest in receiving the included information for research and
educational purposes. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Please help us help reform. Become a NewsHawk | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
DONATE TO DRUGSENSE ONLINE. IT'S TAX DEDUCTIBLE | ||||||||||||||||||||
-OR- | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mail in your contribution. Make checks payable to MAP Inc. send your
contribution to: | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Media Awareness Project (MAP) Inc. |
 | current issue | this issue |