Travis Posted February 16, 2014 Report Share Posted February 16, 2014 I don't know if this has been posted yet or not, but it's an interesting piece from the New York Times by Héctor Abad, an important writer from Colombia. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/14/opinion/mexicos-illusory-cure.html?_r=1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CSOKI Posted February 16, 2014 Report Share Posted February 16, 2014 Very interesting. Thank you for postig it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giltner68 Posted February 16, 2014 Report Share Posted February 16, 2014 Well, like any NYT's story I was skeptical although it was going fairly good until this line "The most obedient governments ignore what might be real solutions — like cutting off the source of the cartels’ enormous wealth by legalizing drugs" where they went off into the ditch and apparently don't bother to notice the problems Colorado is having already with their "legalized" drugs: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/02/14/colorado-pot-drug-cartels/5485421/Drug cartels are much like bankers and politicians, they all exist for the purpose of making money and like jello, if you put your thumb on a piece, it simply squirts out the side and you never contain it or squash it. Look at banking fees to compensate for new regulations "limiting" their fees. Look at the number of laws and "acts" that have been passed to limit the money in politics - did either change anything? - I think not.You always have to look the bear in the face, if you could actually cut the revenue from drugs the cartels exist to create, they will find a new source of revenue and so far, they've not bothered us gringos, but you have 5-10 thousand criminals who would cut your throat as soon as they cut up an apple for a snack. Be very very careful of what you wish for. Obviously the NYT's didn't bother to do their research remaining the ill informed "news" paper they've always been. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbviajero Posted February 16, 2014 Report Share Posted February 16, 2014 Obviously the NYT's didn't bother to do their research remaining the ill informed "news" paper they've always been. I think the NY Times is a fine newspaper, quite possibly the best in the world,if there's a better one I'd like to know it's name. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Habacht Posted February 16, 2014 Report Share Posted February 16, 2014 The New York Times WAS a great newspaper. With all printed newspapers cutting back in order to survive... they may be still "good" but great they are not, in my opinion. I search the internet for my news and I frequently have been told of breaking news some days before "the grey lady" gets to print it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted February 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2014 Well, like any NYT's story... It's an op/ed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex45920 Posted February 16, 2014 Report Share Posted February 16, 2014 Thanks for posting this Travis...I would have missed it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparks Posted February 17, 2014 Report Share Posted February 17, 2014 Worrying what people may become after defending their families, communities and livelihoods .... seems like they have run out of things to worry about Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ComputerGuy Posted February 17, 2014 Report Share Posted February 17, 2014 There is no question that legalizing marijuana will reduce crime, and save money that can be put to better use. No question. Copy this quote and let's talk again in five years. And any "regulations" or "laws" passed are far too hamstrung and generally not followed up on, that one cannot blame the results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lobita Posted February 17, 2014 Report Share Posted February 17, 2014 Thanks Travis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geeser Posted February 17, 2014 Report Share Posted February 17, 2014 The article notes "If our lives are threatened, we have the right to defend ourselves, with force if necessary. In a civilized society, that defense is delegated to the state." That is inaccurate! Citizens may wish that they could delegate their individual protection to the state but the many police agencies in the United States have stated repeatedly that they are not there to come to your aid if you are attacked. They can not be sued either for failing to portect you as the courts have held that the police agencies are not responsible for your protection. The responsibility for your safety lies with YOU! The right to carry a weapon at all times that we citizens confer on the police is strictly for their own protection. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20130202074118AA7DLv0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mexicomoose Posted February 17, 2014 Report Share Posted February 17, 2014 The NYT certainly has a LOT more credibility than the USA Today. ;-) And, as Travis noted, it is an op-ed, not a regular story. Just look at what happened in and to the US during it's ill-fated attempt at alcohol prohibition. IMHO that's all anyone needs to study to know about what happens whenever law enforcement attempts to make it illegal for someone to put any substance into his or her body voluntarily. As long as there's no direct impact/harm to any other person, such as driving a vehicle under the influence and then running over someone, where is the crime? The demand is NEVER going to go away, it's just not. So trying to squelch it with law enforcement can never work. It only serves to raise the profits for the cartels and perpetuate the violence. We might as well declare "war on air" as "war on drugs." Education for all, especially kids, and treatment for those who need it is a much more sane and humane approach. The US has a larger percentage of its people locked up in jail than any other country in the world. How can that be a good thing unless you are a privatized corporation who runs the prisons? Uruguay has the right idea and more countries will eventually follow her lead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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