DRUG USING AMERICANS FUEL BORDER VIOLENCE
DRUG USING GRINGOS ENRICHING MEXICAN DRUG LORDS?
While I largely agree with our benevolent host, Mr. AWD, I feel compelled to opine on the Mexican problem or rather the role some of our citizenry plays in it. To be certain, corruption has historically run rampant in the governing culture of our neighbor to the south. However, the majority of Mexicans are decent people just looking to put tortillas on the table every night. Yes, there are some extremely bad Mexicans with evil hearts intent on perpetrating crimes most of us can’t even think of. For this, they bear personal responsibility and absolutely need to reap their own consequences. But I propose that at least some portion of responsibility for the direction this has turned is borne by people on this side of the Rio Grande.
These people of which I speak are the selfish, pleasure driven morons who insist on using illegal drugs – People whose first and only thought is the self indulgence of getting high or tripping out; People who put this egocentric vice above all else. These are they that create a market so lucrative that unspeakable violence becomes commonplace. The unabated appetite for illegal drugs in this country is shameful and anyone who participates has blood on their hands.
Without the financial incentives that this trade rewards its purveyors with, a substantial majority of our current Mexican problems go away. We return to the days when the major problem was only illegal immigration (still significant and still needs to be resolved). With eradication of illegal drug abuse, the bulk of the criminal activity attributed to Mexicans goes away, gang activity fades and problems, while still with us, become more manageable.
Does Mexico need to step up and take care of corruption? Yes. Does the Mexican government need to do a better job of fighting crime and punishing criminals? No question about it. Do Mexicans need to stop entering our country illegally? Absolutely, without a doubt. While we continue to put pressure on our Latino neighbors to get their house in order, let’s not forget to do some work on our side of the fence by punishing anyone involved in perpetuating the loathsome illegal drug trade.
TOUGHY PARKER
Good luck trying to convince dopers to stop using drugs. As long as there are corrupt law enforcement officials and politicians, the drug trade will go on forever, sad to say.
Toughy, I agree with Ditto. Yes, people need to take personal responsibility for their actions. But like the government found out in the 20′s with prohibition, people are going to drink. And today, people are going to take drugs. Same problem, different substances.
There is not an easy answer on this without very tough methodologies. When the communist Chinese took control in China, there was a tremendous opium addiction problem in the population. Their solution? Rehab once, a bullet the second time. Harsh? Yes, but now they don’t have opium problems. I’m afraid drug problems will be with us forever.
AWD
“And today, people are going to take drugs. Same problem, different substances.”
AWD– I was one of those who shared toughy’s opinion. There is no question in my mind that the money from the American market fuels a large part of the problems in Mexico. That said–geographically, for God’s sake, we are the closest with dinero to buy.
Next, what you say about prohibition is true. After a long time studying and reading about it, I have come to the conclusion that the safest thing that we can do is to legalize, and regulate the sale of marijuana. I do not like that, but weed is the sixpack of America’s young people. I was one who did not use drugs (still am) and thought that those who did were weak (they are) or stupid, (they definitely are). But, I sure think the folks who tried to stop others from drinking with prohibition were, self-centered, selfish fools on a losing venture.
I have the good fortune of hindsight to make that statement. I found that we spend 45 billion a year on the WOD (war On Drugs). We are destroying the lives of thousands of young Americans . Anyone who does not know yet that a felony drug conviction is a life sentence in terms of a successful life needs to look again. I am sure there are some who will say that I am an advocate of drug use–you are crazy if you think that. If we legalized and regulated marijuana and then focused on prevention of sales of hard drugs we will have freed up half or more of the time and money to help defeat drug use. If we set up clinics with the money we saved hardlining marijuana use, we will have a lot of resource to help control the hard drug problem. I hate to agree with anything pussy from Europe, but they have made good (not great, but good) strides with their programs there.
I also believe that the crime rate in America will seriously decrease with a program to help users. I have also read that many times, it takes only one use of meth to become a addict. While I disagree with it’s use(meth), even at 76 years of age, I have not forgotten how stupid I was when younger at doing, trying things that were very stupid. I could have been one of the victims. I never forget to thank my Lord for his guidance.
I remain strongly opposed to hard drugs and their use, but I believe that many young people would try to fight the habit if we had an intelligent drug treatment and clinic program in America.
If I was writing about this 10-20 years ago–you would not believe I am writng this today. It is like quitting smoking–it took me a long time to realize that not everyone else can do it just because I can.That is experience.
MisterBill, I agree, I think. I have never used drugs and thank the Lord for that…but I know that people will never abandon drug use. It’s silly to even think that. I think I’m with you on legalizing marijuana and controlling it, taxing it, etc. I just don’t know what to do with the hard stuff. It is a problem with no easy answers.
AWD
Misterbill, Thanks for the insight and sharing the wealth of your experience.
I’ve struggled with the idea of legalizing drugs because I’ve seen how it can ruin lives but I have to admit that in the back of my mind I know that people will not stop using – it pisses me off but I know that’s how it is.
Maybe it is time to legalize weed and tax it like we do liquor, take the proceeds and apply as you suggest.
Thanks again for the post and for your support of AWD. Tuffy P.
My big fear is that the effort to regulate and control the marijuana will result in a number of folks thinking we are giving a green light to other drugs. That is what has happened in a couple of European countries.I say we become draconian with the bad stuff and illegal trafficking.
Then we go for amnesty—say what??? Misterbill wants an amnesty??? But NOOOOUH! I am thinking about expunging the criminal records of one time drug offenders. This amnesty deals with providing a chance to those who have screwed up because of drugs and for a period of time, say 5 years, have lived good productive lives. I openly confess, such is the case for a family member of mine, who became quite a different person when his daughter was born.
I am reminded of a cartoon I saw some years ago in, I believe the New Yorker (forgive me, I am a Georgia boy now). It was an older man rejecting the offer of a joint from an obviously younger man. The caption inscribed was. “No ,thanks, I will get high on alcohol like the good Lord intended me to.”
Perhaps, it is I, but that rang a bell in my mind. I was middle aged when I read it. It was another open door to thinking.
May a kind and loving God bring all our lost youth back home to good values and morals.
Without a doubt the “war on drugs” has been a complete failure. If you look at history (few good programs on the history channel) drug use is constant since they were discovered, especially opiates.
I wish I had the answers, maybe legalize mary jane but then I have no idea about the rest.
It’s a part of human nature that will not change.
The war on drugs “failed” because the MSM & the movie industry has glamorized its use. “Rolling Stone” is probably one of the biggest offenders here.
If you agree to legalize marijuanna, don’t gripe when immigration amnesty rears its head again-same principle.
If clinical evidence is ever introduced supporting a medical benefit from marijuanna (not the way its been perverted in SF), I might consider supporting medical marijuana use (as of this writing, its my understanding that all pro-medical marijuanna documentation is anecdotal).
I didn’t like what it did to my high school acquaintences back in 1970-not much has changed since then
I used to be for legalizing marijuana…up until about a year ago…the govt. will do the same thing they have with tabacco….tax it to death…to where you go to other states or black market to get them cheaper…
Making it legal will only fill the pockets of the govt…instead of the jail cells…which I also think is horrendously foolish if it is for having a joint or some such.
A loser on our tax-paying dollars either way…to fund the leftists endless cradle to grave programs.
It’s a no win situation.