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| The War on Drugs' War on Minorities |
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Posted by CN Staff on March 24, 2007 at 07:05:31 PT By Arianna Huffington Source: Los Angeles Times 
USA -- There is a subject being forgotten in the 2008 Democratic race for the White House.While all the major candidates are vying for the black and Latino vote, they are completely ignoring one of the most pressing issues affecting those constituencies: the failed "war on drugs" — a war that has morphed into a war on people of color. Consider this: According to a 2006 report by the American Civil Liberties Union, African Americans make up an estimated 15% of drug users, but they account for 37% of those arrested on drug charges, 59% of those convicted and 74% of all drug offenders sentenced to prison. Or consider this: The U.S. has 260,000 people in state prisons on nonviolent drug charges; 183,200 (more than 70%) of them are black or Latino. Such facts have been bandied about for years. But our politicians have consistently failed to take action on what has become yet another third rail of American politics, a subject to be avoided at all costs by elected officials who fear being incinerated on contact for being soft on crime. Perhaps you hoped this would change during a spirited Democratic presidential primary? Unfortunately, a quick search of the top Democratic hopefuls' websites reveals that not one of them — not Hillary Clinton, not Barack Obama, not John Edwards, not Joe Biden, not Chris Dodd, not Bill Richardson — even mentions the drug war, let alone offers any solutions. The silence coming from Clinton and Obama is particularly deafening. Obama has written eloquently about his own struggle with drugs but has not addressed the tragic effect the war on drugs is having on African American communities. As for Clinton, she flew into Selma, Ala., to reinforce her image as the wife of the black community's most beloved politician and has made much of her plan to attract female voters, but she has ignored the suffering of poor, black women right in her own backyard. Snipped: Complete Article: http://tinyurl.com/355byb Source: Los Angeles Times (CA) Huffington Post CannabisNews Justice Archives Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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| Comment #10 posted by FoM on March 24, 2007 at 13:25:47 PT |
| I don't believe in killing. I don't think it could ever helps a bad situation. Hate won't fix this mess. I believe things are changing but it is slow. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #9 posted by unkat27 on March 24, 2007 at 12:58:58 PT |
| It seems altogether suspicious that now that a "war on terror" has been declared, the politicians and the antiwar public have much less time for serious discussion about the war on drugs. Before the war on terror began, the war on drugs was becoming a mainstream issue, and the fact that it was a failure was the most obvious point. Now, with the war on terror making all the headlines, the war on drugs has been sidelined into the back-page margins, just where the DEA likes it. The antiwar public gives the war on drugs a fleeting minute of attention while the common middle-class public doesn't understand how people can "waste time" discussing the war on drugs when the war on terror is so much more of a serious controversial issue. It's quite possible that cannabis may have been legalized, at least as a medicine, in many more states, if the war on terror hadn't become the big issue. Coincidentally, most of the people that support the war on drugs have been the biggest supporters of the war on terror as well. I say we kill the vampires and vultures before they start yet another war to make things even worse for us just to insure that they continue to profit to no end. It is all about profits and the war-profiteers have no conscience. Killing people for sport and profit is their livelihood. They are the ones that should be killed. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #8 posted by FoM on March 24, 2007 at 10:14:25 PT |
| March 24, 2007 After a fierce debate in which some lawmakers raised concerns about the effectiveness of the nation's war on drugs, the Maryland House of Delegates defeated by one vote a bill to allow some second-time drug offenders to become eligible for parole. Lawmakers opposing the measure, which failed 68-69, said it would reward drug dealers and gang members while making communities more dangerous. "They are going to get more lenient treatment under the provision of this bill," said Del Anthony J. O'Donnell, the House minority leader from Southern Maryland. "I suggest our citizens are not willing to hand down rewards for drug dealers who are preying on our children. This is bad policy, serious bad policy." Del. Curtis S. Anderson, a Baltimore Democrat and lead sponsor of the measure, said the bill was written to offer a treatment option to low-level drug offenders, many of whom tend to be drug users. Complete Article: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.sentences24mar24,0,4755536.story [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #7 posted by FoM on March 24, 2007 at 09:58:39 PT |
| I agree but we don't have time for them to be scared. Sometimes the only way to get over being scared is to tackle the thing that causes us the fear. It's time now. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #6 posted by John Tyler on March 24, 2007 at 09:07:09 PT |
| You would think Obama would have a position on minorities and the Drug War but I think he wants to be President more. This is a shame because it will make him look like all of the other political hustlers. I think action will have to take place at the state level (like it is happening now). When it’s a done deal and a “safe issue”, you will see the big time national politicians jump in and claim credit for it. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #5 posted by FoM on March 24, 2007 at 07:54:48 PT |
| You're probably right. I wonder if it is worth the efforts for many folks. Maybe Giuliani will be the next president and he'll fix it with tougher laws and that will be that. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #4 posted by goneposthole on March 24, 2007 at 07:46:46 PT |
| would have to grow a spine. That isn't going to happen, so Prohibition will roll on down the tracks full steam. Don't use drugs, smoke cannabis. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #3 posted by FoM on March 24, 2007 at 07:36:20 PT |
| I think you are right. The older I get the more anxious I become and want answers. It's time to face this problem. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #2 posted by E_Johnson on March 24, 2007 at 07:31:08 PT |
| I think this year they're terrified of even having one. Because the Democrats are divided on the issue, so they claim, and they don't want to lose in 2008, I think that's their rationale for pretending the issue doesn't exist. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #1 posted by FoM on March 24, 2007 at 07:16:54 PT |
| What is their stand on marijuana issues? I really want to know. [ Post Comment ] |
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