Abel Stable

yes, but the point is you don't see any organized crime around alcohol anymore do you? Decriminalization or legalization would cripple the blackmarket drug trade. Coming from Baltimore, where drug-gang murders are beyond epidemic proportions, such a change is attractive. We already have a drug problem in this city, and it would be a lot easier to handle without the constant violence from the drug trade (since there's also a lot of povery in bmore, the money associated w/ dealing will always draw more recruits). What has the War on Drugs accomplished so far?
-We have more people locked behind bars than any other country, mostly nonviolent drug offenders.
-Punishment stressed over treatment.
-Ignorance, fear, and intimidation are stressed over education.
-Drug production & smuggling are bringing in record profits.
-My DARE officer in middle school was a jerk.
Isn't that the world you've been describing? Where your principles are expected to be followed by all? If they don't agree, then they're immoral & had better start to change to their views.

fatherphil

well as a conservative republican living in los angeles i know what it is to just try to keep your chin up as a threatened minority.

Philosoft

What makes you so certain these are merely "violent folks"? Shitloads of money have a way of making bloodthirsty competitors out of even the most principled among us. Gang culture isn't first about killing each other, with a little dime-bag business on the side, you know.

fatherphil

no, i don't know.

Philosoft

Then how do you presume to comment on potential benefits and/or drawbacks of drug decriminalization?

Jackalope

*snort* I can't see "DARE" anymore without thinking of the multiple parody bumper stickers branded "Drugs Are Really Expensive." DARE to grow your own! DARE to keep cops off donuts! DARE to think for yourself!

Which in itself should tell you something about how "successful" that program really is/was. Fill the kids with hysterical and idiotic lies and all you end up teaching them is that people in authority lie when it suits them to do so.

fatherphil

this is what i don't know philo

Abel Stable

Well good that you learned something new today.
In case Philosoft was too cryptic with his language: Gangs are motivated by profit, not some sort of sadism. The murders are a result of business competition, not an inherent violent nature.

Philosoft

Well, there are ways to gain this knowledge. What would you expect to see if these people were motivated more by violence than by profit?

fatherphil

if folks are willing to do violence for profit, they will go to where the profit is just like they did after the end of prohibition.