*Labor Day Reading…*

Labor Day Reading…
I will be leaving for far northern Wisconsin this weekend, away from WiFi and cell phone reception, to visit my sister at her new log home, so I won’t be posting. However, I leave you with reading assignments.
Check out Jacob Sullum’s article in Reason: Altered Minds: Former drug warriors turn against prohibition, which includes some revelations from former drug warrior Forest Tennant:

Tennant says the September 11 attacks had a big impact on his thinking about drug policy. He recognized that the connection between drugs and terrorism, cited by the government to justify the war on drugs, was actually a consequence of prohibition, which makes the drug trade a highly lucrative business and delivers it into the hands of criminals. “We’ve got to take the profit out of it,” he says.

Tennant is also troubled by the impact that U.S. drug policy has on countries such as Colombia, where it empowers thugs and guerillas, sows violence, undermines law and order, and wreaks havoc on the economy. And he believes the war on drugs has fostered systemic corruption in the United States. “We need to try something different,” he says.

While you’re at it, check out Jacob Sullum’s book “Saying Yes: In Defense of Drug Use.” Jacob is a senior editor at Reason, and his book is an excellent analysis of the drug war and the distortions of the government drug warriors. He even has the nerve to counter propaganda by introducing the reader to people who have used drugs and haven’t destroyed their lives, but rather are successful contributing members of society — the same people the government wants to put behind bars at taxpayer expense. Get it and read it. It may just expand your mind.
As always, don’t miss the weekly issue of Drug Sense Weekly. This week’s issue (just out today), gives an excellent review of the most important articles this week (and gives this blog the Quote of the Week!) Check it out.
Last week, I sent you to check out Stop the Drug War’s new issue of Drug War Chronicle. I was slightly premature, as the issue was delayed for reasons that are sadly clear when you read the first item in the newsletter, which is now complete online.
It’s a powerful issue, as it also includes Executive Director David Borden’s full letter (to Washington DC, Chief Judge Rufus King), in which David proclaims his intent to commit an act of civil disobedience related to the war on drugs. While I, and others, may disagree with his decision, there’s no doubt that the letter has a powerful and important message. Read it.
For something on the much lighter side… I know that many of my new friends have discovered this site in recent weeks, and you may not have waded through past posts and articles. If you haven’t read it yet, check out my piece on the government’s war on burgers in 2043. Just for fun.