Comments on: Barr: “I Was Wrong About the War on Drugs”

By: Rocketman

Rocketman — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 17:55:32 +0000

I basically feel the same way. Many years ago, I felt as if we should be executing drug users as well as dealers, but over time I realized that the laws punishing drug users (“know your customer” banking laws and the militaration of the police for example) were in reality punishing the rest of us non-users. The only sane thing to do is to begin to dismantle this zero tolerance anti-drug culture that we have. I think that Bob Barr sees the same thing as I do.

By: Mark

Mark — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 20:26:01 +0000

Uhh, I’m pretty sure has has admitted the mistake. As for being sorry, I think actually lobbying for marijuana policy reform is more than enough penance. As I pointed out above – how many advocates of ending the drug war actually put their money and time where their mouth is? Unless you are one of them, I think it is really hypocritical to attack Bob Barr for not being “sorry” enough.

By: Michael Seebeck

Michael Seebeck — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 19:20:48 +0000

Barr STILL has not uttered the magic words: “I was wrong and I’m sorry.”

Until he says that explicitly, all the posturing in the world will not matter.

It’s no crime to admit a mistake and apologize. But it is a huge crime to not do so when confronted with the obvious.

By: Stephen Littau

Stephen Littau — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 01:12:16 +0000

And at least the prohibitionists of that time had the decency to amend the Constitution rather than pretend that prohibition was constitutional.

By: Stephen Littau

Stephen Littau — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 01:11:00 +0000

Alex, good point. Do you realize that tobacco kills more people (I mean far more people) than all illicit drugs combined? If the government were serious, tobacco would be illegal rather than subsidized and taxed.

I go into much more detail about why we should end the war on (some) drugs in the following post:

http://www.thelibertypapers.org/2007/03/08/anyone-who-believes-america-is-winning-the-drug-war-must-be-high/

I would be very interested in your reaction (the comments are turned off on that post but feel free to make comments on it here)

By: Alex

Alex — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:57:38 +0000

Quote:

“The reason I say the war on (some) drugs is because the government is very selective about which drugs are okay and which are not. In some cases, the government wants you or your kids to take drugs. It’s all very hypocritical.”

Ah, I understand your argument now. It’s accurate, indeed, given the prevalence of alcohol and tobacco of course.

By: Brad Warbiany

Brad Warbiany — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 21:47:21 +0000

Alex,

Drugs are a product that are in demand on a worldwide basis. The transaction between a drug dealer and his customer is voluntary. A war on drugs is fundamentally a war on freedom.

But to follow Bob Barr’s position… We can’t even keep drugs out of PRISONS! Prisons, you know those small secure areas with enormous fences, guarded by men with rifles? If we can’t keep drugs out of prisons, can you simply call it a failure and consider the drug war outright unwinnable?

By: Stephen Littau

Stephen Littau — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 21:24:03 +0000

Alex, adults should be able to consume any substance without the government interfering. Your body belongs to you – not the government.

The reason I say the war on (some) drugs is because the government is very selective about which drugs are okay and which are not. In some cases, the government wants you or your kids to take drugs. It’s all very hypocritical.

By: Alex

Alex — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 21:15:56 +0000

What drugs shouldn’t we be at war with?

By: Doug Mataconis

Doug Mataconis — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 21:03:06 +0000

UC,

That’s why I put Glenn Beck in a separate category from hacks like Limbaugh, Hannity, and Levin. He actually thinks before he talks.

By: Stephen Littau

Stephen Littau — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 20:55:29 +0000

Thanks U.C.

I agree Mark. I see nothing wrong with taking an incremental approach and I think Barr’s and Kubby’s efforts are admirable.

With respect with Glen Beck, the reason I brought his name up is because Barr had a full hour interview with him.

http://www.bobbarr2008.com/media-center/play/93/?page=

Beck brought up the war on (some) drugs and Barr brushed it aside. I would have liked for Barr to express what he did in his HP article in the Beck interview.

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 20:47:17 +0000

One other thing that doesn’t get nearly enough mention regarding Barr’s position on the War on Drugs- for the last two years or so, he’s actively been fighting against it by lobbying for the Marijuana Policy Project. Yes, my understanding is that this lobbying is largely limited to medical marijuana issues – but still, the man is actually doing tangible things to weaken or end the WO(S)D rather than just talking about it. This is why the lack of credit he gets on this issue from many libertarian circles infuriates me- except for obviously Steve Kubby (who gave an interview recently expressing support for Barr’s position on the WO(S)D), how many libertarians have taken more concrete action against the WO(s)D than Barr?

By: UCrawford

UCrawford — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 20:40:53 +0000

Good article, Stephen.

By: UCrawford

UCrawford — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 20:40:22 +0000

Doug,

Actually, Glenn Beck occasionally writes some pretty good articles. He had one today about the housing crunch and why it’s important not to do a bailout. I know he hasn’t got a particularly great reputation among libertarians and he’s certainly put his share of stupid articles out there, but I think that you’re right that he’s more open to reason than most conservative pundits.

By: Stephen Littau

Stephen Littau — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 20:22:14 +0000

I think this is what he means by ending the war on drugs at the federal level.