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Domain: drugpolicy.org

Stories and comments across the archive that link to drugpolicy.org.

Comments · 57

  1. Re:Hands up... by hackstraw · · Score: 1 · on House Bill to Make File-Sharing an Automatic Felony
    Ever seen this before?
    FBI WARNING: Federal law provides severe civil and criminal penalties for the unauthorized reproduction, distribution or exhibition of copyrighted motion pictures, video tapes or video discs. Criminal copyright infringement is investigated by the FBI and may constitute a felony with a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine.

    The real crime is that they have to write and vote on a new law when there are already existing laws that either cover the same thing, or ones that should have been written more vaguely.

    Next, the US will do something like make a constitutional amendment to make alcoholic beverages illegal, and another one to repeal that amendment.

    Although I think the "War on Drugs" is bs, the law is pretty clear. If its on the list, you can't do it (or its illegal to do so). While I'm on it you might want to look at the "War on Drugs budget" (which does not include incarceration) vs. NASA's budget.
  2. Re:How is it different? by Hatta · · Score: 1 · on Thailand Imposes Gamers Curfew
    I tend to agree with much of your post. All laws are largely symbolic. While punative measures may convince a few individuals to comply the government clearly cannot stand up to large scale resistance. In my experience it seems that people obey the law out of respect for it, and not out of fear.

    I also agree with your assessment of prohibition as a political tool. It is clear that our government uses our fear of drugs as political leverage for many bad laws.

    you make sweeping assumptions. Is the DARE program a failure?

    I would call them assertions. But yes, the DARE program is a failure, if you measure failure based on their stated goal of reducing drug use in children. Studies have shown that children who go through the DARE program are more likely to take drugs than those who don't. Here is a comprehensive bibliography on DARE, and here's is a recent GAO study showing no significant effect of DARE. However if you measure success by the true goal of fear-mongering to reinforce the status quo, than DARE has been quite a success.

    As for comparing american and european youth, yes this is problematic. Even within the western world there are deep cultural differences, and it is difficult to specify a causal factor. However, it is my opinion that lingering puritanism in america has produced a cultural immaturity with profound effects. Binge drinking, the war on drugs, america's high murder rate, etc. Can I back this up with data? No. But it seems like the most reasonable explanation, I would also welcome input from social scientists.

    You make a good point about american and taiwanese culture being different. Honestly I don't know whether the "forbidden fruit" syndrome is cultural or part of human nature. I know the confucian tradition does instill an intense respect for authority. But I think rebellion is a part of growing up in any society. You find your own identity by rejecting that of your parents. Even in japan you'll find purple haired freaks and exacerbated parents.
  3. Re:How is it different? by Hatta · · Score: 1 · on Thailand Imposes Gamers Curfew
    I tend to agree with much of your post. All laws are largely symbolic. While punative measures may convince a few individuals to comply the government clearly cannot stand up to large scale resistance. In my experience it seems that people obey the law out of respect for it, and not out of fear.

    I also agree with your assessment of prohibition as a political tool. It is clear that our government uses our fear of drugs as political leverage for many bad laws.

    you make sweeping assumptions. Is the DARE program a failure?

    I would call them assertions. But yes, the DARE program is a failure, if you measure failure based on their stated goal of reducing drug use in children. Studies have shown that children who go through the DARE program are more likely to take drugs than those who don't. Here is a comprehensive bibliography on DARE, and here's is a recent GAO study showing no significant effect of DARE. However if you measure success by the true goal of fear-mongering to reinforce the status quo, than DARE has been quite a success.

    As for comparing american and european youth, yes this is problematic. Even within the western world there are deep cultural differences, and it is difficult to specify a causal factor. However, it is my opinion that lingering puritanism in america has produced a cultural immaturity with profound effects. Binge drinking, the war on drugs, america's high murder rate, etc. Can I back this up with data? No. But it seems like the most reasonable explanation, I would also welcome input from social scientists.

    You make a good point about american and taiwanese culture being different. Honestly I don't know whether the "forbidden fruit" syndrome is cultural or part of human nature. I know the confucian tradition does instill an intense respect for authority. But I think rebellion is a part of growing up in any society. You find your own identity by rejecting that of your parents. Even in japan you'll find purple haired freaks and exacerbated parents.
  4. We're losing our rights in the real-world, too by Stockmann · · Score: 1 · on Freenet Creator Debates RIAA
    > is there a Bar where there is never anything illegal going on (at some point)
    > no.
    > so why should we get rid of on-line privacy just because the real world is reflected on line.

    Hey, the on-line world isn't being singled out; I know it sounds trite, alarmist, and jingoistic, but the (U.S.) government is getting more repressive every day. For example, since the Illicit Drug Anti-Proliferation Act (a.k.a. the RAVE Act) was passed 3 months ago, Bars (and all other event organizers, including rave organizers, who were the nominal target) ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR DRUG USE AT THEIR EVENTS if one could reasonably assume that drugs would be done at said event, even if the organizer and/or property owner made a good-faith effort to keep their event drug-free.

    The IDAP/RAVE act was introduced in Congress in 2002. A coalition of anti-drug-war activists and entertainment businesses rallied against it, and it never got to the floor for a vote, and even lost two of its original co-sponsors in the process.

    This spring, however, Senator Biden (D-DE) snuck it into the conference-commitee version of the popular Amber Alert law. It was thus passed without any congress-wide debate, and with many who voted for it ignorant that it had even been included.

    Biden claimed that the the critics were misreading the bill and exagerating its dangers as expressed above. Even those who would have given him the benefit of the doubt may have second thoughts, because the law has already been used for blatant political repression. In May, the DEA told the owners of a Billings, Montana, venue that they could face a fine of $250,000 if illicit drugs were found in their premises during a fund-raising concert for 2 drug-law-reform groups. The bands were given a similar threat, and the benefit was cancelled.

    Sorry to go off-topic, but I think it's usefull to try to see the big picture.

  5. We're losing our rights in the real-world, too by Stockmann · · Score: 1 · on Freenet Creator Debates RIAA
    > is there a Bar where there is never anything illegal going on (at some point)
    > no.
    > so why should we get rid of on-line privacy just because the real world is reflected on line.

    Hey, the on-line world isn't being singled out; I know it sounds trite, alarmist, and jingoistic, but the (U.S.) government is getting more repressive every day. For example, since the Illicit Drug Anti-Proliferation Act (a.k.a. the RAVE Act) was passed 3 months ago, Bars (and all other event organizers, including rave organizers, who were the nominal target) ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR DRUG USE AT THEIR EVENTS if one could reasonably assume that drugs would be done at said event, even if the organizer and/or property owner made a good-faith effort to keep their event drug-free.

    The IDAP/RAVE act was introduced in Congress in 2002. A coalition of anti-drug-war activists and entertainment businesses rallied against it, and it never got to the floor for a vote, and even lost two of its original co-sponsors in the process.

    This spring, however, Senator Biden (D-DE) snuck it into the conference-commitee version of the popular Amber Alert law. It was thus passed without any congress-wide debate, and with many who voted for it ignorant that it had even been included.

    Biden claimed that the the critics were misreading the bill and exagerating its dangers as expressed above. Even those who would have given him the benefit of the doubt may have second thoughts, because the law has already been used for blatant political repression. In May, the DEA told the owners of a Billings, Montana, venue that they could face a fine of $250,000 if illicit drugs were found in their premises during a fund-raising concert for 2 drug-law-reform groups. The bands were given a similar threat, and the benefit was cancelled.

    Sorry to go off-topic, but I think it's usefull to try to see the big picture.

  6. Actually I thought it was racism... by msimm · · Score: 1 · on Your Brain May Have Amazing Powers

    I think the arguments have been that the US drug policy was born out of the prevailent racism and paranoia at the begining of the last century.

    But you can't consider this lightly or you'll never really understand American drug policy. The scary thing about the moral police is that they are trying to do what they honestly believe is right and that makes them fairly complicated.

    Besides, drugs are not benign and their effects on society (and more importantly your family and friends) can be disastrous.

    I mean there is still addication, amphetamine induced psychosis, neurotoxicity and long term personallity changes we have to deal with. And anyone who thinks this couldn't happen to them or someone they care about is just holding their head in the sand.

  7. RAVE Act Alert - glowsticks may become illegal by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0 · on Federal Judge Rules Against Reverse-engineering
    Attached to the national "Amber Alert Bill" is the controversial RAVE Act which would apply so-called "crack house" legislation to any nightclub or other venue where drugs may be used. These provisions make it clear that "crackhouse laws" apply to temporary events, such as concerts, dances or festivals, and add civil penalties of up to $250,000 to the statute. If passed, property owners can be punished for any drug offense that their customers commit - even if they work hard to stop such offenses. Sale of glow sticks, and of bottled water, etc. could be construed as evidence of drug use.


    Yeah, I know I'm posting as AC, but this is real!!