Radley Balko has been researching police shootings of innocent citizens during SWAT-style drug raids. It's surprising how often this happens and how little press it receives. Recently, Balko was researching a raid back in March that scared the hell out an elderly couple when he came across a letter to the editor from a man whose neice had been killed during a drug raid. … [Read more...] about Police Shootings that Make You Go Hmmmm…
War On Drugs
Bought Some Drugs Today
I have a cold, and I ran out of cough medicine, so I stopped at the local Walgreens to get some more. I like to treat a cold with dextromethorphan (a cough suppressant), guaifenesin (an expectorant), and pseudoephedrine (a nasal decongestant). In other words, Robitussin CF. Of course, that last ingredient, pseudoephedrine, is a key ingredient for making crystal meth these … [Read more...] about Bought Some Drugs Today
Justice for the Young and Attractive
The story of Julia Diaco is bouncing around the legal blogosphere. She's an attractive young white college girl who was caught dealing drugs on the NYU campus. She could have been sentenced to as much as 25 years, but instead received a slap-on-the-wrist sentence of 5-years probation. A New York Post story, "Pot Hottie Breathes Freedom" (really), contrasts that sentence with … [Read more...] about Justice for the Young and Attractive
The Dumbest Man In Texas
I know, I know, some of you are thinking George Bush. But I think it's Captain David Alexander of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. He's having his officers arrest people for getting drunk in bars. He justifies it this way: "Going to a bar is not an opportunity to go get drunk," TABC Capt. David Alexander said. "It's to have a good time but not to get drunk." I don't … [Read more...] about The Dumbest Man In Texas
Vigil For Lost Promise
On June 3rd, in Washington D.C. a bunch of people will be getting together for the first ever Vigil for Lost Promise in memory of young men and women who died from drugs. This is more than just a gathering of parents and friends to remember the departed, however. This is a cynical propaganda effort by the Drug Enforcement Agency. The associated web site includes eight Stories … [Read more...] about Vigil For Lost Promise