'War on drugs’ needs rethinking: Santos, Carter .

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Colombia Reports

'War on drugs’ needs rethinking: Santos, Carter .
Monday, 14 January 2013 09:46 Rob Edmond

Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter on Saturday agreed with Colombia's head of state, Juan Manuel Santos, that "the drug problem" should be considered a "public health issue."

In a press release from the president's office, Santos said that he discussed a wide-range of topics with Carter including the 40-year "war on drugs." Colombia's head of state said that both he and former president Carter were in agreement that "alternatives" are needed, specifically, that they [U.S. and Colombian governments] must abandon the "punitive approach" and embrace the idea of thinking about drug abuse "as a matter of public health."

The war on drugs "has been launched for 40 years and, unfortunately, the results are far from satisfactory," said Santos.

Jimmy Carter, U.S. president from 1977 to 1981 and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, traveled to Bogota to attend a dinner hosted by Colombia's head of state. Carter's presence was a sign of international support for the Colombia government's ongoing peace talks with the country's largest guerrilla group, FARC.

Read more: http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/27677-war-on-drugs-needs-rethinking-santos-carter-.html

[samsingh]

1. kick

[DryRain]

2. Carter has always made so much sense!

He was just too smart to be appreciated as a good President, and the hostage crisis and oil price spikes sort of insured his one term presidency, very unfortunate.

[naaman fletcher]

3. A good group of people pushing this issue

I wish Chavez would jump on board and help Latin America unite on this, but he and his supporters have been silent.

[Judi Lynn]

5. Why try to derail this thread with bogus claims against Chavez? n/t

[naaman fletcher]

6. What bogus claim against Chavez and how is it derailing it?

I'm psyched about this progress around Latin America, almost everyone is on board. Even Molina.

Chavez, though, a titan of Latin American politics, is nowhere to be found.

[Judi Lynn]

12. Oh, please. We all know far better than that.

You're trying to produce a fantasy to shove down our throats but DU'ers, real Democrats who've been keeping track of current events most clearly know far better than that.

There's the matter of truth to consider from time to time. DU'ers anyone can respect do enough research, and thinking, to be way ahead of right-wing spinners.

[naaman fletcher]

14. Of course you couldn't answer

You're trying to produce a fantasy to shove down our throats but DU'ers,

What fantasy? That Chavez has been AWOL on this issue while other LA leaders stick thier necks out?


real Democrats who've been keeping track of current events most clearly know far better than that.

If they know better than that, they can tell me what is bogus in what I said

There's the matter of truth to consider from time to time.

The truth is that what I said was correct and that I have given the opportunity to say what is incorrect but you refuse to do it, and instead engage in deflection and personal attacks.


DU'ers anyone can respect do enough research, and thinking, to be way ahead of right-wing spinners.

Yes, I have done the research and thinking to know that what I said was correct and that the biggest player in LA politics is AWOL on this issue. You have not. Are you calling yourself a right-winger?

[DeSwiss]

25. Some ''facts''.

- Take em' or leave em' - http://www.embavenez-uk.org/pdf/Fact%20sheet%20drugs%202011.pdf

[naaman fletcher]

26. huh?

What does that have to do with the conversation? Did you even read the posts in this thread?

Is there something in that document that suggests that Chavez, along with other LatAM leaders is for drug legalization?

[naaman fletcher]

7. bogus?

"It is leftist governments, [particularly in] Cuba and Nicaragua, who are in many respects the US' closest drug war allies," Nadelmann said. "[Venezuelan President Hugo] Chavez tries to take every opportunity to poke the US, but on this issue he has been quiet.

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2012/04/2012413142349136990.html

[Comrade Grumpy]

8. Well, other than Colombia and Mexico.

Colombia got about $7 billion in anti-drug aid that morphed into counterinurgency aid after 9/11. Thanks, Bush Sr., Clinton, Bush Jr., and Obama.

Mexico got about $1.5 billion out of Plan Merida, I think. Thanks Bush Jr. and Obama.

Cuba and Nicaragua not so much, though Daniel Ortega seems to be angling for some of that anti-drug assistance.

[naaman fletcher]

10. huh?

I don't understand your point.. across Latin America current and former leaders are calling for drug legalization..

Colombia
Guatemala
Mexico
Uruguary
Brazil
Bolivia

All I did was point out that it was too bad Chavez was not on board.

What is the point of your post? Does it contradict what I said in some way?

[Bacchus4.0]

15. Argentina too and you are correct that the movement is not unanimous n/t

s

[naaman fletcher]

17. Thanks I forgot

looks like Costa Rica is on board too:

http://www.thedailychronic.net/2012/9498/costa-rica-joins-call-for-drug-legalization-debate/

[Comrade Grumpy]

9. He's correct in pointing out that Venezuela has been silent on the drug policy critique...

...that is growing ever louder in Latin America. Hell, Santos and Perez Molina at least talk a good game, even as they pursue the drug war. Chavez threw out the DEA for meddling, but it's been business as usual otherwise. Perhaps Venezuela, already getting criticized for everything from the US, doesn't want to take the lead on this hot potato issue.

[Judi Lynn]

13. You'll need to try to consult other sources than the corporate media.

You've been reading only what the spinners want you to read.

Spend some time doing your own research. Don't limit yourself to right-wing controlled publications or "news" services.

[Comrade Grumpy]

16. I read lots of stuff. Did I post something factually incorrect?

[Bacchus4.0]

18. how about this news and source: Family Guy marijuana episode banned in Venezuela

CHEEKY television show The Family Guy has stirred up a new controversy, this time getting itself banned from an entire country.

Government authorities in Venezuela are enforcing a boycott of the show after an episode that promoted the use of marijuana, the Associated Press reports.

Television stations have been threatened with fines if they don't stop airing the show.

The controversy in Venezuela was sparked by an episode in which the Griffin family campaigned to legalise marijuana.

http://cannabisni.com/world-wide-cannabis-news/922-family-guy-marijuana-episode-banned-in-venezuela

seems the Ven government's policy is pretty clear.

[naaman fletcher]

19. I love that episode, thanks for posting. nt.

[Bacchus4.0]

21. you're welcome, always good to "consider the truth from time to time" n/t

s

[naaman fletcher]

20. here's a link to the video chavez banned

[Bacchus4.0]

30. Ven nearly silent only more restrictive while Ecuador is most restrictive in region

http://www.druglawreform.info/en/newsroom/latest-news/item/3628-colombia-court-upholds-no-jail-time-for-drug-use

Colombia court upholds no jail time for drug use
Associated Press
Friday, June 29, 2012 Colombia's Constitutional Court has ruled that people cannot be jailed for possessing cocaine and marijuana for personal use. The decision ratifies a previous Supreme Court ruling that said people cannot be jailed for possession of a so-called personal dose. A 2009 law placed the dose at up to 20 grams of marijuana and one gram of cocaine.



In Ecuador, the Correa government’s comprehensive justice sector reform project includes significant changes in drug legislation. The country has one of the most punitive drug laws in the hemisphere. In a perversion of justice, those accused of drug offenses are assumed guilty unless they can prove their innocence, mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines ensure excessively long sentences and arrest quotas have led to the imprisonment of growing numbers of those at the lowest end of the drug trafficking trade.

http://www.druglawreform.info/en/country-information/ecuador

Ven requires rehabilitation for small possession. Nothing new since 93, however, I did find a 2010 article that penalties have been increased for traffickers and dealers.

http://www.ukpandi.com/loss-prevention/article/719-10-10-drug-law-amendments-venezuela-1473/

I hope this constitutes acceptable "research" even for chavista DUers. Some Latin American countries are following a reasonable and progressive approach to drugs, while others are not.

[naaman fletcher]

31. This is not reasonable research

or it would have come to a different conclusion.

[duhneece]

4. yes, yes, yes

The War on Drugs is a war on people, esp. minorities and the poor...and liberals!

[DavidWD72]

11. about time

Anything our politicians don't like about America they declare war on it. If we took the stance of management to the problems we face today rather than an attack posture, perhaps a civilized debate could follow. We must consider the human element in this ridiculous war and help our fellow Americans.

[Judi Lynn]

22. Free Viewing Of Important Documentary: Breaking The Taboo .

Free Viewing Of Important Documentary: Breaking The Taboo .
Wednesday, 19 December 2012 15:42

Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—December 19, 2012.

By Allen St. Pierre, NORML Executive Director

The producers of an important and well-received film documentary have contacted NORML asking for help to make as many free viewings of Breaking The Taboo as possible before the film goes into traditional theater distribution. Of the many documentaries in NORML’s forty two year-old archives, this SunDog Pictures produced film is a real stand out for it’s scope and breadth.

The film, narrated by actor Morgan Freeman, has received a terrific amount of publicity buzz regarding the subject matter (ending the war on some drugs…) as well for three of the key people interviewed in the documentary: former U.S. presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, and current president of Colombia Juan Manuel Santos.

All three men went on the record acknowledging the failures of the current policies and favor substantive reforms, notably Mr. Carter, who favors cannabis legalization.

This outstanding one hour documentary has already been viewed by nearly 470,000 concerned citizens from around the world. The film can be viewed at:

http://www.youtube.com/user/breakingthetaboofilm

http://www.enewspf.com/latest-news/human-interest/39265--free-viewing-of-important-documentary-breaking-the-taboo.html

[Le Taz Hot]

27. Judi,

The two links are trailers to the film, not the actual film itself (unless I'm missing something which is most certainly possible). Just a heads up.

[Judi Lynn]

28. Yikes. I took it for granted, didn't look myself, and had to leave.

Well, will be looking forward to seeing it A.S.A.P.

Sorry about that. Thanks for the alert.

[Le Taz Hot]

29. No biggie.

I'm looking forward to seeing it as well.

[DeSwiss]

23. Now all we have to do is.....

...to get the CIA, the for-profit prison industry, BIG PHARMA, and the banks to go along with it.


[center]
[/center]

K&R

[djmano88]

24. hi

He was just too smart to be appreciated as a good President, and the hostage crisis and oil price spikes sort of insured his one term presidency, very unfortunate.