Sunday 19 October 2008

Busted-another drug war ad

Another blog by sicntired I was watching the news and all of a sudden there was a bust unfolding before my eyes.I soon realized it was another television program designed to promote the drug war and show the dangers of doing drugs.It turned out to be a pretty good way of exposing just how putrid the drug war really is.The people they showed being busted were young and fairly clueless.They were obviously doing the program as part of their punishment for being caught with pot.They all kept saying how scared they were,in fact that was pretty much the only truth the program displayed.The busts were all typical police harassment resulting in petty pot busts of less than a gram.They even had a pop up display saying that even traces were enough for an arrest.One of the guys was a third time arrest and had to make a statement as to how he was glad he was popped as it forced him to change his life direction.He seemed like a decent person and aside from the fact that he was facing up to 20 years in prison for a felony drug arrest(he only had a small amount but it was #3{?}).He was as sincere as he could muster and there was no doubt that he was scared but you could tell he was more pissed off than sorry.Who could blame him?One minute he was minding his own business and the next the cops kicked in his door and now he was looking at 20 years for pot.The other cases were far more petty than that and the people were still just as scared.The show proved one thing;that people should be very cautious when driving while young or black in the USA.The cops were all predators looking for young people partying as they knew they'd have marijuana.The arresting officer in case #2 even said that he was looking for young partiers and that he was sure he'd find marijuana.The people in the car were black.They were well groomed young people and looked as clean as anyone I've ever seen.Just that fact alone should tell people something.Is everyone out there a criminal or are the police looking for trouble where there is none.I know they always say they're just doing their jobs.It was very clear that they saw putting a kink in a young persons life as part of that job.None of the people shown on this show were criminals in the true sense of the word.They were victims of a society that lives by do as I say and not as I do.The cops on this show all seemed like the true believers.These are people who actually believe that all drugs are bad and they are saving the world.They would arrest their own mothers.I can't see how any one can watch this kind of program with anything but outrage.Like it's twin ,"cops",this show demonstrated how the drug war is a war on the poor,the young and the colored.Most people on cops are at least doing real crime.This show is all about young people and how a drug arrest can ruin your life.No question about that but what would have happened if the cop had really just done his job instead of going miles out of his way to find a problem?None of the people arrested looked like they were a menace to society.Quite the opposite.These were young people out to enjoy their youth and trying to have some harmless fun.At least they weren't out drinking and driving.People who say that people that smoke pot shouldn't drive a car.They obviously have never smoked and driven a car.The worst thing you'll do is drive way too slow.Pot does not a dangerous driver make.Impeding traffic,yes.Dangerous,no.I do not recomend driving high.It can be far scarier than it's worth.Just wait an hour and you're good to go anyway.If you're looking for a little insight into what's wrong with the war on drugs,watch a show called; Busted.