No matter what your view of this particular case is there simply is no arguing that the so-called war on drugs is one of the biggest abominations this countries has ever endeavored. Although the drug war, I'm sure, was begun with the best of intentions -- it has seen very little (if any) return on our investment and has incarcerated people who simply do not deserve to be imprisoned.
Below is the video from Reason.tv entitled "Mississippi Drug War Blues"
As most of you already know I wholeheartedly agree with Larry Elder on this subject
Legalize Drugs
Legalization does not mean approval. America spends at least $20 billion a year to fight a losing battle against drugs. (Research by William F. Buckley places America's direct and indirect costs of this "war" at more than $200 billion a year.) Experts say that worldwide, the annual drug trade may be as high as $500 billion! "Just say no" ain't gonna stop that. The drug trade provides an economic incentive for children and teens to drop out of school and earn fast money. It accounts for 50 percent of all street crimes and perhaps 30 percent of the prison population. Tax drugs, and use the money for drug treatment and additional police protection. Drug legalization would free up prison spaces, vacancies that could be used to lock up violent criminals. What about the harm to society? Drug abuse would have to increase well over fivefold to match the deaths caused by cigarette smoking (allegedly 400,000 a year).
"Mississippi Drug War Blues" is a story about the intersection of race (Maye is black and Jones was white); the war on drugs; the disturbing increase in the militarization of police tactics; and systemic flaws in the criminal justice and expert-testimony systems.
It is a tragedy in which one man is dead and another may spend his life in prison.
I've been following the Cory Maye case since it broke and have long seen this as a place where libertarian-leaning conservatives and liberals could find common ground.
SWAT-style raids for alleged minor drug infractions are a good way to get innocent people (including cops) unnecessarily killed.
I also agree that the drug war is counterproductive for society.
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