April 2002

Bush's Drug War Strategy: Escalate It (April 30, 2002)
Written almost exactly 11 months ago, (May 28, 2001), this article by Daniel Forbes and Don Hazen makes most dire prognostications about what direction the War on Drugs would take under Bush, asserting that despite reformers thinking "it couldn't possibly get any worse" than it was under Clinton's and 'Bloody Hands' Barry McCaffrey's guidance, it will get worse. Wouldn't you know it, they were right, it has gotten worse.

US Expects a Wider War on Two Front in Colombia (April 30, 2002)
"With elections in Colombia a month away, the Bush administration expects the country's next president to take a harder line in the battle against guerrillas and narcotics traffickers and dedicate more resources to the fight, administration officials say," leads in this article from the New York Times. The definition of insanity is to repeat the same actions over and over yet expect different results, according to many intelligent, thinking people.

Lawmakers Kill Bill Banning Police Surveillance of Peaceful Protesters (April 30, 2002)
Not wanting to "hinder" law enforcement efforts, these Colorado lawmakers have decided it's cool for their cops to survey and investigate peaceful protesters, which includes such terrifying and threatening organizations as Amnesty International and the Quakers.

Colombia Mobilization National Call In Day- May 1, 2002 (April 30, 2002)
Call your Representatives and Congressfolk to let them know how you feel about their throwing good money after bad to Colombia, ostensibly to combat a coca trade that has only exploded in size each year the US gives over more US taxdollars to stop it.

American Navy 'Helped Venezuelan Coup' (April 30, 2002)
"'I first heard of Lieutenant Colonel James Rogers [the assistant military attache now based at the US embassy in Caracas] going down there last June to set the ground,' Mr Madsen, an intelligence analyst, said yesterday. 'Some of our counter-narcotics agents were also involved.'" So notes this article from the Guardian UK.

CIA and FBI Attack Warning- The Methods and the Madness (April 28, 2002)
Repeated warnings issued by both the FBI and CIA are either ratcheting up the fear factor in the US, or are signs that there really are impending attacks on America. Will they too be allowed to take place?

DEA Head Launches Meth Tour in Indy (April 28, 2002)
Asa Hutchinson is beginning a nation-wide tour touting the dangers of methamphetamines.

Peru Sees Drug Flights Relaunch, Washington Mum (April 28, 2002)
Peru and the US are planning on resuming anti-drug flight shootdowns in Peru, though plans are note quite finalized.

Venezuelan Coup Plotter 'In Miami' (April 28, 2002)
Seems that at least one of those coup plotters who were not even winked at by US officials while receiving money from, and having meetings with US officials before throwing their failed coup has fled to Miami. Also see Three Days the Shook the Media, and Three Time Losers Try Again for more information about the increasing evidence of US involvement in the failed coup.

Beijing Declares War on New Breed of Drug Users (April 28, 2002)
Since there seem to be a lot of successful drug users, despite their drug use, the Chinese authorities are lifting a page right out of the US prohibitionist Drug Warrior playbook by deciding to impose added legal repercussions for drug use that will only increase whatever harms result from the drug use itself.

Hmong Vets March in Support of Vang Pao (April 27, 2002)
The great thing about living in the US, at least traditionally and this 'right to free speech' thing could soon be subject to change, is that people can go out in the streets and publicly support a major opium warlord who fought the CIA's secret war in Laos while producing much of the dope that eventually entered US GI veins. Here Vang Pao's supporters are calling for the firing of Professor Alfred McCoy by the University of Wisconsin for his detailing Vang Pao's opium operations in his landmark book, "The Politics of Heroin- CIA Complicity in the Global Drug Trade," readdressed in a recent article in the Capital Times.

Kissinger: Mistakes May Have Been Made (April 27, 2002)
Human rights activists have lost a couple of bids to have Henry Kissinger arrested and held for questioning while he is in London. They want to question him about his role and/or knowledge in both Operation Condor, a South American terror campaign, and the US military activities in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

Crack Cop- New FBI Documents Add to Mystery (April 27, 2002)
Although the CIA insists that Ron Lister was never affiliated with the CIA in any way while he smuggled drugs and sold arms, newly released FBI documents about Lister are heavily redacted for "national security" reasons, and other documents have been withheld from release because the FBI says they belong to another, un-named, government agency.

Steve Kubby Update and Defense Fund (April 27, 2002)
Steve Kubby's wife Michelle gives an update on their situation, what they are expecting to happen to them since their recent arrest in Canada, and wants all to know they need help fighting this latest legal battle. Find links to the Kubby Defense Fund here, as well as to articles detailing the history of this new/old case.

Eddie Smith, Cancer Patient and Medical Marijuana User, In Hospital (April 27, 2002)
Eddie Smith, a cancer and AIDS patient who once lit up a joint in the Texas Democratic Party headquarters in Austin, during the 2000 campaign to protest assertions that marijuana has no medical benefits, is now in the hospital, and would appreciate hearing from you. Go ahead, what you are waiting for? Pick up the phone and give him a call.

It's an Angry, Violent, Warmongering World Out There Right Now. You Just Live In It (or Frat Boys Rule the Earth) (April 27, 2002)
"World War III will not be two egomaniacal superpowers battling for supremacy and bragging rights. It will be scattershot and bewildering, a hundred different battles fought on a hundred different fronts for a thousand ever-shifting reasons, each and every one twisted and distorted by regulation GOP spin doctors who somehow convince the bulk of the populace that it's somehow patriotic to be cavity searched and fingerprinted and beaten with a stick when you buy groceries." So notes Mark Morford in this impassioned editorial on our current state of affairs.

The Graying of the Black Panthers (April 27, 2002)
"Eventually, the party claimed more than 40 chapters and 5,000 members. But by 1974, it was imploding, done in by infighting and drugs, police raids on more than 30 Panther offices and the FBI's illegal counterintelligence program, in which agents sowed disinformation within the party to turn one Panther against another," notes this report on a recent reunion of surviving members of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense.

Justice Department Uses Drug Law to Target Low Income Students (April 27, 2002)
Seems the anti-drug provision in the Higher Education Act barring federal aid for school to those convicted on a drug charge is mainly targeting poor kids, not those who can afford to pay for school on their own and don't need government assistance.

Akha Journal of the Golden Triangle (April 26, 2002)
Matthew McDaniel has put together a new quarterly journal by and about the Akha people in Thailand. Find out how to subscribe here.

NYC Double Header- Dress Rehearsal for May 4, 2002 Million Marijuana March (April 26, 2002)
Get out to Washington Square Park on Saturday for a dry run of the upcoming MMM pot march and rally. There's updates and announcements here, to alert you to all that's happening this weekend, (and next).

Living in a Police State (April 26, 2002)
The Michigan State Legislature has passed two laws that allow cops to enter your home without telling why. The title of this piece says it all.

Mohamed Atta Kept Terrorist 'E-list' (April 26, 2002)
Dan Hopsicker, author of the seminal book "Barry and the Boys" has been investigating the terrorists' flight training down in Florida to prepare for their Sept. 11 attacks. What he's been turning up is most disturbing. Read his collection of articles on this subject here.

Arianna Huffington: Taking Drug Task Forces to Task (April 25, 2002)
"Combined with draconian asset forfeiture laws, the money-for-arrest model has turned avaricious cops into drug war entrepreneurs, all-too-willing to bend the rules in exchange for more money and power. In a grave abuse of our treasured presumption of innocence, forfeiture laws allow police departments to seize and sell any property connected to illegal drugs, even if the owner is never actually charged with a crime," writes Huffington in her cutting and to the point fashion. Huffington pulls no punches, repeatedly putting the idiocies of the War on Drugs in their proper perspective.

Richard Helms' Afghan Niece Leads Corp of Taliban Reps (April 25, 2002)
Laili Helms is a "pleasant young woman who makes her home in New Jersey," and was "the Taliban rulers' unofficial ambassador in the U.S., and their most active and best-known advocate elsewhere in the West. As such she not only defend[ed] but promot[ed] a severe regime that has given the White House fits for the past six years—by throwing women out of jobs and schools, stoning adulterers, forcing Hindus to wear an identifying yellow patch, and smashing ancient Buddha statues," reports this June 6, 2001 article in the Village Voice. Her uncle Richard was former head of the CIA who shredded reams of official documents to keep them from the public and Congressional eye, and helped spark the overthrow of the Shah in Iran.

US Used Islamists to Arm Bosnians (April 25, 2002)
"US intelligence agencies secretly broke a UN arms embargo during the 1991-1995 war in the former Yugoslavia by channeling arms through Islamist jihad groups that Washington is now hunting down across Europe and Asia, according to evidence from the Netherlands," is the first paragraph of this unbelievable but apparently true report. Once again, US intelligence agencies, in this case associated with the military as opposed to the CIA, set themselves up a future enemy by arming, training, then ditching an extremist terrorist army. But no worries, the military and the US intelligence services are receiving huge increases in budgets this year to help them do this kind of job even better.

Israeli Crime Syndicates Push Global Trade in Ecstasy Drug: DEA (April 25, 2002)
This is a report from Saudi Arabia's First English Daily, ArabNews, which could lead some to suspect this to be slightly biased against Israel, more apt perhaps to paint Israel in the worst light possible. This is not to say that Israel doesn't produce huge quantities of the drug ecstasy as some criminal chemists there apparently do have a thriving business producing and shipping the stuff. It is often important to keep the source of a news story in mind when reading, and it is no different in this case.

In Defense of Cynthia McKinney (April 25, 2002)
"...Ms. Parker's arguments are completely devoid of substance, thereby offering us ample opportunity to just shoot the living hell out of them," writes Carol Schiffler here in this brilliant defense of Rep. Cynthia McKinney's questions about Sept. 11 and more.

Pentagon to Investigates Its Own Role in Venezuela (April 25, 2002)
The Pentagon is going to investigate its own role in the coup, in what promises to be an open and honest report, since the US military never, ever lies to the American public about anything at all, keeping no secrets as they protect freedom and democracy around the world.

Procedural Delays Force Drug Treatment Initiative to Wait for 2004 (April 25, 2002)
The Florida Supreme Court is forcing treatment instead of jail initiative supporters in Florida to wait until at least 2004 to get their initiative onto the Florida ballots. Court mandated treatment or jail- Is this really a choice?

Statement of John P. Walters Director of National Drug Control Policy Before the Senate Drug Control Policy Before the Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Treasure and General Government (April 25, 2002)
You'll need an Adobe Reader, downloadable free here, to read Walter's complete testimony before the subcommittee. It's always a good thing to read just what these dogmatic drug warriors are saying to the people who continue to pass ever the more damaging and draconian US anti-drug laws, while refusing to prosecute those in intelligence who facilitate drug trafficking on huge scales while propping up drug producing nations and dictators around the world.

Drug Czar Testifies Before Senate Appropriations Subcommittee (April 25, 2002)
"The President's goals of lowering youth and adult drug use by 10 percent in two years and by 25 percent in 5 years are both aggressive and achievable. By rallying parents, teachers, and community leaders to the cause, and continuing to administer ONDCP's highly effective programs including the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Program, the Counterdrug Technology Assessment Center, and the Drug-Free Communities Program, we will make positive strides in making America's drug problem smaller," Walters told the Subcommittee. There doesn't seem to be a single difference in what he said, and what every other rabid anti-drug prohibitionist drug warrior has spewed fro Congress to justify increasing an already bloated, wasteful Drug War budget for the last 30 years. What aren't these people smoking? Do they really believe their own ridiculous comments?

Clinics Foresee Legal Battles (April 24, 2002)
The Baltimore County Council is fighting to keep methadone clinics from starting up in their fair city, which of course is completely heroin free. What are these politicians thinking? Do they really believe that their communities are heroin free, and that methadone clinics will not help ease their communities' rampant heroin problems they seem to deny exist?

Why Drug Tests Flunk (April 24, 2002)
American students, even ingenious, are figuring out ways to beat the unconstitutional and arbitrary drug tests more and more US schools are forcing students to undergo. One student quoted here estimate that at least 75 percent of his class uses marijuana but almost no ever gets busted. Who said US kids aren't smart today?

African Nations Respond to Illicit Drug Trafficking and Abuse (April 24, 2002)
Focusing on the "priorities" of interdictions and strong law enforcement, these African nations seemed to have learned nothing whatsoever from the absolutely fail War to Stop Drugs and Use anywhere in the world that utilizes such prohibition tactics, and are all set to emulate these insane, destructive anti-drug policies. The War on Drugs is only successful for those waging war and making tons of money fighting the never ending, unwinnable War. Hence the continuance of such policies. Too much money is being made by the Drug Warriors for them to ever seriously accept, or admit rather, that their War is wrong and not ending drug use or abuse. It does obviously further empower the cartels, so just what is the purpose of the War?

The Hidden Dangers of Drugs by ONDCP Director John Walters (April 24, 2002)
For the head of an agency, the ONDCP, to claim the drug production destroys the environment, (which admittedly does happen to some degree from the production of some hard drugs, such as cocaine), while he and his agency advocate spraying Colombian peasants and their environment, crops, children and livestock with extremely poisonous and damaging pesticides, herbicides, and fusarium oxysporum is beyond disgusting, it is flat out sickening to the editor of drugwar.com. His and the federal government's hypocrisy oozes like slime from these rabid prohibitionist drug warriors.

More Than Half Young Britons Have Taken Illegal Drugs (April 24, 2002)
Oh yeah, prohibitionist, militaristic law enforcement strategies are sure worked well. We're just around the corner of victory in the War on Drugs, and no one will be using them at all, if we just throw more money, cops, and military at the situation. Look at all the good it's done so far, at lowering the incredibly illegal drug use rates among the youth in Britain. Oh, hold on, this article proves the exact opposite.

McKinney Draws Fire With Call For Probe (April 24, 2002)
Rep. McKinney (D-GA), has not only called for an investigation into the Sept. 11 attacks, even alluding to the possibility that some in the Bush administration and those oil and defense contractors are profiting off the attacks, but also strongly questioned why we, the US taxpayers, should be being such large increases of money to the intelligence and military agencies when the Pentagon is missing $2.3 trillion, an extremely difficult number to comprehend for the average taxpayer. That's not even mentioning the money missing and unaccounted for from Housing and Urban Development (HUD).She has been attacked as an unpatriotic loony and partisan politician in much of the mainstream press, but not one of the attacks has addressed the pertinent and important issues she's raised. This leads some to suspect that this is a classic character assassination engaged in by powerful types with something to hide and/or protect.

Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids (April 24, 2002)
Philip Morris cigarette company has apparently changed its name, but not its nefarious advertising practices, according to this report from Truth Out.

Marchers Protest Aid to Colombia (April 23, 2002)
Largely peaceful protests were held this weekend and Monday in Washington DC. There were arrests, but mainly on misdemeanor charges that involved no violence. Also see- Anti-War Protests Overwhelm Expectations

Davidians Appeal Wrongful Death Case (April 23, 2002)
Davidian survivors of the slaughter committed against their friends and families at Mt. Carmel in 1993 have appealed their wrongful death suit against the US government, asserting that the judge who ruled against them last time was biased since he had also been the judge at their criminal trials. Also see- Civil Liberties: Give Me Liberty or Give Me...What? Security?

World War 3 Report #30 (April 23, 2002)
This is a weekly compendium of world wide events that make up the ongoing World War 3, by Bill Weinberg, and David Bloom.

The Case for Bush Administration Advance Knowledge of 9-11 Attacks (April 23, 2002)
Michael Ruppert has compiled a lot of evidence that points to the Bush Administration having pre-Sept. 11 knowledge of an impending terrorist attack on the US.

Million Marijuana March Locator (April 23, 2002)
Check out this map to locate the city holding a marijuana liberation march nearest you! Don't forget, on May 5, 2002, 180 cities so far plan to participate. Get out there and make politicians and law enforcers understand their anti-pot laws are ridiculous, damaging, and flat out nuts. Also check this url (cut and paste) for a complete listing of cities and contacts- http://corporatism.tripod.com/mmm2002.htm

Growbusters (April 23, 2002)
This is a 5 part series in The Record, on the War on Marijuana in Vancouver, Canada.

Santa Clara County Sees Success With Prop. 36 (April 22, 2002)
From the results so far, it appears that most of the people mandated into drug treatment through Prop. 36 are actually staying with their programs. It is not clear how many of these people are actually hard core drug addicts in need of treatment or simply casual drug users caught in the prohibitionist net from this report.

Well Before 'Evil Axis' Label, North Korean Spies, Drug Runners Have Worried Japan (April 22, 2002)
The Japanese are dealing with large scale methamphetamine smuggling, allegedly by the North Koreans, according to this report.

Cop Kills Bellport Man (April 22, 2002)
Evidence that drug cops can often be more deadly than the drugs they are combating the use of. This poor 20-year old guy, Jose Colon, was shot and killed 'accidentally' with a 9mm submachinegun by a supposedly clumsy cop during a raid for marijuana in Suffolk County, NY. "He was asked a number of times 'Show your hands, drop to the floor.' He didn't and that's when the accident occurred," Fitzpatrick said. Colon was not armed and had no illegal drugs in his possession, police said," reports a more complete version of this story at New York Newsday, also linked here.

Accused Drug Kingpin Trial Begins (April 22, 2002)
Murder, mystery, and mayhem in a Florida drug case.

Turkey Seizes 154,000 Pills in Drug Haul Worth $2.3 Million (April 22, 2002)
Turkish cops arrested two people for smuggling these Captagon pills, an amphetamine.

$10 Million Available to Fund Substance Abuse Treatment Drug Courts (April 22, 2002)
"State and local governments, Indian tribes and tribal organizations, courts, community-based organizations and faith-based organizations are eligible" to apply and receive funding for drug courts from the US federal government, which has set aside $10 million to be spread among 25 programs. Drug warriors cannot, or will not, think outside the mandated behavior modification and control paradigm.

Federal Meth Bill Provision Would Send Promoters to Prison for Drug Use at Events (April 22, 2002)
Bill sponsor Rep. Doug Ose, (R-CA), is joined by more of the usual maniacal Drug Warriors such as Rep. Bob Barr, (killer of the medical marijuana initiative voted in by Washington DC voters), Rep. Mark Souder, (R-IN), (author of the HEA anti-drug provision which bars US citizens from furthering their education if they receive a felony conviction for drugs), Rep. John Mica, (R-FL), 42 co-sponsors so far in all, that would send party/concert promoters to prison "for not more than 9 years" for any use of a controlled substance at any event they promote. Write your Representatives and make your voices heard. This is yet another repressive and outright insane move on the part of Drug Warriors, but not surprising.

Thousands Rally at Washington Summit (April 21, 2002)
The protests were "colorful and noisy", but police hadn't made any arrests at the huge anti-War on Terrorism/IMF/World Bank/anti-War-in-general demonstrations in Washington DC.

New Delay for 'Third Trial' Stewardess (April 21, 2002)
This poor woman, cleared twice of cocaine trafficking charges in the United Arab Emirates, is facing a possible third trial on the same charges. She's been held in jail for a year and a half already while the first two trials were conducted.

Steve Kubby Freed (April 21, 2002)
Kubby is out on $7,000 bail, but still faces yet another heated legal battle in his war against the War on medical marijuana users.

Peru Cancels Army Training With US (April 21, 2002)
"Lima's decision comes days after Washington withdrew non-essential diplomats from Venezuela after acknowledging it had discussed with President Hugo Chavez's opponents steps to remove him from office," reports the BBC.

Great Britain: One in Four 'Has Taken Drugs' (April 21, 2002)
This headline should read "one in four has taken Illegal drugs," since everyone alive today on this planet has taken a drug of one kind or another, be it coffee, tea, chocolate, alcohol, or the illegal ones. Still, this is a fairly large percentage of the population willfully breaking Great Britain's anti-drug laws.

Iran Nets Major Drugs Haul (April 21, 2002)
Police in Kerman province, Iran, have seized 4 tons of raw opium from Afghanistan, the largest seizure ever in that province according to this report.

Layne Staley Dead- Alice in Chains Singer Found Dead in Seattle Apartment (April 21, 2002)
Layne Staley has been found dead and decomposing in his apartment. The long-time, outspoken user of heroin may have died of an overdose, but authorities have not yet made that determination. Regardless, may the creative and free-spirited Staley now rest in peace.

Marijuana Penalty Increase Bill Returns to New York Assembly (April 21, 2002)
The New York State lawmakers are considering increasing the penalties for third time possession of 25 grams or more of marijuana to 4 years incarceration and a $5,000 fine. While the rest of the world eases towards sane drug policies, US politicians continue to dogmatically cause more damage than any drug use with these insane punitive measures.

The Week Online With DRCNet Issue #233 (April 20, 2002)
The feds want to prosecute rave promoters for drug use at raves, efforts to save NY prison art, the Drug War Race/Party in NYC on 4-20, alerts and events calendar, all this and more in this week's update.

Tobacco Traffic- BAT/Philip Morris Smuggling Revealed (April 20, 2002)
Read how Philip Morris is accused of assisting in smuggling millions of dollars worth of addictive, killer cigarettes into Latin America while the US wages war on Colombian peasants for growing coca plants, and that the company has been laundering drug money.

Home Drug Testing (April 20, 2002)
Here is a short commentary, with links, on a Drug Testing company ad I received in my email box yesterday. Why someone at the company thought I should receive their ad and the accompanying links is a mystery, but the website is quite educational as to the prohibitionist mind-set.

Don't Believe Everything You Read In The Papers About Venezuela (April 20, 2002)
More on the coup in Venezuela, and how it was portrayed in the US mainstream press, by Greg Palast. The Irish Times has also reported that the US military attaché in Caracas was meeting with coup plotters in the hours leading up to the coup.

Cops May Have Used Chalk To Plant On Suspects (April 19, 2002)
The FBI suspects that scores of people were set up for drug charges when cops and/or informants planted pool chalk on them.

Cannabis OK For Kids, Say 1 in 5 Australian Parents (April 19, 2002)
Approximately 17 percent of the parents participating in this study thought that their kids experimenting with pot was just fine, although they did hesitate over harder drug use.

Michelle Kubby- Update on Steve Kubby and Steve Tuck (April 19, 2002)
These two American medical marijuana users who have been living in Canada as refugees from political persecution in the US are facing serious difficulties since being taken into custody by Canadian officials on Tuesday, April 16. Tuck may be deported back to the US, and Kubby is not being allowed to use medical marijuana while in custody, which could literally kill him.

First US Resident Diagnosed With Mad Cow (April 19, 2002)
While this is the first diagnosed case of Mad Cow Disease in a US resident, officials are assuring the public that this British citizen must have become infected with it while still living in England. So keep eating that dead flesh folks, there's no need to fear.

Sexually Enslaved Prisoner Sues for Alleged Multiple Rapes by Fellow Inmates (April 19, 2002)
This poor guy was sent to a Texas prison for writing a bad $300 check, which violated his probation for a burglary 10 years ago. Prison guards seemed to take the attitude that since he was gay, he must enjoy the incessant raping, since he showed no signs of outward physical injuries from fighting back. Fight back in prison and a prisoner get more time, is seriously injured, or dies. And even if he does fight back, that doesn't mean he won't still get raped. But hey, he's a gay black man in a US prison, so he must deserve to be raped repeatedly, no? This is definitely one for the "pass the vomit bucket" files. The editor of drugwar.com wishes him the best of luck on his lawsuit.

Drug Tunnel Found Under US Customs Lot in Arizona (April 19, 2002)
The 85 foot long tunnel, "complete with wood bracing and electricity illegally tapped from a Customs employee parking lot was found Sunday underneath a US Customs Service parking lot in Southern Arizona," says this Reuters report.

A Bus Ride Tests Limits of Police Searches (April 18, 2002)
The US Supreme Court will hear a case involving two men caught on a Greyhound bus by cops they say intimidated them into consenting to the search that turned up over a pound of cocaine taped to their thighs. US citizens are allowed to say no to police searches, but this isn't always made exactly clear by the police in these sorts of situations.

Ecstasy Research Flawed (April 18, 2002)
Seems that tests using radioactive substances on brains of x consumers and non-consumers to check what effects ecstasy has on brains had serious defects in results, yet still have been bandied about by hysterical prohibitionist as proving that ecstasy use causes holes in brains. Just one more in a long line of instances when, finding the factual evidence clearly does not support prohibition, drug warriors make up stuff to justify their budget and power.

Spanish Judge Targets Kissinger (April 18, 2002)
Kissinger is planning to visit London soon, but Spanish judge Balthazar Garzon, waging his own personal War on International Terrorism, is seeking to question former Secretary of State Kissinger about Operation Condor, a US-backed operation with 6 Latin American dictatorships involving kidnapping, torture, and murder of hundreds of people of the wrong political persuasion. Now perhaps Kissinger might not want to leave the US.

Thor Heyerdahl Dies (April 18, 2002)
The famous, free-thinking Norwegian explorer has died of cancer at age 87.

Picture Gallery- Inca Mummies (April 18, 2002)
Some really cool photos of a recent archaeological find in Peru can be found here.

Earth Day 2002- 7 Things You Can Do For The Earth (April 18, 2002)
There are all sorts of links to information here on what you can do to help limit the damage done to the Earth, as well as to news blurbs, announcements for upcoming Earth Day 2002 events, and more.

US Denies Role in Venezuelan Coup (April 17, 2002)
The folks at PR Watch have put together this information on both possible and definite US ties to the Venezuelan coup affair.

Conservatives Gearing Up to Push for Private Prisons (April 17, 2002)
While it is true that the private prison industry is exploding in size and scope in the US, wielding enormous power and influence, it isn't only Conservative politicians who are sullied by this. For 8 years with Bill Clinton as President, the US prison population filling these profitable private prisons just got bigger as the number of victims of the War on Drugs climbed to ever new heights.

Canada- Steve Kubby and Steve Tuck in Custody (April 17, 2002)
These two US citizens, living in exile in Canada to escape vindictive and damaging US marijuana laws, have been picked up by Canadian immigration officials and police, and are being held in custody. Kubby has a rare form of adrenal cancer that marijuana keeps at bay, yet he is once again being denied his medication by authorities. Are they really risking killing this guy just because he smokes an herb? You better believe it. There's also a note from Kubby's wife Michelle here, and phone numbers of the arresting officer and the immigration official.

US Senate Confirms ONDCP Deputy Director for State and Local Affairs (April 17, 2002)
"Mr. Burns' successful experience using law enforcement tools to combat drugs at the local level will advance ONDCP's mission to aid the anti-drug efforts of local and state law enforcement agencies throughout the United States," crows this press release from the Office of National Drug Control Policy. If the current state of the War on Drugs shows any successes whatsoever, the editor of drugwar.com would really like to know what exactly those successes are. Using law enforcement tools to combat drug use has done nothing but empower the cartels, and ruin lives.

Drug War and Human Rights in Colombia (April 17, 2002)
"Thousands of people are assassinated, kidnapped and disappeared in Colombia every year in political violence. The conflict has been marked by guerrilla attacks on oil pipelines, high tension towers, and rural police stations, and by gruesome massacres of 'subversives' by government-sponsored death squads," says the lead-in at this hard-hitting website. Check out recent photos taken in Colombia, and read a lot of history on the US-backed drugwar there.

Hepatitis C: The Insidious Spread of a Killer Virus (April 16, 2002)
Newsweek covers the Hep C epidemic in the US in this week's cover story.

US Should Legalize Marijuana (April 16, 2002)
Considering the cavalier attitude many US politicians have about their own youthful marijuana use, the fact that the War continues unabated should have these politicians up before a War crimes tribunal. Would any of these self-admitted law breakers have benefited from mandated drug treatment or jail sentences?

Colombian Aid Limits Reviewed (April 16, 2002)
Presidents Bush and Pastrana are urging the US Congress to allow direct US involvement in Colombia's nearly 40-year long civil war. This is semantical, as the US already has a strong presence in Colombia, waging its horrific yet profitable War on Drugs. The Bush administration wants to be able to expand that presence and openly shovel US tax dollars in ever increasing amounts into the pockets of those waging its Drug War. Some in Congress are showing signs of War fatigue, questioning the results so far from pouring US money, arms and training into Colombia, as despite all the pesticide spraying and war, production of coca and poppy has only risen every year the amount of US aid has been upped.

Bush's Betrayal of Democracy (April 16, 2002)
No, this article is not about the Florida voter-roll shenanigans, but rather discusses Bush's disgraceful support of the military coup in Venezuela. The Bush Administration didn't express any anger or outrage whatsoever until it became clear the coup was going to fail, and still is not publically overjoyed at the return of President Chavez to office. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is also saying he will investigate the presence of a US plane at the island prison where he was being held by the military coup plotters over the weekend. Bush administration officials had meetings with coup plotters in the months preceding the coup attempt, but insists they did not support the coup itself.

Chemical Coup D'Etat (April 16, 2002)
Brazilian diplomat Jose Bustani, Director General of the Organization For The Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, is finding himself under attack by the US, which wants him fired.

FBI Investigates Army Secretary's Enron Dealings (April 16, 2002)
The FBI is investigating whether or not US Army Secretary Thomas White made himself large amounts of money from illegal insider trading of Enron holdings.

Mexican Police Linked to Tijuana Cartel (April 15, 2002)
Some of these 41 Mexican cops under arrest for selling information to a major bloodthirsty drug cartel were trained by the DEA, reports this article. Would any possible problems some drug warriors postulate might result from the outright legalization of drugs really be of more serious consequence than this major reoccurring problem with rampant corruption among those police hired to combat the ultra-rich, ultra-cruel, prohibitionist-empowered criminal cartels?

2003 Budget Completes Big Jump In Spending (April 15, 2002)
Despite common Republican rhetoric about cutting big government, Bush has greatly increased government spending, mainly throwing US taxpayer money to the military to the exclusion of domestic spending programs.

Gulf War Veterans Demand Inquiry (April 15, 2002)
British Gulf War vets are pushing for an investigation into why they and their US counterparts are suffering so many illnesses, suspecting that Depleted Uranium and/or vaccinations are to blame. The French found in February that their soldiers were not suffering similar illnesses, and they did not use the same vaccinations on their troops.

Dumped Needles Pose Health Threat (April 15, 2002)
A reader might be forgiven for concluding after reading this that Britain need an even more comprehensive harm reduction/needle exchange program.

Take Two Aspirin and Make a Lot of Noise (April 15, 2002)
How are these US pharmaceutical companies getting away with ripping off US citizens so flagrantly? Is there anything the senior citizens hit hardest by this practice can do to force a change?

GW Pharma Doubles Cannabis Drug Trials (April 14, 2002)
If cannabis has no medical benefits, as claimed incessantly by hysterical, prohibitionist US Drug Warriors, why is this company putting so much money and effort into what they seem to think is promising research and development?

'Marijuana Doctor Gets Probation, $5,000 Fine (April 14, 2002)
Dr. Philip Leveque of Oregon is also facing a 90 day suspension from practicing medicine, in addition to this fine and ten year probation sentence.

Lost City Found Off India (April 14, 2002)
Graham Hancock, the controversial author and searcher of lost civilizations, suggested that this lost city be searched for. Lo and Behold, there does seem to be a city underwater off the coast of India. What else about our ancient history do we not know? Just how far back in time does organized civilization really go? This subject has nothing to do with drugs, but it sure is fun to think about.

Chavez Returns to Power (April 14, 2002)
After a 2-day overthrow, President Hugo Chavez Frias is back in power in Venezuela, thanks to a massive outpouring of public support both at home and abroad. There are also a couple links here to more complete coverage of the events that lead to the coup and now counter-coup.

Is The United States a Haven For Torturers? (April 13, 2002)
With 150 identified foreign torturers and killers currently living in the US and probably more unidentified, with no sign of the US government arresting and deporting them, it raises the obvious question of why is the FBI rounding up Arab-Americans for petty visa violations, and not these people, many of whom are wanted in their own countries?

Toxic Town (April 13, 2002)
Take a look at Anniston, Alabama, a US town and the citizens of which that Monsantos Co. poisoned. This is the same company that produced Agent Orange, used in Vietnam, and Round-Up, currently being sprayed on Colombian peasants, both of which the company and the US government denied or spent years denying causes any damage to humans. The US army now has plans to begin burning and destroying 2,000 tons of Sarin and mustard gas in Anniston in the near future.

FDA Calls Nicotine Lollipops Illegal (April 13, 2002)
Seems the FDA doesn't like these lollipops at all, and has now informed a variety of online and free standing pharmacies to immediately stop selling them.

Teenage Girl May Be Youngest Bankrobber in County's History (April 13, 2002)
Allegedly addicted to crack, this 14 year old California girl is being charged with at least 2 bank robberies.

Smuggler, 12, Swallows Heroin (April 13, 2002)
This Nigerian-American child swallowed 87 packets of heroin and smuggled them into the US on a flight from London to NYC, some of which burst in his stomach, necessitating a trip to the emergency room, and into police hands.

A Letter to Congressman Isakson (April 13, 2002)
Catherine Austin Fitts writes a letter supporting Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney's demand for answers to Sept 11 events and the $2.3 trillion misplaced by the Pentagon.

Coup D'Etat in Venezuela Will Let Oil Flow (April 12, 2002)
Democratically elected Chavez is out, overthrown by generals who are replacing him with the leader of the biggest business association of this OPEC member country.

The Week Online With DRCNet Issue #232 (April 12, 2002)
Peru says 'no' to US insistence on 'zero-coca' goals in their country, federal incarceration grows at records speeds, mass protests against US policies in Colombia, these stories and more in this issue of The Week Online.

NYC- Drug War Race and Party on 4/20 (April 12, 2002)
Come to NYC to celebrate 4/20 at the Drug War! Race and Party. Hosted by the Drug War Awareness Project, "committed to raising awareness of the Drug War through art and education," the event has scores of artists taking part, reams of dj's supplying music, and an afternoon bike race around the city simulating the trials and tribulations of a low level NYC drug dealer. Good fun for a serious cause.

Tattered Cover Wins Ruling (April 12, 2002)
In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court rules that the Tattered Cover bookstore does not have to turn over customers' buying and reading habits to police. Of course, in the future if police prove they have a compelling need for similar information, they can get it still, as this ruling does not make it impossible.

Catherine Austin Fitts to Appear on NewBlackCity.com, April 14, 2002, (April 12, 2002)
Be sure to tune in and get an earful on major financial shenanigans behind the scenes in the US and around the world, of which the War on Drugs is a major part.

Will Corruption and Injustice Gain a Stranglehold Over Venezuela's Misery Again (April 12, 2002)
President Hugo Chavez Frias of Venezuela appears to be facing a coup in the making.

Recommending Pot Sounds OK to 9th Circuit (April 11, 2002)
The 9th Circuit Court is openly skeptical of government claims that the government knows what it's doing by going after California doctors for recommending medical pot use to some patients, according to this article.

Maryland- Medical Marijuana Bill Killed by Senate Committee (April 11, 2002)
A Maryland bill backed by the Marijuana Policy Project of Washington DC, which would have imposed a $100 maximum fine for possessing pot intended for medical use, was killed by a mere one vote margin in Maryland's Senate.

Alaska- Banner Case Heading to Court (April 11, 2002)
Suspended by his high school in January for displaying a banner that read, "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" during the Olympic torch relay through Alaska, this kid is taking his case to court, asserting some sort of right to free speech as a US citizen.

Military Linked to Cape Water Taint (April 11, 2002)
The US military has been busy poisoning US citizens again, and denying any part in the poisoning, this time by contaminating the water supply of Bourne, Massachusetts, with live ammo detritus.

CIA 'Drugged Russian Defense Worker to Get Military Secrets' (April 11, 2002)
There are two articles linked here on recent Russian allegations of the US CIA secretly using psychotropic drugs on a Russian citizen while operating a spy ring in their country.

Gunman Opens Fire on FBI Convoy (April 10, 2002)
Someone pulled a carload of FBI agents over while they were towing two cars, evidence in a drug investigation, then took some shots at them before, get this, speeding away and escaping in the minivan he was driving.

Afghan Poppy Eradication Plan Begins (April 10, 2002)
Afghan government representatives with guns, dollars and tractors began plowing up fields today, Wednesday, April 10, launching their plan to do away with the illegal poppies before harvest begins in earnest in the next two weeks.

Information on World-Wide Million Marijuana March, May 4, 2002 (April 10, 2002)
Here's a useful gathering of links to all kinds of information dealing with the upcoming worldwide pro-pot protest/celebration. Find out if your city is taking part, and if not, get something started. Less than a month to go.

Colombian Rebels Release 11 Hostages (April 10, 2002)
The ELN, a leftist guerilla army, released these hostages with a message for the Colombian government to resist any agreement with the US to protect the Cano Limon oil pipeline. The BBC is reporting simultaneously that ELN has "declared war" on Occidental Petroleum and its Colombian pipeline.

Colombia- Pipeline Brigade (April 10, 2002)
The Bush administration has announced $700 million in aid this year to the Andean region, $98 million of which goes specifically to protect Occidental Petroleum's Cano Limon oil pipeline.

Yale to Reimburse Students Denied Federal Aid For Drug Possession (April 9, 2002)
Yale University has informed its students it will reimburse any of them who loose federal student aid due to simple drug possession convictions. Yale doesn't actually seem to have any students currently who are facing loosing their aid, but if any turn up, Yale will take care of them. As of March, 2002, there were approximately 47,000 US students and hopeful student applicants nationwide who may loose their aid.

Pot Campaign to Feature NYC Mayor (April 9, 2002)
Mayor Bloomberg not only admitted to smoking pot, saying, "You bet I did," but also that he enjoyed it too. NORML is running a full-page ad today featuring the mayor in the New York Times, as well as plastering NYC with similar poster ads calling for an end to the War on Pot. Bloomberg may have enjoyed smoking pot, but that didn't stop him from saying he supports the current drug laws as they stand when asked by reporters how he feels about his feature role in the NORML ads.

Oregon- Police Officer Fires at Man Armed With Chinese Food (April 9, 2002)
Don't throw your Chinese food through the window of an unmarked narcotics cop car, or you may get shot at, as demonstrated by the head of the narcotics unit in Jackson County, Oregon, who shot at a Chinese food-chucking "attacker" recently.

Hmong Leader Says Conflict Helps Americans (April 8, 2002)
Introducing Vang Pao as someone who "helped the US military in the Vietnam War," as this article does, glaringly ignores the fact that as General of the CIA's 30,000 strong Laotian "secret" army during that war, Vang Pao opened processing labs and used CIA airplanes to traffic tons upon tons of high quality no. 4 heroin from the Laotian hills right into US veins, all while the US ratcheted up the War on Drugs. That Vang Pao lives freely and openly as a US citizen now says a lot about how serious the US government is about waging a War on Drugs, or at least upon whom they are most serious about waging it: US citizens.

For Hemp Foods, a Decisive Moment (April 8, 2002)
Here's another look at the DEA's odd, even anti-capitalist battle to outlaw hemp food, and other hemp products that may be ingested by people.

UK- What's Wrong With Our Drinking Culture? (April 8, 2002)
Although alcohol consumption is legal, this article postulates that the 11 PM closing time tradition of ordering last rounds in England's pubs leads to accelerated drinking habits, and the associated problems. Is this another example of prohibition-like tactics leading to more trouble than they're worth?

Marijuana Headlines Are Half-Baked (April 7, 2002)
Three different headlines, all saying something different about the very same study on pot and memory. It's enough to leave a pothead's head spinning.

New Battle, Old Pattern- The War on Terrorism Takes the Shape of the Drug War (April 7, 2002)
The "new" War on Terrorism is not just another Vietnam or Kosovo, not merely another US military adventure in foreign lands. According to this article, including a discussion with Ethan Nadelman of the Drug Policy Alliance, the "new" war more closely resembles the War on Drugs, in more ways than one.

Dope Sales Build Secret Empires (April 7, 2002)
If this article is to be bought at face value, those dastardly street gangs made up of blacks and minorities are at it still, running their vast underground drug empires and some even, gasp, being paid with public funding to teach children about the dangers of gang life and drug dealing. This article mentions not once where these gangs are getting their drugs from, nor touches once on the true scale of world-wide drug trafficking and where all the profits go, preferring to focus on inner-city blacks, thereby reinforcing dogmatic and racist drug war stereotypes in the minds of readers.

Afghanistan- Poppy Farmers: Eradication is Unfair (April 7, 2002)
While the US and Colombian governments are calling off their crop-substitution programs in that war-torn Latin American country, the Afghan government is suddenly calling for a similar program in their own country, ordering the destruction of all poppy crops and offering farmers a pittance for each acre of poppy crops destroyed, just two weeks now before harvest time.

Colombia- US Doubts Effects of Coca Plan (April 7, 2002)
Those ungrateful Colombian peasants are unhappy with the US-forced alternative crop substitution plan whereby Colombian farmers are supplied seed for food crops if they do away with their coca planting, only to have their Prohibitionist-supplied food crops sprayed by anti-narcotic drug flights. Therefore US politicians are planning to do away with even the meager percentage of Plan Colombian/Andean Initiative funds this project receives now.

In Regards to Winokur Leaving Harvard Board (April 7, 2002)
Catherine Austin Fitt's responds, in a 'letter to the editor' to a recent article in the Boston Globe regarding Herbert S. "Pug" Winokur's decision to leave Harvard's board, supplying a long list of links to articles and information as to why he might really have made his decision. More importantly, Fitts paints a detailed picture of why there is a need for some number of criminal investigations into Winokur's, and others', financial dealings and practices.

Colombia's Conflict Spills Over (April 6, 2002)
The countries surrounding Colombia are facing dire repercussions resulting from the recent explosion in military actions on the part of all parties in that war ravaged country, as well as domestic troubles within their own borders resulting from homegrown turmoils.

Stop Smoking Lollipops Cause Concern (April 6, 2002)
Touted as a convenient way to get a nic-fix when not allowed to light up, or to assist in quitting smoking altogether, some are worrying that the sweet and fruity lollipops may attract kids and even do them damage.

Colombia- Paramilitaries Back Colombian Candidate, Rival Says (April 6, 2002)
While praising his rival as an "honorable man," according to this Reuters article, this candidate is insisting that illegal right-wing paramilitary forces are "coercing" villagers to back his opponent, Alvaro Uribe, in the up-coming Presidential elections.

Angola- CIA 'Ran Covert Missions' to Stop Communist Coup (April 6, 2002)
Although the above headline makes it appear there was some legitimacy to the CIA covert operations in Angola during the 70's, it turns out from reading the text that the CIA lied through its teeth from the get go about a Cuban presence in Angola, the main lie used to justify CIA/US intervention.

City May Honor Hmong General (April 6, 2002)
The infamous heroin warlord, ally of the US CIA during the Vietnam conflict, and now US citizen General Vang Pao, might get a park in this US city named in his honor.

Akha Weekly Journal (April 6, 2002)
Matt McDaniel, living with the Akha people in Thailand, has obtained a printing press, and will soon begin the Akha Journal Publication. There's also plans for an Akha Nature Conservancy Project discussed, as well as a vicious attack on Meh Joh Akha, forced relocations, and I.D. cards.

DRCNet Week Online #231 (April 5, 2002)
Access an assortment of hard hitting news stories, editorials, alerts, and a reformers' calendar. This is a great news letter, and comes with Drugwar.com's editor's highest recommendation.

Dallas Texas- Drug Bust Gone Bad, Then Worse (April 5, 2002)
Seems the prohibitionist drug warriors in Dallas were arresting poor, immigrant people for drug busts, trying and often deporting them, all for what eventually in at least 70 cases turned out to be powdered drywall, not the alleged cocaine.

Bolivia- US Knew Of Assassination (April 5, 2002)
Bolivian military troops cold-bloodedly murdered this coca growers' union leader, and the US embassy knew the Bolivian government and military were lying about not knowing about the incident. Read more on this important story, and see US embassy communications.

Drug Policy Forum Tri-State Drug Events (April 5, 2002)
If you either live in, or can reach the Northeastern US this month, read about some drug reform events planned.

FTW Interview- Delmart 'Mike' Vreeland- What the CIA Doesn't Want You to Know (April 5, 2002)
Just what did Mike Vreeland know about the Sept. 11 attacks before they happened, and why are so many denigrating and marginalizing this story?

Cheap Drink Helps Keep Japan Cheerful (April 4, 2002)
A new type of alcoholic beverage similar to beer is selling fast and well in Japan.

Ozzy Osbourne 'Invited to White House': (April 4, 2002)
The former Black Sabbath front man, hard-core drug user, and High Times cover featured artist, may be visiting GW Bush in the White House as an honored guest soon.

Switzerland- FARC Not 'Terrorist Org' (April 4, 2002)
The Swiss are apparently not buckling under to US demands to freeze the Colombian rebel group FARC's money deposited in Swiss banks.

Former Washington Mayor Barry Rethinking Comeback (April 4, 2002)
Although there was no arrest, and no charges filed, Marion Barry was alleged to have traces of drug in his car by park police.

Inspirational Sports Statues (April 4, 2002)
Holy mackerel, these statues are too funny. Smoke a fatty, and go shopping, or at least, go window shopping.

18 Tales of Media Censorship (April 2, 2002)
"Into the Buzzsaw", a new book reviewed here, is about a number of well respected journalists who found themselves under attack, vilified, fired, and more, for reporting news stories that were simply not acceptable to the mainstream establishment viewpoint.

Arrest Challenges Pot Law (April 2, 2002)
Bruce Buckner, suffering from the debilitating and extremely painful Crohn's Disease, is being prosecuted for growing his own medical marijuana, which became legal in Washington State in 1998. So why are the cops after this guy? Why are the feds prosecuting Buckner for treating his pain and illness? What is it that drives prohibitionists to outlaw some of the most beautiful, beneficial gifts given humanity by nature?

What Has the Supreme Court Been Smoking? (April 2, 2002)
Arianna Huffington is justifiably not at all happy with some recent US Supreme Court decisions. Perhaps the question should be, "what has the US Supreme Court NOT been smoking?" How else to explain such unenlightened thinking, and their cruel, inhuman comments and rulings?

US Supreme Court to Review Three Strikes Sentencing Laws (April 2, 2002)
The Court is looking at whether 'three strikes you're out' laws are unconstitutional or not.

DEA Hemp Ban Put On Hold (April 1, 2002)
Hemp food and other products are still legal to sell in the United States, thanks to a stay by the 9th Circuit court of Appeals. The DEA is finding itself in the midst of some real political brouhaha, with the Canadian government, and US and Canadian hemp industries all really pissed off at DEA's flagrant violations of the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Don't Always Trust What They Tell You In The War On Terror (April 1, 2002)
Not mentioning one of the most glaring examples of untrustworthy statements and assertions during this "new" War on Terror, that buying drugs supports terrorists, here is a list of stories leapt upon by the press, trumpeted loudly at first, then subsequently disproved. Which doesn't necessarily mean the stories aren't still propagated by the press and warmongering military perps and politicians.

Unaddressed Conflicts of Interest Link to 9-11- The elephant in the Living Room (April 1, 2002)
Michael C. Ruppert, Editor of From the Wilderness, examines Attorney General John Ashcroft's recusing himself from the Enron investigation, and discusses the facts that there are even more grand juries in session at this time, which could open up huge cans of worms for Ashcroft, and others.

Students for Sensible Drug Policy Midwest Regional Conference (April 1, 2002)
Yet more SSDP members are inviting the American public and other students to come join them at their Midwest Regional Conference, April 13-14, 2002, at Loyola University, Chicago, to try and find ways to not only lessen the harms the War on Drug engenders, but even to end the War itself.

Students for Sensible Drug Policy- The Northeast Conference for New Drug Policies (April 1, 2002)
Come join hundreds of US students April 27-28, 2002, at Wesleyan University, CT. as they discuss the harms and lies of the War on Drugs, and try to figure out ways to end the War.

Salvia Divinorum- A New LSD? (April 1, 2002)
Though it is legal to sell Salvia, the Mexican hallucinogenic herb, the DEA has added it to its list of chemicals to watch out for.