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The War on Drugs is just that, a violent destructive war that is taking place every day on American soil. Like any war it is requires and army and weapons. Like any war there are soldiers (Police, DEA, Customs Agents, Swat teams, Special Task Forces, etc.).
Unlike other wars all the soldiers and weapons being used are on one side.Like any war, there is an enemy. Unlike other wars the stated enemy is not a foreign country, not another government, not a ruthless dictator. It is a non-entity, drugs. In reality this is just part of the propaganda that hides the true enemy of the war, lest America's conscience be roused. The real enemy is our own people, American Citizens.
Like any war, there is a large budget. This war is no exception, as we will spend $18 billion dollars, just on the federal level, $50 billion nationally this year. Like any war it is spent on personnel, equipment and propaganda. Unlike other wars, the budget is paid for by many of the very same people who are considered the "enemy".
Like any war, there is propaganda. Propaganda is usually full of lies and half-truths. A huge propaganda machine, funded by billions of dollars, has been churning out lies for 20 years now. Unlike other wars, this propaganda is aimed at innocent impressionable children and the hypocrisy and lies always backfire once the truth is learned.
Like any war, both sides feel they are justified in their actions. Unlike other wars, one side refuses to negotiate at all for 20 years.
Like any war, there is an enemy that must be defeated. Unlike other wars, there has been no announced, clearly defined, attainable goal. There is no point at which a cease-fire can be declared, no measure of victory to satisfy the warmongers. Thus, after 20 years, we are no closer to a victory which would mean an end to hostilities, and a release of the prisoners.
Like any war, information about the enemy is important. Unlike other wars we use the threat of torture (a 20 year prison sentence is torture, as well as cruel and unusual punishment) to coerce individuals to testify against their friends and family. Unlike other wars when information from government appointed experts exists (the Institute of Medicine's Report on Marijuana for one) that can lead to a peaceful solution, it is buried and ignored so the war can continue without ceasefire.
Like any war, effective strategy is important. Unlike other wars, the same ineffective, losing strategy has been used for 20 years and no other options are being considered.
Like any war, it follows certain rules of engagement. Unlike other wars there is no Geneva Convention for these types of action that restrict weapons and tactics and guarantee certain rights to the prisoners.
Like any war, there are prisoners. They are locked up until the hostilities end. In this war 700,000 are captured each year. Unlike other wars, many of the prisoners are women and children. Unlike other wars, these prisoners are not released, as the hostilities haven't ceased. And there is no opportunity for prisoner exchange as only one side takes prisoners. Unlike other wars the prisoners are not segregated from other violent criminals. Indeed they are often locked up with them even though their "crimes" were non-violent. They then suffer added indignities, and learn criminal ways.
Like any war, there are victims. Unlike other wars, they are not on some pre-planned battlefield where armies mass ready for war. Instead the victims are at home, going about their daily lives, harming no one, sometimes sleeping in bed, when the war comes to visit them, sometimes killing innocent people, forever disrupting the lives of peace loving men, women and children.
Like any war, there are orphans. Unlike other wars, the parents are not dead. Nevertheless, thousands of children must wait years, sometimes until they are adults before they get to see and be with their parents again.
Like any war, there are injuries. Unlike other wars, in this one there is no tending to the sick and injured. In fact, they are denied the medicine they so desperately need. As a result, some are dying in great pain. Many of these terminal cases spend their last months on earth in prison.
Like any war, to the victors go the spoils. Indeed in this war it is so. Once taken prisoner, the victors also steal the victim's house, money, cars and other personal belongings. Like Kuwait, like Kosovo, like Nazis, the armies demand their tribute, and continue the war as long as there are spoils to be had.
Like any war, the world watches as people fall victim to one military operation after another. Unlike other wars, there is no Red Cross to help the sick and injured, there is no appealing to an International Tribunal to prosecute these war crimes.
Like any war, one side seeks to control via oppression, while the other seeks liberation and freedom. Unlike other wars, after 20 years, who has been liberated? Who has gained freedom? Who is the oppressor, and is that the measure of victory we fight for? It seems America can only win wars where freedom is the goal, and we are the liberators. Is that the side we're on in this war? Do you think this war will be an exception?
Like any war, this can end when people demand Peace, Love, Tolerance, Understanding and Respect. Unlike other wars, no one waging this war is offering Peace. No one waging this war is showing Love or Tolerance. No one waging this war is attempting to Understand what this war is really about. No one waging this war is showing Respect for Human Rights.
As you can see this is a War like no other War. Even in times of war we treat our enemies better than we treat our own citizens. After a war, we usually act responsibly and give tons of aid and millions of dollars to the victims. In this endless war we steal whatever items of value we can from our victims, we keep them imprisoned and deny them compensation. There can be no winners in this war, only losers.
