Re:Time to end the war on drugs
by lukeschlather on Monday December 26, 2011 @12:49PM
(#3393394)
The US has been waging what can pretty validly be called a war on drug lords in Latin America for a few decades. After the fall of the USSR, that's basically what our military bases in Latin America do. Generally I agree with macuenca; claiming that it's a war on an abstract principle trivializes the very real combat between US-backed authorities and local drug lords.
"called a war on drug lords in Latin America"
This is exactly what I'm talking about. Humans fighting humans. That is a war. The War on Drugs also includes locking up 16 year olds for smoking pot in their own houses. Calling the general concept of drug control and prohibition a war generates this very confusion.
"claiming that it's a war on an abstract principle trivializes the very real combat"
Claiming those 16 year olds are part of the war is what trivializes it. Theres bloodshed in Latin America? Oh well that's just part of the war on drugs. Got caught with an ounce on you at a party? Oh thats just part of the war on drugs.
Re:Time to end the war on drugs
by armandososa on Tuesday December 27, 2011 @02:44AM
(#3395111)
In Mexico it's called "The War Against Narcotraffic". It makes more sense.
This produces 2 less that awesome situations:
It is because of the prohibition called "The War on Drugs" that a real war fueled by drug money is out of control.
Because of the over use of the word, it's now harder to distinguish between what is a war and what is not a war.
TLDR: You can't have a war on a concept. It logically and literally makes no sense.