Is this why
There is such a crack cocaine problem in an around Washington DC?
shareMost likely.
Lose the Game!!!!!!!
Thanks to your sig, I just lost the Game :(
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MovieChat Forums > Kill the Messenger (2014) Discussion > Is this why
Honestly, that's not the only factor.
The CIA trafficking cocaine is disgusting.
But cocaine would still be trafficked without the CIA.
For instance, as far as we know, the gov has no direct link with the current Meth epidemic, but it still exists. Of course, socio-economic factors, the economy (tempting some to cook Meth rather than find a job), the working conditions of the poor (tempting them to resort to "uppers" to keep up with an unbearable pace), the lack of access to rehab all contribute to the problem.
I guess the govt could just legalize and tax the hell out of drugs
then they will have lots more money to fund their wars with
It makes sense to discuss decriminalizing personal possession or use.
But assuming the State generates a profit, why on Earth would you want to spend it to fund wars?
Because you can't get it any other way. The 'war on drugs' was an easy program to sell. The Reagan's made headlines with it. Of course, their actions ruined a lot of lives. Families of the poor, the permanently unemployed, 'the others'. People no one cared about. And the true believers in the government had big plans for the world. And the country.
And look where we are now...
Actually the entire post WWII history of heroin and cocaine trafficking can be traced across Asia, Europe and the Americas to the CIA, Pentagon and Executive foreign policy. From putting back together the Cosa Nostra in Sicily toward the end of WWII to Klaus Barbie on the payroll in Bolivia to the Corsican Mafia running heroin out of Saigon and the passage back to Europe via pro American Iran under the Shah to Air America across Indochina ( Black GIs in Vietnam were especially targeted to ensure their addiction before returning home). Counter insurgency and drugs are a like a horse and carriage for the CIA. Counter insurgency includes the Ghetto at home.
shareYou're missing the point.
Yes, cocaine and other drugs have always proliferated the black community. That's indisputable. But when crack came on the scene and an epidemic exploded, this was something else entirely.
First, you have to understand the highly addictive power of crack. Addiction is almost immediate. It was pretty much common knowledge in the '80s among blacks that the onslaught of this drug and the way it was being dealt with impunity, that there was something else going on. Long before this man wrote the article in '96, word on the street was that the government was involved. But who could prove that? Webb actually pursued the story and still was discredited.
The truth is a funny thing in our society. If you can't prove it, then it doesn't matter if it's true or not. Webb gave members of the black community a platform to finally say it before the media. But it was being bandied about on the streets, whether the high profile black leadership will admit it or not. You simply can't make accusations unless you can prove them. And if you can't you have to stfu.
I don't believe our government is dealing drugs. But what I do believe is that they could stop the trafficking if they really wanted. What's the difference you say? Plausible deniability and hypocrisy.
The best example of such hypocrisy can be seen in the movie Casablanca. Everyone knows the scene where Claude Raines is forced to raid Rick's Place for gambling. He blows his whistle and proclaims: "I'm shocked, shocked there's gambling going on in here!" And then is handed his winnings.
That's pretty much how it goes.
If people want change, then it has to begin with them. And yes, that's hard. But it's the only way. Like it or not.
It's sad that Webb sacrificed his reputation and ultimately his life for something that was simply bigger than him.