Posted on 02/09/2007 5:47:22 PM PST by ccmay
He looks like a good cop. He's got the 'stache, the short-cropped hair, the pushed-out chest and the shiny badge. He sounds like a good cop too; drawled and official. He's got a TV reporter's microphone in his face and a brick of marijuana in his hand, and he's answering questions—not in the "I just accidentally Tasered an old lady" kind of way, but with a grin of accomplishment. The total bust was in the neighborhood of 275 pounds.
This is the old Barry Cooper. Top cop. Total prick. He claims more than 300 felony drug arrests during his eight years as an officer in Gladewater, Big Sandy and Odessa, and a former supervisor says he was damn good at his job, even if he doesn't agree with Cooper's latest get-rich idea.
The video cuts to a decade later, a few months ago. "That was me, Barry Cooper," he says, "top narcotics officer." His hair is longer. That 'stache is now a full-on goatee. The top cop has become a dude. "I'm going to show you places that I never found marijuana hidden." He talks with his hands, like a mellowed-out P.T. Barnum. "I'm going to teach you exactly how narcotic-detector dogs are trained, and I'm going to answer that age-old question: Do coffee grounds really work?"
It's quite the pitch: Former drug warrior sees the light, goes to the dark side and makes a video, Never Get Busted Again, with shady tips on how to fool the fuzz. Stoners rejoice. The new beginning of the end of prohibition is near.
"The drug war is a failed policy, and the legal side effects on the families are worse than the drugs," Cooper says. "I was so wrong in the things I did back then. I ruined lives."
(Excerpt) Read more at dallasobserver.com ...
Just give me beer.
Yeah. Ridiculous indeed since drug use doesn't hurt individuals, harm families, and hurt society anymore than murder, rape, and theft does.
While you're at it. legalize prostitution. That never did any harm to women or men either.
Of course, no harm to individuals, families, or other people at large would occur with legalized drug use. Just like prostitution is really good for women and men.
Moron. Grow up.
Not really. That's what gov't said about smoking, that taxes would be used to defer the medical costs. Well, they found planty of other social programs to spend the money on.
I love to hear you WODDIES scream when someone talks about breaking yoru rice bowl. You'd surely have to change your standards of living without all the bribe money you get from the dealers and importers.
No one said that NO harm would come. What I said was that it would APPROACH zero. And as to your use of prostitution as an example, so long as the woman is doing it of her own free will, it is NOT the business of the law. It is the business of the CHURCH. As it is, many girls are forced into prostitution but once they are there, there is NO HELP from society or the law, no matter WHAT happens to them. And they have NO ONE to turn to. Small wonder that many turn to drugs to numb themselves so they feel NOTHING. Yet idiots like you fail to see the results of your vile policies. All you see is the envelope you get for keeping your eyes closed and your ears stopped up to the cries of the damned who want to leave a life they loathe. Look at Nevada. The girls there are protected from both pimps AND johns; they can LEAVE the profession should their conscience finally kick in and if someone should rape them, they have recourse through the law. Some idiot posing as a cop or a judge can't just look at them and say, "Well, honey, you ain't nothing but a hooker so we can't be bothered to pursue your case. Too bad."
So why don't you get a life (of your own) and leave other folks' lives alone? Moron, back atcha, in spades.
Oh, and I also notice that you didn't address the other issues raised by my post OR anyone else's. What's the matter? Cat got your tongue? Or did some of them hit too close to home for you? I notice that you WODDIES NEVER answer issues head on. You ALWAYS try to divert attention away from the real issues. I guess that's because you KNOW you're wrong but you're so hooked on that addictive bribe money and the equally addictive adrenalin rush when you kick down someone's door and get to pop a cap in their slow moving asses, innocent or not, that you want to overlook that what you're doing is not only wrong and evil, but there is NO BASIS for it in the Constitution. You know, that archaic piece of parchment that professes to be the supreme law of the land? That Constitution.
Not really. That's what gov't said about smoking, that taxes would be used to defer the medical costs. Well, they found planty of other social programs to spend the money on.
Yea, I know. I was dreaming about honest politicians. my bad.
And really, the only programs that seem to work are self supporting, the education just exposes abusers to AA and NA.
Jack
You're a perfect example why libertarians are losers. You can't make an argument without screaming like a little girl.
Poor baby, somebody might take away your dope, your porn, and your hookers. But then I'm making a fortune off of taking bribes and kicking in your door. Grow up.
I notice you have yet to answer the specific issues. Can't do it without giving up your position? Wouldn't be surprising... and this retired old mud marine doesn't do dope, hookers or porn, so you can KMA. What I do is seek to preserve the Constitution and the freedoms it protects for ALL Americans, you know, the ones I swore a vow to protect.
I'll answer any argument that isn't hysterical. In case you haven't noticed the Constitution has amendments. Check out Nine and Ten. That means that if I and over 50% of other people in my state or town want to make certain kinds of drug use illegal, we can do it. Just like people made alcohol illegal. If you don't like it, find another country to live in.
Legal drugs in Oregon, say, will cross state lines, of course. That's makes it a Federal matter of interstate commerce, and again, if 50+% of my fellows agree, you're SOL.
Ever been in a "dry" county? That's life in these United States.
You talk about money? About the cost in billions? You haven't even begun to calculate the cost the other way. In any event, is the argument about money or what's best for the country and the people?
Guess what? The Constitution has never worked for ALL the people. Ever. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
This is life and you don't get to have everything your way; and if you don't want to go along with the majority of what your neighbors want, then find another country. If you think freedom equals license to do as you please, then you need to reread everything the Founders wrote. And if you think you can have a great nation without religious morality and laws against vice, you need to get on your knees and pray for guidance.
Society exists for the sake of families and children that they might thrive, not solely for the benefit of individuals who don't give a damn about anybody else.
As Benjamin Franklin wrote, "Sin is not harmful because it's forbidden. Sin is forbidden because it is harmful."
And he might have added that it isn't left up to each individual to decide what's good and bad for himself. Other people are always involved. Check your John Donne. No man is an island.
Oh yeah, I forgot. You served your country honorably and for that I'm grateful, and for that, I'd be happy to kiss your ass.
Thanks in advance.
L
Anybody can get treatment any time they want it. Really"
Yes, really.
Show up at a detox and blow a .4.
If you're sick and tired of being sick and tired and you really want help, they will get you into a program somewhere.
I'm certain it wasn't an overdose of pot.
Amendment XVIII
Section 1. After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.
Section 2. The Congress and the several states shall have concurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of the several states, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the states by the Congress.
You're welcome
And just who do you think is going to pay for that treatment?
Stop being whiny, weak and hysterical, so someone died of an OD. Benedict Arnold committed treason in a time of war. Telling someone how to hide their drugs doesn't even come close.
I agree. I think drugs should be legal, and increased in potency, so the addictive personality types are weeded out with overdoses. Occasionally when a bad batch of pills or heroine is on the market, you hear the media warning people. I say, flood the market with that stuff. That will reduce demand fast.
Not everywhere. Some places get filled up. No doubt that if you really want help and try for a few days you'll find it, but not as easily as you describe.
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