RUNNING GAG

The drug war is still raging around us but before we get back to business there's an independent web project that is getting some legs in the Blogland that I just love. This guy called Blah3 figured out how to get our fearful misleader and the words, miserable failure, linked in search engines like Google. He floated the theory about six weeks ago and it's already working. Try it yourself here, I did the work for you.

The deal is you use the phrase within the context of Bush's policies and link the words miserable failure to the Bush.gov site. I think you could double the effectiveness by linking back to Blah3 if you use the words George W Bush. He's asking everyone with a web presence to do it at least once.

It's all too easy to find a way to work it in when you're talking about the W, for instance there's this illustration of his miserable failure to fulfill the sacred duty of his office - to uphold the constitution and allow US citizens to voice their dissent.

Bush Makes Protesters 'Disappear'.

As president, Bush has widened his restrictions on demonstrations against his policies. Anti-Bush protesters are now relegated to what are euphemistically called Free Speech Zones. These areas are cordoned off as far as a mile away from the president and the main thoroughfares, so that Bush cannot see the demonstrators, or their signs of protest, nor hear their chants.

The free speech enclosures are only for those who disagree with the administration's current policies. Those citizens who carry pro-Bush signs are allowed to line the street where the president's motorcade passes.

From all accounts, those dissenters that demand to be allowed their First Amendment rights to stand on public ground with the Bush supporters are arrested and removed from presidential proximity. It's no wonder the W thinks he's on a mission from God when he's so well insulated from public opinion. It's frightening really. He lives in a world of staged photo ops and I'll bet he can't even turn on a computer. He probably doesn't even know the world thinks he's a miserable failure.

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IN TRANSIT

Getting back to the drug war, the Change the Climate ads are making big waves inside the Potomac. Drug War Rant pretty much summed up my thoughts on Oklahoma Representative Ernest Istook's lame attempt to deny federal funding to any public transit system that upholds First Amendment activity. I loved this line.

Why can't we require that when public officials swear to uphold the constitution, they're required to actually read it?

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FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT

Meanwhile, a new voice of reason has popped up on the list and we're hoping he sticks around for a while. Tom recently checked in with this report from on the ground in Davao City.

The drug laws here in the Philippines are probably more draconian than you ever imagined. Growing any amount means the death penalty or life without parole; as does possession while in the company of two others. One joint alone will get a minimum of 12 years.

In reality, cannabis has largely been driven out by easily obtained and cheap crystal meth, easier to transport and far quicker to eliminate for the mandatory drug testing.

The DEA, working out of the US Embassy, must be extremely pleased with the penalties that have been legislated here, of which they can only dream of having enacted back home.

Last year, the Philippines staffed their own "Drug Enforcement Administration", members of which have recently been linked to kidnappings for ransom, as well as gunning down lawmen of competing police groups.

Until the "Drug Thugs" are unelected from office in the States, there's little hope of changing these laws, or stopping the increasing public murders of people suspected of drug use.

Lead by example, America, and the world will follow.

I'm certain you didn't miss the part about the DEA operating out of the embassy. Nor did any of you forget I'm sure, that the DEA is about to do the same in British Columbia. That would still be your tax dollars paying for these foreign interventions and is it me or do they seem to be focusing on cannabis consumers?

Isn't it also odd that the DEA seems to make the most noise in countries where we are actively implementing trade agreements?

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CROP ROTATION

Speaking of trade-offs, last word goes to Ben Masel tonight, who checked in with this astute observation on the situation in Afghanistan.

There's one crop which just might be profitable enough to entice afghan farmers from growing poppy. I refer of course to a return to producing hashish.

Good point. Those were more peaceful times, when it was the American hippies that invaded Kabul to try the Afghani black.

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