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xchrom

(108,903 posts) Sun Apr 15, 2012, 11:16 AM Apr 2012

Obama: 'Drug legalisation not the answer to drug war' [View all]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-17716926

US President Barack Obama has said that legalising drugs is not the answer to the problems caused by the trafficking of illegal narcotics in the Americas.

Mr Obama told a gathering of leading executives in Colombia ahead of the Summit of the Americas that legalisation could worsen the problem.

But he said that he was open to a debate about the issue.

The US president was responding to demands by regional leaders for a new drug war strategy.

72 replies

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Obama: 'Drug legalisation not the answer to drug war' [View all] xchrom Apr 2012 OP

Yes, the answer is to keep doing what we've been doing for 50 years which hasn't worked. denverbill Apr 2012 #1

It has worked very well actually... ljm2002 Apr 2012 #40

+1. When apparent failures continue despite their fail, you gotta figure someone's making bank HiPointDem Apr 2012 #45

Yep, just keep up with the failed Autumn Apr 2012 #2

"By 'change,' in other words, I want to stress I didn't mean 'change.'" villager Apr 2012 #3

I think maybe he meant "Change" OccupyTheIRS Apr 2012 #8

If Obama had been President in 1932: SOS Apr 2012 #4

Ok, what about Cannabis legalization? tridim Apr 2012 #5

Excellent... russspeakeasy Apr 2012 #7

Therefore, your assertion that Obama supports MMJ is defeated. anti-alec Apr 2012 #18

This issue has exactly nothing to do with Obama's support of MMJ in legal states. tridim Apr 2012 #24

Nice weasel.. anti-alec Apr 2012 #58

"New" strategy ? What is our old one ? russspeakeasy Apr 2012 #6

he is open to debate? puh-lease...nt xiamiam Apr 2012 #9

He is open to saying he is open to debate. Actual debate? Not so much. Comrade Grumpy Apr 2012 #21

An I like to cynically put it nadinbrzezinski Apr 2012 #10

Hog wash! Absolute and total hogwash. RC Apr 2012 #11

RC you're right. Mimosa Apr 2012 #67

President Obama supporting legalization sadbear Apr 2012 #12

There is an old saying on Vulcan customerserviceguy Apr 2012 #29

Fine, Don't Legalize Heroin otohara Apr 2012 #13

Exactly. n/t intheflow Apr 2012 #15

Expect large campaign contribution from Corrections Corporation of America in 3, 2, 1... OnyxCollie Apr 2012 #14

True, that would save us trillions every year and we cannot have that. Rex Apr 2012 #16

Wrong. Nt abelenkpe Apr 2012 #17

"open to a debate" progressoid Apr 2012 #19

Go easy on him folks kenny blankenship Apr 2012 #20

righteous. KG Apr 2012 #28

Yeh. Just as the fracking drug war is not the answer to the problem of destructive drug usage. Zorra Apr 2012 #22

Of course it isn't. piratefish08 Apr 2012 #23

Obama is not a stupid politician Seedersandleechers Apr 2012 #25

Yeah, no one can be seen as weak on crime. boxman15 Apr 2012 #26

So making a statement that a majority of Americans support SomethingFishy Apr 2012 #30

Where did I say it was a brilliant strategy? Seedersandleechers Apr 2012 #37

OK I've stopped rolling.. maybe you can tell me what your point was SomethingFishy Apr 2012 #41

I read the article to mean Obama is against the legalization of drugs. Seedersandleechers Apr 2012 #46

There wasn't any wiggle room in Obama's statement.. Fumesucker Apr 2012 #48

Not only is the man against legalization he's against anyone who SomethingFishy Apr 2012 #50

What about independents who "they" say is going to decide the election? Seedersandleechers Apr 2012 #55

It's been proven time & again through polls 'independant' xchrom Apr 2012 #59

The 'moral majority' disagrees with you. Rex Apr 2012 #47

It sure beats throwing people in jail. Obama, stop listening to your lobbyists. Gregorian Apr 2012 #27

hypocrite cthulu2016 Apr 2012 #31

President Obama is really lucky he was never caught Marrah_G Apr 2012 #32

I am beginning to think he is listening to Michelle marlakay Apr 2012 #33

No, much better than young folks like Sasha and Malia have their lives ruined over some highly silly TheKentuckian Apr 2012 #36

"Intelligent solutions are not the answer to the drug war" SomethingFishy Apr 2012 #34

If pot should be(remain) banned, so should tobacco Vehl Apr 2012 #35

I thought only republicans "doubled down on the stupid". Guess I was wrong. n/t Egalitarian Thug Apr 2012 #38

Thanks for telling us what you believe won't work and categorizing all illicit substances as the sam theaocp Apr 2012 #39

Portugal has a different way of doing it. originalpckelly Apr 2012 #42

Not all illegal drugs are addictive.. Fumesucker Apr 2012 #43

Decriminalize, yes. Legalize, no. randome Apr 2012 #56

So how does that get the cartels out of the business? Fumesucker Apr 2012 #60

The illegal channels will continue, regardless. randome Apr 2012 #63

Why would the illegal channels continue if there are legal channels? Fumesucker Apr 2012 #65

Marijuana is not the same as alcohol. randome Apr 2012 #66

No, you claimed that the illegal channels would continue if marijuana was legalized.. Fumesucker Apr 2012 #68

The cartels would put their resources into other endeavors. randome Apr 2012 #70

Eh, that really makes me enthused.. Fumesucker Apr 2012 #72

Who the fuck *else* are you going to vote for, eh? Fumesucker Apr 2012 #44

I don't think either party will ever do a thing about it. Rex Apr 2012 #49

Too bad the President can't be bothered taking advice from this former President sad sally Apr 2012 #51

Translation: Companies are too busy profiting off the drug war to care. Initech Apr 2012 #52

In other words, "Richard Nixon and I are on the same page" Laughing Mirror Apr 2012 #53

Obama admitted to using both marijuana and cocaine, correct? Puregonzo1188 Apr 2012 #54

Clearly he thinks he would have done better if he had been busted for drugs as a youth.. Fumesucker Apr 2012 #62

He's wrong. tabasco Apr 2012 #57

I respectfully disagree. n/t Blue_In_AK Apr 2012 #61

Sure it is, legalize, decriminalize, educate, medicate, regulate, respect the peoples' Uncle Joe Apr 2012 #64

+1 xchrom Apr 2012 #69

Dammit, Obama... Jester Messiah Apr 2012 #71