I don't think anything in this series of threads can be viewed as cut and dried -- right or wrong, other than Von was doing his job.

Advocating the legalization, regulation and taxation of drugs happens to be something with which I agree. Removing the criminal element in the sales and use of these products would not only go a long way toward reducing street crime here in the USA, it'd put a huge crimp in the money flow that buys weapons for terrorists in Asia and the Middle East.

I don't see heroin or cocaine (or whatever) becoming legal for over-the-counter purchase here in my lifetime, though both used to be. There is too much of a stigma attached to drug use for that to happen. ...not to mention the number of companies that get sued for selling already legal products (medications, tobacco, alcohol, firearms, food!!!) that happen to cause unfavorable results from the use or consumption by some people. The government doesn't need to be the everyman's Nanny!

I've seen calls for locking up all users and executing all dealers. That would be throwing away quite a few good people, along with the real trash the becomes involved when the profits of dealing in illegal substances outweigh the risks involved.

I personally don't have a dog in this fight, now, but I do have a friend who is serving a mandatory 25 years for a 3rd strike use conviction. The judge that sentenced him didn't want to lock him up for that long but he had no choice according to the law.

All that said, I don't think it's right to make disparaging remarks about an officer of the law doing his job, particularly by an officer (or former officer) of the court.

Bob