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A report at Alternet gives some context to the amount spent by the U.S. on its drug policy.
- 1,100 - The number of Americans that die each year due to violent crime caused by the drug war
- $51 billion - The amount that the U.S. government spends each year on the war on drugs
- 61 percent - The percentage of individuals targeted by drug-related SWAT raids who are people of color
- 82 percent - The number of Americans who believe that the government is losing the War on Drugs
- 18 months - The age of Bounkham "Bou Bou" Phonesavanh, a recent American casualty of the drug war
The article goes into further details on the number, including:
On May 28, a team of police officers raided the Phonesavanh's home, with the mistaken belief that the residents were involved with drugs. As they entered, they tossed a flashbang grenade that landed directly in the crib of baby Bou Bou, which exploded within point-blank range - critically injuring him.
In a harrowing article, his mother, Alecia, described seeing "a singed crib" and "a pool of blood", and later being informed by medics: "There's still a hole in his chest that exposes his ribs". Alecia said that the sole silver lining to this story is that it may "make us angry enough that we stop accepting brutal SWAT raids as a normal way to fight the war on drugs".
Fortunately, Bou Bou has been making a gradual recovery, but his family is relying on donations to support their living and medical costs.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday July 11 2014, @02:59PM
I'd hunt down the members of the SWAT team and kill their children.
(Score: 2) by Sir Garlon on Friday July 11 2014, @03:05PM
So killing children is acceptable to you as long as it's not your child. Good to know.
[Sir Garlon] is the marvellest knight that is now living, for he destroyeth many good knights, for he goeth invisible.
(Score: 1) by karmawhore on Friday July 11 2014, @03:18PM
I think AC was making a joke because I said "revenge." Violence is not actually what I had in mind.
=kw= lurkin' to please
(Score: 1, Troll) by BsAtHome on Friday July 11 2014, @03:21PM
It is the "eye for an eye" mentality which is very prevalent in the states. They only preach to forgive, on sundays, then they practice revenge the other days.
(Score: 2) by tangomargarine on Friday July 11 2014, @03:48PM
Except that the kid is still alive and recovering. So it's gouging out the eyes of everyone in town hall for getting poked in the eye.
"Is that really true?" "I just spent the last hour telling you to think for yourself! Didn't you hear anything I said?"
(Score: 2) by Alfred on Friday July 11 2014, @05:21PM
poked in the eye != hole in the chest
Those responsible being shot in the chest from point blank would be a much more equal force.
This event will be haunting that cop until his dying day or I recommend much worse should happen to him.
(Score: 4, Insightful) by Sir Garlon on Friday July 11 2014, @03:50PM
Yeah, it's prevalent but not universal. So I'd appreciate it if you don't over-generalize. (I live in the United States.)
[Sir Garlon] is the marvellest knight that is now living, for he destroyeth many good knights, for he goeth invisible.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by tibman on Friday July 11 2014, @05:30PM
Is revenge/vengeance on the chaotic good side of things?
SN won't survive on lurkers alone. Write comments.
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Friday July 11 2014, @05:54PM
Be precises, focused and selective in your targets. Don't waste time with the thugs, go after the ones giving the orders.