Reason Writers Around Town: Mike Riggs Talks About Drug Cartels and Terrorist Organizations on RT

Reason Associate Editor Mike Riggs appeared on The Alyona Show Tuesday to discuss a House of Representatives hearing on the Merida Initiative, whether cartels should be classified as terrorist organizations, and Gov. Rick Perry's suggestion that U.S. troops should be sent to Mexico to combat cartel violence directly. 

Comments

[Rush Chairman]

Mike Riggs: Uh, what's my Hit & Run name?

Nick Gillespie: Dorfman, I've given this a lot of thought. From now on, your name is Flounder.

Mike Riggs: [Pause] Flounder?

[teh rael o2]

the cartels should be classified as largely outta business once pot is legalized. jeesch what's taking so long? religious wackjobs? old farts who gulp pills? the liquor cos? what?

[Mr. Mark]

"the cartels should be classified as largely outta business once pot is legalized."

Not at this stage. They have existed too long and there is too much money. If drugs were legalized the cartels would seek some other lucrative activity.

[The Real o2]

If drug cartels are indeed the problem the solution to this quandary is decriminalization. This will have numerous beneficial effects. If there is a market for a product there will be someone who fills that market.

- The Actual o2.

[o2]

legalization not decriminalization

[PIRS]

To "legalize" implies that the topic is a proper purview of governmental control. Do you believe this to be the case regarding what you put in your own body?

[o2]

yep pot'll be taxed like liquor.

[Surly Chef]

On this one point I'll agree with whoever is claiming to be o2 and defend the wording. Decriminalization as it is has commonly been used has no bearing on the cartels as it still leaves production, transportation and sale of said substances illegal, it simply makes possession and consumption on a small scale non-criminal. It doesn't address the underlying black market and is extremely similar in it's structure to prohibition and the Volstead act., which worked out really really well.

[PIRS]

Surley, if this is the case I take back my comment about "legalization." This was not the impression I had about the distinction between the two terms.

[Crackers Boy]

Uh oh. You know what "Drug cartels are terrorist" means?? Drone air strikes without judicial oversite!

CB

[T]

That's exactly what I was thinking. The Mexicans will love us even more when that shit starts.

[TrickyVic]

First Congress would need to pass an AUMF. That probably wouldn't be too difficult.

[T]

They'll just claim the narcotraficantes were involved in 9/11 and use the one they've already got. The evidence for this assertion will be classified and unreviewable, so it's not like you'll have standing or information to argue the point.

[Warty]

I didn't imagine Riggs looking like Biff from Back to the Future, but it's pretty awesome that he does.

[Riggs (aka Biff)]

Why dont you make like a tree... and get out of here!

[Dagny T.]

Nah, Riggsy is way cuter than that guy.

[T]

This is why you're "beloved commenter", isn't it? The shameless flattery?

[Tab Spangler]

Miley Cyrus is a really boring newscaster.

[Mr. Mark]

RT - aka Russia Today - isn't that some sort of Russian NPR?

Now, you're saying, "So what?"

And I'm saying, "Well, cuz Journalism and Uncle Vlad have had a kinda different sorta relationship."

So, then you're saying, "Okay, you have problem with it? Maybe you want have lunch - we talk?"

And I'm saying, "Naw, man...I gotta...wow look at the time! Geez...ah I'll get back with ya..."