Well, I guess I’ll do two political posts in a row, then onto something more uplifting tomorrow. But it’s on my mind. And I’ll end today’s post on a higher note.

It only seems appropriate to talk politics, given that it’s the 5 year anniversary since the insurrection. Shit seemed crazy then. But in a different way. The virus was still in charge of the global social order, killing thousands every day, and the idea of democracy itself being destroyed still seemed “fringe” to me. Yes, I obviously despised Trump 1.0, and always thought the guy was a real piece of shit long before politics, taking shameless sadistic joy in firing people on reality TV. But I remember 1.0 as more like “this guy says crazy, incendiary, hateful shit, is embarassing, and is putting bad people in charge of federal agencies.” While bad in so many ways, it was negligible relative to now.

How are the modern leaders of the most powerful nation-states (with a few fortunate, notable exceptions) the most atrocious, horrible people? Wouldn’t the modern world have learned from the authoritarian shitheads of history, especially post Hitler these last 80 something years?

The recent shitshow with Venezuela is humiliating and insane, let alone the latest illegal travel ban (which included Venezuela before this latest Maduro capture). The illegal drug supply chain is global, y’all, really no different than crude oil. As far as I’m concerned, the Trump admin is just as morally bankrupt and violent as the worst cartels, as evidenced by unilateral strikes on boats. The thing is, you can’t really enforce your way out of any “black market” problem, without drastic unintended consequences and tradeoffs to society undermining said purpose. This includes prostitution, drugs, the “good” sincere coyotes actually helping migrants illegally cross the border, rather than exploit or traffick them. Such enforcement measures are a profoundly inefficient tools and uses of taxpayer funds, but ironically it’s seemingly politically more popular the more conservative you are, even though conservatives love to whine about government being “inefficient.”

One Customs and Border Protection (CBP) estimate I saw a while ago indicated that they only seize roughly 10% of imported illegal drugs, which means 90% or so is making it into the U.S., and most drug mules (whether knowingly trafficking or not) who are going through legal ports of entry, are usually desperate and exploited people, paying the horrific punishment of prison time if busted. There is just this whole chain of suffering, other than those at the very top of the supply chain (or demand, if you are a well-off drug user). It reminds me a lot of human trafficking, the cruelty of slaughterhouse factory farming, including to human workers, and all of the dangerous, underpaid, and dirty work out there in the world, violating basic human welfare (and that of livestock and living beings more generally). It’s just straight up terrible. Society’s job (and governments) should lessen total collective suffering, not waste public resources worsening it. I’m not saying some drug enforcement isn’t necessary, but I don’t think it should be the number one tool, and definitely not a justification for invading Latin American nations. Also, MDMA and psychedelics should be schedule 4 substances like Xanax, not schedule 1, meaning they are legal, regulated, and treated as medicines, with potential for abuse, and not put in remotely the same category as black market fentanyl.

Not to mention, the lethality of fentanyl isn’t even remotely close to other common addictive drugs of abuse. Yet somehow alcohol (which I think should be legal and regulated like it’s been for a century in the U.S., as it is very harmful to humanity), isn’t even listed in the Controlled Substances Act.

If we really wanted to “protect America” from the harms of drugs, why would we not invest in all harm reduction, and treatment for those who end up with a problem? We wouldn’t be risking a violent war with Venezuela. The fact is, most people who try drugs do NOT end up addicted. A sizable minority (I’ve heard stats close to 15%, including with gambling) end up with a problem, and it’s a serious one. In no way do I mean to downplay the suffering, and at times, death, to individuals and loved ones who are in that minority.

I think about a one of many musicians I admire, Trey Anastasio, who started his own holistic rehab, the [Divided Sky Foundation] dividedsky.org/our-story… When watching his free Beacon Theater live streams during 2020, which really warmed my spirits during the infamous concertless lockdown of 2020, I donated $25 to his rehab as a token of appreciation. He was so wholesome and sincere. While I’ve been lucky (and at times very cautious and measured) in my share of drug experimentation in my 20s, and not faced the gutting despair of addiction, I know if I was struggling, or had a loved one who was, Divided Sky, or a place like it, would be the place I’d want to get clean and sober. THIS is where our war-on-drugs money should be going. It’s like, why are these places not prioritized in our health care system? (Wait, I know, profit and greed of course). But seriously, it’s worth a shout out to Trey Anastasio! Even if jam bands aren’t your jam, he’s a cool guy to a listen to in interviews.

Okay, a couple people who are providing some hope now. Besides Trey Anastasio, some other people I want to mention.

Bernie Sanders has been doing FDR style “fireside” chats on YouTube. Very wholesome, sincere, and balanced assessment of what is going on. The latest video is fantastic. www.youtube.com/watch How anyone not admire Sanders? He’s just the man.

Another shoutout goes to Ezra Klein and his podcast. He is easily my favorite journalists out there right now (along with Kai Ryssdal from Marketplace). He has the audacity to welcome conservative voices, including Ben Shapiro, much like Gavin Newsom did on his podcast. Topics are covered so well. I have yet to find a remotely weak episode since I really got into Klein this last year.

Last, someone much less well known nationally is the YouTube influencer and immigration lawyer Jim Hacking. He does a fantastic job of talking in detail about our fucked up immigration system. He even does an answer show multiple times a week where people can call in for free and ask him any immigration question. He also posts videos on the latest developments. Right now, he is suing USCIS for illegally halting ALL immigration benefits to people from the banned countries, and he is among one of the many unsung heroes and professionals in many fields, doing the real work to uphold rule of law and preserve democracy. Big tip of the hat as well. He also gives a history lesson that is excellent. Worth your time to check out if you can: www.youtube.com/watch

The above people give me hope and inspiration, and I hope they do to you as well. I hope you have people like these out there, whether journalists, influencers, or someone you know personally who is making the world a better place. We have to remember, these good people are out there, even if they fly under the noise and radar!