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Rating: 
Summary: The Past Recycles Itself (For Now)
Review: "A Drug War Carol" may seem derivative at first blush, but it is a unique and entertaining vehicle that skillfully introduces the basic history of our misguided national crusade against drugs. It is also a good, non-exhaustive primer for those already familiar with the underlying policy debate.
The famous Dickens story is reworked into a modern tale where a Drug Czar is forced to contemplate the history of drug prohibition. He also witnesses the human toll that government policies have on people like cancer and pain patients. Unlike Ebenezer Scrooge, however, this Czar's "change of heart" is less than certain.
The historical record of the federal government's War on Drugs carries many of the same hallmarks of its current efforts: third-rate bureaucrats setting national policy; self-serving grandstanding by political leaders; doctors being jailed for providing treatment; the criminalization of addiction; a judiciary that sanctions the erosion of fundamental individual liberties; the wanton bureaucratic rejection of medical and scientific opinion; dubious efforts aimed at international drug control; and a media that is all too complicit in providing sustenance to government sensationalism. The institutional dynamics that were in play seventy years ago are still prevalent today.
Thankfully, the American public is no longer subjected to the naked racist appeals employed by "drug morality" advocates found here. Coke-addled black men raping white women and crazed Mexicans preying upon schoolchildren and executing people served as popular bogeymen. (The book overlooks the virulent anti-Chinese sentiment used to crusade against opium.) Instead, the Drug War now simply incarcerates a disproportionate number of racial minorities under a plethora of state and federal laws like mandatory minimum sentences, all under the "due process of law."
This "graphic novella" deserves a wide readership, especially among high school students, who are the principal targets of endless government propaganda and invasive practices like random drug testing, body searches and drug-sniffing dogs. The future is theirs, and that is why the federal government is finding novel ways to indoctrinate them and humiliate them into submission. Hopefully they will consider the examples of 1920's anti-prohibition advocates Pauline Morton Sabin and Henry Joy: Principled individual action can indeed make a difference.
Rating: 
Summary: Marvellous work!
Review: (Q: Why didn't the USPS issue a Harry Ainslinger commemorative postage stamp? A: Because too many people spit on the wrong side.)Beiser is gifted with a boldly unique artistic style that somehow manages to combine in-your-face truth-telling with understated subtlety. However he manages this balance, I don't much care --what matters is that "A Drug War Carol" tells the solid, unvarnished truth about this horrible War-On-Some-Drugs that our leaders have been peddling to us since the days of Prohibition. The narration provided by the Ghost of Christmas Past dominates most of the story, but the true emotional impact comes with the revelations brought on by the Ghosts of Christmas Present and Future. If there are any Federal employees amongst your friends or family (particularly if they work for the Justice Dept.), do them and your country a favor and buy this for them.
Rating:
Summary: If you like truth, you'll love this book
Review: Beginning with a scene-setting incident in the office of Scrooge McCzar, the Drug Czar, this book exposes the hypocrisy and - let's face it - downright evil of the drug warriors. From a historical review of how we got where we are, to a view of how the drug war can victimize even its most ardent supporters, Scrooge McCzar is led to an understanding of the evil that is the War on Drugs. How will he respond? How will YOU respond? Only your conscience can decide.
Rating:
Summary: Even better than I had hoped!
Review: I had seen this story in an online form, and was greatly impressed by the quality of the art. I was pleased to see that the print edition is even stronger. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Even better than I had hoped!
Review: I had seen this story in an online form, and was greatly impressed by the quality of the art. I was pleased to see that the print edition is even stronger. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Finaly in print!
Review: I have seen this collection on-line but due to the detailed artwork, downloads were slow over a standard connection. I have wanted a book version for years and now it has finaly come.
Rating:
Summary: This book reveals the truth around the WOD.
Review: This book reveals the truth around the WOD and who imposed the current devastating situation where much human dammage is related to prohibition and War on Drugs. I recomend the book and i'm sorry there is no chance of giving it six stars.
Joergen
Rating:
Summary: Clear, Concise, and Comprehensive
Review: When it comes to sharing my viewpoints on America's "War on Drugs", I have always struggled with replying to the simplistic catchphrases which seem to come from those who are blind to the destruction caused by this politically and economically motivated war. As such, it was with great pleasure to find this little gem. Through a narrative employing Charles Dickens' classic storyline, "A Drug War Carol" comprehensively, yet succinctly covers the often ignored/suppressed history that gave rise to this immoral and self-serving--but significant--U.S. policy. From its inception during 1920s prohibition, the war on (some) drugs (and some users) has been waged with zeal and corruption, and in the process, has eradicated the Bill of Rights. In the past 80 years, our country (and many other countries which the U.S. can influence or control) have suffered, while arrogant and power-hungry politicians continually feed this monster with our tax-dollars, and in exchange, give us half-truths, exaggerations, or just outright lies. Trying to explain this to others however, is challenging. This is simply because most of us have lived our whole life eagerly lapping up this propaganda. I encourage everyone to buy as many copies of this book that you can afford and give it to friends and family. We need to wake up!!! Also, for a richly detailed investigation into the origins and first 40 years of the U.S. drug war, see Douglas Valentine's "The Strength of the Wolf: The Secret History of America's War on Drugs". It is a facinating and compelling read.
Rating:
Summary: Clear, Concise, and Comprehensive
Review: When it comes to sharing my viewpoints on America's "War on Drugs", I have always struggled with replying to the simplistic catchphrases which seem to come from those who are blind to the destruction caused by this politically and economically motivated war. As such, it was with great pleasure to find this little gem. Through a narrative employing Charles Dickens' classic storyline, "A Drug War Carol" comprehensively, yet succinctly covers the often ignored/suppressed history that gave rise to this immoral and self-serving--but significant--U.S. policy. From its inception during 1920s prohibition, the war on (some) drugs (and some users) has been waged with zeal and corruption, and in the process, has eradicated the Bill of Rights. In the past 80 years, our country (and many other countries which the U.S. can influence or control) have suffered, while arrogant and power-hungry politicians continually feed this monster with our tax-dollars, and in exchange, give us half-truths, exaggerations, or just outright lies. Trying to explain this to others however, is challenging. This is simply because most of us have lived our whole life eagerly lapping up this propaganda. I encourage everyone to buy as many copies of this book that you can afford and give it to friends and family. We need to wake up!!! Also, for a richly detailed investigation into the origins and first 40 years of the U.S. drug war, see Douglas Valentine's "The Strength of the Wolf: The Secret History of America's War on Drugs". It is a facinating and compelling read.
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