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Free Ross vs. war on drugs (mexico cartels, china fentanyl, etc...)
594 sats \ 7 comments \ @79c9095526 7h Politics_And_Law
As I watch the jubilation surrounding Ross Ulbricht's full pardon, I'm left wondering what we see as the difference between his actions and those of others involved in the drug trade. Ross created and maintained a website that was largely used for the sale of illicit substances like heroin, cocaine, etc... Although some books and other items were sold on the platform, it's likely that over 80% of the transactions involved illegal drugs. While Ross didn't manufacture or distribute the substances himself, he knowingly provided a platform for others to do so.
One argument, which I agree with, is that individuals should have the freedom to make their own choices as long as they don't harm others. If someone wants to use heroin, that's their decision, as long as they don't harm others or become a burden to society.
However, the same person who pardoned Ross now wants to punish Mexico and China for facilitating the drug trade that American consumers demand. It's puzzling to see people who celebrated Ross's release also supporting a new "war on drugs" against foreigners. Both domestic and foreign drug dealers are producing a product that Americans are voluntarily buying and consuming.
I have a few theories on why many people view these situations differently:
  1. This is how the issue has been framed by Trump and the media, and some people may simply accept this narrative.
  2. Ross is a young white man, and many Americans can empathize with someone who looks like them. They may not feel the same empathy for a drug dealer from El Salvador who doesn't share their language or cultural background. It's easy to demonize a faceless group of "others."
  3. This mentality is rooted in a victim complex, often expressed by Trump. The idea is that "they" are causing our problems, and we're great, but others are to blame. This narrative is appealing because it absolves us of responsibility for why our fellow citizens are demanding and consuming massive quantities of drugs that destroy themselves, their families, and their communities.
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153 sats \ 0 replies \ @xz 5h
I'll say this. It's nothing to do with Ross being young, white or a man. If the person in question was an old, non-caucassian women, I would still have the same view. I am white, but to be honest, it's got nothing to do with the person, just what he did.
What did he do.
Well, if you ask about how many people were purchasing Fentanyl, I don't think there would have been many. I don't think it was even a widly known or available substance. Nor did anyone buy or sell the precursors for making drugs like Fentanyl.
What happened was the market for recreational drugs. I.e, the method for obtaining drugs that people wanted for themselves, and wanted to take personal responsibility for, became safer than having to negotiate on the street. Not only that, the reliability and safety (quality) of the products people bought became of a higher standard than when there were much more limited channels to procure. I.e, competition increased and proliferated in a free market.
I'm not praising Trump, but I am praising this policy and this decision to pardon Ross. The precursor chemicals used to make Fentanyl have been getting through borders of western nations in huge amounts. Labs are set up from within the countries, which has decimated a whole demographic in those countries. The problem is therefore a problem with laws that ensure the safety of drug users whilst also turning a blind eye to the real international scope of the problem.
I never used the platform, but I wholly would have liked to if I had the option to use such a service today. I don't want to use life-destroying drugs like Fentanyl, but I do know that there are many cultures around the world that have to deal with the marginalization and stigmatiation of their cultures and their way of life. It's not just to do with white people. It's to do with reasonable any sensible policy.
Which do you think is more destructive, prolonged and excessive alchol consumption, or the occassional use of naturally occuring drugs like marijuana or synthisized drugs like MDMA? There's much scientific literature out there today that proves very strong links between beneficial effects of some of these drugs. Yet the media uses the term so loosly so as to tar them with the same brush as junk like Fentanyl.
Both domestic and foreign drug dealers are producing a product that Americans are voluntarily buying and consuming.
You see, the problem with this idea is that the behavior of a drug-addict is voluntary. It is not. However, that's not to say that all drug users (users of drugs) are not in control (as opposed to drugs controlling people.)
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @galt 3h
Ross' sentence was longer that all actual drug dealers who operated on the website, how does it make sense? Two life sentence + 40 years is not only moronic and clearly shows that it was to teach a lesson to anybody defending their freedom to transact and hit bitcoin hard in the process. He broke the law, acknowledged it and with 10 years behind bars he has paid his debt to society and is of no danger to anybody
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @sangekrypto 5h
What really happened to Ross? Was the mistake he made so fatal that it was implemented like that?
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0 sats \ 2 replies \ @LowK3y19 6h
Ross got the total white boy treatment
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14 sats \ 1 reply \ @Longtermwizard 5h
Two life sentences plus 40 years. Total white boy treatmen, yes.
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @LowK3y19 5h
But then gets to walk free like nothing happened… if his name was Tyrese Brown I’m sure he still be sitting w two life sentences
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @0xbitcoiner 7h
💯 Do you know the argument for his pardon?
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