A group of Royal Canadian Mounted Police who were acting in response to a dispute over the outstanding debts of one James Roszko were gunned down by Roszko in what the constables’ superior described as an ambush. Now Jane’s Information Group is running the story [sorry, subscription only] on their website as evidence of the escalating violence related to the Canadian marijuana trade, and presumably of a need for more Drug War efforts. This is a convenient interpretation for Jane’s, since their primary customer base is composed of government agencies who are always looking for more excuses to bilk the taxpayers.What Jane’s fails to recognize is that the marijuana operation was relatively small, and that Roszko had a history of violent behavior in situations both drug- and non-drug-related. What this story really demonstrates is the danger of the prohibition laws that effectively funnel money to individuals, such as Roszko, who are more apt to engage in risky behaviors. Given the attitudes of those close to Roszko, as reported here by the Edmonton Sun, it seems unlikely that his erratic, violent behavior would have inspired much trust in legal business dealings. Nonetheless, the on-again, off-again drug enforcement policies of the Canadian government seem to have played at least some role in his acquisition of otherwise cost-prohibitive weapons and fortifications for his property, by creating an environment where just such an ostracized individual might accumulate wealth through dabbling in gardening.
Source link: http://archive.mises.org/3292/canadian-raid-resulting-in-four-rcmp-deaths-a-warrant-for-bolstering-the-drug-war/
Canadian raid resulting in four RCMP deaths a warrant for bolstering the Drug War?
Previous post: Paolo Bernardini in Auburn
Next post: Christian Right Converts to Gaia Worship?
{ 3 comments }
Almost all Canadian media & government officials have backed off the marijuana connection to this tragedy. The guy’s small grow-op was insignificant compared to professional operations run elsewhere, incidental to his overall criminality (I should say “insanity”).
I have noticed that US-based media has jumped all over the pot angle. Why am I not surprised? Here in the Great Red North, memories of the incident now inspire calls for tighter gun control (also not surprising).
Gold is $400+ per ounce, oil is circa $50 a barrel. Comparative advantage, however, is priceless and Canada probably has the world’s greatest reserves. Give up the gun Nazism, health care handouts, and most taxes (ok, a lofty goal, but bear with me) and that country will be like a magnet for the productivity formerly found to the south.
Oh, but there are so many geniuses up here who “know” that Kyoto will create thousands of high-end science & research jobs here in Canada. I actually saw a news story that tried to play up this angle of Kyoto–and not on the CBC either.
I myself am bugging my MP on a regular basis about:
Those two steps would do a lot toward triggering a resource-based boom in Canada (in addition to affecting drastic cuts in the amount of pot smuggled to the US). Also, IMO, tax reform would follow as government surpluses helped to pay down the debt & make Canada even more attractive for investors (assuming the government didn’t bring in yet more social disservices or crony “sponsorships”).
Mind you, as much as pot smuggling to the US would decrease, Loonie smuggling would increase. Would the US government then implement some kind of domestic “discount currency” to complete the country’s transition to banana republic?
Comments on this entry are closed.