New Law Would Crack Down on Narco-Mariners

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No nation has the right to enforce any of it's own laws in international waters without acting just like pirates. The international marine agencies can draft laws because they are agreed to by all particpants in the relevant waters. So can the UN, or other world bodies. To ask to inspect a vessel is allowed because it kis a request, that can be accepted or refused. To charge someone of a crime without evidence goes against basic, basic rights to a fair trial, anything else is a show trial by definition. A submarine should be trated the same as a surface vessel, period.

steve 3:38PM February 11, 2009

The new anti-submarine law is ridiculous and probably unconstitutional. For one, just because Congress passes a law, seemingly applicable in international waters, without indicia of cocaine or any other illegal contraband (by U.S. law), does not make it legal. This law is overreaching, it is an imperial effort to enforce american law outside its territory. I suspect this law will be challenged on constitutional grounds and will go all the way up to the Supreme Court.

Legal Watcher of FL 9:06PM January 21, 2009

Unmarked subs or semisubs sneaking toward our coast should be
considered as foreign invaders and promptly destroyed by gunfire, bombs or whatever without consideration for the crew.

Don MacKellar of MD 12:14PM August 05, 2008

Jeff, if you believe that drug use is a health issue, a weakness issue, a whatever-issue; you've gotta see that the smugglers and suppliers are criminals that prey on the weak.
We live in a country with laws. If a law is unpopular, it can be changed. Look at the Volstead Act and the prohibition of alcohol in the United States. That's a law that's long gone.
But while a law is a law, the people who break it are "law-breakers."
And the people who take advantage of others to get rich, no matter who gets hurt or killed, are evil. They have to be hunted down, in the name of those that get hurt or killed.
Men and women have sworn to wage this war, like all the others, serving you and - believe it or not - the "users with a health issue." The drug war is not about them. Put them all in a hospital if you want to. This war is waged against the smugglers and the suppliers and the terrorists that conspire with them.
No war is much fun. "The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war." - Douglas Mac Arthur

Martin of FL 4:08AM August 04, 2008

The cops, legislators, and mainstream media have always loved fighting the drug war, slaying the horrible dragon has it's appeal. It is such a feel good position to take and who in their right mind would oppose taking down the evil dragon?
Unfortunately, making criminals out of persons using drugs is bad policy. Drug use is a health issue and always will be, that's the bottom line.
As long as the belief that fighting a war on drugs is the answer to this problem, there will ALWAYS be death, incarceration, disease, personal ruin, destruction, and everything else that goes along with turning a health issue into a criminal one.
Let us consider taking a different approach to this issue now that we are in the 21st century. This issue is a health issue rather than a criminal issue.

Jeff of AR 9:57AM August 03, 2008

This is just further proof that where there is a demand, someone will come up with a means to supply. Now, we have yet another law that will be ineffective.
We've been fighting a losing battle for 40 years and at the same time allowing organized crime to provide the supply.
There has always been and will always be a demand, it's time we began controlling the supply. If we do, we will be able to afford the honest education of the public that has worked to reduce our dependence on nicotine and alcohol.
The "war on drugs" is a losing battle, we need to pull out now.

Gordon of MI 8:24AM August 02, 2008

The cargo of drugs goes down to the deep. That's a good thing, right? Now, why exactly did the law enforcement guys pick up the crew members out of the water?

Daniel David of NM 11:36PM August 01, 2008

With the THC levels in cannabis now so concentrated that it is causing psychotic episodes in susceptable persons and addiction in more stable users, now is not the time to capitulate to the n.or.m.l. lobby that cynically uses cancer patients for propoganda.The purity and abundance of opium harvested not from the Golden Triangle but South America & Mexico brings the price within reach of the average teens allowance.This poison is packaged ,shipped and marketed by our enemies whether they be Facist,Maoist or Jihadist.They have the resources to develop these methods (submarines) of delivery only because there is a demand on this side.The lives of millions have been impacted (death,incarceration,disease, personal ruin) by this scourge for three generations.The efforts by honest cops, legislators who continue to risk all in order to make a difference cannot be in vain.

PF of TX 7:37PM August 01, 2008