NET 7

Winning the War on Drugs is Possible.

Revisado: 03-03-22

NOTE: There are sound issues in Chapter 5 from 38:51 to 39:33 and from 52:25 to 52:59 that make it difficult to understand what is being said at those times, a playback kind of issue, I think.

I'm for winning the Drug War. I do not prescribe to the Libertarian or Liberal ideas of Drug Legalization. Therefore, I really wanted to read this book because I was looking for a great argument to win the Drug War. Vincent Bugliosi, the famed Prosecutor who put away Charles Manson for murder, published this book in the mid 1990's. I found some strong currency and financial strategies, mixed with him lacking consistency on his military style drug enforcement point without even realizing it, on direct confrontation with Drug Barons/Kingpins.


In the first couple chapters, Mr. Bugliosi makes it clear that America is losing the war on drugs and isn't really waging a war on drugs with the goal of winning it. He makes it clear that drugs from South America are still pouring into the United Sates in ever growing numbers. The large busts of drugs that represent only a fraction of the drugs on US streets, the growing number of users and addicts, along with the increased purity and lower costs of the street drugs, show that the US is losing the war on drugs, and badly. Mr. Bugliosi clearly demonstrates that the US is losing the war and makes it clear that if we want to win the war, we have to change our strategy. However, it's here that Mr. Bugliosi gets inconsistent and contradictory.

Vincent Bugliosi attacks the foreign policy of Ronald Reagan and George Bush Sr. that contradict Bugliosi's points on how to fight and win the war. VB makes the case that the US needs to send US Special Forces along with FBI and Justice Dept. agents to find and arrest Drug Lords in foreign countries to bring them into the United States. However, he spends a substantial amount of time attacking the Grenada (ironic as he wrote a book on why the Marxist assassin Lee H Oswald was 100% guilty but VB doesn't seem to take the threat of Communism seriously), Panama (which is ironic in a book supposedly about winning the drug war because Noriega was aiding the drug trade), and the 1st Iraq War (known then as the Gulf War), which were Interventionist policies designed to combat bad actors, and Drug Lords are bad actors. Vincent Bugliosi, a registered Democrat, seems to want to have his cake and eat it. You can't want to have an interventionist policy to fight the drug war, and then turn around be critical of interventionist policies. This is where he lacks consistency. Either you believe that in order to win the drug war we have to fight the drug kingpins where they are and take the gloves off, or say we can't intervene and we have to accept defeat by ending the drug war at home. Vincent Bugliosi essentially here takes bullets out of his gun, puts it in the holster, and then pulls it out to fire a gun with less bullets than he had before. Vincent Bugliosi should have been using these successful interventions to show that interventions of the kind that Vincent Bugliosi is calling for, surgical strikes and seek to destroy missions against drug manufacturing facilities and capture or kill missions on Drug Kingpins and Drug Lords would be similar to successful interventions like in Grenada, Panama, and Iraq/Kuwait which were short, successful operations/campaigns, would deliver those similar results as previous US interventions have been. As a Neo-Conservative, I would have made that argument, but Vincent Bugliosi, being a Democrat, comes across as Isolationist who still wants the US to somehow be Internationalist. You can't be an Internationalist with an Isolationist foreign policy. If Vincent Bugliosi were alive today I would have told him, "Your Foreign Policy positions are in direct confrontation with the strategy you are suggesting to win the war on drugs." I would also tell him, "You're right. If in a matter of months, we can inspire the world to take seriously the threat of a madman on the free world and send him running in retreat, we can do the same here at home with War on Drugs. The two are NOT exclusionary Mr. Bugliosi. We can deal with Foreign Despots, Tyrannical Regimes, and Terrorists Organizations abroad, while dealing with Drug Barons and Drug Kingpins in our backyard." It seems like he just has an issue with George Bush Sr. and it's not a good look for Vincent Bugliosi.

Vincent Bugliosi also suggests a dual currency. One will only be for domestic (only to be used in the US and its territories) use. One will only be for international (only for use outside of the US and CANNOT be exchanged for domestic currency) use for uses such as travel/vacation. VB makes it clear that you have to hit the wallets of the Drug Lords, who largely reside outside of the US; when the book was publicized it was mainly from Colombia, now it's mostly from Mexico, which he correctly predicted would become a Narco-Democracy early in the book. If the only currency you could get in the US were bills that ONLY worked within the borders of the US and its territories, and you COULD NOT exchange those bills at a US port of entry or international airport for US international currency in excess of $1000 dollars without having to register with a US customs officials, and with ICE and IRS Agents at these locations, who could order a hold on that money transfer and investigate/question any suspicious amounts or persons trying , Drug Lords would have no way to get even a fraction of your money for your drugs. The millions that Drug Kingpins and Drug Barons get in the current system would become little more than a trickle. Make it illegal to buy US Domestic currency abroad, outside of US borders, and Drug Dealers won't be able to use any international currency to do anything in the US, without the risk of being caught and at that point the IRS, along with DEA and ATF agents, can potentially catch their agents/mules and hurt the Drug Barons and Kingpins ability to get the guns they buy in the US. To create a dual currency system Bugliosi estimated would cost $315 million (the book was published in the mid 1990's), a reasonable amount in terms of Federal Spending; the US federal government spends, as of 2020, around $750.2 billion alone on Medicare expenditures.

Vincent Bugliosi also mentions the need for going after money laundering. He makes the case that big drug busts are great for news specials but are not effective at winning the war on drugs because they only highlight just how bad the problem really is; if that's what the authorities are catching, how much are they missing? VB adds that to in order to hit Drug Lords and Drug Kingpins accounts in the US, you have to go after their money laundering capabilities. Unlike a criminal case, where one has to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt, in a civil forfeiture matter (the laws may have changed since the book was published) one must only show probable cause, and therefore the ability of Drug Barons to use well skilled lawyers, usually themselves former Prosecutors well versed in the burden of proof, ability to prevent, hinder, or limit investigation into criminal matters would be invalidated, because the same burden does not exist with civil forfeitures issues. Setting up or designing computer technologies or systems that can act as an "early warning system" (VB puts down the name and phone number, Wayne Johnson 707-769-2699, who claimed it would be easy to design such a system) in banks that can detect potential money laundering, which would immediately be sent to and investigated by an IRS agent, who would either be on site at the bank or in a regional office, that could immediately call the bank to hold the deposit if it is suspicious. They could then coordinate with either the DEA or ATF to detain, question, and arrest those attempting to launder money for the Drug Barons, and seize the funds whether an arrest is made or not, and send it to the Treasury Department, who usually win by default as those who have something to hide don't show up to get back illegally acquired money, meaning they still lose even if no prosecution is made; no money, no profits. VB argues that going after the money itself is an accounting and technology matter. It's not sexy or cool like a big drug bust, which in themselves show we're losing the war; if that's what US Law Enforcement is catching, how much are they missing? However, by FUNDING & EXPANDING the CID (Criminal Investigation Division) of the IRS (at the time of publication only around 400 well qualified accountants investigators but horribly underfunded and unsupported) to have the ability to go after the money laundering efforts of the Drug Barons and Drug Kingpins through CTRs (Currency Transactions Reports) at every bank, in every US state, we can prevent them getting their money into US banks to be transferred to their international accounts and seize it. Not sexy or cool, but if instituted it would be crucially effective at financially crippling the Drug Barons, who's power comes mainly from their money. Take away the money, and what power do they have?

Vincent Bugliosi also offers an imitative. He states there are two kinds of crimes, Malem Prohibit (Illegal because the Law says so) vs Malum In Se (Illegal because it is Immoral). VB states that drug use is not necessarily immoral, and states that there is a large and growing population of US citizens who are recovering from drug addiction or have used drugs at least once. VG says that while de-criminalization or legalization would raise the rates of drug use, at least in the short term, he believes it would level off, because eventually the appeal would die down, and that measures made to show the negative effects and problems drug use bring would be a better deterrent to curbing drub use than jailing drug users. I disagree wholeheartedly with legalization, and only a doctor should be allowed to prescribe these drugs to those who need it for medical treatment. However, I could get on board with de-criminalization, making drug use a fine with required rehab and community service.

Overall, I am happy to see that there was someone advocating WINNING the War on Drugs. Still, the Isolationist talking points of Vincent Bugliosi, who was registered Democrat, attacking the Foreign Policy of Interventionism in defense of America and America's security, as was the case in Grenada (where the Communists had taken over), Panama (where a rogue dictator was oppressing his people and a threat to US interests and assets), and the 1st Iraq War/Gulf War (where a rogue dictator was threatening to seize the majority of the world's oil resources), ALL SUCCESSFUL INTERVENTIONS, and then turns around to say we need to have Capture or Kill missions on Drug Barons/Drug Kingpins is a self-defeating argument. However, despite his dumb Democrat Isolationists takes, his other points on dual currency, funding the IRS to fully combat money laundering, and work on some forms of de-criminalization, seem like to me like winning strategies to fight, and eventually declare victory, in the War on Drugs.

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A Reasonable Sequel But Not a Triumph.

Revisado: 08-20-21

This series is for ADULTS ONLY!

This is a reasonable sequel to the first book, but unlike the first book which I felt was great, this sequel is only good. I give it a B-, just barely an 80%. I suppose my issues with the book come to my PERSONAL tastes let say. The main character, Tempest, does a couple things I DID NOT approve of, but I don't want to spoil anything, so I'm just going to say I didn't approve of WHO he did things with. I don't understand Riika's seemingly challant reaction the possibility of Tempest DOING THINGS with OTHERS after how Tempest and her relationship is; if you've read the 1st book you know they become officially a couple at the end. I understand Riika and Ella(zarra) are sort of a "friends with benefits" relationship (both still deep down love each other but Ella can't forgive Riika for abandoning her years back and Riika has fallen in love with Tempest) at the end of the 1st book, but Riika x Ella X Tempest relationship develops in the 2nd book. The ending makes it clear there is a sequel, so the 2nd book is more of a Part 1 to a story that will expand. I want to see Tempest, Riika, and Ella be exclusive and only love each other, with nobody else added to the mix, because they are the perfect team (Tempest with his Magic, Riika with her Strength, Ella with her Brains).

Once again, the Narrator does a PHENOMENAL JOB! This narrator gets a 10 out of 10 for her ability to make every character's voice unique and to that character. Selecting her was the ONLY right choice!

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Interesting Story But Not Superior to Alien 3.

Revisado: 08-02-21

I won't spoil anything, but the Xenomorph that develops from this alternate story of what may have been Alien 3 is unique, but not in an organic way ;) That's all I'll say on that. The actors from Aliens who replay their roles in this sequel are older, and it comes out in their voices. However, they've still got it :) However, is it a better story than Alien 3? That's debatable. I think if this was released in theatres it would have had the same reaction fans had to Alien: Resurrection (I like the film but I know Alien die-hards don't). If your curiosity peaks your interest, give it a listen. However, it's not like Alien: Out of the Shadows or Alien: Sea of Sorrows, where the story blows you away.

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Are You Scared of the Dark?

Revisado: 08-02-21

The story is very good, not perfect, but very good. The voice acting is excellent, and the music adds to the terrifying ambience. I haven't seen the film or read the comic, but this audio drama was probably better. I give it a 9/10.

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Phenomenal Narrator with Pretty Good Story.

Revisado: 06-11-21

Who is this Narrator? She gets a 10/10 for the performance she gave in this story. She was able to voice multiple characters and gave each one their own unique voice that a listener could separate the different characters from one another. I thought her performance was excellent and she should do this for more novels.

The story was intriguing and entertaining. A man who doesn't know who he is, where he is, or how he got here, finds himself discovering that there is more to him than meets the eye, that's he's potentially destined for some greatness, that may save a kingdom, and maybe one day, the world. With two companions, formerly bond by love, he learns to lean on both as friends, companions, and for one of them, as something more, in his journey to discover who, and what, he is.

There were some sex scenes in the first Act I felt were unnecessary, but I won't spoil anything. It's certainly a book for adults, so only mature audiences should listen. I enjoyed the story.

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German WW2 Apologetics and Predictable Storyline.

Revisado: 05-24-21

** spoiler alert ** I finished this book 📚 since I was getting bored with the other one I have been reading recently. It's difficult to get a good alternative history book. Conroy's books are once again partly cheap political historical analysis & cliché American triumph against all odds. His style of writing is ridiculously cliché but his political analysis of German citizens knowledge of the Holocaust is dangerous historical revisionism; he directly claims the average German was not aware of the Death Camps and of the atrocities, & either he is woefully ignorant or blatantly lying. A disappointing read.

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Fails to Be Compelling and Worth Listening To.

Revisado: 12-26-20

This book includes very creepy interspecies sex (humans with Homo Erectus) in one chapter, includes needless sex in another chapter, a boring made up legal court room drama in another chapter, and in all prior to the first two chapters & situations mentioned fails to create an exciting or scary alternate history world setting where humans find an ancient ancestor of modern humans still living on the American continent. It didn't live up to my expectations.

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Engaging Story & Experience. Narration Needs Work.

Revisado: 11-15-20

This experience of Mona Oshana in 70's Iraq dispels many of the myths told that Iraq before US Intervention was a homogenous and peaceful multi-cultural, multi-ethnic society where minority rights were respected. Mona Oshana disproves those myths told by Saddam and Ba'athist apologists, exposing the tyranny of the regime that her community lived under. She also, from the experience of a persecuted minority, tells the story of a people who lived in constant fear that they would be paid a visit by Ba'athist authorities, be taken away, and either never be seen again, or come back forever changed, and not for the better. She gives the very overlooked and not often talked about experience in Iraq, that of the indigenous Assyrian Christian population, exposing the institutionalized and societal racism and discrimination against Assyrian Christians, due to their religion, Christian not Muslim, and their ethnicity, Assyrian not Arab. She details the fear Assyrian families lived under from the regime and society, that their daughters would be kidnapped and forcibly married to Arab Muslim men, or that their sons would be taken to fight in Saddam's wars. This story challenges accepted lies that Saddam's Iraq was preferable to a Secular Republic/Democracy, by showing the experience of a person, a woman, and a people, an Assyrian, and a religion, Christians, who in the eyes of the Ba'athist system was at its lowest level. A must listen.

However, the narrator mispronounces Arab and Assyrian words. The narration needs to be done and next time the company doing the narrating needs to get either a bilingual individual or a culturally knowledgeable individual who can pronounce correctly non-English words.

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Great Narrator, Unnecessary Story.

Revisado: 10-12-20

I very much enjoyed the narrator of this book, he did an excellent job and I think he should do more. Despite a great narrator, this book adds nothing of substance to the MEG series. The first two chapters might have actually been fitted into Meg: A Novel of Deep Terror, and elements fit into the sequel Meg: The Trench, rather than it's own book. This was kind of like Meg: Origins, adding nothing of substance to the series and just an unnecessary cash grab.

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All Hail Queen Regent, Anne Boleyn!

Revisado: 10-12-20

Unlike many alternate history books that go along feeling predictable with expecting directions, this one doesn't. I have always wondered what might have happened if Henry the Eight had died in his fateful jousting accident, and this book does give the reader an exciting "What If..." tale of the aftermath of his death. Listening to the audio book version of this, while no audio drama, was worth it.

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