The Drug Years

Was watching a documentary last weekend on drug use in this country on VH1. Looks like a pretty decent piece focusing on how drugs influenced the culture in this country. Had a couple thoughts...

First, how did a bunch of dirty stinking f**king hippies make such awesome music? The answer, of course, is that the people making the music weren't actually dirty stinking f**king hippies but were just smart musicians who knew how to make money.

Second, I hope that one day we can look back on shows like Dallas SWAT and DEA with the same mocking derision that we view the portrayal of drugs on shows from the '60s like Dragnet.

It had some of the stereotypical images of Vietnam vets being a bunch of drugged up bums who were damaged goods as well as the CIA being a major player in running drugs, but that was a minor point compared to its discussion of the forming of the war on (some) drugs and the DEA. It even included some of the anti-drug viewpoint, spouting off such statements that the Reagan/Bush years were some of the most effective in the war. When that is juxtaposed right next to another interview stating how futile the war is, you really start to see the idiocy of the anti-drug at all costs position.

Overall, an enjoyable way to waste a Sunday afternoon.