Methamphetamine = chemical weapons?

[Revtim]

Who didn't see this coming?

http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ/MGArticle/WSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031770123475&path=!frontpage&s=

"Instead of a drug law, though, Wilson turned to the state's antiterrorism laws when prosecuting accused methamphetamine producers. The laws, specifically a statute passed in November 2001, detail the penalties for manufacturing a nuclear or chemical weapon. Wilson's office filed what are believed to be the first charges using that law last week."

I remember joking that they would start classifying drug offenders as "drug terrorists". Not funny anymore.

[SanibelMan]

So this means Bush is going to invade rural Missouri now?

...fine by me. :p

[Read_Neck]

And you thought those "drugs = terrorism" ads were so stupid. Getting the drift yet?

[cuauhtemoc]

If terrorists attack America with chemical weapons, I hope they use MDMA. They could introduce it into the water supply, then launch a ground offensive with strobe lights and glow sticks. With soundtrack featuring Orb, K.L.F. and Fatboy Slim. Are you listening, Osama?

[Beagle]

Well, shit, why not just use the murder laws? How about kidnapping of the brain? Rape of the consciousness? Better yet, charge them under the bomb statutes. Meth labs often explode.
This is easy once you abandon all reason.

Hmmm, we have a meth statute, but we don't like it. OK, just ignore that one and pick another one. Great.

WTF?

[refusal]

What exact definition of chemical weapon are they working on? The article mentions the "toxic and combustible nature of the chemicals involved in methamphetamine production". Because I'm sure if they put their mind to it, they could use the same rule on people producing illicit liquor, compost heaps, and flatulence. Wow! How much better the world will soon become!

[Finagle]

I haven't read the relevant statute, but it seems as though this charge would be trivial to defend against If the law were applied equitably, you'd have to charge the anyone who ever worked at a petrochemical, electroplating, or pharmaceutical plant. I'm pretty sure the byproducts of a meth lab are relatively harmless compared to common industrial chemicals, say, hydrofluoric acid or hydrogen cyanide.

At best, you could nab these guys for violating EPA regulations, but, of course, those regulations have no teeth in them, so they'd just get slapped with fines.

[Ike Witt]

Generally, I don't like the concept of mixing drugs in with terrorism, but meth may be deserving.

From this site (http://www.dhfs.state.wi.us/eh/ChemFS/fs/MethClnUp.htm) on meth lab clean up: What are the meth lab contaminants?

There are many different "recipes" for making meth, each using different ingredients. Many chemicals that are used in meth labs are also common in most homes. These common household chemicals include; isopropyl alcohol, ether, benzene, methylene chloride, trichloroethane, toluene, muriatic acid, sodium hydroxide, table salt, and ammonia. Common meth-related chemicals that are not often found in homes in large amounts include solvents, anhydrous ammonia, red phosphorous, iodine, and reactive metals.

I'm not sure exactly how dangerous these chemicals are, but with the drastic steps taken to clean up a meth production site, I'd just assume that they were not next door to me. Kind of like the way I don't want a suicide bomb belt manufacturer as a neighbour.

[Dissonance]

What brilliant logic. So when do we start arresting US Air Force pilots as terrorists?

Speed Kills (http://abcnews.go.com/sections/2020/DailyNews/2020_pilotpills021220.html)

Amphetamines, a prescription drug, are known on the street as uppers or speed. Yet, a 20/20 investigation has found, the amphetamines, the speed pills, are now standard issue to U.S. Air Force combat pilots, to help them stay awake on long combat sorties.

[Lucki Chaarms]

Now? I thought that modern amphetamines were either developed by or first came in to real use via airborne military missions during WWII. When you have a hardcore adrenaline rush (i.e. flak exploding, enemy fighters zipping around your bomber, etc.), you crash really hard after the excitement is over. Not good if you have to fly for many hours to get back to base once you've cleared the bombing target.

But pop some speed and you're good to go, baby.

LC

[Dissonance]

Well, the source I quoted is a 20/20 investigation; I'm sure the idea of amphetamine usage by the military was news to them.

It wasn't just pilots that used bennies in WWII, they were sometimes issued to soldiers as well.