The San Francisco mayor lashed out at the war on drugs last week.

In a ten-minute tirade about the drug war’s failure, Newsom told reporters that most politicians - including those in his own party - just don’t have the guts to admit the obvious.

“It’s laughable that anyone could look at themselves with a straight face and say ‘oh,we’re really succeeding.’ I mean it’s comedy. And as I say, shame on my party, the democratic party, because they don’t have the courage of their private thoughts, because we don’t want to appear weak on this topic,” Newsom said.

His critics were predictable:

But Gary Delagnes, who heads the San Francisco Police Officers Association, said ending the war on drugs wouldn’t bring an end to crime.

“I don’t think that you give in to a problem by just acquiesing. I think that there does have to be control and I don’t think legalizing drugs is the answer,” he said.

Delagnes pointed to three murders occuring in San Francisco on Wednesday alone, which means the city has already surpassed last year’s homicide total.

“When we see the homicides in San Francisco, I mean this all centers around drugs,” Delagnes continued. “This is gangs and drug violence, this is money. It’s all about money all the time.”

I wonder, when was the last time someone in San Francisco was murdered over a Michelob deal gone wrong?

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