• Latest

Max’s Views: Freeway: Crack in the System **1/2

June 27, 2018

News From The Forty & Eight (40&8) Voiture 646

January 31, 2023
The Winter Renaissance Faire is Back for Its 6th Year

The Winter Renaissance Faire is Back for Its 6th Year

January 31, 2023

Investment in Women is Needed to Grow Workforce for Infrastructure Projects

January 31, 2023

Cancer-Fighting Advocates Call on Gov. Scott to Protect VT Kids; Increase Tobacco Control Program Funding

January 31, 2023
African Queen (1951)

Notorious (1946)

January 31, 2023

RAD Denounces Threats to Organizing for Safe and Inclusive Schools

January 24, 2023
African Queen (1951)

The Heiress

January 24, 2023

Meet Your Chamber

January 24, 2023
Just Some Thoughts

The Purpose of Pendulums

January 24, 2023
Capital City Concerts offers a Free Family Concert on Saturday, January 28 in Montpelier

Capital City Concerts offers a Free Family Concert on Saturday, January 28 in Montpelier

January 17, 2023

VSAC’s College & Career Pathways Events Offer Workshops on Campuses Across Vermont

January 17, 2023

National Endowment for the Arts Announces Grants to Support the Arts in Vermont

January 17, 2023
  • Home
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
Monday, February 6, 2023
The World Online
  • Home
  • News & Features
    • Local News
    • Letters & opinions
    • George Shuman
    • Max’s View
    • Local Sports & Outdoors
    • Births
    • Weddings & Engagements
  • Calendar
    • Art Exhibits
    • Calendar of Events
    • Ongoing Events
  • Obituaries
  • Submit
    • Submit Calendar Listing for Non-Profit Events
    • Submit An Article To The World
    • Submit Letter To The Editor
    • Submit Sports News/Photo
    • Submit Birth Announcement
    • Submit Engagement Announcement
    • Submit Wedding Announcement
  • Advertising
    • World Rates and Ad Sizes
    • World Distribution Map
    • World Deadlines
    • Audit and Reader Surveys
    • Advertising Inquiry
  • Classifieds
    • Place Classified Ads
    • View Current Classifieds
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News & Features
    • Local News
    • Letters & opinions
    • George Shuman
    • Max’s View
    • Local Sports & Outdoors
    • Births
    • Weddings & Engagements
  • Calendar
    • Art Exhibits
    • Calendar of Events
    • Ongoing Events
  • Obituaries
  • Submit
    • Submit Calendar Listing for Non-Profit Events
    • Submit An Article To The World
    • Submit Letter To The Editor
    • Submit Sports News/Photo
    • Submit Birth Announcement
    • Submit Engagement Announcement
    • Submit Wedding Announcement
  • Advertising
    • World Rates and Ad Sizes
    • World Distribution Map
    • World Deadlines
    • Audit and Reader Surveys
    • Advertising Inquiry
  • Classifieds
    • Place Classified Ads
    • View Current Classifieds
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
The World Online
No Result
View All Result

Max’s Views: Freeway: Crack in the System **1/2

vt-world by vt-world
June 27, 2018
in Max's View
0

There is an Urban Legend that claims that the crack epidemic of the 1980s was intentionally created by our government.

According to the conspiracy theory: the CIA invented crack, illegally smuggled it into inner cities, and successfully destroyed black communities.

At first glance, the theory seems paranoid and preposterous.

When San Jose Mercury News reporter Gary Webb published a 1996 exposé blaming the government for the crack epidemic, the CIA laughed at him and denied everything. Webb was fired for his controversial accusations and ultimately committed suicide.

 The documentary “Freeway: Crack in the System” attempts to redeem Gary Webb by proving that the CIA/crack connection is real. The film has an amazing source to rely on: Freeway Rick Ross.

In 1980, Rick Ross was just another poor teenager in South Central Los Angeles dreaming of becoming rich. When he sold his first baggie of cocaine, Rick Ross knew he had found his calling.

This was just about the time people began cooking cocaine into crack. This process made getting high more affordable for the addict on a budget.

Rick Ross was the first dealer to begin cooking crack rocks himself so that the product he was selling was more portable and efficient for his customers. Soon he was the king of crack in Los Angeles and a multi-millionaire.

Presumably, Ross’s crew of drug dealers killed people, tore families apart, and ruined lives. But you don’t hear much about that in this stubbornly pro-Rick Ross movie.

Freeway Rick Ross even caught the attention of international drug trafficker Danilo Blandon. With his Latin American connections, Blandon had the ability to smuggle tons of cocaine into California. But Blandon decided that he couldn’t sell it nearly as well as young Mr. Ross. Blandon gave Ross a steady supply of cheap coke and a powerful cache of weapons.

How was Danilo Blandon able to do all this? And where is Nicaragua? Freeway Rick Ross admits that he never asked those questions.

But “Freeway” documentarian Marc Levin did.

Danilo Blandon was the son of one of Nicaragua’s most prominent families. After the Sandinista revolution, Blandon fled to America and committed to the cause of illegally raising money for the Contra rebels. Conveniently for Blandon, the Reagan Administration and the CIA had the same goal.

What were the surest ways to the make a quick buck in the 1980s? Produce an Eddie Murphy comedy, learn to play the Keytar, or sell cocaine. The CIA and Blandon chose the latter.

When Marc Levin is weaving the story of the crack epidemic, “Freeway” is terrific and spellbinding. Too much of the film, however, is spent trying to get us to care about Freeway Rick Ross today.

Now Freeway is just a humorless old man. His attempt to sue the rapper Rick Ross for stealing his name makes the retired drug dealer seem pathetic and petty.

The best way to enjoy “Freeway: Crack in the System” is to fast forward through all the parts about present day Freeway Rick Ross. The 80s history lesson is the part that’s worth watching.

Levin confidently addresses the truth behind the Urban Legend about the government and crack in the inner city.

No, the government didn’t invent crack. Yes, the CIA worked with Central American drug lords to smuggle cocaine into the United States to raise money for the Contras.

And, no, the feds did not target black communities to sell their drugs. Freeway Rick Ross did that. Strange that this movie works so hard to get us to like this jerk.

Previous Post

Thank You to Community Businesses

Next Post

Short and Simple Summer Stories

Next Post

Short and Simple Summer Stories

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This Week’s Ads

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
The World
403 US Route 302
Barre, VT 05641
Phone: (802) 479-2582

Copyright © 2019 The World Online. All Rights Reserved. Powered by CoolerAds.

No Result
View All Result
  • Art Exhibits
  • Audit and Reader Surveys
  • Births
  • Calendar
  • Contact Us
  • Daily Horoscope
  • Fall Guide
  • Food & Recipe
  • Home
  • Obituaries
  • Ongoing Events
  • Pay Your Bill Here
  • Senior Living Edition
  • Showtimes
  • Submit Birth Announcement
  • Submit Calendar Listing for Non-Profit Events
  • Submit Engagement Announcement
  • Submit Listing to our Local Directory
  • Submit Sports News/Photo
  • Submit Wedding Announcement
  • Testimonials
  • The World Coupons
  • Weather Forecast
  • World Deadlines
  • World Distribution Map
  • World Rate Card
  • World Rates and Ad Sizes
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
  • About Us
  • Vermont Lottery
  • Advertising Information
  • The World Staff
  • Advertising Inquiry
  • Submit Letter To The Editor
  • Local Directory
  • Poll Results
  • Local Deals
  • Classifieds
  • Submit An Article To The World
  • Events
  • The World – This Week’s Online Digital Edition
  • The World Auto & Sports

Copyright © 2019 The World Online. All Rights Reserved. Powered by CoolerAds.

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In