A couple of weeks ago we reported a story about the fatwa issued by Attorney General Eric Holder to the creators of The Wire, Ed Burns and David Simon. During a summit on childhood drug abuse at the Department of Justice, Holder demanded that Simon and Burns get to work on a new season of the seminal HBO show. Or at least do a movie or something. Well, David Simon has finally responded in a fashion that can best be described as, well, Simon-esque.
"The Attorney-General's kind remarks are noted and appreciated," he wrote in an email to the British paper, The Times of London. "I've spoken to Ed Burns and we are prepared to go to work on season six of The Wire if the Department of Justice is equally ready to reconsider and address its continuing prosecution of our misguided, destructive and dehumanising drug prohibition."
He went on to call the United States' drug policy "nothing more or less than a war on our underclass." "[It is] succeeding only in transforming our democracy into the jailingest nation on the planet," he continued.
Look, I love David Simon and I agree with his stance on our government's war on drugs nearly one-hundred percent (for an in depth look at Simon's views on drug policy, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of The Corner. The mini-series is great, the book is better). However, it's hard not to roll your eyes a bit when he takes every opportunity presented him to hop up on his soap box. But hey, you gotta give it to the guy: he's got a message and he's sticking to it. And if you ask me, repealing our draconian drug laws in exchange for another season of The Wire sounds like a hell of a deal. Ball's in your court now, Holder.
Great follow up Lucas, love this story !