Hi, I want to start a little discussion about Ross Ulbricht, the SilkRoad and the war on drugs in general. For this I write a short summary about Ross Ulbricht, the SilkRoad and the case Ross Ulbricht, so you know what I am talking about, if you never heard of this. Then I write my opinion and some discussion points.
What’s more to say? English isn't my first language, so sorry if there is something unclear or if there are some mistakes. I tried my best.
Ross W. Ulbricht
Ross William Ulbricht, also known as Dread Pirate Roberts (DPR), was born on March 27th 1984 in Austin, Texas. He had a good childhood, was a scout and a typical American teenager. Ross has an above-average IQ, in high school he always was best in class in physics and graduated 2009 his master in crystallography with good chances on the doctorate.
In his free time he deals with American politics and its freedom ideals. But politics were more than only a hobby. He is displacing himself deeper and deeper in his radical ideas, leaves the University and dedicated to his political interests. The theories of a radical idealism from the Austrian Ludwig von Mieses, which continue to be popular in the US, have a big impact on Ross. With 24 years he develops to an ultra-liberal, who pursues his cause idealistically and passionately.
For ultra-liberals/libertarians the state cuts the freedom of an individual too much. They see the state as enemy. Ross wanted a world in which the government is paralyzed and don’t order what you can buy and don’t buy. He wants to bypass the government’s regulation, because the government want to controll you.
Ross didn’t know, what he want to do later, only that it would be something big and world changing. He tried diverse works, amongst other things he wrote a Website for an online bookstore for a friend, but the store didn’t do well. He played with the thought to use existing techniques like the tor-network and the Bitcoin payment system to build an anonym online market where you can get everything you want. So he put the SilkRoad on January 2011 online.
SilkRoad
The name SilkRoad refers to the historical trade rout. It is more than only a website for drug traffic and other illegal goods. On the SilkRoad you could buy everything you want. But there was a rule: It is forbidden to sell things that harm other or were procured by harm (e.g. stolen things), counterfeit money, fake coupons, hitman’s and child pornography.
SilkRoad is not about dealers or revolts, it's about the right of people to stand up and not submit, if you have not done anything wrong.
In order to boost the business, Ross started to grow Magic Mushrooms and sell them on SilkRoad. A report on Gawker causes an increase of the number of users; the site is visited 1 million times a day. SilkRoad works because users trust Dread Pirate Roberts. In 2 years it achieved sales of about 180 million US dollars. Statistics show that SilkRoad has greatly reduced the violence of drug trafficking.
The case Ross Ulbricht
On September 2013 began the around the clock monitoring of Ross Ulbricht. Beginning October 2013 he was arrested with 29 years in a public library in San Francisco because of drug trafficking, hacking and identity theft and money laundering. On the seized pc were about 144.000 BTC which at that time had a value of about 14 million euros.
The trial took place in federal court in New York and lasted for a period of three weeks. He was indicted on 7 counts, for which he was given a prison sentence of twice life sentence, plus 40 years without parole, as the judge wanted to set an example for him. However, this has brought nothing, today there are many more such sites.
The whole case was not fair. It is controversial how the FBI came to the servers in Germany and Iceland, there were corrupt FBI agents and much exculpatory evidence was not allowed in court. In addition, the five alleged assassinations were brought to justice, but which were not in the charges. They were only brought to influence the jury. The assassinations were never executed and 2 were fictitious names. It is not clear who has applied the assassinations. Many rumors that the SilkRoad had several administrators and one of them has applied and others say the FBI is behind it.
My opinion
For me, Ross Ulbricht is a hero; he had an idea that helps people and has implemented it, even though he knew it was forbidden. He is a great talent, which is a pity that it can’t be used. In my opinion, he has done the right thing.
In an interview with his best friend René Pinnell, René asked what Ross had wanted to do in 20 years and he said that until then he wanted to create something big that changed the world and I think he did.
The SilkRoad is a great tool that should be promoted rather than be banned. It has been proven that the SilkRoad has greatly reduced the number of violent crimes, you get little dirty to clean stuff, and you do not get withdrawn because there is an escrow whose idea is e.g. only through the SilkRoad came about.
For the assassinations, I do not think he has commissioned them. That would contradict the basic principles of SilkRoad. He wanted a peaceful trading place that does not harm or harm anyone. I do not know Ross personally, but I think he's a quiet person, he would never do that. Why should he?
In my opinion, the trial was unfair and only shows again how bad the legal system works and how many "rights" you really have. Some cases were brought to court that had nothing to do with the case, just to influence the jury. Many exonerating evidence were not admitted. Why? If it is relieving for someone, is there not a right to be allowed to do so in court?
The war on drugs is meaningless and is only conducted so that the police get more money for investigations. Who wants to consume, consumed - whether prohibited or not. Everyone has the right to do what he wants with his body and life. Nobody is allowed to ban consumption unless you harm others.
If drugs were legal, alternatives such as Crocodile or Cloud9 are not sought, which are even more harmful and can cause harm to others. It would be pure stuff, reducing damage as well as the chance of an overdose as you know how much is in it. In addition, the state would have a new source of revenue for taxes.
When I was a kid, I lived next to a dealer. Except for dealing and listen to loud music, he did not do anything. The police often came in these 12 years, but she did not do anything except record everything. Why are taxes so wasted? I bet the police is still being called to this place today and can’t do anything. Why not just legalize the whole thing and let the police take care of more important things where they really are needed?
Some input for the discussion
- What do you think about Ross Ulbricht, the SilkRoad and the war on drugs in general?
- Do you think the trial was fair?
- What do you think about the assassinations?
- Should Ross be free?
- Should drugs be legalized? When yes, all or certain?
useful links
If you haven’t done yet, sign the petition, to help Ross.
If you want to know more about Ross, go to FreeRoss
Two good documentaries (but they are in German):
Here the interview between Ross Ulbricht and René Pinnell