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We're going to blame the Times of London pay wall for the fact we're just now seeing The Wire creator David Simon's emailed response to the paper following attorney general Eric Holder's light-hearted plea for another season of The Wire at a drug policy event in Washington last Tuesday. "I want to speak directly to [Co-creator Ed] Burns and Mr. Simon: Do another season of The Wire," Holder said, adding, "I have a lot of power Mr. Burns and Mr. Simon."

Late last week, Simon replied with a counteroffer:

The Attorney-General's kind remarks are noted and appreciated. 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.

The exchange has at least clarified one thing: the chances of another season of The Wire are now exactly the same as America having a rational dialogue about drug law reform.

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