| February 11, 2000 #136 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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A DrugSense publication | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Table of Contents
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FEATURE ARTICLE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
THE NEW YORKER SPEAKS OUT ON DRUG POLICY | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Hertzberg's piece wasn't just another plug for reform. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
For those who aren't regular readers of The New Yorker, "The Talk of
the Town, " is a weekly collection of editorial comments and essays
arranged in an unvarying format. "Talk" has preceded all other items in
the magazine's ultra traditional layout for several decades. The first
Talk item- entitled simply "Comment-" is invariably devoted to an
issue in the current news. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The February 7th "Comment," (1200 words) by Hendrik Hertzberg is
subtitled "Gore's Greatest Bong Hits." Although he begins with the
increasingly well-known Warnecke allegations that Al Gore smoked more
pot than previously admitted, Hertzberg shifts quickly to a much
broader commentary on the drug war itself, flatly calling it a
twenty-year "failure." He then describes that failure in lucid and
compelling prose, starting with ONDCP's own "Fact Sheet" and moving
effortlessly from falling street prices for heroin and cocaine to
rising enforcement budgets and prison rolls. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Hertzberg, who had earlier noted an extended lack of discussion of drug
policy at "the level of national government," then cites growing
dissatisfaction with the policy: medical cannabis initiatives have
passed in eight states and organized opposition is growing (Lindesmith
Center, Nadelmann, Soros, and harm reduction are mentioned); Gary
Johnson and Tom Campbell were cited as political opponents. Hertzberg
also notes that three of the four remaining viable presidential
candidates have admitted or "alluded" to illegal drug use in their own
past. He implies- hopefully- some "actual or potential" President will
use his position to initiate reform. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The essay ends with a quote from New Mexico's Gary Johnson who believes (drug prohibition) is like a Berlin Wall that is suddenly "just going to topple" when opposed by a critical mass of public opinion. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Although Hertzberg obviously agrees with Johnson or- at least- hopes
Johnson's prediction proves accurate, he can't quite bring himself to
say so. The good news about his essay is that it's so damning, and -for
a main stream publication- fearless in its recognition of drug policy
failures. Beyond that, Hertzberg also admits that until now, the drug
war hasn't received the extensive discussion and evaluation such a
failing and expensive policy should be receiving; either from the media
or from government. This is presumably due to fear of the "reigning
orthodoxy." What's left unsaid is that Hertzberg, the New Yorker, and
the media in general have been a large part of the problem; fear of
offending the "reigning orthodoxy" led them to avert their eyes, much
as good Germans in the Thirties refused to take the risk of opposing
Hitler. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
What can be implied from the sudden appearance of sharp criticism of
the drug war on the pages of a magazine which had studiously avoided
the issue for so long? Clearly Hertzberg, who is trying to read
political tea leaves, sees an incipient change in public attitude; one
of enough magnitude to encourage him to give voice to some long pent-up
dissatisfactions. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Happily, his editors and publisher went along. Let's hope that both he
and Gary Johnson are right; it was just four years ago that William F.
Buckley Jr. started this snowball down the hill with a similar- but
milder- editorial in another influential magazine. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
It's been a long time between drinks- if I might be permitted to mix metaphors- hopefully, Campaign 2000 will be the end of that drought. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Tom O'Connell, MD | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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WEEKLY NEWS IN REVIEW (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Domestic News- Policy | ||||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (1-2) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Wonder of wonders: a Senate Panel recognized the First Amendment threat implicit in ONDCP's ad-hoc broadening of the definition of "Public Service Announcement" to include script approval. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
McCaffrey's position is that ONDCP did nothing Congress hadn't said
was OK; but he promised to stop anyway. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
One wonders: do the Senators realize that McCzar dissembles as freely when testifying to them as when he lectures the media on drugs? | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) SENATORS PAN TV DRUG POLICY (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
WASHINGTON - Members of a Senate appropriations subcommittee vowed
Thursday to end the White House's policy of giving millions of dollars
in advertising credits to TV networks in return for placing anti-drug
messages in their programs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, R-Colo., chairman of a subcommittee that
oversees White House spending, said he was shocked to learn the Clinton
administration's drug policy office had freed the networks from
obligations to air millions of dollars worth of antidrug public service
announcements. The practice smacked of government censorship and gave a
financial windfall to the networks, which could resell the public
service time for commercials, Campbell complained. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(2) DRUG CZAR BACKS TV EFFORT (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The government and TV networks are not involved in secret collusion.
The Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign is a matter of public law and has
been conducted openly, including multiple congressional hearings,
extensive news coverage, public events with the president and a Website
(www.mediacampaign.org) accessed 446,596 times in 1999. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
We take seriously concerns about the campaign's pro-bono match
procedures. There can be no suggestion of federal interference in the
creative process. In the future we will review programs for pro-bono
match consideration only after they have aired. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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COMMENT: (3-4) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Two Washington Post items provided different takes on drug war failures: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Colbert King bemoaned DC's open air drug markets (excerpted in last
week's issue) apparently not understanding that the point of the
article had been the sheer futility of earlier "crack-downs." His
"solution" echoes McCzar: parents must preach better sermons. Michael
Massing seems pleased that an intelligent ex-warrior shares his
(partial) apostasy. Both should realize that the drug war fails
precisely because it creates a criminal monopoly. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(3) COLUMN: TEN-YEAR-OLDS ON DRUGS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
You've got to hand it to those pols down at One Judiciary Square, laughingly referred to as "leaders." They sure know how to make themselves look like unsupervised seventh-graders - the food fight over the school system's governance structure being the latest example. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
This week's Post story by Allan Lengel on the police department's
latest crusade against open-air drug markets offered a glimpse into the
damage that illegal drugs, and those who deal them, are inflicting on
the District's next generation. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
And what's being done about it? Virtually nothing. Irresponsible
parents who are letting the streets raise their children are allowed to
wriggle off the hook with alibis about being stressed out by the woes
of daily living or some such rot. ("Careful now, we don't want to
injure their self-esteem.") | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(4) A VETERAN OF THE DRUG WAR FIRES AT U.S. POLICY (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Having spent the last decade studying the war on drugs, I have come
across no military veteran of that conflict who publicly challenged it
- - until now. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Retired Lt. Cmdr. Sylvester L. Salcedo, who spent the best part of
three years working closely with law enforcement agencies doing
anti-drug work, believes it is time to share his disillusionment with
the policy he helped enforce. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Hoping to dramatize his concerns about U.S. drug policy, Salcedo plans
soon to drive from New York to Washington and leave his medal at the
White House, accompanied by a letter explaining his position. His
example, he hopes, will attract other military veterans frustrated by
their participation in what has become a wasteful, wounding and
ultimately futile war. I suspect there are many other such veterans out
there. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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COMMENT: (5-7) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
School drug testing is increasing; witness reports from Louisiana and
Maine. In Texas, the most extreme model of school testing to date
moved into a formal appeal stage; at least temporarily halting the
active punishment of an embattled sixth-grader. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(5) 3 SCHOOLS TO START HAIR DRUG TESTS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The West Bank's three Catholic high schools will begin testing all
their students for drugs next year. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Two of the schools, Archbishop Shaw and Immaculata high schools, said
the plan is contingent at least in part on getting money to pay for the
testing from Jefferson Parish District Attorney Paul Connick, but an
Archbishop Blenk official said the school will go forward with testing
by raising tuition, if necessary. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(6) SUMNER OFFICIALS CLARIFY SCHOOL POLICY ON DRUGS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
SULLIVAN - In an effort to clarify Sumner Memorial High School's
current drug and alcohol policy, school officials have taken a
fine-tooth comb to the policy's wording, trimming away statements they
believe could lead to confusion among teachers, parents, students and
law enforcement officials. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The policy now covers students involved in all extracurricular
activities, not just athletic teams. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Leighton stressed that the revised policy isn't an attempt to clamp down on the students, but rather an effort to prevent any future problems that may arise from the drug and alcohol policy. "We're not going to be police or principals 24 hours a day." Leighton said. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(7) BOY'S SUSPENSION OVER DRUG TEST CHALLENGED (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
LOCKNEY,Texas- A father launched an appeal Friday challenging the
suspension of his 12-year-old son for refusing to take a drug test
required of every student in the school district. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The Lockney district has decided to punish sixth-grader Brady
Tannahill, the only student to refuse the test, as if he had tested
positive. He faces a 21-day suspension from extra-curricular
activities, at least three days' suspension and substance abuse
counseling. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"That is basically the start-up of the appeal," Tannahill said. "That
will give Brady another 10 days in school just like nothing happened
and then we'll go to the school board." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Graham Boyd, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union's national drug policy project, said he is unaware of any other school district in the country that requires across-the-board testing. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Law Enforcement & Prisons | ||||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (8) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The Orange County Register once again demonstrated clear thinking and
fearless rhetoric on the uneven and zealous law enforcement that
characterizes our war on drugs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(8) EDITORIAL: CIVIL LIBERTIES AND JUSTICE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
In an election year in which no major-party candidate seems interested
in liberty and limited government as a major priority,it is all the
more crucial to maintain and explain the importance of civil
liberties,justice and respect by the government for the rights of
citizens. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Strikes, Prison Reform: California's "Three Strikes" law remains
the most punitive such law in America and continues to put people in
jail for long periods with little or no justification. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Medical Marijuana: Although California voters passed Prop. 215, allowing patients with recommendations from a doctor to possess, cultivate and use marijuana, implementation remains spotty. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Some police departments still ignore the new law, treating patients as
they would treat recreational users. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The Drug War: Other aspects of the war on drugs will demand attention. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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COMMENT: (9-11) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
On the all-too familiar subject of police misconduct, two scandals that have been generating items in this newsletter for months came through again this week; another- an old federal case with a familiar name- resurfaced with charges leveled against prosecutors. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(9) L.A. HANDED PRICE TAG FOR POLICE CORRUPTION (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
LOS ANGELES - The city may have to pay out as much as $125 million in
settlements to people framed or injured by police officers involved in
a growing corruption scandal, the City Council was advised in a private
session. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(10) RALLY BLASTS CITY'S NO-KNOCK RESPONSE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Feb. 6 - They named the stuffed figure on a stick "bad cop." The real
things were called much worse Saturday at a rally for the man killed by
police after they entered his home by mistake. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
More than 250 adults and children pumped signs, chanted and used
buckets as drums, demanding that city leaders stop the practice of
no-knock raids and hold police accountable for their words and
attitudes as well as their bullets. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(11) FED PAYOFF TO WITNESS CLAIMED IN DRUG CASE (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A receipt for a $1 million cashier's check paid to the star witness against drug kingpin Juan Garcia Abrego may bolster defense claims that U.S. prosecutors paid for false testimony to win a conviction. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The check was one of two purchased March 13, 1998, by FBI agent Peter
Hanna, according to documents subpoenaed from NationsBank (now Bank of
America) by attorneys for Garcia Abrego. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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COMMENT: (12-14) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Three articles from different states suggest how the ability of police
to share directly in drug profits might change motivation: will such
profit sharing opportunities replace more traditional incentives for
"good police work?" | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(12) POLICE GET $121,731 SHARE OF MONEY DISCOVERED IN SEMI (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
PLAINFIELD, Ind. (Feb. 3, 2000) -- The town of Plainfield got a sizeable return on an investment Wednesday when its Police Department received a check for $121,731 from the U.S. Department of Justice. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Both men denied knowing the money was there. Neither was charged with
drug trafficking, but McGee was charged in Putnam County with cocaine
possession, and Taylor was cited for speeding. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The 1994 Peterbilt rig was seized by State Police, and the cash was
confiscated and turned over to U.S. Customs and the Drug Enforcement
Administration. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(13) SEIZED FERRARI NETS CITY $115,885 IN AUCTION (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
HOLLAND -- Holland has traded in a fast car for some fast cash. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A cherry red 1996 Ferrari convertible brought the city $115,885 when
it was sold to the highest bidder -- a Detroit area man -- at an
auction in Grand Rapids on Friday. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The car was seized from a Grand Rapids area man when he was pulled
over two years ago by Holland police. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A police officer found cocaine in the car. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The man later agreed to forfeit the car as part of his sentencing. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(14) COUNCIL UNTROUBLED BY SHERIFF'S ACTIONS (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
It's an emerging scandal without much outrage, at least not from the
Prince George's County Council. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
News that the sheriff's office ignored county law and kept about $45,000 in cash from alleged drug dealers in a safe for seven years - even hiding the money from the council's Office of Audits and Investigations - has provoked scarcely a yawn from council members, who say they have no plans to review how the money was handled. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Cannabis & Hemp- | ||||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (15-16) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A relatively slow news week (a lull before the long-anticipated Placer County trial of Steve & Michele Kubby?) provides an opportunity to savor the implacable tone of law enforcement opposition to any suggestion that THC might not be the devil's own product. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(15) ILLINOIS LAWMAKERS WOULD LEGALIZE HEMP GROWING (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Some Illinois lawmakers see industrial hemp as a
key ingredient in Illinois' agricultural future. The problem is, the
U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency sees it as marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"There is no such thing as growing hemp. You are growing marijuana,"
said Terry Parham, acting chief of public affairs for the Drug
Enforcement Administration in Washington. "It's a misnomer. You are
talking about growing a controlled substance." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(16) OPED: MEDICAL MARIJUANA ONE STEP AWAY FROM DECRIMINALIZATION (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Recently, your columnist Doni Greenberg made reference to the
legalization of marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The medical marijuana movement and its media campaign has helped contribute to the changing attitude among our your that marijuana is harmless, therefore contributing to the increase of marijuana a use among our young people after 12 years of steady decline. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The overriding objective behind this movement is to allow a minority (less than 5 percent) of our society to get "stoned" with impunity. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Let's call medical marijuana what is really is, a backdoor way to
decriminalize marijuana. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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International News- | ||||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENT: (17) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
In Australia, where little change in street price followed a record heroin seizure in 1999, the same phenomenon is expected following a record cocaine seizure. Is there a message lurking here? | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(17) AUSTRALIA: COCAINE SEIZURE PRICE RISE 'BRIEF' (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The seizure of a record 500 kilograms of cocaine worth $120 million by
Australian Federal Police and Customs officers near Sydney on Tuesday
is significant, but will have only a short-term impact on the illicit
drug trade in Australia, Federal police believe. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
They say the seizure may lead to a small rise in the cost of a gram of
cocaine, but the black market price will fall back to its long-held
existing price of $200 a gram. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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COMMENT: (18) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Sadly, Canadian law enforcement- with their own new forfeiture laws-
are aping the sleazy tactics of American agencies. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(18) CN BC: REEFER MADNESS: THE WAR ON POT (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Delta is the latest Lower Mainland community to target marijuana
growing operations and the police department's drug squad has developed
a secret weapon -- a snitch line. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
And how do you spot a drug house? | ||||||||||||||||||||||
According to the pamphlet, unless your neighbours are particularly
amorous, heavy condensation on the windows is a good sign. Also look
for heavy traffic in and out at odd hours and windows boarded up (to
prevent the bright light from streaming out). | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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COMMENT: (19) (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
As usual, we end on a familiar sad note: the looming humanitarian
disaster in Colombia- all in the name of drug purity. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(19) U.S. ANTIDRUG PLAN TO AID COLOMBIA IS FACING HURDLES (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
By TIM GOLDEN | ||||||||||||||||||||||
WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 -- The Clinton administration's $1.3 billion plan to
help Colombia fight drug trafficking and leftist insurgents is facing
skepticism from military and law-enforcement officials concerned that
the United States could be dragged into a long and costly struggle that
may have ultimately little impact on the drug trade. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
[snip] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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HOT OFF THE 'NET (Top) Two Million Too Many Vigil page | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The incredible and growing list of organized vigils for the Two Million Too Many National Vigil Project to launch February 15, 2000 is outlined | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Use this page to find the vigil nearest you and please write letters
and notify local media contacts to insure this major event gets the
media coverage it deserves. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Hats off to Nora Callahan and the wide range of reform groups that are
coming together to make this event a success. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Hemppages.com Calender of Events | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Hemppages.com has recently updated site, including the famous Calendar
of Events for 2000! | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
DRUGSENSE VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Don Beck | ||||||||||||||||||||||
This month we recognize Don Beck. Don has been a member of the MAP news
editing/posting team since the summer of 1998. Don is also an active
member of the Drug Policy Forum of Texas | ||||||||||||||||||||||
We asked Don a few questions: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
DS: You have been involved in drug policy reform issues for a while.
When and why did you become involved? | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Don: I joined NORML in 1971 after I got out of the Army. I was for sure
the only member in Brewster County, TX. I'm still angry about the lies
and propaganda dating from Anslinger's days to right now propping up
the drug war insanity. Like millions of Baby Boomers I was thoroughly
disillusioned by all the government lying and dishonesty exposed in the
'60s and '70s. I wish I could claim to have been an activist all this
time, but the fact is I had my own illegal substance problems for
nearly 30 years, and did little worthwhile. I hope to make up some lost
ground and make a difference now. I think helping to end the War on
Drugs is a highly patriotic calling, and a great way to give back to my
family and society. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
DS: How did you get into working with MAP? | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Don: In summer '98 I had reentered college at the ripe old age of 50 to
study computers. In doing research for an English class paper I
discovered the MAP archive. I thought, "This is the greatest thing
since sliced bread, making facts and truth widely available." MAP's
value was immediately apparent, a way to show folks the big picture by
showing all its smaller parts. Soon afterward I got in touch with
Senior Editor Richard Lake and started learning how to newshawk, edit
and post. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
DS: What do you consider the most significant story/issue of the past
months? | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Don: If I were one of the many Colombians about to be sacrificed on the
drug war altar, I'd of course say the military aid to Colombia story is
most important. As an Internet-using critic of US drug policy, I have to
say the Hatch-Feinstein "Anti-Meth" censorship bill in Congress is the
biggest thing going. We are making them very uncomfortable and they're
going to do their damnedest to shut us up. It's even more hypocritical and
far-reaching than the Pentagon Papers episode. Down here in Texas right now
there is a hot issue around school drug testing that the Drug Policy Forum
of Texas and the ACLU are involved in, and of course there are the many,
many stories around the country of unnecessary police killings and police
corruption. I have to say, though, that the story of which I am proudest is
McCaffrey's naming and lying about MAP in Congressional testimony last
year. When McCzar starts lying about you, it shows you're on the same track
as Dutch drug policies-toward success! | ||||||||||||||||||||||
DS: What are your favorite websites, besides the MAP/DrugSense sites? | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Don: Nobody, in my opinion, does better critical analysis of media/drugwar issues than Richard Cowan at http://www.marijuananews.com/ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Also, I find great stuff at: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
DS: Is there anything else you would like to tell the readers of the
weekly? | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Don: I'd encourage everyone to heed Mark Greer's call to write at least
one letter a week to newspapers and otherwise increase your activist
involvement. We KNOW we have changed the viewpoints of journalists and
editorial writers and even -horrors!- some politicians around the
country by these efforts. You can make a difference! | ||||||||||||||||||||||
DS: Thank you, Don, for all that you are doing! Don Beck's name will be added to the list of honored volunteers on the following web page within the next few days: http://www.drugsense.org/dswvol.htm | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK (Top) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
"By 'liberty,' as thus used [in the 14th Amendment], is meant something
more than freedom from physical restraint or imprisonment. It means
freedom not merely to go wherever one may choose, but to do such acts
as he may judge best for his interest not inconsistent with the equal
rights of others; that is, to follow such pursuits as may be best
adapted to his faculties, and which will give him the highest
enjoyment." -- Stephen J. Field | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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