Stories from the week of November 6, 2009

Howard on the Hill

Stories from the week of November 6, 2009

The ostrich from Iowa:  5 term senator from Iowa – Republica Chuck Grassley this week offered the following amendment to the Webb Commission Bill (a comprehensive review of all criminal justice laws and procedures):

‘RESTRICTIONS ON AUTHORITY.
The Commission shall have no authority to make findings related to current Federal, State, and local criminal justice policies and practices or reform recommendations that involve, support, or otherwise discuss the decriminalization of any offense under the Controlled Substances Act or the legalization of any controlled substance listed under the Controlled Substances Act.’

In other words let the Commission do everything except discuss the primary reason (drug prohibition) for 70% of felony crime in America. Here you see the power of the lobbyists for law enforcement.  As I said, now it gets ugly…. And despicable.

NOTE: by asking legislative aides who are friendly, they have confirmed that the police lobby blocks any movement away from prohibition…more than any other pressure group.

Box of chocolates:     I love my job for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is not knowing what will happen when I sit down with a legislative aide.  (like making a traffic stop as a cop & never knowing how the citizen will act/react).  This week I was finishing my 10 months of work in the House, dropping off 5 minutes of reading to those aides who refused to meet. 

I was happily surprised when one aide asked me to come back in 10 minutes, in order to have a full presentation.  Wow!  We ended up chatting for one hour, during which we were joined by another staffer.  This office wants to take the lead in sponsoring a decriminalization program like Portugal and Mexico.  I have supplied her with the list of friendly offices.

Previously, this aide had canceled a scheduled appointment and then did not respond to a phone call and two emails.  She was busy but then made time.  Like a box of chocoloates, you never know what you are going to get.

Consider being a member of COP at $30.00 per year.  Add your voice to those who agree that Modern Prohibition/War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery & Jim Crow.