Drug warriors cracking down on free-speech too.

[Zebo]

Representative Ernest Istook (R-Okla.) has discovered a mortal threat to the republic. The threat is a display ad placed by a pro-drug legalization group, Change the Climate, Inc., on Washington D.C.'s bus and subway system. The ad showed a young couple, with the caption: "Enjoy Better Sex! Legalize and Tax Marijuana."

And to deal with this outrage, Istook has introduced a measure to financially penalize Washington's Metro transit authority for running the ad. Moreover, Istook's bill would prohibit any transit system that receives federal funds from running advertising from a group that advocates decriminalizing or legalizing marijuana.

This is hardly the first time that the blackjack of withholding federal funds has been used to coerce recipients into embracing pet policies of politicians, but it has to be one of the more odious. Istook's bill shows utter contempt for the First Amendment, and indeed for the entire concept of political debate.

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[stormbv]

We aren't Free.

 

[tk149]

Fixed Link

 

[tk149]

1. Whoever wrote (and edited) that article needs to learn proper grammar.

2. Representative Ernest Istook (R-Okla.) is an a$$.

3.

authorities in Maryland prosecuted an individual for publicly divulging the identity of two undercover narcotics officers. Attempting to prohibit such disclosures by charging the defendant with "obstructing and hindering a police officer," Maryland officials endeavored to give undercover narcotics officers the same protection that Congress afforded to the CIA and other intelligence agents to wage the Cold War and the subsequent war on terror.

Although the Maryland Court of special appeals eventually overturned the conviction on the grounds that it violated the defendant's state and federal constitutional rights to freedom of speech, several aspects of the case remain troubling. First, the fact that Maryland authorities sought to impose such censorship in the first place; second, that the defendant was convicted in a trial court; and third, that the Court of Appeals overturning the conviction on a divided vote. It is hardly reassuring that a minority of the justices were willing to allow such a violation of the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of speech to pass muster.

Here the author proves that he's an a$$. Endangering undercover police officers apparently is okay with him.

4.

Ted Galen Carpenter is vice president for defense and foreign policy studies at the Cato Institute and is the author or editor of 15 books, including "Bad Neighbor Policy: Washington's Futile War on Drugs in Latin America."

I hope his editor is competent.

 

[leeboy]

When oh when will they just legalize the stuff. Really, I am being serious. 5,10, 20 more years??? I think it will happen eventually after all the old senators have died off and the only people left in the house, senate, and white house are hippies from the 70's.