Pubdate: Fri, 21 Sep 2007 Source: DrugSense Weekly (DSW) Section: Feature Article Website: http://www.drugsense.org Author: Stephen Young Note: Stephen Young is an editor with DrugSense Weekly. POLITICAL ELITES ARE REVOLTING ON THE DRUG WAR The title above can be read two ways, depending on the meaning assigned to the word "revolting." Up until recently, if I saw such a phrase, I would think of revolting in the sense of disgusting or repulsive. Most politicians above the local level have supported the drug war without reservation for decades. There have been notable exceptions, like New Mexico's former governor Gary Johnson, but he only spoke out after he decided he wasn't going to run for office again. However, there may be cause to interpret the word "revolting" differently, as in the sense of refusing to accept something. Earlier this week, Florida's Republican Governor Charlie Crist offered a complete and surprising pardon for pain victim Richard Paey, who had been imprisoned on a drug conviction for more than three years. Crist declined to criticize the whole drug war, but he did recognize that in this case it was pushed to absurd proportions. To many it would appear to be common sense, but measured by drug war standards, this is a big step. Even extreme cases like this are routinely winked at by elected officials afraid of appearing soft on drugs. Crist wasn't the only one to express some shock. Even former hard core drug warrior congressman, now the Florida's attorney general, Bill McCollum expressed his dismay. Maybe if Crist and McCollum took a close look at other drug cases they might be even more disturbed. But, these guys are Republicans, they allowed themselves some justified apprehension over one drug war excess, and they used their power to correct it. My hat is off to them. As the season of U.S. presidential politics is already well underway, it's hard not to notice some other dissension from drug war orthodoxy. Outsiders in the race from both sides of the mainstream parties (Republican Ron Paul and Democrat Dennis Kucinich) have criticized multiple aspects of the drug war and have sponsored and/or signed on to legislation that challenges some drug war policies. All of the Democratic candidates have now somewhat famously agreed if elected to stop federal raids on medical marijuana clinics in places where they are allowed by state law. Current New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson is pushing to implement his state's medical marijuana program, even as he runs for president. Sadly, there's still more prohibitionist rhetoric flowing in the campaign - John McCain has said the drug war should be stepped up, and I'm awaiting new anti-drug pronouncements by the law and order wing of the Republicans with a cringe. But, politicians say lots of things while they are campaigning. Candidate George W. Bush said medical marijuana issues should be left to the states. So listen to the talk with a grain of salt, but pay attention to the actions. The occasional good deed can slightly reduce the nausea inspired by typical drug war politics, while demonstrating the perceived need for ideological purity on drug issues may be going out of political fashion. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake