Pubdate: Mon, 4 Aug 2008
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2008 The Denver Post Corp
Contact:  http://www.denverpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122
Author: Mason Tvert
Note: Mason Tvert is the executive director of Safer Alternative For 
Enjoyable Recreation (SAFER), the organization behind the successful 
2005 marijuana initiative in Denver.
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Marijuana)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Mason+Tvert

DNC NOT GREEN ENOUGH FOR DENVER

Organizers of this year's Democratic National Convention have talked 
a lot about making it the "greenest" political convention ever.

Yet one particularly popular green substance has been conspicuously 
absent from their plans and the public discussion: marijuana.

After all, the convention is being hosted in Denver, a city known not 
only for its commitment to sustainability, but also for being the 
first municipality in the nation to make possession and private use 
of marijuana legal for adults. A solid majority of voters approved a 
ballot initiative doing so in 2005.

Denver is not the only Democratic stronghold where people have called 
for change. And a 2006 Zogby poll found that a majority of citizens 
living on the coasts think the drug should be regulated like alcohol.

Some Democratic leaders, therefore, have taken it upon themselves to 
proactively stand up for their constituents and the rest of the 
country. Most elected officials, however, tend to cower in fear when 
it comes to taking any action that might involve the slightest amount 
of political risk. Perhaps this is the reason Rep. Diana DeGette of 
Denver has ignored her district's calls for change and has remained 
deftly silent on the issue.

Yet while Democratic officials are still out to lunch on marijuana, 
they do not seem to have any problem with having a few drinks while 
they're at it. In fact, they appear to be quite comfortable allowing, 
using and even promoting alcohol, despite the growing mountain of 
evidence that shows it is more harmful than marijuana.

Taking this inconsistency to the extreme, we are confronted by the 
almost comical hypocrisy of a political convention that is literally 
running on beer. The DNC has gladly accepted corporate sponsorships 
from Molson Coors and Anheuser-Busch.

Moreover, when it comes to alcohol consumption, convention-goers will 
not be the only ones guzzling beer; so will many of their cars, as 
organizers recently announced that a number of vehicles will be using 
beer sludge as fuel.

Of course, the political hypocrisy on alcohol and marijuana extends 
far beyond the party's national conventions. Alcohol interest groups 
like the National Beer Wholesalers Association have emerged as some 
of the top contributors to congressional members these days. In fact, 
the NBWA has already doled out more than $1 million to federal 
Democratic candidates this year, including at least $2,500 to every 
Democratic member of Colorado's congressional delegation. Nationwide, 
the beer, wine and liquor industry has contributed a whopping $3 
million to Democrats in Congress during the 2008 cycle.

It is certainly not surprising that the alcohol industry is coughing 
up so much dough to our nation's decision-makers. For one thing, they 
want to protect their turf. But it was also not very long ago that 
their products were just as illegal as marijuana is today.

As Democrats arrive in Denver later this month, they might want to 
reflect on the history of drug prohibition in this country and the 
rise to power of one of their party's greatest leaders.

Upon his nomination for president at the 1932 DNC in Chicago, a city 
marred by and largely opposed to Prohibition, Franklin D. Roosevelt 
used his acceptance speech to boldly and unambiguously call for the 
legalization and regulation of alcohol.

Word of the Democratic candidate's position spread quickly around the 
country and resonated amongst the millions who enjoyed using alcohol 
or simply did not think it warranted criminal penalties. It was these 
voters, known as the "wets," who many historians credit with carrying 
Roosevelt to victory that November.

Once again, 76 years later, a bold presidential candidate will take 
the DNC stage to accept the Democratic Party's nomination. Perhaps he 
should take a cue from history and the theme of this year's 
convention and make an appeal to the "greens."
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake