Pubdate: Sun, 21 Feb 2010
Source: Herald, The (Everett, WA)
Copyright: 2010 The Daily Herald Co.
Contact:  http://www.heraldnet.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/190
Author: David Sirota
Note: David Sirota is a syndicated columnist based in Denver.
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?253 (Cannabis - Medicinal - U.S.)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/DEA

ROGUES GONE WILD

I am in control here in the White House." -- Secretary of State 
Alexander Haig, 1981

Ah, the good old days when even a big shot like Gen. Al Haig could 
get in trouble for such mavericky declarations that defy basic 
constitutional precedents.

In the 21st century, that's ancient history. We've so idealized 
cowboy-style rebellion in matters of war and law enforcement that 
"going Haig" is today honored as "going rogue." Defiance, 
irreverence, contempt -- these are the moment's most venerated 
postures, no matter how destructive or lawless.

The Bush administration's illegal wiretapping and torture sessions 
were the most obvious examples of the rogue sensibility on steroids. 
But then came McCain-Palin, a presidential ticket predicated almost 
singularly on the rogue brand. And now, even in the Obama era, that 
brand pervades.

It began re-emerging in September with Gen. Stanley McChrystal's 
Afghan escalation plan. McChrystal didn't just ask President Obama 
for more troops -- protocol-wise, that would have been completely 
appropriate. No, McChrystal went rogue, pre-emptively leaking his 
request to the media, then delivering a public address telling Obama 
to immediately follow his orders.

Incredibly, few politicians or pundits raised objections to 
McChrystal's behavior. Worse, rather than firing McChrystal, Obama 
meekly agreed to his demands, letting Americans know that when it 
comes to foreign policy, the rogue general -- not the popularly 
elected president -- is in control in the White House.

Of course, while McChrystal's insubordination was 
extra-constitutional in spirit, he at least made the effort to obtain 
the commander-in-chief's rubber-stamp approval. The same cannot be 
said for the rogues inside Obama's Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).

Recall that one year ago, Obama instructed the DEA to follow his 
campaign pledge and respect local statutes legalizing medicinal 
marijuana. When the DEA kept raiding pot dispensaries in states that 
had passed such laws, Attorney General Eric Holder reiterated the 
cease and desist decree, stating that "What (Obama) said during the 
campaign is now American policy."

As even more raids nonetheless continued, the Justice Department then 
issued an explicit memo ordering federal agents to refrain from 
prosecuting those who are in "compliance with existing state laws 
providing for the medical use of marijuana."

And yet the DEA has recently intensified its crackdown. Here in 
Colorado -- where voters enshrined medical marijuana's legality in 
our state constitution -- the feds not only raided two dispensaries, 
but did so in a way that deliberately humiliated their superiors.

In January, the DEA stormed a company that performs cannabis quality 
tests. The firm's alleged infraction? Following protocol and formally 
applying for a federal equipment license. DEA rogues responded to the 
request not with thanks or -- heaven forbid -- approval, but instead 
with the gestapo.

This was topped last week when DEA agents arrested a medical 
marijuana grower who dared discuss his business with a local news 
outlet. Sensing a PR opportunity, DEA agent Jeffrey Sweetin used the 
spectacle to insist that he will not listen to stand-down directives 
from his bosses.

The time is coming when we go into a dispensary, we find out what 
their profit is, we seize the building and we arrest everybody," 
Sweetin menacingly intoned.

Once again, a rogue going wild and once again, tacit acceptance. 
Rather than personnel changes reining in the out-of-control agency, 
the president has nominated the acting Bush-appointed DEA 
administrator, Michele Leonhart, to a full term.

The message, then, should be clear: If you're looking for who is "in 
control" of our military and police forces, don't look to the 
established chain of command and don't look to constitutional 
provisions that mandate civilian authority over the government 
bayonet. Look to the most reckless rogues -- it's a good bet they're 
the ones running the show. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake