Pubdate: Fri, 16 Aug 2013
Source: USA Today (US)
Copyright: 2013 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc
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Website: http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/index.htm
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Author: William Choslovsky

ON DRUG CRIME, IS HOLDER MAKING POSITIVE CHANGE OR TURNING BLIND EYE?

Much like a rogue sheriff who turns a blind eye on criminals, 
Attorney General Eric Holder - the highest law enforcement officer in 
the country - is violating his oath.

He has become so lax on the enforcement of drug laws - first with the 
national marijuana laws and now with mandatory minimum sentences - 
that he is essentially ignoring federal law.

Before continuing, let me be clear. I am neither pro pot nor anti 
pot. I'm also not for or against mandatory minimum sentences. These 
policy matters are above my pay grade.

And frankly they are, or should be, above Holder's as well. His job 
is to uphold the law, not to make the law. This is not a screed 
against Democrats. Our nation's drug laws may be terrible, but if 
they are, we have a simple fix: Amend the law. Or better yet, repeal 
the bad laws, which Congress has the power to do. Until then, 
Holder's job is to enforce existing laws, something our president, a 
constitutional scholar, knows better than anyone.

William Choslovsky

Chicago
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