How often do you see the kind of debate on drug policy like the clip featured here from the O'Reilly Factor? Sure the concept of O'Reilly's no spin zone is laughable, however at least he had someone who represented a Point-of-View that is rarely seen on television. It's interesting to note that aside from having on Bill Mahar as a guest to talk about politics, O'Reilly hasn't had on any reformers to discuss drug policy since this aired over two years ago.

While the Government and it's drug warriors are routinely put on TV without having anyone there from our side to counter their propoganda. The internet has been a phenominal tool for getting the message out to the public but having a debate on TV and radio is much harder so long as you have advertisers like the Beer and Pharmacutical industries that have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo when it comes to the drug war. This lack of fairness is a good reason for supporting Dennis Kucinich's effort to revise the Fairness Doctrine. But while the Fairness Doctrine is unlikely to be reinstated, something you can do is E-mail news directors when their station exhibits the usual lazy coverage of drug war press conferences where law enforcement claims another victory in the war on drugs without any critical analysis from the media.

Drug policy reformers need to make a concerted effort to get their message on TV and radio. It's a thankless job but it is still a crucial part of moving the discussion forward in the public consciousness. I got interested in drug policy after seeing members of the Drug Policy Foudation on C-SPAN over ten years ago. Since then I have produced two documentaries critical of the drug war which have aired on public television and written dozens of letters to the editor. So thanks Scott for posting this video. It's a great example of the kind of debate that needs to take place on the public airwaves.

Notice on the news ticker that the Terror Alert says "HIGH" for this particular story.

O'rielly actually says that there's no difference between drugs and alcohol and neither of them seemed to notice.Although he can be a real idiot,he at least let the guy talk.I've never seen him that restrained.Don't come near my house or my family was a nice touch,that was pure O'reilly.

Stephen Colbert is Bill O'Reilly on acid.

too bad he's so hard headed and unthinking. I guess he's paid off by the mafia that don't want drugs leagalized!

Bill O'Reilly is a well paid media whore, representing the viewpoint of certain established groups that have an interest in continuing the suppression of drug usage and personal freedom. His assertions are unfounded, and generally poorly reasoned.
He is also very rude to those that disagree with his positions. He begins the interview by saying that it is a debate, and that he does not wish to be "talked over". He then proceeds to interrupt and insult his guest with ad hominem and straw man attacks. It was once said that many people espouse a strong opinion that is well founded in ignorance. Mr.O'Reilly is not only a good example of the truth of this statement, he is a proponent as well. Unfortunately, he has a powerful forum that attempts the molding of American opinion and all too often succeeds in spreading his malicious propaganda. He is nothing more than a pompous windbag trumpeting the party line. Our country is in deep trouble; he is but a symptom of the rot.

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whats the point of this story without a link to the video?

where the heck is this supposed reason video site?

reason.tv and http://reason.tv/video/show/46.html

I'd like to ask Bill O'Reilly this question: if drugs are so bad, why do you have to resort to personal insults and constant interruptions to win your argument? There's only one answer: the other guy can't win if he can't get a word in edgewise!

/guess what, Bill? I'm high right now!

i think that the person since make his punition most have the facilitacion to enter in the society

DRA. RODRIGUEZ.
REPUBLICA DOMINICANA

i guess that a person after do a recapacitation in a jail where does´nt have family after so long time we most give him a oportunity to enter in society

MR RODRIGUEZ
DOMINICAN REPUBLICAN

Ok, this little snippet from O'Reilly is a little mindblowing:

"On the pinhead front, say hello to 74-year-old Willie Nelson, still smoking pot after all these years. Nelson is the cover boy for the latest edition of "High Times."

Last September, the singer pleaded guilty to marijuana possession, paid $1,000 fine. Mr. Nelson is obviously a pothead, and some might say, a pinhead, as well. Not me."

Do you think there might be hope, even for pinheads like O'Reilly?