Latest

PLEASE NOTE: We have restyled our website. The new, CMS format 4:20 DWN, Cultural Baggage and Century of Lies shows are at: http://www.drugtruth.net/ Lots of New features, XML files, built-in podcasts, searchability, and lots more. Drug Truth Network Update: 4:20 Drug War NEWS + Cultural Baggage + Century of Lies PODCASTS on our new website! Half Hour Programs, Live Tuesdays & Wednesdays... at 90.1 FM in Houston & on the web at www.kpft.org. Those who sit silently and watch the drug war unfold are the best friends the drug barons could ever hope for. - Rev. Dean Becker 4:20 Drug War NEWS 01/07/08 to 01/13/08 now online (3:00 ea: Sun- NPR reports on Alan Bean's involvement in Tulia Texas and Jena Louisiana 2/2 Sat - NPR reports on Alan Bean's involvement in Tulia Texas and Jena Louisiana 1/2 Fri - Doug McVay with Drug War Facts Thur - Paul Wright, Editor of Prison Legal News discusses US prison-industrial complex Wed - Poppygate report with Glenn Greenway Tues - WFMJ report on cadmium poisoning of Federal prisoners and guards Mon - Paul Wright, editor of Prison Legal News re cadmium poisoning of Federal prisoners NOTE: CULTURAL BAGGAGE (Broadcast on Wed) & CENTURY OF LIES (Broadcasts Tue) Hundreds of our programs are available online at www.drugtruth.net, www.audioport.org and at www.radio4all.net. We provide the "unvarnished truth about the drug war" to scores of broadcast affiliates in the US and Canada. Cultural Baggage for 01/02/08 Matt Elrod discusses DTN's new website, drug policy reform, segment from Drug Policy panel with Carol Shipiro of Family Justice & Suzanne Mayo of Kansas State + Drug War Facts & Poppygate Report MP3 LINK: http://www.drugtruth.net/cms/?q=audio/download/1709/FDBCB_010208.mp3 Century of Lies for 01/01/08 Drug Panel: Against the odds, reversing the personal and cultural impact of incarceration with Silja Talvi author Women Behind Bars & Kathleen Kane Willis, Dir Consortium On Drug Policy MP3 Link: http://www.drugtruth.net/cms/?q=audio/download/1708/COL_010108.mp3 Next - Century of Lies on Tues, Cutural Baggage on Wed: - Cultural Baggage 12:30 PM ET, 11:20 AM CT, 10:30 AM MT & 9:30 AM PT: Allison Holcolm & Karen Garrison - Century of Lies 12:30 PM ET, 11:20 AM CT, 10:30 AM MT & 9:30 AM PT: Marc Emery Potcasts: 4:20 Drug War News Century of Lies Cultural Baggage Check out our latest videos via www.youtube.com/fdbecker: Please become part of the solution, visit our website: www.endprohibition.org for links to the best of reform. "Prohibition is evil." - Reverend Dean Becker, Drug Truth Network Producer Dean Becker 713-849-6869 www.drugtruth.net

Virginia: If at First Legislation Doesn't Succeed, Try, Try, Try, Try Again Sen. Yvonne Miller (D-Norfolk) introduced a constitutional amendment last month aimed at restoring voting rights to those convicted of nonviolent offenses, the Virginian-Pilot reported. "I introduce this every year because at some point somebody, it may not be me, will get it through," she said. "It's an issue of fairness because there are large numbers of people who have paid their debt to society and should be able to get their rights back." Since 2000, legislation has been introduced yet failed to pass. According to Virginia law, people with felony convictions are permanently barred from voting, but can apply for restoration after completing a sentence. Restoration applications can be made through a local Circuit Court or the Secretary of the Commonwealth - both of which ultimately lead to the governor's final decision. The Pilot featured a breakdown of the number of citizens whose rights were restored by Virginia governors. As of December 28, 2007, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine had restored 1,144 citizens' right to vote. Kentucky: Recurring Resistance to Re-enfranchising A Courier-Journal editorial states that disenfranchising citizens with criminal records "mocks the word 'justice.'" Nonetheless, proposals for reform are likely to encounter resistance from certain lawmakers and the Senate Judiciary Committee. "Some harbor racial motives for not wanting ex-felons to vote, but they don't have to admit that," the editorial states. "They can just talk about how undeserving criminals are. Others oppose restoration of voting rights on the assumption that, just because so many criminals come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, they likely will vote Democratic, but, publicly, they can posture against giving criminals this kind of 'break.'" Despite last year's failed attempt at restoration, legislators and others continue to push the constitutional amendment sponsored by Democratic Reps. Darryl Owens of Louisville and Jesse Crenshaw of Lexington that would restore voting rights to those convicted of many felonies upon completing their sentence, another Courier- Journal article stated. "When you finish your sentence, you should be free to re-enter society," Marc Mauer, Executive Director of The Sentencing Project was quoted as saying. "But with laws like these, we still treat people as second-class citizens. If we want people to become law-abiding citizens, we need to get them engaged in constructive institutions in their community." For more coverage, see the Lexington Herald-Leader. Florida: State Needs Updated Database of Eligible Voters The third time was a charm for Michael Hargrett, 51, when it came to successfully registering to vote in Florida. Twice, he attempted to register to vote and was turned away; he was told his name remained on the state's felon list despite the fact that on one occasion he displayed a certificate of rights restoration. Only when he contacted the ACLU was he able to successfully register, the News- Press reported. "If I hadn't been involved and knew I had this right ... I would have just walked away thinking I can't vote," Hargrett said. As a result, civil rights activists last month sent letters to the state demanding it share its civil rights restoration database with counties, which currently do not have access to that information. They are also requesting that Florida's county election supervisors become proactive in helping qualified felons to register to vote. - - - - - - Help The Sentencing Project continue to bring you news and updates on disenfranchisement! Make a contribution today. Contact Information -- Email: [email protected], Web: http://www.sentencingproject.org