Gil Kerlikowske is the New Drug Czar
It's official:
I like the sound of that, but I haven't seen any evidence that Kerlikowske won't be supporting aggressive interdiction programs and harsh sentences. Regardless, there are a few reasons to feel optimistic that he will represent a departure from the blind arrogance and aggression of his predecessors.
Former Seattle Police Chief and LEAP member Norm Stamper has a terrific open letter to Kerlikowske.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate on Thursday approved the nomination of Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske as the nation's drug czar, signaling a change in U.S. drug policy.
Kerlikowske, a 36-year law enforcement veteran who has been Seattle's top cop for nine years, has pledged to take a balanced, science-based approach to the job. He also said he will focus on reducing demand for illicit drugs in the United States — a sharp contrast from the Bush administration's focus on intercepting drugs as they cross the border and punishing drug crimes.
I like the sound of that, but I haven't seen any evidence that Kerlikowske won't be supporting aggressive interdiction programs and harsh sentences. Regardless, there are a few reasons to feel optimistic that he will represent a departure from the blind arrogance and aggression of his predecessors.
Former Seattle Police Chief and LEAP member Norm Stamper has a terrific open letter to Kerlikowske.
Looking for the easiest way to join the anti-drug war movement? You've found it!
Obama, Kerlikowske and the reporter that wrote this...
are full of shit.
Kerlikowske is a 36-year law enforcement vet. Okay, so where is the science background there? Where is the understanding of chemistry? I mean, I thought we're going to have a science-based approach.
Why don't we just appoint Mr. Kerlikowske as surgeon general? I mean, if he is so knowledgeable about the sciences, I don't see why not.
A balanced, science-based approach would mean legalization. Why? Because arresting people for possessing, selling, producing or trafficking potentially harmful substances has nothing to do with science.
Science has proven that french fries aren't good for you. However, do we arrest people for possessing them? To we spray pesticides on potato fields? Do we have mandatory minimums to ensure that the dangerous potato growers that spread heart disease aren't allowed to do that?
And what about economics? Is that not a science? A social science indeed, but a science. And anybody that has taken econ 101 knows the black market effect of outlawing a substance with high demand. It's not like you're just going to make it go away.
And Kerlikowske said he is going to focus on 'reducing demand'. Sounds like more drug courts and forced 'treatment' to me.
Woo-hoo.
More, more, more drug war
kerlikowske is a drug warrior who simply knows how to duck when the shit is being thrown in his direction. In Seattle he RELUCTANTLY bowed to the majority will of the people.
"...has pledged to take a balanced, science-based approach to the job."
For drug warriors this means more coerced rehab. And no medical marijuana until the FDA approves it.
"He also said he will focus on reducing demand for illicit drugs in the United States.."
$3-billion in additional Byrne Grants for more drug task forces, more coerced rehab through drug courts. And as Obama has promised, more arrests of users.
Don't be fooled by the man with the smiley face and phony lying rhetoric. Its all just Democrat smoke and mirrors.
What about the science of Marijuana Patent #6,630,507
The government that continues to try to kill or incarcerate those that dare to disagee with their stupidity and lies holds, since 2003, U.S. Patent # 6,630,507 claiming: "Cannabinoids have been found to have antioxidant properties... cannabinoids are found to have particular applications as neuroprotectants... limiting neurological damage following... stroke and trauma... or in treatment of neurodegenerative diseases... such as Alzheimer's... Parkinson's... and HIV dementia"
Did the gov't already get FDA approval prior to winning the marijuana patent in 2003? If not why not? How could something so scientific and valuable be granted to a gov't... so undeserving.... without proof of it's efficacy... by the FDA.
Sounds like another illegal con by uncle scam to me... and a heinous dispicable crime!
With respect to Kerlikowske, I live in the Seattle/Tacoma area and have been attending the Seatle Hempfest for several years now and can honestly say that while the police presence is obvious police interference and arrests are nonexistant. Short of 'burning one down' right in front of their faces you won't get popped for your choice of recreational drug. They simply stand in their assigned areas and are charged with protecting the public.. not fucking with them... which would be a violation of Seattles lowest priority law... on marijuana.
Could anyone imagine 70,000 people showing up for a weekend of alcohol-fest events and music without dozens of arrests for drunken-asshole-behavior?!? Cops call it nab-a-dab!
If Kerlikowske can muzzle the old dogs under his new command, that in-and-of-itself would be a great success and an important step towards re-legalization... without taxation!
Could be worse
Gil says he wants to take a science-based approach... if he isn't lying, that's great news - he can relax the laws later and "blame" his decisions on the science when the fanatics accuse him of not doing his job.
Lowest Law Enforcement Priority Of Cannabis Ordinance
Aloha. Thanks for the informed comments. I'm collecting a file on this guy at our THC Ministry's online forum.
Here on the big island of Hawai'i we passed a LLEPofCO last election day with 53% in favor. I want to know if we can get this guy to support the concept that his former city of Seattle benefitted from during his tenure. I've already emailed his office.
All the very best to you,
Roger Christie, Founder
THC Ministry
www.thc-ministry.org
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