I just heard about Obama picking Eric Holder for his Attorney General. I hear he is a nice man and has some very strong positions against torture and other Bush insanity. I have been very happy with Obama's choices up to this point and even supported him on the Lieberman issue. Eric Holder scares the hell out of me. Mr. Holder's philosophy on law enforcement can be explained by this quote - "We have too long taken the view that what we would term to be minor crimes are not important."
Mr. Holder, unlike Obama, has supported tougher penalties for marijuana sale and use. He has, in the past, expressed reservations about medical marijuana laws and has urged them to be revisited. This is opposite to Obama's position on marijuana. I was hoping we would come to a liberalization of marijuana policy, but we will not get that with Mr. Holder.
U.S. Attorney Eric H. Holder Jr. said in an interview that he is considering not only prosecuting more marijuana cases but also asking the D.C. Council to enact stiffer penalties for the sale and use of marijuana.
His philosophy on tougher penalties for minor crimes will not only affect harmless use of marijuana - it will also continue harsh restrictions on adults wishing to pay for sexual acts. I just got back from a stay in Canada and enjoyed some beautiful escorts in Montréal. In Canada, and much of the world, nations treat their citizens like adults. Mr. Holder still wants to treat us like children and, in fact, increase penalties for prostitution. Again, tougher enforcement against minor crimes.
I fundamentally disagree with the idea that throwing more people in jail for things like marijuana and prostitution will make us a safer country.