There are several articles out about the way the DOJ has decided to not look to the future but to look backwards and hammer Charles Lynch. There is growing unrest about a DOJ and Pres. that will ignore War Crimes and Murder by Torture while sending to prison a Medical Marijuana Provider. As there should be.
It would be merely disappointing had the DOJ based its decision not to intervene on the fact that a verdict had already been rendered in Lynch’s case. But the DOJ response goes much further, specifically stating that the entire prosecution of Lynch is consistent with the government’s new position on medical marijuana, as laid out by Holder. It’s hard to say, then, exactly what distinguishes Obama’s position on medical marijuana from Bush’s. Lynch sought out and received assurance from state and local authorities that he was in complete compliance with state and local law. If that isn’t enough to meet Holder’s new policy, what is?
There's more
The above quote from Reason goes on to say;
The decision looks particularly ugly in light of Obama’s continuing efforts to protect former President Bush's torture team from prosecution—from Dick Cheney, John Yoo, and Jay Bybee on down to the CIA operatives who actually administered the torture techniques. The message from Obama seems to be that when it comes to powerful government employees and covert agents breaking the law, he’s going to "look forward" and do everything he can to protect them from being held accountable, up to and including questionable assertions of executive power. Regular people who may violate ambiguous laws, on the other hand, can expect no such "looking forward," just more of the same: the full brunt force of government crashing down on top of them.
I would be remiss if I did not at least mention that today is 420 Day and there are thousands of Americans smoking pot publicly all across the country today in a act of civil disobedience. Many are enjoying the day while others are all in a panic about a day like today. Those against decriminalization or legalization are beginning to marshal their troops. In todays LATimes there is a article that reminds me much like the ones against Global Warming and CO2. It begins below;
On the basic issue of whether marijuana should be legalized, there are reasonable arguments on both sides. Prohibition does place a huge burden on all levels of government -- tens of billions of dollars a year squandered on arresting, trying and jailing sellers and users -- not to mention the lives ruined for what is largely a victimless crime.
But the toll from dependency on the legal drugs of alcohol and tobacco is also heavy. Legalization advocates argue that regulating rather than criminalizing pot would give us tools to combat underage use, a precursor to lifelong drug abuse. On the other hand, allowing the master marketers at, say, Philip Morris and Anheuser-Busch to hawk yet another mind-altering product wouldn't be a great way to encourage "responsible" use. (That’s why UCLA public policy expert Mark Kleiman, for one, advocates limiting any legal market to nonprofit consumer co-ops.)
The real danger is that voters, overcome by pot-inspired visions of dancing dollar signs, will make their judgment about the legal status of the drug without fully considering these pros and cons. The truth is, no one really knows how much money legalization might earn for the public purse, or whether the gains would outweigh the costs. If you're proffered the argument that the best reason to legalize marijuana is that it's a guaranteed budgetary windfall, my advice is: Don't inhale.
Marijuana valuations in California are hallucinations
Of course after all the hype sometimes the real truth creeps from behind the well kept screen. The Hill has such a piece today that says much about our Congress and the fears it faces every day.
No legislation seeking to legalize marijuana has been introduced in the 111th Congress. Rohrabacher said politicians are concerned about the potential political fallout if they spoke out in favor of legalization.
"There are a lot of people who understand that [the current war on drugs has been a failure], but they are afraid to politically say so," Rohrabacher said. "If it was a vote – a blind vote where nobody knew who was voting – you would have overwhelming support for legalizing marijuana out there, but they will never vote for it because they are afraid of taking on a controversial issue."
Pot legalization favored by some to stem violence
Hypocrisy is a much over-used word these days but it fits when Bush can walk free making millions in book fees and speaking fees while Charles who was only trying to do some good is sent to prison. Charles is due to be sentenced on April 23rd to at least 5 yrs and up to 100 yrs. Bush will be enjoying his morning paper and bike ride.