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An Argument to Avoid Making, Part 2
Whenever I explain why I think reformers should avoid suggesting that politicians benefit from supporting "tough on crime" policies, I get some incredulous responses. It's true that you can still find politicians sucking up to law enforcement, embracing bad drug policies everywhere all the time, and generally believing that doing so serves their political interests. If I ever sounded like I was questioning any of those realities, it's my fault for not being clearer.
My point isn't so much that politicians never benefit in any way from doing these things, but rather that it's less true than it used to be and that we shouldn't be reinforcing that belief if we want political support. Just a few years ago, everywhere I looked, I saw reformers complaining publicly that politicians wouldn't support our cause because it might cost them votes. I saw prominent journalists like Joe Klein at Time Magazine calling for legalization and then in the next breath giving politicians a great reason to oppose it:
See, this is the kind of thing that supporters of reform shouldn't be saying. This is why I've been arguing for years that we should always emphasize the potential political benefits of taking our side rather than lamenting the possible harms. For example:
Bad = "Politicians won't support ending the drug war because they're afraid of losing votes."
Good = "Politicians are starting to get the message that the drug war isn't as popular anymore."
Am I making sense here?
My point isn't so much that politicians never benefit in any way from doing these things, but rather that it's less true than it used to be and that we shouldn't be reinforcing that belief if we want political support. Just a few years ago, everywhere I looked, I saw reformers complaining publicly that politicians wouldn't support our cause because it might cost them votes. I saw prominent journalists like Joe Klein at Time Magazine calling for legalization and then in the next breath giving politicians a great reason to oppose it:
â¦the default fate of any politician who publicly considers the legalization of marijuana is to be cast into the outer darkness. Such a person is assumed to be stoned all the time, unworthy of being taken seriously. Such a person would be lacerated by the assorted boozehounds and pill poppers of talk radio.
See, this is the kind of thing that supporters of reform shouldn't be saying. This is why I've been arguing for years that we should always emphasize the potential political benefits of taking our side rather than lamenting the possible harms. For example:
Bad = "Politicians won't support ending the drug war because they're afraid of losing votes."
Good = "Politicians are starting to get the message that the drug war isn't as popular anymore."
Am I making sense here?
In The Trenches
4 Stars Drug Truth 03/29/10
Cultural Baggage * Century of Lies * 4:20 Drug War NEWS
Cultural Baggage for 03/28/10 29:00 ***** Adrian Garcia, sheriff of Harris County Texas discusses failings of drug war, need for change (our most meaningful program yet!)
LINK: http://www.drugtruth.net/cms/node/2841
TRANSCRIPT: TBD
Century of Lies for 03/28/10 29:00 Neill Franklin, working Maryland cop & the new director of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition + Mason Tvert of Safer Choice, Sanho Tree of Institute for Policy Studies in Wash DC
LINK: http://www.drugtruth.net/cms/node/2842
TRANSCRIPT: TBD
4:20 Drug War NEWS, 03/29 to 04/04/10 Link at www.drugtruth.net on the right margin -
Sun - Sanho Tree of Institute for Policy Studies analyzes US-Mexican efforts in drug war Sat - Dr. Rick Doblin, president of Multi-Disciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies Fri - Adrian Garcia, sheriff of Harris County 3/3 Thu - Adrian Garcia, sheriff of Harris County 2/3 Wed - Adrian Garcia, sheriff of Harris County (Houston) discusses failings of drug war 1/3 Tue - Cannabis Planet TV alligns with NASCAR + Tax Cannabis 2010 radio ad Mon - Mason Tvert of SAFER Choice discusses NFL's fear of marijuana smokers .
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An Argument to Avoid Making
I've spent years challenging the notion that "tough on crime" policies help politicians get more votes. That idea becomes less true each day as polls tip in our favor, and even if it were completely valid, advancing this notion would not serve our interests as reformers. So imagine my surprise at finding myself quoted in The Washington Post saying this:
No, I didn't. This surprising statement emerged from an interview with a Washington Post writer at Wednesday's D.C. premiere of my new movie 10 Rules for Dealing with Police. If anyone said this, it wasn't me, and I can't get over the irony of being quoted in a major paper saying the opposite of what I've been arguing for years.
I guess it just goes to show how pervasive the idea still is that the American people want our leaders to have us arrested as often as possible. Sure, there was a time when "tough on crime" politics could be used as a political bludgeon. It's called 1988. Thankfully, we're finally moving beyond it.
The bureau's stats show that "stop and frisks" are occurring at record rates, Morgan says, particularly where minorities and low-income people live. He blamed "hard on crime" campaigns by politicians trying to get or stay elected. [Washington Post]
No, I didn't. This surprising statement emerged from an interview with a Washington Post writer at Wednesday's D.C. premiere of my new movie 10 Rules for Dealing with Police. If anyone said this, it wasn't me, and I can't get over the irony of being quoted in a major paper saying the opposite of what I've been arguing for years.
I guess it just goes to show how pervasive the idea still is that the American people want our leaders to have us arrested as often as possible. Sure, there was a time when "tough on crime" politics could be used as a political bludgeon. It's called 1988. Thankfully, we're finally moving beyond it.
Chronicle
Commentary: What Not to Do if You Grow Marijuana and Police Visit You
In a guest piece for the Chronicle, law professor John Calvin Jones dissects the case of a New Jersey man who ended up headed for prison for growing marijuana after police were called because he and his girlfriend were too loud during sex. He has some useful tips for people who want to know how to exercise their rights and avoid ending up like this guy.
Chronicle
Feature: Two Oregon Marijuana Initiatives -- Legalization and Medical -- Aim for November Ballot
Both a medical marijuana dispensary initiative and a hemp/marijuana legalization initiative are trying to make the November ballot in Oregon. The dispensary initiative is currently better positioned to do so, but the legalization initiative has about 90 days to join it.
Chronicle
Europe: Dutch Coffee Shop Owner Fined $10 Million Euros for Having Too Big a Stash
Dutch marijuana laws only allow coffee shops to have 500 grams on hand at any given time. When you're selling that much pot in an hour, the law becomes a hindrance and a nuisance. But a court ruling Thursday strongly suggests to coffee shop owners that they better heed the law.
Chronicle
Weekly: This Week in History
Events and quotes of note from this week's drug policy events of years past.
Chronicle
Feds: National Drug Intelligence Center Predicts Continued Failure in Drug War
The illegal drug supply is increasing, and Mexican narcos are public enemy #1, according to the Justice Department's primary drug intelligence unit. There's no end in sight, the unit concludes.
Chronicle
Offer and Appeal: Order "10 Rules for Dealing with Police" -- Free With a Donation to StoptheDrugWar.org
StoptheDrugWar.org is pleased to be the first drug policy organization to offer this important new video to our members -- your donations will support our work of building the movement and fueling public debate, too.