-=> Quoting Robert Sheaks to Frank Kotler <=-
 RS> Although Clinton has been pretty useless as a leader on the issue
 RS> of drug law reform, there is some truth to the Republican charge that
 RS> Big Bill hasn't used the bully pulpit to promote intolerance and
 RS> encourage "snitch on your neighbor" campaigns.
 No, Clinton hasn't been much of a leader towards a saner drug policy.
 He could, of course, be worse. Drug arrests - especially of women
 and minorities - are up under the Clinton administration. Wiretap
 authorizations are up. His stand on privacy issues ("indecency" on
 the internet, attempted encryption bans, demands for more wiretap
 capability in new phone equipment, as well as drug testing) is not
 encouraging. His administration's reaction to the California and
 Arizona initiatives is not encouraging. I don't expect much top-down
 reform under Clinton, but I don't see "concentration camps", either.
 RS> On the other hand, perhaps
 RS> Bill would discover a silent (near) majority out there who clearly
 RS> sees that prohibition is just as stupid today as it was in the 1920s.
 We learn from history that we don't learn from history, and politicians
 seem to learn last. The people seem to be out in front of the leaders
 on this one. Voters in CA and AZ have figured out that letting lawyers
 decide which drugs might be medically useful is a dumb idea. Imagine!
 Next thing, folks will be figuring out who benefits from prohibition,
 and dragging our leaders out of the darkness. It took a while, and
 much damage was done, but we did eventually repeal Prohibition.
 RS> And although the Repubs would holler that here was another clear proof
 RS> of the President's closet liberalism, the fact is that there have been
 RS> more prominent Republicans calling for consideration of drug law
 RS> reform than there have been Democrats.
 While being "soft on drugs" may be attacked as a "liberal" trait,
 this issue doesn't seem to divide on "liberal"/"conservative" lines.
 After all, don't "conservatives" want to keep government out of
 private affairs, and within the powers granted it by the Constitution?
 Seeing a failed policy for what it is _shouldn't_ be a partisan issue.
 RS> the continuing evils of the drug war just may reach the
 RS> consciences of some of our less jaded politicians.  Hope springs
 RS> eternal!
 I try to keep my hopes high, and my expectations more in touch with
 reality. May our hopes win out!
... It's always darkest just before it goes completely black.
--- Blue Wave/DOS v2.20 [NR]
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