This CYA job in defense of Yoo is distasteful, though Balkinization has a history sucking up to this argument. I'm glad that Mark Field provides support to my comments. See also, the "room for debate" link, including the last person who at least understands what is at stake. Meanwhile, Dawn Johnsen continues to get the shaft.
Mexico enacted a controversial law on Thursday decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana, cocaine, heroin and other drugs while encouraging government-financed treatment for drug dependency free of charge.
Sanity.* Meanwhile, Jon Stewart acts like a journalist yet again, particularly as to "death panels," but even as to knowing the basics of my former lieutenant governor's (imagine if Pataki had to resign -- another case of the perils of not putting too much thought into second in command picks) health plan. Why cannot Rachel Maddow and so forth have such substantive examination of pending legislation? As with my first reference, it really is pathetic when you think of it.
Back in 2004, I supported Howard Dean for President. Some people ridiculed this choice, particularly when he said things like this, which obviously showed that he didn't know how to be a good political tool (or something). It's hard to prove what really went on here, though the snide ridicule cited is not the way to go, obviously. But, overall, I repeated felt Dean was on the right side, even if his tax policy or stance on Iraq was deemed intemperate. His "scream" also was blown out of proportion too, as stupid really as all those Gore "lies."
So glad that Kerry guy won the nomination, so the Dems could lose while feeling good about themselves. After all, it wasn't really our fault. Clinton? Oh, he's a rare egg, can't find such a good personable politician more than once in a generation. Next you'll be telling us a one term black senator would win the White House. Come on! One thing Dean was denounced for was that he wanted to give Bin Ladin, if caught, due process. Saddam Hussein was given some form of that. I was with him there too. And, I -- unlike the official Obama line -- think this right.
Dean btw was no "left of the left" sort. That was one slam by some Kerry supporters over at Slate, for instance. But, I was okay with that, since politically you have to compromise sometimes. So, you see, I don't mind that aspect of Obama. The problem is you also have to play tough sometimes, especially when the other side is full of shit. I'm not game for this "the sky is falling" stuff either. Unless it is to say "wake up!"
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* I recently read Ryan Grim's book on our drug policy. The best parts were a few personal accounts of his own drug use and a look at the smearing of the (more true than not) account that CIA backed Contras -- while the U.S. looked the other way -- was a major player in the West Coast drug trade. Washington Post sorts denounced by Glenn Greenwald apparently aided and abetted the official line for years. The counterproductive nature of D.A.R.E. also was a good chapter.
On the whole, standard "reality community" drug policy coverage that at certain points was not very deep.