http://marijuananews.com/blog/general-analysis/obama-flip-flops-on-decrim-shame-on-him-or-shame-on-us-why-do-politicians-fear-something-a-huge-majority-supports-who-is-their-real-constituency/Obama Flip-Flops On Decrim. Shame on Him, Or Shame on Us? Why Do Politicians Fear Something A Huge Majority Supports? Who Is Their Real Constituency?
Posted by Richard Cowan in February 4th, 2008 Posted in: General Analysis
Posted February 4, 2008
Analysis by Richard Cowan
Last Thursday, NORML delayed its Weekly News to add a story that the Washington Times had broken, saying that Barack Obama “had always supported” the decriminalization of marijuana.
See Annotated NORML Weekly News for January 31, 2008. Obama Has “Always” Supported Decrim? Cannabinoids inhibit cancer. Will Nebraska Recrim?
It seems to have caused a general panic in the Obama headquarters as they scrambled to figure out what worked best. Sadly, by the next day his campaign was claiming that he “does not believe that we should treat offenses involving marijuana with a simple fine or just by confiscating the drug.”
In other words, with Super-Tuesday looming, the White House was worth a sell-out. I am neither angry or surprised, just sad for Obama. Of course, I am even sadder for all of the young African Americans who were not as lucky as he was, and have had their lives wrecked by the Drug War.
See Annotated NORML Weekly News for December 6, 2007 – The Drug War Is Racist; Colorado and California police Have to Follow State NOT Federal Laws; Hemp Still Scares Narks.
and from 2000, NORML Study Reveals Blacks Arrested For Marijuana At More Than Twice The Rate For Whites
Obama is simply following a long record of other African American “leaders” in reversing the demands of Moses. Instead of “Let my people go!” – they say, “Lock my people up!”
Ironically, when my friends on the Left talk about race and class in America, they never seem to pay any attention to the class divisions within the minorities, especially African Americans. Last week, we saw a very clear example of it. Oh yes, when Obama spoke in favor of decrim, he was at Northwestern University, not exactly the “inner city.” It was aimed at the white middle class.
I grew up in the “old South” and I know all about white racism and the old Southern obsession with race and class, and I sincerely believe that Martin Luther King Jr. was the greatest American of the 20th century. He was neither perfect nor infallible, but he was genuinely heroic.
Consequently, I simply do not believe in making excuses for today’s African American leadership. In fact, the best and worst thing that I can say about them is that they are no better than their appalling white and Latino counterparts, but their people need better from them even more.
But before we say, “Shame on them”, we the cannabis community and civil libertarians of all stripes should look in the mirror and ask ourselves why we put up with this from people who know better. Shame on us!
Of course, the more basic question remains: Why are politicians afraid to support a position held by an overwhelming majority of the people?
Whether it is simple “decrim” – ending possible jail time for possession – or medical marijuana, both of which are supported by large majorities, and both of which are already the laws of states with about one third of the population, the politicians oppose the people.
One need only look at the debate about decrim ongoing in Vermont to understand the situation. Almost the only opposition is from the police, and they will probably prevail.
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