Come On In, the Water's Fine

[babylonsister]

http://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_plank/archive/2008/08/04/reason-953-to-love-barney-frank.aspx

Come On In, the Water's Fine

Earlier this year, William Lacy Clay, the Democratic congressman from St. Louis, accidentally signed on as a co-sponsor of Barney Frank's bill to decriminalize marijuana (Clay thought it concerned only medicinal marijuana, but in fact it's broader than that). But, via Mike Soraghan at The Hill, Clay wasn't expecting the reception he got:

Supporting the liberalization of marijuana laws is not often seen as a political winner, especially in Midwestern cities like St. Louis.

But instead of stoner jokes, derision and righteous indignation, Clay was surprised to start getting praise from complete strangers.

“People are coming up to me saying this is a common-sense, sensible way to deal with the issue of personal use,” Clay said.

So far, he said, his calls, mail and contacts are running 80-20 in favor of the bill.

Granted, there aren't very many small-time pot users in federal prisons, but with the system currently running at a startling 37 percent over capacity, this hardly seems like something that federal criminal law needs to be dealing with. So far, though, there are only seven cosponsors (including Berkeley's Barbara Lee, Madison's Tammy Baldwin, Portland's Earl Blumenauer, and, of course, Ron Paul), so it's an uphill battle. Or, as Frank puts it:

When asked about the prospects of passage last week, Frank didn’t miss a beat in showcasing his sense of humor: “I would say the chances are not high.”

--Josh Patashnik

[dkofos]

1. There's proof that decriminalizing pot will get you votes.

Spread the word.

[grannie4peace]

3. that's wonderful!!!!

[grannie4peace]

2. it is more than just jail time

the whole idea of having pot illegal turns decent people into criminals. this fact has many subtle & not so subtle results. i've been analyzing it for over 40 years. i'll make it a point to call that young man & thank him

:hippie: :applause: :patriot:

[Ezlivin]

4. Legalize marijuana and you'll be able to buy AK-47

And White Widow and Blueberry and Bubblegum and other tasty herb.

Maybe we can get the NRA to support it if we say something about having the right to own AK-47.

:evilgrin:

[Donkeykick]

5. They aught to legalize it.

I'll never understand the society we live in. You can go out and purchase bottles of alcohol and destroy your liver, and you can purchase cigarettes to destroy your lungs, but heaven forbid you use just one more vice in your life. :eyes:

[dysfunctional press]

8. or just one vice for those of us who don't do alcohol or tobacco at all

:shrug:

[grannie4peace]

6. guess what!!!

i just called congressman lacy's office in missouri and told the lady who answered the phone that i just found out he had sponsored the bill on pot. i told her i wanted to thank him from the bottom of my heart, i told her what state i lived in, & my age. she seemed delighted that i called so i'm sure he will hear more it. so many people want thank him ... i'm so happy, i had goosebumps when i was talking to her. that only happens when i do something i'm really supposed to do. i think it's GOD giving me a little juice.....:toast: :bounce: :bounce: :hi: :hi: :hug: :patriot:

[babylonsister]

7. Positive local buzz from marijuana bill surprises Clay

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/positive-local-buzz-from-marijuana-bill-surprises-clay-2008-08-04.html

Positive local buzz from marijuana bill surprises Clay
By Mike Soraghan
Posted: 08/04/08 01:01 PM

snip//

So far, he said, his calls, mail and contacts are running 80-20 in favor of the bill. He was impressed enough that he decided to go ahead and step before the cameras last week with Frank and Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) at a news conference touting the bill.

A number of the bill’s sponsors didn’t show up for the news conference, which was crowded by reporters and staff.

When it was his turn, Clay made the case that many people have been locked up for minor marijuana offenses in his state.

“It was economic development for rural Missouri because we built so many prisons there. It is time for us to redirect our resources,” Clay said.

After the event, Clay said he figures the swell of support might shift as his stance gets better-known and he starts to hear from more opponents of “the evil cannabis.”

Referred to as “decriminalization,” Frank’s bill would end federal prosecution of the personal use of marijuana. Practically speaking, it would matter only in places where state or local governments have legalized marijuana or allowed medicinal use by preventing federal officials from stepping in to prosecute. Frank supports the wider exemption over a narrow medicinal exemption to prevent federal officials from quibbling about what constitutes medicinal use.

One Republican is supporting the bill: Rep. Ron Paul (Texas), a GOP presidential candidate with a libertarian streak.

When asked about the prospects of passage last week, Frank didn’t miss a beat in showcasing his sense of humor: “I would say the chances are not high.”

[NightWatcher]

9. "accidentally" wtf, I thought these guys could pay attention when they cosponsor a bill

is this how we entered the war, by accident?