The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee could vote as soon as this Thursday, November 5 on an amendment that will legally prevent some of the government's top advisers from even discussing the idea of legalizing or decriminalizing drugs as a solution to the failed "war on drugs."
Yes, you read that right. The Senate just might censor its own policy advisers from giving science-based advice.
The censorship amendment's author, Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA), is trying to attach the speech prohibition onto an otherwise positive bill that will create a blue ribbon commission to study our nation's failed criminal justice and drug policies. The commission is supposed to make recommendations for ways to improve the system, but how can they do that with the blindfold that Sen. Grassley's wants to put on them? Please take action at http://www.CopsSayLegalizeDrugs.com/censorship and tell your senators to oppose the censorship amendment!
The text of the Grassley censorship amendment can be viewed as a PDF here.
Not going to pretend that I understand all the government's legal talk however, when LEAP asks me to do something about it you can consider it done.
ReplyDeleteGrassley is now on the list of certified idiots as well. This could well be, in part, because of http://www.iowamedicalmarijuana.org/Default.aspx
Wow, that amendment is about as Un-American as it gets. Open and transparent discussion of any topic -- especially a controversial one -- is the lifeblood of democracy. This joker wants to literally ban certain topics from being discussed.
ReplyDeleteOne of my two state senators (Kay Hagan, D-NC) has already replied to me stating that she supports Senator Webb's bill for carrying out a comprehensive review of our criminal justice system. I'll be interested to she how she responds to this specific amemndment, which to me really stifles the potential for this investigation to spur positive changes.
Just out of curiousity, does anyone know what sort of justification Grassley has offered for this amendment? Is he even trying to spin this as something other than blatant censorship?
What ever happened to the constitutional right of free speech? Grassley's proposed amendment
ReplyDeleteis in direct violation of the US Bill of Rights.
@ Ken, I totally agree. I also see it as a direct affront to God/Jesus/Biblical teaching:
ReplyDeleteThe Shame of Grassley's Poison Pill, "I Desire Sacrifice NOT Mercy!" Amendment
LEGALIZE IT NOW.. PROHIBITION DID'T WORK IN THE 20's ALL IT DID WAS CAUSE ALOT OF CRIME!! WHAT DO U THINK IS HAPPENING NOW!! HELLO PEOPLE WAKE UP!! LEGALIZE IT NOW!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletebefore you knock it try it first and you'll see its a blessing not a curse, legalize it now!!
ReplyDelete