Open Letter to Mike Malloy
By One Angry Patriot at 8:16 PM
I'm writing to apologize for offending you with my phone call last night. I understand that you are not responsible for the advertising on Air America, and it wasn't my intent to criticize you for something you're not responsible for. I have sent email to Air America regarding PSAs paid for by the Office of National Drug Control Policy and the Partnership for a Drug-Free America. I have yet to receive a reply to this email, although it was sent over two weeks ago. I have also posted my concerns at [this blog] , an unofficial website and chat room for Air America listeners. Several people on the blog and in the chat room have expressed similar concerns about these PSAs, and I felt that these concerns should be discussed on the air.
As I'm sure you're aware, US drug policies are a dismal failure, and a waste of human life and taxpayer resources. Mandatory minimum sentencing laws have restricted judges from excercising discretion to allow the punishment to fit the severity of the crime. The Higher Education Act allows violent convicted criminals such as murderers and rapists to obtain tuition assistance from the federal government, yet non-violent convicted drug offenders are not allowed the same assistance.
The average marijuana arrest takes two police officers off the street for four hours, while violent criminals are free to run rampant. In many states, a very small amount of drugs can result in a felony conviction, which can result in the permanent loss of the right to vote. Regardless of your opinion on drug crime, I'm sure you can agree that blocking ex-offenders from political participation undermines the process of re-integrating them into society as productive, engaged citizens.
----------------------------------------
Editor's note: The Office of National Drug Control Policy has also engaged in a covert propaganda campaign, useing tax payer funds, featuring use of "fake news" reports in the form of video news releases."
3 Comments:
By your logic, my wife should have kicked me out a long time ago. I am a dismal failure at times, but every once and a while I actually succeed as a parent and husband. These PSAs are not "bad" even though the program as a whole has its failures. Yes, real drug prevention and prosecution of real drug crimes would be preferred. But the PSAs in and of themselves are not "bad."
mjaroneski, you missed my point completely. The PSAs in question are produced by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America. They receive taxpayer funding via the Office of National Drug Control Policy, but they also receive private sector funding from a rogues gallery of corporate malefactors such as Halliburton, Monsanto, Philip Morris, RJR Nabisco, Anheuser-Busch, and the Bechtel Group.
In this age of modern terrorism, it would be wise to consider exactly who we as a society want locked up behind bars. 80% of the prisoners in the US are incarcerated for non-violent drug offenses. Prison cells should be reserved for those we are afraid of, not those we are mad at.
Redlion, i agree with you completely. What is the best implementable policy for drug use? is the tantamount question. Thank you for your additional facts on drug policy. I thought that PSDA was wholly government. I did not know that corporations with possible shady intentions may also be funding it. I can only hope that the money does not have the usual strings attached. I agree it is a faint hope but maybe this is just guilt money for all of the other evils they support....nah.
Post a Comment
<< Home