Dope & Change: Terrible Drug War Expansion Bill Being Pushed by House Dems

Via the Drug Policy Alliance's Facebook page:

House Democrats have scheduled a horrible drug war bill for a vote tomorrow (Wednesday). The Drug Trafficking Safe Harbor Elimination Act of 2010 (H.R. 5231), written by Rep. Lamar Smith (a Republican drug war extremist), would expand problematic drug conspiracy laws, apply mandatory minimum drug sentences to more people, increase racial disparities, and subject Americans to incarceration for drug offenses and public health interventions that are legal in the foreign country in which they're committed. It expands the drug war at a time that most Americans want major drug policy reform.

More here.

Given that the GOP and the Dems suck so much, is it any wonder people are fed up with the two-party system?

Comments

[Pip]

Thread jack, yes, but this is really shitty:

Justice Dept. Shrugs About Potential GI Voter Disfranchisement
Thanks to some states' illegal lagging, soldiers abroad may lose their vote.

Saturday, September 18, marked 45 days before the election. According to the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act (MOVE Act), that was the deadline by which states had to have sent unmarked ballots overseas. This period should have allowed ballots to reach GIs, from bases in Germany to trenches in Afghanistan, in time for them to be returned by election night.

However, these five states have received waivers from the MOVE Act, essentially giving them extensions on their homework. Primary elections on Tuesday, September 14, gave four of those states (Delaware, New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island), along with Wisconsin, only four days to determine party nominees, print ballots, and send them off. Rather than employ this cramming-for-finals approach, election officials in these states should have scheduled primaries early enough to avoid this headache. Meanwhile, Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands also previously indicated an inability to adhere to last Saturday's deadline.

http://www.nationalreview.com/.....oy-murdock

[Paul]

But...but... it's all about to come down like a house of things that come down really quickly.

[Pro Libertate]

House of pancakes?

[lunchstealer]

Pancakes never fall. They are tasty, and are eaten before gravity can take hold.

[waffles]

why do pancakes get all the glory?

[lunchstealer]

If you don't like it, you can go back to Europe. And take French Toast with you!

[mr simple]

World trade centers? (too soon?)

[lunchstealer]

If that doesn't work, try the Challenger/Columbia.

[VikingMoose]

seems like a bi partisan (read: sure to encroach liberty) plan...

[TrickyVic]

""seems like a bi partisan""

Yeah. It's co-sponsored by a CA democrat Adam Schiff.

In the Senate it's S.3218 and sponsored by Kent Conrad a democrat from ND. It's co-sponsored by Jeff Sessions, a republican.

[mr simple]

So let me get this straight. If I am going to go o another country, purchase and use a good the is fully legal in that country, but illegal here, an I'm with other people, I can go to jail? At what point does it become a crime? Is it illegal just to talk about or do we actually have to go do it? What if we're all thinking it, but it is never spoken? How can they possibly enforce this?

And to be fair, this mound of festering retard is a Republican penned bill. Or is that position just assumed and the title of the post referring to the shock we all feel that the dems would do this?

[Johnnybegood]

"written by Rep. Lamar Smith (a Republican drug war extremist)"

RTFA.

[mr simple]

That's the original article, not Reason's addition. Also, RTF headline, tuffgui.

[MINION OF URKOBOLD]

WRONG. MR. SIMPLETON. THAT IS NOT A TUFFGAI. YOU HAVE HIM CONFUSED WITH JOHNNYBEBAD

[J sub D]

If we put more troops in Afghanistan, secular democracy with respect for human rights will take root and flower.

This bill is just as fucking delusional. You go Dems, keep convincing me to never vote for a major party candidate again.

[BakedPenguin]

Where the fuck is Tony? He told me that I should vote for Democrats because "they're the only ones who will vote against the WoD".

[John]

I said on a thread the other day. Liberal Democrats are every bit the social scolds that Social Conservative Republicans are. They just have a different idea of what constitutes sin. Sadly, the one sin they both agree on is drug use. Add that to the money the drug war gives to public employees and their unions and we are pretty much fucked on this issue.

[John]

" subject Americans to incarceration for drug offenses and public health interventions that are legal in the foreign country in which they're committed."

Lets go bust college kids who go to the cafes in Amsterdam. That will help. The drug war is big business. Both parties make money off of it. Think of all the good union dues paying prison guards this thing will employ.

[Mongo]

I got hassled big time when the customs guy axed if I smoked hash at a coffeehouse on my return trip from Amsterdam.

He kept shouting:"Don't you know it's illegal!?!"

[TrickyVic]

""The Drug Trafficking Safe Harbor Elimination Act of 2010 (H.R. 5231), introduced by Rep. Lamar Smith (the only House member to speak against reforming the racist crack/powder disparity), creates a new crime of conspiring with one or more persons, or aiding or abetting one or more persons, to commit at any place outside the United States an act that would constitute a violation of the U.S. Controlled Substances Act if committed within the United States.""

Talk about expanding government authority.

[Bingo]

Does this mean if you can be thrown in jail for buying Tylenol-3 over the counter in Canada?

[BakedPenguin]

Codeine is legal in some states, so no.

[John]

What states is codeine legal in? I have never heard that.

[mad libertarian guy]

All 50.

You just need a prescription.

[John]

That is what a thought. But "over the counter" means you can buy it without a prescription. I didn't think there was anywhere in the US you could do that. But you can buy Tylenol 3 in Canada without one? That I didn't know.

[BakedPenguin]

You can get syrup w/o a script in a few states. However, the dose is likely to do little for you other than help with your cough.

[BakedPenguin]

VA is one, I believe. You have to go to the pharmacists counter and ask. Then you have to sign a book.

[TrickyVic]

The original question was about Tylenol-3. Is anyone saying you can buy that over the counter?

If it's over-the-counter here, and you get it over-the-counter there, it doesn't run afoul of the bill.

[TrickyVic]

If it passed. Yes.

[Virginia]

How did something this absurd reach the floor for a vote?!

Lamar Smith and 1 WHOLE FUCKING co-sponsor: Adam Schiff [D-CA29]

Who is Adam Schiff and what's his malfunction? Something to do with sheep perhaps.

[Pip]

There are some who say that Adam Schiff [D-CA29] is so tough on drugs in order to over compensate for his 3/4 inch erection.

[lunchstealer]

Can we take the Commerce Clause out and shoot it now?

[TrickyVic]

""Can we take the Commerce Clause out and shoot it now?""

The Commerce Clause only applies to states, not other countries. The law would probably be unconstitutional if passed.

[lunchstealer]

To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes; [emphasis added]

If the government-can-do-anything-it-wants-ever brigade can interpret this to include non-commerce within a single state, I have no doubt they can interpret it to include non-commerce entirely within a foreign nation.

[TrickyVic]

Ok, haven't look at it for a while.

But the US government would need permission from the foreign nation. US law doesn't extend to foreign nations anymore than foreign law applies to the US.

[Night Elf Mohawk]

I think they're missing the opportunity to issue speeding tickets to drivers coming home from Germany.

[Brandon]

+1

[lunchstealer]

And to fine Ford et al for selling cars in Europe that haven't passed EPA and DoT testing.

[R C Dean]

This is a major departure from traditional notions of jurisdiction, which say that a state can govern activities that happen on its own soil.

This is, essentially, a statement that the US Government controls, not US territory, but you. This is a law for serfs, not citizens, adopted by a totalitarian autocracy, not a democratic republic.

[Bingo]

+1000

[cynical]

Considering that citizenship is, for many people, granted based on the parcel of land they were born on rather than as a free and informed choice to belong to a specific demos, there are shades of serfdom there by default.

Actually, TBH, the idea of jurisdiction following people rather than land could just as easily have libertarian implications, as it could allow for a reorganization of power based on voluntary association rather than control of territory. That said, I don't think it's actually practically feasible, for better or for worse.

[TrickyVic]

"""Actually, TBH, the idea of jurisdiction following people rather than land could just as easily have libertarian implications,"""

Yeah? If you don't like the jurisdiction that is following you, how can you escape it?

[NeonCat]

Back during the previous administration, IIRC, it was made illegal for US citizens to "trade with Cuba", i.e. it's illegal for you to buy Cuban cigars and smoke them while walking around Niagara Falls, ON. I still don't understand the legal justification for that.

[P Brooks]

This is a law for serfs, not citizens, adopted by a totalitarian autocracy, not a democratic republic.

Exactly.

This is where you end up when you believe "society" "allows" you to enjoy its benefits.

[Rrabbit]

Which "two-party system"? This is a one party system.

[jtuf]

1) I sincerely wish the drug legalization community would find to courage to campaign against the DINOs over this.

2) If this bill passes, it will greatly affect my future plans. I was planning to get dual USA and Israeli citizenship and spend part of each year in Israel and the rest in the USA. Medical marijuana is legal in Israel but illegal under the Dem controled USA. I get insomnia sometimes and was hoping to try medical marijuana in Israel for it. If this bill passes, I'm likely to not return to the USA once I get Israeli citizenship.

[TrickyVic]

""If this bill passes, I'm likely to not return to the USA once I get Israeli citizenship.""

You'll love the health care.

From Wiki
Health care in Israel is both universal and compulsory, and is administered by a small number of organizations with funding from the government. All Israeli citizens are entitled to the same Uniform Benefits Package, regardless of which organization they are a member of, and treatment under this package is funded for all citizens regardless of their financial means. According to a 2000 study by the World Health Organization, Israel has the 28th best health care in the world.

[jtuf]

Oh, I'm not fond of government run health care. A freeish healthcare market was one of the things keeping me in the USA. However, by the time I'm old enough to need significant levels of healthcare the USA will have nationalized healthcare too.

[Chris]

The major-party choices in TX-21 this fall are Lamar Smith and this idiot:
http://www.laineyforcongress.com/

I don't think the Democrats even fielded a candidate in 2008, the Democratic landslide year. No wonder Smith's office doesn't even try to match the form letter to the subject of things I've written to him about.

[JohnRCitizen]

American voters are sick of politicians who continue to push the hard line/prohibition agenda. It's prohibition that got us into this mess & pushing it even harder is only going to make the violence worse. Prohibition = Anarchy. Legalization = regulation. Vote out anyone who keeps pushing prohibition. Because, do the same failed things the same failed ways will never be successful. Coming this close to the elections is a clear cut example of prohibiton forces trying to hoodwink voters into doubting they're right to vote for the legalization of cannabis. Lamar Smith is aiming his diatribe squarely at California's voters. Please, don't be fooled again. Remember, fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. As a conservative I'm ashamed of Mr Smith. But, Democrats are just as involved in pushing prohibition. Find out who's involved in this scam & get rid of them. Vote for politicians who want to end the drug wars. The Volstead Act didn't end use of the drug called alcohol. Now, we need to get rid of the rest of drug prohibitions I call Volstead Act II. Visit LEAP.cc for the facts & how to end this madness.

[Geoff Dennis]

The 'War on Drugs' is simply a war on the poor.

[M. Simon]

O'Donnell in DE is fairly sensible considering the current state of the polity. - It is not a Federal Issue. It is a State Issue.

[None]

A bill written by a Republican means Democrats suck.

Oh.

Maybe we need a third party in this county but it won't be you Libertarians.

What a bunch of dishonest scum you are.

[carouser]

So as much as you think there is more tolerance to drug use, or a move towards it, whether you personally think tolerance should be heeded, it seems the bigger issue at hand is the heavy weight of the law which going forward will be keeping tabs on your goings on no matter where you are in the world.

[caouser]

So as much as you think there is more tolerance to drug use, or a move towards it, whether you personally think tolerance should be heeded, it seems the bigger issue at hand is the heavy weight of the law which going forward will be keeping tabs on your goings on no matter where you are in the world.

http://scallywagandvagabond.co.....tle-bitch/

[Lady Bouvier]

As much as you think there is more tolerance to drug use, or a move towards it, whether you personally think tolerance should be heeded, it seems the bigger issue at hand is the heavy weight of the law which going forward will be keeping tabs on your goings on no matter where you are in the world.
So whether you like to get high or not, the bigger question, are you in the mood to have every action on your part scrutinized for the sake of national security and hegemony?

http://scallywagandvagabond.co.....tle-bitch/