Re: Howard Dean on the Drug War

Michael <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message news:<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>...
> Guido Marx wrote:
> 
> > Brother Nate <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message news:<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>...
> > 
> >>Guido Marx wrote:
> >>
> >>>He likewise neglects to criticize the Feds for violating the
> >>>Constitutional rights of physicians and patients.
> >>
> >>Maybe that's because the man is running as a Democrat, not a
> >>Libertarian.  Constitutionality of drug law is *your* dead
> >>horse to beat, not his.
> > 
> > 
> > Nate:
> > I was referring to the Feds threatening physicians with loss of their
> > DEA licenses and jail time for telling patients that marijuana may
> > help them.  This isn't a Libertarian issue -  this is a free speech
> > issue plain and simple.  And - not only is it a free speech issue - it
> > is a critical free speech issue.  Or - perhaps you think that
> > physicians should check with the DEA before they tell anyone their
> > medical opinions to make sure they're "politically correct" ?
> > 
> > Guido
> 
> Federal agents can raid a grower operating under a city contract in 
> accordance with state laws for the benefit of people with a medical 
> need, and then disallow even the mention of those facts in court.

A lot more than just disallowing the mention was done.  Mr.
Rosenthal's attorneys were PREVENTED by the presiding judge from
questioning some of the witnesses.  Instead, the judge himself asked
the questions.  Obviously - this was to restrain tricky attorneys who
might ask questions in such a way that the judge would legally be
required to admit testimony about the details of the work Mr.
Rosenthal was doing.  However, it seems plain to me that not allowing
your counsel to cross-examine a witness is a violation of your right
to due-process.  We'll see what the higher courts say about this
before too long.

> 
> That's exactly the kind of thing the founders of this country went to 
> war to fight against, isn't it?

I think the Founders are spinning in their graves...

Guido