Re: Howard Dean on the Drug War

On 11-09-2003 20:07, in article
[EMAIL PROTECTED], "Guido Marx"
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> 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


I agree. I am certain all of them would have opposed such laws.

EJ