LA Times – Schwarzenegger approves bill downgrading marijuana possession of ounce or less to an infraction:
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who opposes legalization of marijuana for recreational use, has approved legislation downgrading possession of an ounce or less from a misdemeanor to an infraction.
Supporters say the change will keep marijuana-related cases from becoming court-clogging jury trials, even though the penalty will remain a fine of up to $100, with no jail time. Violations will not go on a person’s record as a crime.
“I am signing this measure because possession of less than an ounce of marijuana is an infraction in everything but name,” Schwarzenegger wrote in a message released after he signed the bill. “In this time of drastic budget cuts, prosecutors, defense attorneys, law enforcement and the courts cannot afford to expend limited resources prosecuting a crime that carries the same punishment as a traffic ticket.”
Good. I’m not in favor of full-spectrum drug legalization, but I’m all for marijuana legalization. The problems that result from making marijuana illegal outweigh the problems marijuana would cause, so I’m glad to see steps like this.
NA FEA GEN US Schools and War Quotes
AP Worldstream February 17, 2003 | The Associated Press 00-00-0000 Comments from students, teachers and education advocates about dealing with the possibility of war with Iraq:
“In World War II, people were passionate about fighting. It was about a righteous cause, and we were trying to stop evil from spreading. This one seems to be because we’re afraid.” _ Ross Godwin, 16, a sophomore at Thomas S. Wootton High School in Rockville, Maryland. in our site art of war quotes
“It’s a moment to teach about American democracy. Consider the very fact that these discussions are happening in schools about places where people can’t even talk openly within their own families.” _ Sandra Feldman, president of the American Federation of Teachers. this web site art of war quotes
“Bombing them won’t do any good, because Saddam Hussein obviously doesn’t care about his constituents any more than he does about us.” _ Leah Pine, 15, a sophomore at Wootton High School and member of a peace advocacy group in Rockville, Maryland.
“I don’t think we ought to have a loyalty test for teachers. But I think it’s incumbent on teachers to help kids understand what patriotism is grounded in, and why teachers tend to want to come to America.” _ Chester Finn, president of the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation in Washington, D.C.
“The Iraqi people are not all anti-American. And if there’s an anti- American government with weapons of mass destruction, that’s far more dangerous than people who are anti-American.” _ Miriam Yavener, 15, a sophomore at Wootton High School.
“The draft scares them. Even though I’ve told them 1,500 times they’ re too young, it still is something that’s on the forefront of their minds.” _ Jenn Storck, teacher of advanced-placement government at Wootton High School.
The Associated Press
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There was an article in the LA Times in April, 1973, relating various facts and figures about the War on Drugs. I concluded at that time that the war was already lost.
Nothing in this recent thirty-seven years has given me cause to change my opinion.