Date: Sat, 24 Aug 2002 14:25:10 -0500
From: leonf@perspicuity.net ("Leon")
Subject: FEAR: Fwd: Re: ARO: MI - Conyers Blasts DEA for Lobbying
To: fear-list@mapinc.org, fear-talk@mapinc.org
Reply-To: fear-talk@mapinc.org
*********** BEGIN FORWARDED MESSAGE ***********
On 8/24/2002 at 10:55 AM Mark Greer <mgreer@mapinc.org> wrote:
>Ahh! An answer at last. On 6/22/02 I posted the message below to ARO. It
>seems Conyers has the same general feeling. :~)
>==
>
>What can/should we do to take legal action based on Dan Forbes' expose of
>Ohio's Governor, Taft the Sembler's, Hutchinson et al in conspiring to
>undermine Prop 36 style initiatives? This has to be illegal in all kinds
>of
>ways.
>
>Could RICO conspiracy charges be filed against them?
>
>NLG? Kevin? Any others with legal know how.
>
>At 04:53 PM 8/23/2002 -0700, Dave Fratello wrote:
>> From the office of:
>>Congressman John Conyers, Jr.
>>Fourteenth District, Michigan
>>
>>Ranking Member, House Judiciary Committee
>>Dean of the Congressional Black Caucus
>>
>>Contact: Deanna Maher (313) 961-5670 Cell: (313) 737-7944
>>Ted Kalo, Judiciary Committee
>>(202) 225-6906
>>
>>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 23, 2002
>>
>>CONYERS QUESTIONS
>>DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION ON
>>USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES
>>
>> Detroit, MI - Congressman John Conyers, Jr. has requested an
>>immediate investigation by the head of the Drug Enforcement Agency of
>>the U.S. Department of Justice, Asa Hutchinson, of DEA's possible
>>misuse of federal funds without proper authorization by Congress and
>>in contravention of existing law..
>>
>> Conyers said: "It appears that the DEA has been actively
>>engaged across the country in collaboration with groups who are
>>opposed to ballot proposals involving reform of our drug laws.
>>Michigan is one of the states which will have a proposal of this kind
>>on its November ballot. Citizens opposed to this kind of ballot
>>initiative clearly are permitted to campaign and lobby in support of
>>their point of view in an effort to win public support for their
>>position. This is what our democracy is all about. But it is far
>>from clear whether federally funded agencies and their employees can
>>be used to spread a message or promote a campaign for or against a
>>ballot initiative, on federal property and on government time."
>>
>> "The use of our local DEA office by those opposed to the Drug
>>Reform ballot initiative seems clearly in violation of Section 601 of
>>Public Law 107-77 (Novembr 28, 2001), which clearly states that no
>>part of any appropriation for DEA can be used for 'publicity or
>>propaganda purposes' not authorized by Congress".
>>
>> "I am concerned that DEA has actively been involved in a
>>campaign, both locally and nationally, to oppose drug reform
>>proposals which have been properly and legally put before the
>>citizens of this state for their approval or rejection. There seems
>>little doubt that the appropriations for DEA are specifically
>>prohibited from being used for this purpose. This apparently
>>unlawful involvement of the DEA to promote a political agenda must
>>cease immediately. We cannot allow the integrity of our national
>>government to be compromised for any purpose, regardless of the
>>intent of these over zealous federal activists. I am shocked that
>>judges in violation of their Canon of Ethics would participate as
>>well."
>>
>>--
>>Campaign for New Drug Policies
>>1250 Sixth St., #202
>>Santa Monica, CA 90401
>>
>>ph: (310) 394-2952
>>fax: (310) 451-7494
>>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>Attachment: http://www.drugsense.org/temp/part1548.html
>
>Mark Greer
>Executive Director
>DrugSense
>MGreer@mapinc.org
>
>DrugSense is working to encourage accuracy, honesty, and common sense
>in matters involving the failed, expensive, and destructive "War on Drugs."
>
>Get Involved - Learn about the Issues
>http://www.drugsense.org
>
>Contribute - Help us Help Reform
>http://www.drugsense.org/donate.htm
>
>Find Information - Learn how to Make a Difference
>http://www.mapinc.org
>
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