Author Archives: Pete

Judiciary Face-off As I mentioned earlier this week, Attorney General John Ashcroft issued a directive requiring prosecutors to snitch on judges who use their own discretion and provide lighter sentences than Ashcroft wants. Senator Edward Kennedy accused Ashcroft of engaging … Continue reading →

Can someone explain this? On the DEA website, there is a Drug Intelligence Brief titled: “Area Codes: Frequently Asked Questions (June 2003)”. After giving a page of general information about how area codes work, and how they’re assigned to different … Continue reading →

Well, duh! Bush Administration Misuses Science Data, Report Says. “The Bush administration persistently manipulates scientific data to serve its ideology and protect the interests of its political supporters, a report by the minority staff of the House Committee on Government … Continue reading →

And now for something completely different… Check out the page on Dihydrogen Monoxide (DHMO) and the controversy surrounding this substance which has been linked to cancer and apparently is used a great deal in the dairy industry. How long will … Continue reading →

Odds and Ends — Media Awareness Project has a new letter writing alert regarding a US Attorney for Hawaii who used grossly inflated “ice” numbers in order to try to justify a weakening of constitutional protections. Go there and add … Continue reading →

“DEA Bad Girl Michele Leonhart” The new nominee for Deputy Administrator of the DEA is a gung-ho drug warrior with questionable ties to a discredited super-snitch. The Bush administration wants to head up the Drug Enforcement Agency with two women … Continue reading →

That’s a lot of cocaine… or is it? Bolivian police, acting on tips from the DEA and Spanish police, seized 5 tons of cocaine destined for Spain, the largest seizure in Bolivia’s history. They found 2 tons on Friday, and … Continue reading →

“Can Congress Get a Clue? (Karen Tandy and the DEA)” Late Thursday night, the U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed Karen P. Tandy as the new head of the DEA, following former administrator Asa Hutchinson’s move to Homeland Security. The Washington Post … Continue reading →

Today in Marijuana History August 2, 1937: The Marijuana Tax Act is passed, enacting federal marijuana prohibition for the first time. Harry Anslinger commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, tells Congress during a remarkably brief hearing, “Marihuana is an … Continue reading →

Worth a read 1. For a good overview of the current status of the war on drugs, the August 18 issue of The Nation will include an article by Sasha Abramsky: The Drug War Goes Up in Smoke (now available … Continue reading →