|
|
| Bush Nominee Faces Questions |
|
Posted by FoM on September 10, 2001 at 15:08:21 PT By Jesse J. Holland, Associated Press Writer Source: Associated Press 
President Bush's choice for drug policy director – a man who was a harsh critic of Clinton-era anti-drug policies – is getting his own turn as a target of criticism and questions. John Walters, whose nomination goes in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, served as acting director in 1993, but quit when President Clinton announced a reorientation of anti-narcotics policy, de-emphasizing law enforcement and interdiction.Walters favored strong law enforcement, criticizing the Clinton administration's anti-drug advertising campaign and advocating severe prison sentences for marijuana smugglers and repeat offenders. "Instead of finding a compassionate conservative to lead our anti-drug efforts, President Bush has selected a man whose views are regarded as harsh and extreme even among drug warriors," said Keith Stroup, executive director of the National Organization for the Reformation of Marijuana Laws. Opponents say that while Walters took a softer line after he was nominated, senators still need to probe what he said in the past and what he stands for. "The Senate must ask about what is on the record and must determine whether Walters can rise above his own rhetoric," said Bob Weiner, former spokesman for drug policy directors Barry McCaffrey and Lee Brown. Democratic senators are concerned and plan vigorous questioning of Walters during his hearing. "Mr. Weiner's concerns echo a number of Senator Leahy's concerns about this nominee," said Mimi Devlin, spokeswoman for Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. "Enforcement is not the only answer. We need to have a balanced approach." Walters, 49, was once the top deputy to William J. Bennett, the elder Bush's drug policy director. He has since become president of the Philanthropy Roundtable, a conservative association that advises more than 600 donors to charity. Before that, he was president of the New Citizenship Project, which promoted increasing the role of religion in public life. Republican senators have been pushing for the Senate Judiciary Committee to move forward since Bush announced his nomination back in April. They have consistently defended Walters' pro-enforcement stance. An effort by critics to stop Walters "is a purely cynical one, trying to portray Mr. Walters as some kind of Stone Age, Neanderthal throwback who is out of step with the needs of real drug policy," said Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa. "But the policy they really advocate is to make drugs more widely available," said Grassley. "What they object to is that Mr. Walters does not accept that. So they have begun a campaign to impugn his character, misstate his views and misrepresent the facts and their own goals." "John Walters' emphasis on targeting both drug supply and demand through effective drug treatment programs, and his laudable call for cultural leadership in fending off illegal narcotics' assault on our blessed youth, will help reverse years of drift in our counter-drug policies," said Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. Several conservative groups on Monday urged the committee to press Walters for assurances that he will address privacy and civil liberty issues in drug enforcement. The letter, put together by the Coalition for Constitutional Liberties, wants the committee to seek assurances that Walters will "ensure that drug policies respect the privacy and civil liberties of all Americans." On the Net: Senate Judiciary Committee: http://judiciary.senate.gov Newshawk: Nicholas Thimmesch II Related Articles & Web Site: Weiner Available for Comment on Walters Hearing Coalition Criticizes Drug Czar Nominee Groups Show Concern on Anti-Drug Bid Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
 |
| Comment #2 posted by Buddha on September 10, 2001 at 19:26:11 PT |
| Cultural leadership and drug treatment programs. The fact is, is people like to do mind altering things no matter what they be. I wish the government would stop trying to live withint the face of a lie. Telling everyone it is all right when it really isn't. People really need to start getting over themselves and grow up. Even the oldest people of our world are still immature. Drugs don't kill you, they wake you up to reality. Does that mean people who have never done any mind altering thing in their life are not in reality? Going through their whole mediocre life thinking that they are? Some drugs are very dangerous. And people who use them and wreck their lives take responsible users like us down with them. People need to understand there is a distinguation. If that's the case, who will save the sane? [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #1 posted by Sam Adams on September 10, 2001 at 17:38:48 PT |
| "Mr. Weiner's concerns echo a number of Senator Leahy's concerns about this nominee," said Mimi Devlin, spokeswoman for Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. "Enforcement is not the only answer. We need to have a balanced approach." It's SO typical....current policy isn't working at all - Also John McCain chiming in with some bullshit about If you're reading this, I sure hope you're not going to vote [ Post Comment ] |
| Post Comment |  |
 |  |