Should the DEA target members of pro-drug legalization groups for special scrutiny?

[Nye Bevan]

After all, it could be argued that members of these groups are more likely to use illegal drugs. Their internet shopping history could be scrutinized; their yards could be inspected from the street with binoculars to see what is growing there; their usage of electricity could be analyzed in case they are using hydroponics.

Surely those who have no problem with the IRS targeting anti-tax groups would be fine with this?

[Scuba]

1. A better question would be: If you feel the IRS shouldn't target anti-tax groups ...

... do you also agree that the DEA should stop targeting pro-drug legalization groups?

[geek tragedy]

2. If said groups had a history of helping people

break the drug laws.

[byeya]

3. It's an attack on those using their First Amendment rights. It's no different than the fbi

interfering with anti-war groups in the 1960s and 1970s.

[Tanuki]

6. I disagree with your analogy.

The IRS wasn't interfering with Tea Party or "Patriot" activities, but trying to determine whether they could legitimately present themselves as non-partisan "social welfare" organizations and thus qualify for numerous tax benefits and lenient rules for donors and funding. As far as I can see, the teabaggers are highly partisan and thus guilty of misrepresenting themselves, and are thus legitimate targets of scrutiny.

[tjwash]

9. Bad analogy - these groups are tax dumps and tax shelters for the koch bros and karl rove.

They should be investigated, and they should have their tax status reevaluated.

[RevStPatrick]

4. "Should they"? Yeah, probably...

...that would be the DEA's job, after all.

At the very least, those groups should expect that they are targets for scrutiny, and not be surprised when something happens. Just like I would expect anti-tax to be scrutinized, and they shouldn't act surprised when they are.

This is mostly just the latest wingnut manufactured outrage...

[Bluenorthwest]

8. So merely advocating a change to the law should bring investigation?

Should they be investigating those of us who want to change your bigoted marriage laws? It's a law, we want to end it. That's a terrible thing, according to you.

[RevStPatrick]

14. I knew someone was going to put words in my mouth!

A regular DU occurrence.

"That's a terrible thing, according to you."

No.
Wrong.
Stop it.

Look, I'm a pot smoker.
I know that it's "against the law."
And, I don't want it to be.
I have done things to change those laws.
However, I fully understand that it is still against the law, and therefore I don't walk down the street smoking a fatty and expect that I will not get into some kind of trouble. I fully understand that the Feds "could" if they really wanted to, bust down my door and bust me for those 3 roaches in the ashtray. (not at all likely, but not out of the realm of possibility)

"My" bigoted marriage laws?
I've probably been to more gay weddings than you.

When it comes to groups that advocate, and even educate people how to illegally avoid paying taxes... I'm honestly on the fence about that. These Tea Party groups are my "political enemies," so naturally I want them to "get into trouble." But yes, I also feel like they certainly have the right to lobby for change, if they are doing so properly.

However, it is my understanding that some of these groups are using the 501(c)3 designation improperly. This is, or at least should be, what they are being investigated for. If a medical marijuana advocacy group were to do the same thing, I would expect and support the same kind of scrutiny. Maybe this scrutiny of the Tea Party groups is purely political. Time will tell.

Please, don't put words into my mouth.
It's unbecoming of an intelligent Liberal type to do so...

[KittyWampus]

15. Some advocacy should indeed be investigated. Those advocating violent jihad. Voter suppression.

[RainDog]

5. I would assume they do

People in my town, including me, were questioned by the FBI during the Bush years after we had participated in a United for Peace and Justice event. I don't know if you saw Michael Moore's movie with the story about the mole in the Quaker group... yeah, like that.)

Anytime you speak out about an issue, you should assume you'll be under scrutiny because that's how power intimidates those who threaten it, even if your only weapons are words.

[GeorgeGist]

7. Are they exempt?

[leftyohiolib]

10. what makes you think they arent

[NightWatcher]

11. So sign a petition in favor of medical marijuana, get your house searched for pot?

Yet another reason why I'm not a fan of petitions.

There's been a lot of cases where medical marijuana advocates have been harassed by local and federal law enforcement. Many times these advocates are sick, weak, and unable to fight back. These are not drug dealers or serious criminals, but sick people looking for relief.

[treestar]

12. There's a lot of prosecutorial discretion

Where there is no way to catch everybody. Are we all OK with the government now not targeting immigrants to deport, even if they are legally deportable, and targeting criminals who are deportable?

In your scenario it might not be all that practical. The government is going to go where they can get the easy cases, rather than those who are probably smart enough to demand every one of their rights.

Anybody's yard could be scrutinized, you don't have to be advocating a change in the law - or advocating a change doesn't mean you are breaking the law in the meantime.

It's a different issue - the Tea Party is not politically neutral, and that is the standard for tax exempt status - it's not the issue of their being more likely to evade taxes - in fact, they mostly don't - they just whine about paying them.

[Blue_Tires]

13. What if one of those "pro-drug legalization groups" was a Mexican certel?

Like I said earlier; the IRS was probably close to ripping the cover off of something, so the teabaggers called their overlords who then called their puppets in congress to raise a stink...The only difference between the teabaggers and the mafia is they have more congresscritters they can crack the whip on...Of course, the IRS blew it so the teabaggers get to play the 'persecuted victim' card, and everyone feels safer now...

Of course the *real* story no one has the stones to discuss is how secretive, convoluted and lawless campaign financing has become on every level...

[Downtown Hound]

16. LOL. Sorry to break it to you, but they've been doing that for decades. n/t

[bemildred]

17. +1. nt

[frylock]

18. better luck tomorrow