Kucinich is just as much a politician as the rest. Example...

[DealsGapRider]

Kucinich supporters seem determined to propogate the myth that he's the only candidate running for office who speaks the unadulterated truth, the only candidate who doesn't run from unpopular positions. The personification of ideological purity, if you will.

Well, I was checking out his web site and wanted to see where he stood on the drug war. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement. I am waiting for the candidate who will finally articulate what I believe is the majority position among Americans: that it's time to decriminalize marijuana for recreational use. I thought Kucinich might be that man. You know as well as I do that he thinks it should be okay to smoke a joint in your living room without fear of arrest. So why doesn't he say it? Lord knows he says all kinds of other crap that will ensure he won't ever be elected, from his namby-pamby Department of Peace to his bill to ban mind-control weapons in outer space. So why the silence on weed? As you can see below, all he does is tip-toe around the issue with a few stale platitudes about treatment for addiction versus incarceration and the benefits of medical marijuana. Where's the beef?

From Kucinich's web site:

"A safe, free and just America is undermined, not bolstered, by the costly and ineffective War on Drugs. While well-intentioned, this misguided policy -- which emphasizes criminalization over treatment -- has led to increased violent crime, misdirected resources of law enforcement and restricted Constitutional liberties.

"Despite billions spent yearly on the drug war, addiction is up. Our country must rethink a policy that produces many casualties, but benefits only the prison-industrial complex. Non-violent drug offenders often receive Draconian sentences, tearing apart families.

"Racial bias in the enforcement of drug laws is pervasive. According to a Human Rights Watch report based on FBI statistics, blacks were arrested on drug charges at nearly five times the rate of whites. Drug use is consistent across racial and socioeconomic lines -- yet in the state of New York, for example, 94 percent of incarcerated drug offenders are Latino or African-American, mostly from poor communities.

"Countries in Europe and elsewhere are turning away from failed policies. They are treating addiction as a medical problem and are seeing significant reductions in crime and violence -- with fewer young people becoming involved with addictive drugs in the first place. In our country, due to misplaced priorities and resources, only one bed exists for every ten people who apply for drug treatment. Addiction is a medical and moral problem that should be treated by professionals, not dumped on the criminal justice system.

"Most Americans believe that medical marijuana should be available to help relieve the suffering of seriously ill patients, and eight states have passed laws to allow it. But the Bush administration has harassed medical marijuana patients in an effort to assert federal authority. This is another aspect of the drug war that should be ended."

[Terwilliger]

1. oh fuck that

are you telling me that any other candidate is even CLOSE to drug policy reform?

[DealsGapRider]

2. Nope

I'm merely pointing out that of all of them, I would expect Kucinich to be the one. But he isn't. Why not?

[Terwilliger]

7. no problem, DGR

chase me out of the party completely

[John_H]

15. uh......OK

:hi:

[Terwilliger]

20. amazing

well, like I said before, when you lose in 04 will you still blame it on someone else?

[tinanator]

31. so what is your point?

are you old enough to be held responsible for your own actions?

[Rainbowreflect]

3. And who out there has a better stand on drugs?

By the way, his Dept of Peace is anything but namby pamby. Should we not work as hard for peace in our country and around the world as we do on all other issues. There are no perfect candidates, but Kucinich is the closet I've ever seen to what I want in a president.

[library_max]

4. A Politician! Oh Mercy, Mercy, No! Anything But a Politician!

How can the Democrats possibly expect to win the general election if our nominee is a politician?

/sarcasm off

Jeez, when will we get a clue? People who run for office are politicians by definition. We've got to stop making it a dirty word!

[ThirdWheelLegend]

5. You convinced me!

Kucinich is best on yet another issue!

Go Dennis!


TWL

[XEON]

6. Oh No!

DK is a pol? I have to bet that this post is from a DEANHOLE. I just hate em.

[DealsGapRider]

8. How come...

...your candidate has time to introduce legislation banning, ahem, space-based mind-control devices, but he can't find the spine to come out and say that it's fucking outrageous that an American citizen can sit in front of his TV and drink a case of Schlitz malt liquor every night for 50 years, but if he fires up a joint he can have his very liberty taken away by armed agents of the state?

He has the courage to issue bromide about how the drug war disproportionately affects minorities, but he doesn't have the balls to come out and say that he would eliminate it.

He says he favors medical marijuana for the sick and dying, but he can't find the strength to admit that it should be okay to sit around and share a bowl with your friends, just like it's okay to share a bottle of wine.

Why the lack of courage from the supposed firebrand?

[Tinoire]

9. Kucinich Thanked for Compassion on Medical Marijuana - Hoooah!

Thanks for helping us spread the word that he is the most progressive on yet this other issue!

Kucinich Thanked for Compassion on Medical Marijuana

:loveya:

MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE -- Responding to a statement at a campaign event today by Granite Staters for Medical Marijuana (GSMM), Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) reiterated his support for changing federal law to allow people with cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, and other serious illnesses to have medical marijuana, with their doctors' approval.

During the opening of Kucinich's New Hampshire campaign headquarters, GSMM member Linda Macia, who suffers from several debilitating illnesses for which conventional medications have not provided relief, thanked Rep. Kucinich for his support.

Macia said, "I want to thank you for your compassion for seriously ill medical marijuana patients and for your passionate support of the Hinchey Amendment," referring to a speech Kucinich gave on July 22, urging his colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to support an amendment to an appropriations bill that would have barred the Justice Department and Drug Enforcement Administration from spending any money to raid or arrest medical marijuana patients and providers in the states that have eliminated or reduced penalties for the medical use of marijuana.

Kucinich responded, "It's not even a question, if someone needs it." Kucinich then left the podium and stepped toward a teary-eyed Macia to hug her. "How are you doing?" Kucinich asked. Macia responded, "I'm in a lot of pain." When Kucinich returned to the podium, he said, "Thank you, Linda. ... In my administration, you're going to get the help you need."

"Congressman Kucinich has made the strongest statements about medical marijuana of any of the nine Democratic presidential contenders, and he should be thanked for his compassion," said GSMM Campaign Coordinator Aaron Houston. "Seriously ill people who are simply trying to take their medicine can count on Kucinich to protect them from arrest and prison."

Rep. Kucinich previously said he supports medical marijuana "without reservation." In a May 29 San Francisco Chronicle interview, Kucinich said, "Compassion requires that medical marijuana be available ... to any patient who needs it to alleviate pain and suffering."

In a CNN/Time poll published Nov. 4, 2002, 80 percent of Americans supported legal access to medical marijuana. In a resolution adopted this July, the American Nurses Association endorsed "legislation to remove criminal penalties including arrest and imprisonment for bona fide patients and prescribers of therapeutic marijuana."

Based in Manchester, New Hampshire, Granite Staters for Medical Marijuana is a grassroots coalition of patients and activists. GSMM is organizing during the New Hampshire presidential primary campaign to raise awareness of the need for federal action to protect medical marijuana patients. For further information, please see http://www.GraniteStaters.com .

http://www.mpp.org/releases/nr081203gsmm.html

IMAGINE

[Tinoire]

10. Kucinich First Democratic Pres Candidate to Stand Up for Medical Marijuana

Thanks for starting this thread. Boy am I glad I zapped my ignore list this morning!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MAY 28, 2003

Kucinich Becomes First Democratic Presidential Candidate to Stand Up for Medical Marijuana Patients

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) yesterday became the first Democratic presidential contender to call for an end to the Bush administration's war on medical marijuana patients. Most of the Democratic field has yet to take a position on the issue, despite a November 2002 CNN/Time poll showing that 80 percent of Americans believe seriously ill people should be able to use medical marijuana without fear of arrest and jail.

In a statement posted on his campaign Web site Tuesday, Kucinich declared, "Most Americans believe that medical marijuana should be available to help relieve the suffering of seriously ill patients, and eight states have passed laws to allow it. But the Bush administration has harassed medical marijuana patients in an effort to assert federal authority. This is another aspect of the drug war that should be ended." He also called for a broad rethinking of anti-drug policies, emphasizing treatment over criminalization.

Kucinich is a co-sponsor of H.R. 1717, the Truth in Trials Act, which would end the federal government's gag on medical marijuana defendants in court. The bill would ensure that defendants obeying state medical marijuana laws could introduce evidence about the medical aspects of their marijuana-related activity and avoid being sent to federal prison if the jury accepts their defense.

"Dennis Kucinich has come a long way since 1998, when he voted for a Congressional resolution condemning state medical marijuana laws, and we expect many other Democratic contenders to follow suit," said Robert Kampia, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project in Washington, D.C. "This is a natural issue for the Democrats: The Bush administration is completely out of step with the public, which doesn't want to see sick people hauled off to jail for taking their medicine."

Most of the announced Democratic candidates have little or no public record on the issue. Vermont Gov. Howard Dean killed a medical marijuana bill that was on the verge of passage in 2002, brushing aside pleas from the medical community, AIDS patient groups, and others. Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman co-sponsored a Senate anti-medical marijuana resolution in 1998.

"MPP will be monitoring the campaign, contacting the candidates, and working with grassroots activists across the country to make sure that the voice of medical marijuana patients is heard," Kampia added. "With the Bush administration sending DEA agents to shove automatic weapons in the faces of sick and dying people in California, silence or waffling on this issue is not acceptable."

With 12,000 members nationwide, the Marijuana Policy Project is the largest marijuana policy reform organization in the United States. MPP works to minimize the harm associated with marijuana -- both the consumption of marijuana and the laws that are intended to prohibit such use. MPP believes that the greatest harm associated with marijuana is imprisonment. To this end, MPP focuses on removing criminal penalties for marijuana use, with a particular emphasis on making marijuana medically available to seriously ill people who have the approval of their doctors.

http://www.mpp.org/releases/nr052803.html

[Tinoire]

11. Granite Slaters for Med Marij grades all candidates. DK = A+

Dennis Kucinich: A+
Dick Gephardt: B-
John Kerry: C
Joseph Lieberman: D+
John Edwards: D-
Bob Graham: D-
Howard Dean: F+
Bush: F
Carol Mosely-Braun: ?
Al Sharpton: Incomplete

---------------------------------------
Name: Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH)

In short: On May 29, 2003, Kucinich was quoted in the San Francisco Chronicle as supporting medical marijuana "without reservation" and indicated that as president he would be willing to sign an executive order permitting its use. (You can read the full text of the article here.) This is on the heels of his May 27 announcement calling for a broad rethinking of anti-drug policies, emphasizing treatment over criminalization. On May 1, Kucinich signed on as cosponsor of the positive Truth in Trials Act. He has come full circle on the subject, having voted for the 1998 resolution condemning state medical marijuana initiatives.

What Kucinich has done*: Kucinich was the first Democratic presidential candidate to come out in favor of medical marijuana in May 2003. On July 23, 2003, Kucinich voted for the Hinchey/Rohrabacher amendment to the Commerce-Justice-State appropriations bill that would have barred the Justice Department, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, from spending any money to raid or arrest medical marijuana patients and providers in the states that have eliminated or reduced penalties for medical use of marijuana.

On May 1, 2003, Kucinich became the first of the announced presidential candidates serving in Congress to cosponsor positive medical marijuana legislation: H.R. 1717, the Truth in Trials Act. This measure would remove the federal gag on medical marijuana defendants, allowing federal defendants to present evidence about the medical aspects of their marijuana-related activity. It would keep them from being sent to federal prison if it were determined that they were acting in compliance with state medical marijuana laws.

In 1998, Kucinich voted for H.J.Res. 117, a resolution opposing efforts to legalize marijuana or other Schedule I drugs for medical use. The resolution condemned "efforts to circumvent" the Food and Drug Administration's drug-approval process via state medical marijuana laws, and it contained language suggesting that medical marijuana laws add to "ambiguous cultural messages about marijuana use are contributing to a growing acceptance of marijuana use among children and teenagers." The resolution passed by a vote of 310-93.

What Kucinich has said: At his Manchester campaign headquarters opening, Kucinich responded to a statement of gratitude for his compassion on medical marijuana from GSMM member Linda Macia, saying "It's not even a question, if someone needs it," referring to medical marijuana. Kucinich then left the podium and stepped toward a teary-eyed Macia to hug her. "How are you doing?" Kucinich asked. Macia responded, "I'm in a lot of pain." When Kucinich returned to the podium, he said "Thank you, Linda ... In my administration, you're going to get the help you need."

Kucinich bolstered his previous strong public statement on July 22, 2003 with an impassioned speech urging his colleagues' support for an amendment to an appropriations bill that would have barred the Justice Department, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, from spending any money to raid or arrest medical marijuana patients and providers in the states that have eliminated or reduced penalties for medical use of marijuana. Rep. Kucinich added the mention of his floor speech to his campaign newsletter, saying "He spoke out on the House floor, as he has on the campaign, for an amendment to stop Attorney General Ashcroft's crusade against patients who use medical marijuana to alleviate their suffering in the 10 states that allow it."

From the San Francisco Chronicle, May 29, 2003: "Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio became the first Democratic presidential candidate to endorse the legalization of medical marijuana when he told The Chronicle on Wednesday it should be available 'to any patient who needs it to alleviate pain and suffering,' regardless of the current federal drug laws. 'Compassion requires that medical marijuana be available' Kucinich said during a telephone interview after a campaign stop in Cupertino. 'We must have health-care systems which are compassionate ... so I support it without reservation.' (You can read the full text of the article here.)

"Kucinich said that as president, 'I'd sign an executive order that would permit its use.'"

http://www.granitestaters.com/guide/kucinich.html

[DealsGapRider]

12. Tinoire,

I am not disputing the fact that Kucinich's position on marijuana is the best of all the Democratic candidates. But that's not saying much is it?

Can you explain to me why he isn't flatly calling for the decriminalization of marijuana?

[Tinoire]

14. Well you know... He didn't ask me ;)

I think that's something you'd have to ask him. I'm perfectly satisfied with his stance because it's a major improvement on what we have now and light year's ahead of the other candidates.

This is already an impressive and courageous stance for me because it's one other manner in which Dennis is attacking the drug companies and the stranglehold they have on our wallets for alleviating pain and other ills for which Mother Nature has already given us a free palliative.

Right now 80% of Americans would like Medical Marijuana approved. I am sure that the day even 60% of Americans want marijuana legalized, Dennis would do it- but are we there yet and is it our first priority? To see a man as progressive as Kucinich get into office, I would foreswear pot for the rest of my life. I look at it this way:

my right to get stoned.........vs poverty
my right to get giggly silly...vs war and exploitation of the poor at home and abroad
my right to get high...........vs a bloated Pentagon budget and broken school system


My feelings on decriminalization is that decriminalization is a one-word lie anyway- the only difference is that instead of getting booked you get ticketed but you still don't have the right to consume and you've running afoul of the law. So I'm not a big fan of it...
Legalization is where we should start looking but right now it's really not a huge issue to me- not when you look at the state of the world today. War, peace, justice for Palestinians, social ills, poverty, education... those are the main things I'm looking at.

I disagree though when you say that it's not saying much... I think it's saying a lot because it speaks to his integrity and the moral courage of his convictions. Kucinich has never waited to see which way the wind blows to do what is right and that's something I admire greatly.

On edit: I would be very curious to see your source for your statement that the majority of Americans are for legalization for recreational use. I live in California and even out here that's not the case yet. Would be nice, but I don't think we're there yet.

[Karmadillo]

17. Keep writing posts like that and he will be asking you, Tinoire.

Excellent point that a candidate for the Presidency has only so much capital to expend. I imagine he knows an embrace of decriminalizing marijuana would make it awful easy for the media to mock his advocacy of single payer health care and an end to NAFTA/WTO. I can just hear Candy Crowley asking, "What was he smoking when he came up with that proposal?"

[DealsGapRider]

22. So he has enough political capital to expend...

...advocating that we completely remove PROFIT from the health care industry, a position that is so far outside the mainstream of American thought that it's hard to contemplate, but he can't bother to say, hey, it's not fair that you can get fucked up on beer but it's illegal to smoke a joint. Trust me, that position is much more tenable for the majority of Americans.

[Karmadillo]

25. Well, what's in "the mainstream" can be a fairly flexible concept when

the American people are actually given the facts. Once upon a time, the mainstream thought George W Bush was a pretty good President. That number has declined fairly precipitously as facts suggest the contrary.

Same for single payer. Who know what the mainstream might be after a good, honest debate especially in light of constantly increasing for profit health care costs?

In case anyone's interested, here's a link to the thread you started questioning Kucinich's health care policy. I thought there were good posts on both sides and if that kind of debate showed up in national media for several months, the mainstream might find itself far outside the mainstream, too.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=307881&mesg_id=307881

[no name no slogan]

26. How many times....

advocating that we completely remove PROFIT from the health care industry, a position that is so far outside the mainstream of American thought that it's hard to contemplate

Yes, it's so outside the mainstream that:

* the Democratic Party has had it as a plank in its platform since the 1970s;

* Richard Nixon advocated for it during his presidency;

* The Journal of the American Medical Association and 8,000 physicians signed for it; and

* Polls have shown many times that a majority of Americans support a universal, not-for-profit healthcare system.

* studies have also shown that not-for-profit healthcare delivers better and more affordable care than for-profit care.

I'm really suprised you're still flogging this dead horse. :eyes:

[DealsGapRider]

29. News to me...

"the Democratic Party has had it as a plank in its platform since the 1970s"

This is news to me. I'm not saying I don't believe you, but do you have a link?

Also, just because it's part of the Dem platform, doesn't mean it's not outside of the mainstream.

And your link allegedly showing wide support for a not-for-profit health care system is weak.

[Terwilliger]

24. yep

and you'll lose a lot of people who equate being able to smoke pot with a guarantee that civil liberties will respected if he decides to play "patty-cake" with issues

[sangh0]

13. weak

Does Kucinich call himself a "Straight Shooter" or brag about "Straight talk"? Does he bill himself as anything but a politician

[JohnKleeb]

19. sang havent heard him saying anything about that

[no name no slogan]

16. You've burst my bubble <sarc>

All this time, I thought Dennis was a tights-wearing superhero, who travelled the Cleveland metro area in his KuchMobile (which is, in reality, a 1975 Lincoln town car with copious amounts of rust), passing out roach clips and 2lb. bags of Doritos for any stoner who would give the secret devil horn salute and yell "DUUUUUUDE!". :hippie: :hippie: :hippie: :hippie:
I'm so crushed. I'll never, EVER support another candidate who isn't afraid of his past record AGAIN. Instead I'll only support candidates who call themselves "the Democratic Wing of the Democratic Party" and govern somewhere slightly to the right of Richard Nixon.

Excuse me, but I'm going for a cry. Would any of my fellow Kucitizens care to join (or is that "joint") me?

:cry: :cry: :cry:

[Tinoire]

27. lol... I am crying right along with you

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:


Damn... if I can't vote for someone who will legalize marijuana, I'll just sacrifice all my principles and vote for a centrist!

[JohnKleeb]

28. mind if I join and btw check your pms cass

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:
My pot is more important to me than getting rid of the patriot act, promoting peace, abolishing the death penalty, and being for the workers. lol.

[JohnKleeb]

18. so he doesnt believe in drug legalization

But he has a good view on this. BTW I still support him, hes only human for crying out loud.

[HPLeft]

21. The Drug Dealers Have Won

They even have one of their best former customers as President!

[JohnKleeb]

23. roflmao

good one.

[DemBones DemBones]

30. Did you search his site thoroughly? I think he has said it's time

to end the War on Drugs. I haven't got time to look it up right now.

Also, legalizing medical marijuana and having it used widely would show a lot of people who fear pot that it doesn't turn people into raving lunatics. That would be a step toward acceptance of recreational use. (How about in DK's second term?) There really are people out there who are afraid of the consequences of legalization. And does anyone not realize that driving stoned is as dangerous as driving drunk? (OK, maybe not quite as dangerous but still dangerous -- in either case, you're impaired.)

See you guys later. . .