Drug-legalizing cop comes in first place in YouTube's 'Ask Obama' contest

A video question about legalizing drugs from a former deputy sheriff has come in first place in YouTube's "Your Interview with the President" competition, where users submitted and voted on questions to be posed to President Barack Obama.
Obama is scheduled to answer the top-voted questions today, Thursday, Jan. 27, at 2:30 PM EST in an interview that will be streamed live online at http://www.youtube.com/askobama
The first-place question is from MacKenzie Allen, a retired deputy sheriff and a current member of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP).
“As a proud American with a career in law enforcement behind me, I find it frustrating that many elected officials pay little or no attention to the serious harms caused by our failed drug policies," said MacKenzie Allen, a retired deputy sheriff who served in Los Angeles, CA and King County (Seattle), WA. "That's why I took advantage of what is likely my only opportunity to pose a question to our president, via the Internet. I’ve watched for decades as we throw good money after bad and, more importantly, life after life, at a 'War on Drugs' that is waged with counterproductive tactics and an overall flawed strategy. For the sake of those law enforcers who are still bravely on the front lines of the 'Drug War,' I hope our politicians will heed the call to finally discuss a new approach to drug control."
The Obama White House has previously asked citizens to submit and vote on questions via the web several times, with marijuana and drug policy issues rising to the top virtually every time. During a town hall meeting following one such round of voting in 2009, President Obama laughed off a marijuana legalization question, saying, "I don't know what this says about the online audience."

» more at: copssaylegalize.blogspot.com

Posted By jamesk at 2011-01-27 11:40:18 permalink | comments

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ziggy. : 2011-02-06 23:57:45

I do think that the suggestions the President offers are ways to legitimize and correct American drug policy. Whether the measures he proposes are enough is another matter- but it is uncertain whether trying to enact immediate and drastic change in an area as delicate as drug policy is wise.

I say this in consideration of the political aspect- can drastic change gather sufficient public support? - as well as the practical aspect; take California, for example, whose medical marijuana laws have de-legitimized medical marijuana with their ambiguity and lenience. I personally don't figure I am one to tell others how to treat their body, but as many others DO feel this way, it doesn't help them gather positive impressions of medical marijuana, and consequently vote to support it. It is hard to balance one's ideals with the actualities of the political environment within which we live, but especially necessary for drug policy because it is bound to be a touchy subject in the United States, it seems.

It bothers me that Mr. Obama refuses to shed light on WHY he does not support legalization (he never provides a rationale for his stance), when decriminalization has proven to be quite effective in some instances (ie, Portugal). As that is his basic stance on the issue posed by the questioner, it seems to me he would want to inform us on why he feels that way.

And, as we all know so well, words of politicians are not easily transformed into political action anyways. Nevertheless, it's important the questions keep getting asked, and the issue keeps getting pushed. That's how long-lasting, positive legislative changes will eventually come about, I suspect.

Finally, to be positive, it is very fascinating to see a President open up new forums of political discussion such as the youtube response to the State of the Union. To me, this is an encouraging shift towards our representatives in government heeding what they are supposed to in a representative democracy- the public's opinion on what is important and what needs to be done.

mrin. : 2011-02-02 09:33:52

So the thought is that he's open for discussion, but says it's bad for you and we should still spend all this money and energy into hunting our own citizens. No such thing as a legitimate use of these things, right? Taking drugs on it's own is like alcohol + driving a car. Just so we know :\

James. : 2011-01-30 19:45:58

oh, ok. now I get it. good one, barack!

slay : 2011-01-30 00:00:03

um..but he was lying, james

James. : 2011-01-29 19:36:48

The moment I started to despise Obama was when he laughed at the little people who voted for him, for thinking he might actually not have been lying about his administration "changing" anything.

tim. : 2011-01-28 05:15:39

Completely fell on deaf ears. What a surprise.

Paul. : 2011-01-28 02:08:46

He has to address the question respectfully now, however much it makes him uncomfortable to do so. This is a big improvement over last year.

iceman. : 2011-01-27 15:48:23

Here is a link to the President's response to Mr. Allen's question: [link]

MumblesPrometheus. : 2011-01-27 14:35:39

He won't be able to laugh it off as a joke perpetrated by the internet this time like he did right after he got elected.

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