General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSen. Cory Booker puts marijuana legalization at the center of his new racial justice bill
Good for you, Senator Booker!
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/08/01/cory-booker-puts-marijuana-legalization-at-the-center-of-his-new-racial-justice-bil/?tid=sm_tw&utm_term=.fe3652c0e82b
But Booker's bill would go considerably further. It would withhold some criminal justice funding from states that haven't legalized marijuana if they exhibit racially disproportionate arrest or incarceration rates. In effect, this would apply to each state in which marijuana is not currently legal: A 2013 ACLU report found that nationwide, blacks were nearly four times as likely to be arrested on marijuana charges as whites, despite similar rates of use of the drug.
Booker's legislation would effectively encourage states to legalize marijuana to avoid these penalties. Funds withheld from states would be put toward a federal Community Reinvestment Fund that would receive a separate $500 million in appropriations annually. The fund would be used to establish a grant program to reinvest in communities most affected by the war on drugs. It would cover job-training programs, criminal re-entry assistance, public libraries and community centers, youth programs, and health education. The bill would also create a process for expunging federal marijuana convictions and resentencing people currently serving time for federal marijuana offenses.
Link to tweet
GaryCnf
(1,399 posts)Nice.
mcar
(42,465 posts)Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)Another reason why Senator Booker is on my short list for 2020, although as I've said repeatedly, it's way too early to talk about that.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)VermontKevin
(1,473 posts)him so.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)I havent always agreed with Senator Booker, but I respect his brains and willingness to lead.
He's clearly one to watch.
VermontKevin
(1,473 posts)I wonder what he and Senator Harris have in common?
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)Seriously. I havent seen a single poster on DU pushing "neverkamala".
Ive seen threads decrying the hashtag --- but no one here has actually attacked her, that ive seen. Maybe i missed it.
As well they shouldn't, of course. Kamala Harris is another solid example of up and coming leadership.
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)Weird.
VermontKevin
(1,473 posts)justice under law aspects of current drug policy. Given the current leadership at the DOJ, if you think there is going to be just and fair drug policy, it's going to come from those in the Congress and the state legislatures who have wisdom to provide such. It's going to come through those who can fashion justice through the courts and through careful legislation and through deliberate oversight on Senate committees. Look at that last bit, again.
Harris and Booker are 2 such persons. And when I google them on this site I get a decided tone of topics dedicated to them. A very decided tone. If you don't see or hear that tone, then I suggest you ask the African Americans on this board if there is a tone and you listen to them. Listen.
You definitely are missing something. If I might make a a suggestion, then I would suggest that failure to align with those figures in the Democratic party most likely to fulfill your policy initiatives will doom those policy initiatives. Democrats on oversight committees are always easy targets.
Alignment means vigorous defense, too. It means foresight into common tactics. It means recognizing that attacks, concern trolling, and the drumbeats of ratfuckers that are unheard and unaddressed will doom what you want. Let the death by a thousand cuts happen to Harris and Booker and you will find that they are weakened allies for your policy initiative.
Kamala Harris is a Black Democratic woman who would not shut up when questioning Jeff Sessions. She's smart, honest, and wants to govern well. She speaks for those who cannot.
Choose carefully.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)I asked you specifically who on DU has been pushing "Never Kamala". Where. Where has anyone said that, on this board.
They haven't. So there isn't a "#NeverKamala crew" on DU if no one is actually saying "Never Kamala".
I know who Kamala Harris is. As I've said repeatedly, I've followed her career since San Francisco, far before many people on this site knew who she was. I have no doubt of that.
If I can offer you a bit of advice back, I would suggest that you not confuse the prefabricated narratives and caricatures in your own head -be they of people on this board or anyone else- with objective reality.
Don't feel bad, it's a common mistake.
VermontKevin
(1,473 posts)Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)the CARERS act- was stalled by Chuck Grassley.
You've got any more ominous-sounding, vaguely worded reprobations that contain hidden gems of advice on how to get through to calcified fucks like Chuck Fucking Grassley, I'm all ears.
As near as I can see, though, the more pressing problem here along with Grassley isn't Kamala Harris, it's the OTHER Senator from California.
https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2016-04-05/oldest-us-senators-accused-of-holding-biased-marijuana-hearing
And the underlying issue may have less to do with levels of skin melanin, and more to do with length of telomeres
VermontKevin
(1,473 posts)You think this is about getting through to Grassley? He's done and impenetrable, an old white man clinging to power.
It's about making your Democrat bulletproof. Your best chance.
You have a pet issue. You'd do well to make sure that Democrats are broadly empowered to attend to it.
I know, you think universal marijuana is a human rights issue and I don't disagree that people should have the choice to pick between a sativa or indica as they wish and without penalty. But you've failed to be pragmatic.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)People do that a lot, here. I'm sure I do it sometimes, too, even.
- You brought up chairing senate committees, and you've also brought up pragmatism. Ergo, getting through to Grassley- and I acknowledged the futility, didn't I- is sort of relevant. Also, he's "Clinging to power" as a Senator from the state that also just gave us pig castration lady. Are we sure the next Senator from Iowa is gonna be any better?
But actually, that was equally, if not more, about getting through to Feinstein. Another person whose career I've followed for a looooooooooooooooooong time. West Side, yo.
- Uh, okay, this thread is praising Booker, although "my" Democrats in the Senate are named Merkley and Wyden. And while I've seen criticism of Booker on some specific issues in the past, I've been generally supportive of the guy. Certainly credit where credit is due. I'm not a kevlar vest, but my effusive praise has been known to bend spoons and keep flowers in full bloom nonetheless.
- Yeah, I have a pet issue. The idea that the government shouldn't be in the business of putting consenting adults in prison for smoking a plant. The idea that peoples' own bodies are their own business. That informs marijuana policy just as it informs my support for end-of-life choice for the terminally ill, as it informs my support for reproductive freedom, etc. No one here should have to apologize for being pro-choice, even "stridently" so, and I sure as fuck am not going to.
--- and, again, not sure who you think you're talking to, or about what, specifically. We got down this road because you talked about the "#NeverKamala crew here" and I pointed out that there isn't really a "Never Kamala Crew" if no one is, actually, saying "Never Kamala". If there was one guy saying "Never Kamala" there might be "that #Neverkamala dude" but I haven't even seen that.
I don't know, I tend to favor logic and precision in language. I probably have some form of Asperger's, although copious amounts of liquor in my wayward youth maybe pruned off some of those brain cells prone to overthinking shit. Maybe. But you know what else I did when I was young? I started supporting the Democratic Party. I never stopped. So I'm not sure where this thing about "you'd do well" is coming from.
- I do? I love the florid language, but the Universe is really fucking big. At this point I'd be satisfied to see SpaceX grow some weed on Mars. Is it a "human rights issue"? Well, broadly speaking, I think the idea that free people should be left the fuck alone by government if they're sitting in their living room smoking a plant and not hurting anyone else, sure. But I'm not tone-deaf enough to think it's on par with, say, the horrible shit done to people in North Korea or Saudi Arabia or what-have-you.
Still, it's a pressing political issue, it's current, and it is gaining traction. It's not so much a question of me wanting the Democrats to attend to it for marijuana's sake- pot will be just fine, I promise- it's more that as a Democrat I want my party to LEAD not just b/c it's the right thing to do morally, it's the politically savvy, strategic thing too. It's foolish to cede this issue to the likes of Gary Goofy Gus Johnson, right?
And Booker- a smart man- knows this. He knows it's time, just as Gavin Newsom does. And he knows this is where the country is going. So time to display some leadership and disregard the beltway conventional wisdom people, who 10 years ago would tell you marijuana would NEVER be legal in any state, ever, get over it. (The same people who 15 years ago told our pols to run, don't walk, away from LGBT marriage equality)
- "you" as in, people in general? Humanity? People on DU? Or me, specifically?
Which brings me back to my original point, I'm not sure you're talking to me so much as to a caricature in your own head. And yet you seem so certain, so this should be an easy question to answer: What have *I* done. Me, the guy sitting on the end of this stream of electrons, that isn't pragmatic?
VermontKevin
(1,473 posts)against Senator Booker and Senator Harris and their policies.
You ignored that, and brought up Chuck Grassley.
You indicated that you were missing something. I'd agree with that.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)speaking of ignoring things.
That's the "thing I suggested I missed" --- someone saying something that, no, no one has actually said. So no, my reflexive self-deprecation notwithstanding, I didn't miss anything. I was, in fact, right.
Or if I wasn't, prove me wrong, since you're good with the google.
Beyond that, I'm sure if you look hard enough, you can find this cartoon character you clearly want to have a certain very specific argument with.
Failing that, take an art class and draw it yourself?
VermontKevin
(1,473 posts)Ask the people who know best on this board, the African American group, if there is an implicit bias against Kamala Harris and Cory Booker here.
Go ahead. I googled their names here and was shocked at the threads I found about them on a Democratic website.
I think your limited support of Cory Booker isn't pragmatic.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)I'm sure there are people who would answer such a question in the AA group in the affirmative. And I'm also sure there are racists that post here. So what does that prove, and to who?
But if the stuff you've found is so egregious, why not just post a link to it? I've seen criticism of Booker in the past, most of it IIRC centered around his perceived friendliness to big pharma. That's a legitimate conversation to have. None of our people are immune to criticism, are they?
I mean look at all the shit that was thrown at Chuck Schumer in the last week or so.... Was that anti-semitism, maybe? Schumer's Jewish, after all.
Hey, maybe you should ask those of us on DU with Jewish heritage, if there is an implicit bias here against Jewish politicians. Go ahead. Ask the Jewish group.
Really, the main, salient, ONLY point here is that you claimed there are #NeverKamala people here, and no one has said "Never Kamala". I'm willing to bet you'd have an even harder time finding this supposedly "shocking" material posted about Harris, on DU, but as always you're welcome to prove me wrong with an actual link.
But maybe start a different thread, since none of this is the topic of this one.
And as for my support of Booker being "limited", again, you're just making word-salady stuff up out of whole cloth; I suspect because me supporting Cory Booker doesn't gel with whatever "team" the narrative in your head has mistakenly told you I'm on.
Response to VermontKevin (Reply #26)
RandiFan1290 This message was self-deleted by its author.
ismnotwasm
(42,023 posts)nkpolitics1212
(8,617 posts)He will be the 2nd bachelor(James Buchanan) and 2nd African American(Barack Obama)to be President.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)Buchanan, not so much.
Renew Deal
(81,897 posts)And I think she will win it.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)But I also think it's important not to forget the West Coast, as the beltway likes to do.
Names like Harris, Newsom, Inslee.
mountain grammy
(26,666 posts)surrealAmerican
(11,368 posts)... "exhibit racially disproportionate arrest or incarceration rates" when it comes to marijuana?
I thought they all did.
temporary311
(955 posts)the ones where they don't arrest people for it.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)It's been successful by every yardstick in all those states.
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)temporary311
(955 posts)The so-called War on Drugs has pretty much always really been a war on minorities and the poor. He definitely went up a notch or two in my estimation.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)He has been ahead of the curve on this issue for a while.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/683/cosponsors
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)1. Marijuana will no longer be illegal under federal law
2. Retroactively expunges people who have been convicted of use and possession of marijuana
3. Creates incentive for states to change their laws, which will stop them from enforcing the law in an unjust manner
4. Communities devastated by marijuana laws will be able to apply for reinvestment funds, to help pay for community centers, public libraries, youth centers, and other infrastructure and social needs
WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)60% support full legalization. Something like 90% think the Feds should leave individual states alone.
Marijuana is about the only issue that everyone from Rand Paul to Cory Booker can agree on.
It's a winner for us, particularly with the younger voters we need to appeal to.
WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)Now, we all know he lies, but he certainly didn't win (or "win" the election on the promise of cracking down on weed.
No one voted for Jeff Sessions, and the minute he started making fart noises about coming down on state-legal pot, the libertarian wing of the GOP freaked.
As I said up there, pot's not going anywhere. I want our party to lead on this because it's the right thing to do, AND it's the politically smart thing to do too.
WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)I hear ya.
Not Ruth
(3,613 posts)I bet that we are looking at nearly 100% support with those future 2020 and 2024 voters.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)oberliner
(58,724 posts)I wonder if he will run next time around.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)oberliner
(58,724 posts)I could definitely see a presidential run in his future.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)Better days, they seem so long ago, don't they?
Not Ruth
(3,613 posts)A lot of high school kids are going to be very excited to cast their first vote to end injustice directed at them.
Weekend Warrior
(1,301 posts)Because they can't.
Not Ruth
(3,613 posts)I know a few, and they support marijuana legalization
Weekend Warrior
(1,301 posts)I wish they were as motivated by healthcare, the economy, and civil rights as a whole.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)I mean, younger people statistically are more likely to favor legalization, but I grew up in a time and place where it was still very much illegal, and it was never a problem for us to find. (So much for the canard about legalization making it "easier for underage people to get"- the black market doesn't card) ... so I don't, actually, think your average HS student gives too much of a shit from that perspective.
But old Uncle Joe with his bursitis, does he really want to go to the trouble to establish connections or find a dealer in between his trips to the orthopedist? Hardly. Why not be able to go to a well-lighted government regulated dispensary, buy a product tested and labeled for exact potency, and in the process pay taxes that goes back into public services?
Makes a lot more sense than prohibition.
Weekend Warrior
(1,301 posts)WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)aikoaiko
(34,186 posts)It's good to see him push this issue.
get the red out
(13,468 posts)The war on drugs is just a war on people.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)And its worth asking how we got from "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" to "we want to put a little tiny cop inside your body to make sure you dont use it in ways we dont approve of"
get the red out
(13,468 posts)And the idiots that are against legalization needed to see the local news this morning here in central KY. A guy protecting his grow operation set his dog on a police officer yesterday. The offender was white, btw, though Trumpers ignore the multitudes of dangerous white people running around. Legalizing the product would reduce dangerous situations for police, I haven't heard of an officer being attacked by bootleggers in ??????
Weekend Warrior
(1,301 posts)Hieronymus
(6,039 posts)Solly Mack
(90,800 posts)JustAnotherGen
(32,025 posts)He said that he often jokes about "running FROM" the President, the Presidential election is 3 years away, and listed several policies of this Administration that he has work to do defending against as the Senator of NJ. Let us not forget - he testified against Sessions.
It's too soon. Come help us make calls in NJ. After this Sunday I should have a good feel of which Assembly and Senate candidates need the most help.
The Presidential election is years away and the time is now for Booker's state.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)He doesn't even walk up stairs, apparently, and thinks exercise is somehow a health-draining endeavour
So I have no doubt Booker could outrun the dude.
Seriously, like I said, Cory is on my short list....... but it's way too early for a serious discussion for 2020.
Thank you for the heads up. I'm hoping your next Governor is going to be pro-legalization, as well. Certainly can't be worse than the current one.
Speaking of people who are horribly out of shape.