Editorial: Bush Should Reconsider Walters' Nomination May 14, 2001
News Summary
An editorial in the May 3 issue of The Economist called on President Bush to reconsider his nomination of John P. Walters as the director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)."The Economist has long argued that drugs should be decriminalized. Few politicians will go that far, but many have edged in that direction.," the editorial said. "Back in January, George Bush, who was once busted for drunk driving and has always danced around the question of whether he took drugs in his misspent youth, seemed to be one of them. He argued that long minimum sentences for first-time drug users were not the best way 'to occupy jail-space.' He also worried about the disparities between the sentences handed down for possessing crack and those for powdered cocaine. "
But, the magazine continued, "The distant hope that a pragmatic conservative might yet change policy in a way that a liberal Democrat might not dare have now been dashed." While the editorial credited Walters' experience, it noted that his basic reaction to the many failures of the drug war is to increase the size of the attack. "Mr. Walters is to the drugs war what World War I generals were to trench warfare," the editorial stated.
The editorial noted that Walters is opposed to distributing syringes to drug addicts as a means of controlling the spread of HIV. He also is against limited legalization of certain drugs and various types of treatment.
"Of course, Mr. Walters may change his views once he is in office," said the editorial. "But a policy of increased repression will surely result in thousands of people being thrown in prison for sins that are little worse than those alleged of the youthful George Bush: being young and irresponsible. An older and more responsible Mr. Bush should reconsider his choice."
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