American Morning
Vote! Should drugs be legal in the U.S.?
Mexico drug trafficking, cartels and killings. All driven by America’s addiction to drugs. How did it get this bad? All this week we are reporting on America's drug addiction in our special series "Drug Nation."
So, what do you think? Should the United States legalize drugs like marijuana, cocaine, and heroin? Vote now!
And don't miss:
Commentary: Obama’s actions favor Castros, not human rights
By Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ)
Special to CNN
Editor’s Note: Chris Smith is a Republican congressman from New Jersey’s Fourth District. He is a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Ranking Republican of the Committee's Africa and Global Health Subcommittee.
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/04/16/intv.smith.chris.art.jpg caption= "Chris Smith is a Republican congressman from New Jersey’s Fourth District."]
On a recent April morning, I joined a group of former Cuban political prisoners and family members and human rights activists at a rally to voice concerns about human rights violations in Cuba, and to caution the Obama administration not to extend benefits to Cuba without the prior release of all political prisoners.
Days earlier, seven Democratic members of the House returned from Cuba having met with Raul and Fidel Castro. They gushed with praise for the Castros and their regime. But I, and many others, were profoundly disappointed that once again members of Congress traveled to this totalitarian country and failed to visit prisoners of conscience, all of whom are systematically abused, tortured, starved and degraded.
Commentary: Public is in no mood to legalize marijuana
By Asa Hutchinson
Special to CNN
Editor's note: Asa Hutchinson is former Director of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and served as the Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/04/16/intv.hutchinson.asa.art.jpg caption= "Asa Hutchinson is former Director of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration."]
When it comes to the debate on legalization of marijuana, we can all have confidence in the greatness of our democracy. Ultimately the voters decide the direction of our country. Thus far there is no evidence that the public is in any mood to legalize marijuana or other currently illegal drugs.
In Arkansas, a few years back, a statewide ballot initiative could not even get on the ballot because the proponents could not garner enough signatures. Nationwide, recent ballot initiatives have focused on medical marijuana or enforcement policy.
The advocates of legalization are trying to chip away on the fringes of the legalization debate but they know there is not a sufficient popular movement for legalization. Parents are in no mood to make another harmful drug more accessible and socially acceptable for the youth.
War on drugs a total failure, says Rep. Ron Paul
The always outspoken congressman joined us in the 7am ET hour of American Morning today as we continue our week-long special report "Drug Nation."
He says we have it all wrong and that making drugs a crime especially marijuana is a waste of time, money and resources, plus it is a slap to the constitution and personal liberties. But is he trying to get a bill through Congress to actually legalize drugs? Watch the interview
While most of our callers to the amFIX hotline agree with legalizing marijuana, opinions on our blog and Twitterboard were mixed.
We also have interviewed experts who strongly believe that while legalizing all drugs may seem like it would work in theory, the end result would add to the number of people addicted, injured, and killed not to mention the cost of treatment.
There are clearly no easy answers. This will no doubt be on President Obama's agenda as he heads to Mexico Thursday to talk about the drug problems at the border, as well as all the other issues involving countries south of the border.
As always, we want to hear your thoughts on the issue. Follow us on Twitter @amFIX and @kiranchetrycnn.
See you in the morning!
Kiran
Biden puppy haunts breeder
From CNN's Melissa Morgenweck
There was no need to ring a doorbell when we pulled up to the Wolf Den kennel in Chester county Pennsylvania. At least a dozen German Shepherds announced our arrival.
Linda Brown greeted us and introduced us to the pack including her favorite, 13 year old Hans. Most of the dogs in this section had once been breeders. Now she keeps them as her personal pets.
They are just one grouping of the approximately 80 adult dogs that she says live on her property. “German Shepherds look into the mirror of your soul. They are intelligent and protective and your animals for life.”
Brown told us that she had been up since 4am helping deliver a litter of puppies. “They like to give birth in the middle of the night when it’s quiet and still.”
As we toured the property Brown recalled the day last December when Vice President Biden came to pick out a dog. “He picked the puppies up and literally kissed them all over. And when he did finally select his puppy he just wouldn’t let him go.”
But Brown says she has paid a big price for the publicity. Soon after the visit she claims she received death threats from animal-rights groups. Dog wardens from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture also made multiple visits to inspect her kennels. (The state told one of our producers that inspections typically take place twice a year.)
Brown was cited for poor record keeping, dirty housekeeping and mistreating her dogs. Last month she was cleared of all citations. “It hurts the depth of your soul that they would even have the nerve to call me and tell me that I’m inhumane with my dogs. My dogs are treated better than most children are treated.”
Kiran: The debate over the legalization of drugs
Good Monday to you,
Hope you had a wonderful Easter and/or Passover weekend. Looks like our prayers were answered! Captain Richard Phillips rescued by our brave Navy Seals. He is now safe and getting ready to be reunited with his family and loved ones. Read the story
All this week on American Morning we are taking a look at America’s drug addiction and how it's fueling the growing violence at the Mexican border. We're calling it “Drug Nation."
This morning we had a debate over legalizing hard drugs – substances like heroin and cocaine. It's a position advocated by Jeff Miron, an economist from Harvard University. Former DEA agent Bob Stutman had plenty to say about why that would be a huge mistake. Watch the debate
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