Pubdate: Tue, 14 Feb 2006
Source: Iowa City Press-Citizen (IA)
Copyright: 2006 Iowa City Press-Citizen
Contact:  http://www.press-citizen.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1330
Author: John Deeth
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

HONEST TALK ON TABOO TOPICS

Thank you, Lonny Pulkrabek, for having the guts to stand up to the 
drug war mentality by calling for more sensible penalties and 
policies for small-amount simple drug possession and public 
intoxication ("White responds to marijuana ideas," Feb. 10).

It's regrettable that lame duck county attorney J. Patrick White is 
hostile to reform. The candidates to succeed him, Janet Lyness and 
Nick Maybanks, should be asked about this issue at every candidate 
forum. So should our legislators and legislative candidates -- and 
they should not be let off easy with non-answers about how this won't 
reach the floor.

Sheriff Pulkrabek has taken a step forward in promoting sensible 
discussion of this taboo topic, and Iowans should take advantage of 
the opportunity.

John Deeth

Iowa City