From: "Eric J. Rittberg" To: Libertarians <[l--er--t] at [Dartmouth.EDU]> Subject: Another Prominent Republican Endorses Reform of Drug Laws Date: Tuesday, September 14, 1993 5:55PM The latest issue (September/October) of "Liberty Bell" (The Newpaper of the Libertarian Party of California), reports that "Mayor Riordon Declares 'Open Mind' on Decriminalization of Drugs." The following is excerpted from the article: The real news is that, on July 23, 1993, Angelenos witnessed a thin shaft of light, piercing the press' blackout of the Libertarian view on the subject: "Most of today's violence is the bountiful harvest of the government's 'War on Drugs.'" On July 23, KCET's "Life & Times" gave LA Libertarian editor Mike Binkley and LA Mayor Richard Riordon a rare televised forum to comment on this war's folly. During the show, libertarian-leaning host Hugh Hewitt read a question, submitted in a letter by Binkley, to LA's new mayor. The question: "Isn't the 'War on Drugs' a foolish replay of Prohibition, causing, for the same reasons, the same pathologies -- including powerful, violent gangs; a culture of brutality; and vast growing criminal empires?" The show also made news, meeting more conventional journalistic criteria, with the mayor's answer. His Honor made a remarkably candid response: "I have an open mind on decriminalization of drugs. I agree with (Binkley)." The Mayor then cited more bitter fruit of the drug war: corruption of governments and police departments, an incentive to create addicts from the ranks of America's children and an adverse impact on the local economy. Riordon concluded with most "unpolitical" honesty: "I think we ought to at least have the guts to take a clear look at (decriminalization) and not have some ideological knee-jerk reaction against it." Yeah! The Daily News reported on the story in its June 25 edition. Unfortunately, the LA Times is "No comment!" on this story. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Republican Mayor Richard Riordon thus joins a growing list of prominent Republicans who have come out for alternatives to the failed war on drugs. The ranks of Drug Reform Republicans now include: William F. Buckley, George Schultz, Thomas Sowell, Congressman Chris Cox (IL), Congressman Phil Crane (IL), Martin Anderson, Massachusetts Governor William Weld, P.J. O'Rourke, Milton Friedman, and a host of elected Republican State Legislators. For more information on Republicans who support alternatives to the War on Drugs write to the Republican Liberty Caucus, 1717 Apalachee Parkway, Suite 434, Tallahassee, FL 32301.