Monday, November 10, 2008

Where are they now? Part 2 Remember when Joseph Frederick lost his famous Bong Hits 4 Jesus case in the Supreme Court? Well, there were a few extra issues lying around that didn't get included in the first case (having to do with the school violating his free speech rights under the Alaska Constitution), and Frederick eked out a victory. The district will pay Frederick $45,000. In exchange Frederick will drop remaining claims not heard by the U.S. Supreme Court [...] The settlement also calls for the district to spend as much as $5,000 to hire a neutral constitutional law expert to chair a forum on student speech at JDHS. This is to be done before this school year ends next spring. Congrats, Joseph! 8:24:14 PM | drug policy | Related  | permalink | comment []

Where are they now? Part 1 Sgt. Joseph Chavalia, the killer of unarmed Tarika Wilson in her own home, returns to work this week. He won't be patrolling streets right now, because "...we also have to be concerned with his safety, and quite frankly, the safety of other officers," said police department Maj. Kevin Martin It's nice that the Lima, Ohio police department is so concerned with people's safety. 7:59:54 PM | drug policy | Related  | permalink | comment []

Bolivia accuses DEA of drug trafficking, bribery and murder Bolivia's Evo Morales did more than kick out the DEA last week. He made some powerful charges. Presidential Minister Juan Ramon Quintana presented a series of documents and press clippings at a news conference, which he described as "object data" that had influenced Morales' decision to suspend DEA activities last week. Quintana said Morales was ready to present the evidence to incoming US president Barack Obama "to prove the illegality, abuse and arrogance of the DEA in Bolivia." Throughout the 1990s, the DEA in Bolivia "bribed police officers, violated human rights, covered up murders, destroyed bridges and roads," said Quintana. Morales earlier Thursday said that after a 1986 operation in Huanchaca National Park, it was determined that the largest cocaine processing plant "was under DEA protection." He also charged that the DEA had investigated political and union leaders opposed to neoliberal economic policies, which he said amounted to political persecution. On Wednesday, he had accused the DEA of shooting and killing Bolivians during their anti-drug operations, including members of the coca farmers' movement. Of course, I have no way of knowing how true Morales' charges are, yet the sad thing is that they don't actually surprise me at all, given what I know about the DEA. 8:00:48 AM | drug policy | Related  | permalink | comment []