FEINSTEIN'S HARD LINE

Editor -- Rep. Tom Campbell is quite right to criticize Sen. Feinstein's
dismal record on drug policy. In her career on the Senate Judiciary
Committee, Sen. Feinstein has consistently backed harsh, punitive and
counterproductive policies that have inflamed crime, violence, racism and
corruption. She has consistently pushed for more and longer prison
sentences for drug offenders, opposed efforts to legalize medical
marijuana, voted to deny student loans and welfare benefits to minor drug
offenders and expel their families from public housing, and supported
military drug war escalation in Colombia.

Most recently, she joined Sen. Orrin G. Hatch, R-Utah, in sponsoring
legislation to make it a felony to provide information about drug use,
including medical marijuana, on the Internet, print, or speech. There is no
excuse for a California senator to attack free speech, the Internet and
Proposition 215. Thanks to Rep. Campbell for offering a better alternative!

Dale Gieringer, Berkeley