Pubdate: Fri, 19 Jan 2001
Source: Bay Area Reporter (CA)
Copyright: 2001 The Bay Area Reporter / B.A.R.
Contact:  http://www.ebar.com/
Author: Dr. Francis A. Podrebarac

COMPASSIONATE LIP SERVICE

On January 8, President-elect George W. Bush stood by his designee for
labor secretary, Linda Chavez, and justified her breaking numerous U.S.
laws in her harboring and hiring of an illegal alien in her home by
calling it an act of "compassion and kindness." Indeed, Bush often
speaks of "compassionate conservatism" as being a guiding principle of
his plans for the presidency. Americans will soon find out if
President-elect Bush is a walker, or just another talker, when if comes
to compassion. If kindness and compassion are acceptable reasons for
breaking the law in the case of illegal immigrants, then Bush should
also support the tens of thousands of disabled American citizens whose
sufferings are eased by the medical use of marijuana, justifying their
necessity for breaking U.S. drug laws for the very same reasons. 

True compassion requires action, not just talking the talk when it is
convenient and self-serving. As a physician, I urge George W. Bush to do
the right and truthful task of legalizing the compassionate medical use
of marijuana for all Americans who might benefit. Doing anything less
than re-scheduling marijuana for medical use is hypocritical,
disingenuous, and reduces Bush's statements on compassion to nothing
more than "read my lips" lip service, reminiscent of his father's
presidency. 

Dr. Francis A. Podrebarac
Guerneville, California
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