Pubdate: Mon, 13 Apr 2009
Source: Journal Gazette, The (Fort Wayne, IN)
Copyright: 2009 The Journal Gazette
Contact:  http://www.journalgazette.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/908
Author: Evan Davis

SOUDER ENABLES PRISON PROBLEM

U.S. Sen. Jim Webb's Parade magazine article "Why we  must fix our 
prisons" (March 29) has an important local  angle.

Webb laid out statistic after statistic showing the  terrible 
stupidity of America's incarceration policies,  especially when it 
comes to marijuana. One of the most  powerful opponents of reforming 
marijuana laws has been  northeast Indiana's Congressman Mark Souder, R-3rd.

At least Souder's party is out of power now. I hope the  Democrats 
will have the courage to establish the  commission sought by Sen. 
Webb and give the American  people sound alternatives to our 
destructive incarceration policies. An important step in 
that  direction would be to stop filling prisons with pot  smokers.

Evan Davis

Fort Wayne
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom