> The pragmatist in me understands what you are saying, however mass civil
> disobedience isn't the way to fight unjust laws? What is then, when the RIAA,
> MPAA, et. al. have their collective dicks up the collective asses of Congress
> with the obligatory $100 bills on their nightstands?

Mass civil disobedience is ONE way to fight unjust laws, sure, but we've seen time and time again how easily the entrenched powers will ignore any disorganized, random disobedience.

Well, it's important to remember that the crack+crime issue is very different from the medical marijuana issue, which is also different from 13-year-olds taking e, and so forth. You'll note that I'm leaving out the issue of adults getting high at parties, because the world just doesn't seem to be ready to recognize that segment of human behavior yet.

In http://www.mpp.org/candidates/guide/kerry.html, the clearly biased Marijuana Policy Project reveals some interesting things. "Kerry would stop the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) raids on seriously ill medical marijuana patients as president. Kerry has previously said he favors federal legislation to allow people with cancer, AIDS, and other serious illnesses to have medical marijuana, with their doctors' approval."

I'd think that this is the most enlightened view any major politician is likely to have.

"Can you relate to the notion," my grandfather asks, "that this could be the high point of your day?"

A couple dozen people are gathered to hear a singer who visits every month, I think he said his name is Hugh. Right now he's singing an old Sinatra tune; a few minutes ago it was a choppy but generally pleasing instrumental rendition of "When You Wish Upon A Star" with moments of flamenco.