From: "Eric J. Rittberg"  <netmail![71562 120] at [compuserve.com]>
To: Libertarians  <[l--er--t] at [Dartmouth.EDU]>
Subject: Another Prominent Republican Endorses Reform of Drug Laws
Date: Tuesday, September 14, 1993 5:55PM

The latest issue (September/October) of "Liberty Bell" (The Newpaper of
the Libertarian Party of California), reports that "Mayor Riordon
Declares 'Open Mind' on Decriminalization of Drugs."

The following is excerpted from the article:

     The real news is that, on July 23, 1993, Angelenos witnessed a thin
shaft of light, piercing the press' blackout of the Libertarian view on
the subject: "Most of today's violence is the bountiful harvest of the
government's 'War on Drugs.'"  On July 23, KCET's "Life & Times" gave LA
Libertarian editor Mike Binkley and LA Mayor Richard Riordon a rare
televised forum to comment on this war's folly.

     During the show, libertarian-leaning host Hugh Hewitt read a
question, submitted in a letter by Binkley, to LA's new mayor.  The
question: "Isn't the 'War on Drugs' a foolish replay of Prohibition,
causing, for the same reasons, the same pathologies -- including powerful,
violent gangs; a culture of brutality; and vast growing criminal empires?"

     The show also made news, meeting more conventional journalistic
criteria, with the mayor's answer.  His Honor made a remarkably candid
response: "I have an open mind on decriminalization of drugs.  I agree
with (Binkley)."  The Mayor then cited more bitter fruit of the drug war:
corruption of governments and police departments, an incentive to create
addicts from the ranks of America's children and an adverse impact on the
local economy.  Riordon concluded with most "unpolitical" honesty: "I
think we ought to at least have the guts to take a clear look at
(decriminalization) and not have some ideological knee-jerk reaction
against it." Yeah!

     The Daily News reported on the story in its June 25 edition.
Unfortunately, the LA Times is "No comment!" on this story.
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Republican Mayor Richard Riordon thus joins a growing list of prominent
Republicans who have come out for alternatives to the failed war on drugs.
The ranks of Drug Reform Republicans now include: William F. Buckley,
George Schultz, Thomas Sowell, Congressman Chris Cox (IL), Congressman
Phil Crane (IL), Martin Anderson, Massachusetts Governor William Weld,
P.J. O'Rourke, Milton Friedman, and a host of elected Republican State
Legislators. For more information on Republicans who support alternatives
to the War on Drugs write to the Republican Liberty Caucus, 1717
Apalachee Parkway, Suite 434, Tallahassee, FL 32301.