Pubdate: Wed, 25 Sep 2002
Source: Boston Weekly Dig (MA)
Copyright: 2002 Boston Weekly Dig
Contact:  http://www.weeklydig.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1515
Author: Danielle Ben-Veniste
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/raves.htm (Raves)

SOMEBODY PUT SOMETHING IN HIS DRINK

With unanimous support in the Senate from the start and the small matter of 
the First Amendment pitted against it, the RAVE Act seemed like it might be 
a sure thing.

But as little as one week before a floor vote, the RAVE Act has lost the 
support of co-sponsor Senator Patrick Leahy (D- Vermont). Responding to 
public outrage over the bill expressed through protests, petitions and 
marches nationwide, Senator Leahy officially removed his name from the list 
of cosponsors on Friday, September 13.

Also aiding the anti-RAVE cause was a fantastic media campaign. Coverage in 
some of the most well-read and respected newspapers in the country is 
likely to thank for the outpouring of letters, faxes, phone calls and 
emails that flooded the Senate in past weeks.

Leahy's withdrawal of sponsorship is particularly significant because he 
holds the position of Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and sits 
on the Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs - the very committee from which that 
little imp we call the RAVE Act was born.
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MAP posted-by: Beth