Pubdate: Thu, 06 Jul 2006 Source: Anchorage Daily News (AK) Copyright: 2006 The Anchorage Daily News Contact: http://www.adn.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/18 Author: Jolene Brown Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/frank+murkowski MURKOWSKI'S MOST ARROGANT ACTION ATTACKS POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA I enjoyed Kyle Hopkins' June 20 "The Trail" article ("Ad aims at heart of poor image"). It was an amusing look at Gov. Frank Murkowski's new election ad that attempts to make him appear less arrogant. Interestingly, neither the article nor the political ad to which it refers addressed what I feel to be Murkowski's most arrogant official act yet: On June 2 he signed into law severe penalties for simple possession of marijuana. Why is this act such a sterling example of the governor's arrogance? Because by railroading that law through the Legislature and ultimately signing it, he showed contempt for the Legislature, the Alaska Supreme Court and most especially his constituency. The residents of Alaska approved the 1972 constitutional amendment recognizing our right to privacy by 86 percent of the vote. That is a mandate. The Alaska Supreme Court has repeatedly held that our constitutional right to privacy allows us to keep private from government intrusion the possession and use of small amounts of marijuana in the privacy of our homes. Murkowski's new law is blatantly unconstitutional, defies the will of the people and is (I strongly hope) destined to be nullified by the Supreme Court, which has thus far remained resolute. Is Murkowski arrogant? You betcha, and no number of simpering, vaguely embarrassing political ads will change this voter's mind. Jolene Brown Chickaloon - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin