Cynical Nation

Outrageous and idiotic bills are always being introduced into Congress, but many of the more egregious ones sink without a trace. Let's hope that's the case with H.R. 1528.

Nominally aimed at "protecting children" from drug-related activities, this bill seems to call for (among other things) a minimum two-year sentence for anyone who fails to report certain drug-related crimes to the authorities.

FAILURE TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM DRUG TRAFFICKING ACTIVITIES

SEC. 425. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person who witnesses or learns of a violation of sections 416(b)(2), 417, 418, 419, 420, 424, or 426 to fail to report the offense to law enforcement officials within 24 hours of witnessing or learning of the violation and thereafter provide full assistance in the investigation, apprehension, and prosecution of the person violating paragraph (a).

(b) Any person who violates subsection (a) of this section shall be sentenced to not less than two years or more than 10 years. If the person who witnesses or learns of the violation is the parent or guardian, or otherwise responsible for the care or supervision of the person under the age of 18 or the incompetent person, such person shall be sentenced to not less than three years or more than 20 years.'

Cool, huh? What disturbs me most about this bill is how little discussion I've heard of it. Where are all the liberals and civil libertarians who are always squawking about the Patriot Act? It's okay to give someone a five-year prison sentence for passing a joint, but God forbid we look at what magazines a terrorist subscribes to.

It's amazing what the drug warriors get away with. Perhaps we should adopt a tactical shift in the war on terror. Maybe it's time pursue al Qaeda for their connections to the global drug trade. Then we could use the most draconian measures imaginable in pursuing and apprehending them, and we'd never have to hear a peep from the peanut gallery.