"fierce advocate" has turned the corner...

...unfortunately, it's a turn to the right.

first on medical marijuana:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/12/frank-pushing-bill-to-leg_n_215077.html

(emphasis added)

Frank's legislation would also explicitly protect patients from federal arrest in state's where medical marijuana is legal. (Rhode Island's governor vetoed on Friday a state bill that would have allowed medical marijuana sales by state-run dispensaries, despite the fact that Rhode Island already permits possession and use of medical pot.)

Charles C. Lynch could have used that protection. On Wednesday, the Moro Bay, Calif. medical marijuana shop owner was sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison despite the fact that medical pot is legal in California and despite President Obama's earlier assurance that he would not interfere with the law. Unfortunately, Lynch was arrested during the Bush administration era.

"Years from now, Mr. Lynch may well be remembered as the last American to go to federal prison for a mistake, the final victim of an already repudiated policy well on its way to the ash heap of history, but whose mean-spirited effects still linger," said Marijuana Policy Project head Rob Kampia.

"This sentence is a cruel and pointless miscarriage of justice," Kampia said.

The sentence handed down by federal District Court Judge George H. Wu could have been worse. The Obama Justice Department wanted the mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years. The Justice Department declined to comment on the sentencing.

The lack of clarity from the Obama administration on medical marijuana prompted Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-N.Y.) to introduce language Tuesday attached to a Commerce, Justice and Science Departments Appropriations bill seeking clarification on the policy.

"It's imperative that the federal government respect states' rights and stay out of the way of patients with debilitating diseases such as cancer who are using medical marijuana in accordance with state law to alleviate their pain," said Hinchey.

...and then on health care reform:

The Obama White House would not commit on Friday to opposing a health care reform proposal that did not include one of the president's favored components: a public option for insurance coverage.

...snip (added emphasis on the hypocritical double-speak)

Noting that Obama had vigorously expressed his support for the plan several times during a town hall in Green Bay, Wisconsin the day before, Gibbs added, "This is not about getting any piece of legislation through. Obviously this has to make a difference, this has to cut costs for families and small business ... This is about just getting something through."

see? it's not about "getting any piece of legislation through" until it's about "getting something through". DAYUM...a contradiction and there wasn't even room for a breath between 'em.

more "change" i can't believe.

...and y'all thought i only cared about "teh gay" issues.