THUMBS UP, THUMBS DOWN

Tuesday, March 2, 1999

THUMBS UP, THUMBS DOWN

Census Bureau accepts compromise

Thumbs up to the U.S. Census Bureau for deciding to use both the
traditional head count and sampling techniques for the 2000
census.

On Jan. 25, a U.S. Supreme Court ruling barred the use of
sampling techniques to reapportion congressional seats. Critics
disputed the ruling because they believe the head count often
misses many segments of the population and is consequently less
accurate. Sampling, they argued, could be used to avoid such
inaccuracies.

The Census Bureau combined both views in its decision. The
traditional head count will be used to recompute congressional
apportionment among the states, and a sampling system will be used
by the states to both redraw their congressional districts and to
allocate federal grants.

This decision is a good compromise between the Supreme Court’s
ruling and the sampling advocates’ opinion – the Census Bureau’s
decision ensures that political power in congressional districts is
not separated. In addition, sampling techniques will be used to
better gauge what districts need federal money and how much each
district needs.

Policy targets drunk driving suspects

Thumbs down to New York City’s new drunk driving policy, which
seizes the cars of "suspected" intoxicated motorists. Those
arrested on suspicion of drunk driving can only get their cars back
if they are acquitted in court. If convicted, the city will move to
sell their cars.

This unduly harsh policy circumvents the entire justice system.
Anyone accused of any crime should not have their personal property
confiscated without first having their day in court.

There is no doubt that driving under the influence is a serious
crime; it kills 16,000 people in America annually. Though this
policy could potentially crack down on drunk driving deaths, it
infringes upon the civil liberties of the accused. Furthermore, the
new city policy was not prompted by an increase in drunk driving
deaths; such deaths dropped 35.3 percent last year in New York
City.

It is better to deal with drunk driving when the drivers have
been convicted. Those suspected of driving under the influence must
already serve a night in jail. The police are also able to
confiscate licenses and can even confiscate cars after the suspect
is convicted. But the key word here: convicted.

Feds must review marijuana laws

Thumbs down to the stringent federal law which denies Peter
McWilliams the right to smoke medicinal marijuana while on bail
release.

In July, McWilliams was indicted on nine counts of conspiring to
possess, manufacture and distribute marijuana. He was released
after a month of federal custody on a $250,000 bond. One of the
conditions of his bail release forbade him from smoking
marijuana.

McWilliams was diagnosed with AIDS three years ago, and he is
currently taking the "combination cocktail" of AIDS medications
that attacks the deadly virus but also causes violent fits of
nausea. Marijuana helps him keep the medications down. Since
McWilliams was released from federal custody and consequently
denied the right to smoke pot, his viral load has skyrocketed to a
level that will inevitably destroy his immune system.

Though the state of California legalized the use of marijuana
for medicinal purposes with Proposition 215, the federal government
places strict limitations on its usage. Because McWilliams was
indicted for a federal crime, he must adhere to the stringent
federal standards for medicinal marijuana.

This federal decision needs to be re-evaluated – it keeps a man
from using a substance that prolongs his life. Forbidding
McWilliams from smoking marijuana is cruel since it has proven to
aid in his medication. As his doctor stated, the bail conditions
are "tantamount to a death sentence."

Thumbs up/Thumbs down represents the majority opinion of the
Daily Bruin Editorial Board. Send comments and suggestions to
[email protected].

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