The Cook County Fix continued
In the early 1990s when I was campaigning for an end to unbridled prison construction and the legalization of drugs, so drugs could be controlled and regulated by government, and crime abated, I confidently assured my audiences that the drug war would eventually end. I guaranteed it. I confided that the drug war was sure to end because, eventually, government could not longer pay the bills for the problems that prohibition cost (prisons, courts, probation, clerks, sheriffs, public defenders, etc., and medical costs associated with new intravenous drug-users contracting AIDS and endless prohibition bullet holes).
In a private meeting with then-Cook County Board Pres. Dick Phalen and his financial confidant John Filan, I made these same observations. At one point during my rant, Mr. Filan underscored my point, He’s talking about 80% of our budget.
Fourteen years later, now with more unaffordable drug-war bills coming home to roost, the $500-million deficit in the Cook County budget hurts. But Cook County has been a leading drug-war belligerent, and the sins of the father (and many others) must now be paid by the son.
Cook County Board Pres. Todd Stroger deserves a standing ovation for his proposed balanced-budget cuts, because fiscal responsibility always merits applause. Although Pres. Stroger may not have intended to disconnect Cook County from its fix of drug-war patronage, contracts, construction and services his budget-cutting may force Cook County into unwanted rehab.
The intervention is for the County’s own good.¤
-James E. Gierach -
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D.C. AA Chapter a Cult, Critics Say
A Washington, D.C., Alcoholics Anonymous group is being accused of turning into a cult of personality, with members encouraged to cut off ties with outsiders and have sex with other members of the group.
Former members like May Clancy charge that members of the Midtown AA chapter, one of the city's oldest, deviated sharply from the base philosophy of AA, which avows that there are no program "leaders" and explicitly discourages sex between members. Clancy said the Midtown group seemed to attract older men and younger women, and was initially welcoming.
"When I went there [beginning in November 2005] I didn't really talk to anybody, didn't trust anybody," said Clancy. "And these people would hang out with me even if I didn't say anything, and include me in conversations. I was desperate to be liked at that point."
Soon, however, she began to sour on the program.
Members allegedly told...»»
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