WOOT!!!

Huzzah for Holder! The brand spankin new attorney general (a.k.a. the "top cop" of the United States government) has officially announced an end to all DEA raids on medi-pot (medical marijuana) dispensaries in the states! Add to this Assemblyman Ammiano's legalization measure (AB 390) and California is looking like it's about to become the weed mecca of the U.S. Too bad the other states won't be taking advantage of the same windfalls...

More to come on this later, but for now, just a hip, hip, hooray for common freaking sense!!!

Tampa Bay Bucs version 2.0

(Full disclosure: I have two sports loyalties of any significance - the Hoyas and the Buccaneers. This post concerns the latter.) The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have traditionally found success on the gridiron through tenacious, turnover-and-touchdown-producing defense and a disciplined, if predictable, running game. Despite a hopeful season that only truly turned sour in the last four weeks, the team has apparently decided to launch a MAJOR rethinking of Bucs football, offensively and defensively.

As ESPN reports, Tampa Bay has cut loose John Gruden and Monte Kiffin (left on his own, I guess, to join son Lane at Tennessee), the offensive and defensive masterminds behind its sole Super Bowl, as well as such key veteran players as Derrick Brooks, Warrick Dunn, Cato June, Joey Galloway and Ike Hilliard. Clearly, with the former Bucs defensive coach Raheem Morris taking over as head coach, Tampa Bay has decided it's time to look toward the future, rather than relying on the past.

But what future is this? Besides Earnest Graham and the Antonio Bryant (breakout year this year, as my fantasy foes will attest), Dunn and Galloway were the Bucs' main offensive threats, and now the team will be led by either a draft pick, some journeyman like Leftwich or Losman, or, most likely, Luke McCown, in whom I place somewhat little faith. The new offensive coordinator, Jeff Jagodzinski ("Jags") seems to have decided upon a wilder, West Coast-style offense, but it remains unclear how effective his limited arsenal of weapons will prove in that scheme.

Defensively, the famous Bucs cover 2 has been abandoned in favor of...who knows what? No doubt, the Bucs defense will remain fundamentally solid, as it has been historically, but will it continue to produce the turnovers and touchdowns necessary to keep the team ahead? If the defense proves weaker, will the new offense be able to take up the slack on the scoreboard so early? Obviously, questions abound regarding the Bucs' reorganization and new strategy. One thing's for sure: This won't be last year's Bucs taking the field come fall.

California In the Weeds

Real American Hero and California Assemblyman Tom Ammiano has just introduced a measure (AB 390) that would fully legalize cannabis in California. This is a huge development in the battle for common sense drug policy, and in my view, it is the happy result of a confluence of critical factors.

First, the state of California came in at a whopping $42 billion over budget this year. Schwarzenegger whipped the legislatial goons into action and they have just signed a bill to close the massive deficit (which includes tax hikes, fee increases on cars, etc.) but the state will still have to borrow to fully regain fiscal solvency.

Well, it just so happens that Assemblyman Ammanio's bill would produce over $1 billion in hard cash directly into state coffers from taxes and up to an additional $18 billion in economic side benefits. Pop Quiz: What's California's biggest cash crop? Answer: Cannabis.

Second, California wants to help Mexico reduce the horrendous drug violence that is taking place in its northern states and already beginning to spill over the border. One way, and perhaps the most effective way, is to attack the demand side of the economic drug equation by legalizing marijuana in the states.

Third, California, long a bastion of good, progressive American liberalism, has a history of tolerance and - I'm sure you'll agree if you've been there - even encouragement regarding cannabis. If immediate legalization were to work anywhere in the U.S., it would be on the left coast first. There is no question: Tom Ammiano's bill represents the most encouraging step forward in the legalization movement so far. Rest assured, The Daily Taylor will be following the saga of AB 390 very closely.

P.S. Don't take my word for it: Ask the police chiefs and officers involved in LEAP about legalization of cannabis.

A New Day Roundup

Even in dark and turbulent times, there are hopeful signs...

Item 1: Congratulations, America: you've won yourself a much more competent presidential administration! Exhibit A is Obama's handling of the DOD's request for a bigger commitment in Afghanistan, as soon as possible. Rather than rubber stamping the "best military advice" provided by the Joint Chiefs as his predecessor did, President Obama seems much more inclined to allow long-term and strategic thinking guide his military decision-making.

Exhibit B is his well-advised dumping of the "car czar" idea in favor of a very thorough and comprehensive restructuring process. Glad to see the auto companies not getting their way; perhaps they'll actually be held accountable and radically redesigned. Scott Corwin knows what I'm talking about.

And finally, Exhibit C concerns a little-publicized yet very important issue: the 2010 U.S. Census. The foundation for many of the most fundamental and well-supported statistics regarding the national populace (and the funding that depends on them) has come under threat from 8 years of Bush administration mismanagement. After Gregg Judd's 15 pointless minutes in the spotlight, it's good to see that Obama's team has their priorities straight. Get the Census straightened out first; deal with the politics and Commerce appointment later.

Item 2: Some of my favorite bloggers are also on point lately. Hilzoy has an especially good contribution regarding filibuster reform ideas. For the record, I'm definitely on the side of drastically reforming or possibly removing (except in the case of judicial nominations) the filibuster. As Hilzoy points out, its important to look at the incentives in the structure and make sure they work in the interests of the majority.

Also, Steve Benen reality checks a heinous George Will article propagating bad science on climate change. Not content with the intellectual appetizer, Lynch goes on to administer more hurt to the Republican Party generally for their shameful stalling on the economic recovery plan. Respect the roots!

Item 3: Momentum continues to grow for rethinking and reforming America's federal drug policy, especially regarding marijuana. A panel of three former Latin American heads of state has issued a condemnation of the War on Drugs as a failure. Ben Morris and Joshua Goodman provide virtual commentary. Also, the probable drug czar replacement looks like a step in teh right direction, albeit a small step.

Don't Be Sorry, Michael (Updated)

I'm glad to see I'm not alone in thinking Michael Phelps is taking some undue flak regarding the explosive issue of his bong hit at a college party. The ridiculous hypocrisy and stigma in this country regarding cannabis never ceases to amaze me. By the way, Michael's officially joined a fairly prestigious club of confessed pot smokers. And those are just the ones who have fessed up!

Another thing: Perhaps you've been hearing a lot about the skyrocketing drug violence in Mexico and the border states? It seems to me large part of that violence would, gradually if not immediately, drop off simply as a result of reformed federal drug policy; the entire black market, from the drug lords and their armies of growers and producers to the college freshman dealing from out of his dorm room could be eliminated if the United States government resolved to treat marijuana reasonably.

Cigarettes, which represent a far greater toll on society than marijuana use, in my estimation, are virtually pushed onto children. It makes me think the only salient difference is the people receiving the profit. In any case, I'm encouraged to see the cause gaining momentum each week as people wake up to the potential for economic and social gain.

Update: Check out this awesome exclusive with a California dispensary owner on Huff Post. Couldn't agree with the guy more...