THUMBS UP, THUMBS DOWN

Published: Tuesday, March 2, 1999

Tuesday, March 2, 1999

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 viewpoint@media.ucla.edu.

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