compiled by Janice Moerschel

Voters in California and Arizona approved measures to legalize marijuana and other illegal drugs for medical purposes—seemingly a step in the right direction. But the White House believes the federal government can and should override this mandate by prosecuting or sanctioning physicians who prescribe such drugs, claiming that federal narcotics laws prevail over state laws. If voters cannot effect change at the voting booth, if some federal entity can overturn their decision, what's the point in voting? On the other hand, someone once said that if we could really change things by voting, would we be permitted to vote?

Reno pursues Freon smugglers. An environmental treaty banned imports and production of alleged ozone-depleting refrigerants—chlorofluorocarbons (CFC's)—including the type known as "Freon" and a new black market has been created. Federal authorities charged more than a dozen people and businesses with smuggling the now illegal substance into the U.S., and Attorney General Janet Reno promises CFC smugglers that "We're going to find you. We will shut you down." Wonder if she'll call out those air-conditioned tanks . . .

"Right wing conspiracy" —says the White House—to discredit the White House. Spokesman Mike McCurry believes it's appropriate to document how right wing organizations have made "false, fallacious, damaging and politically motivated attacks on the president." Here's the route these stories are alleged to take: wealthy right-wing think tanks and individuals underwrite conservative publications like American Spectator magazine and the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, whose stories then appear on the Internet, then in British newspapers, the Washington Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Post, Congressional committees, and, finally, the mainstream press. Just goes to show you that the "mainstream" press is the last bunch
to know . . .

When Mr. and Mrs. Joe Delgadilla of Dallas, Texas wrote to Vice President Al Gore regarding saving the federal Amtrak train system, specifically the train known as the "Texas Eagle" running between St. Louis and San Antonio, little could they have anticipated the Vice President's response: "Thank you for your letter regarding the protection of the Texas eagle. I appreciate hearing from you. I share your view that the urgent problem of species extinction and the conservation of biological diversity should be addressed. The first step in saving any plant or animal from extinction is to become aware of and respect the fragile ecosystems that make up our environment . . ." Uh, is anyone really in that suit?

Aldrich woes. The FBI agent who penned Unlimited Access: An FBI Agent Inside the Clinton White House claims to be under seige by the Clinton administration and may be prosecuted if Attorney General Janet Reno goes along. Also under consideration is whether to confiscate the proceeds of his book, as suggested by the FBI. In his book, Aldrich alleged abuse of federal laws, cover-ups of drug use by White House staff members, and other shenanigans. Mr. Aldrich says he has already spent nearly $100,000 in legal fees while "Clinton administration lawyers are threatening to tie up all my assets and keep me in court for six years or more."