Youtube - The War on Drugs (13th March, 7pm GMT)

[23536]

Certainly a pro lawyer. He can represent both sides

Former NY Governor Eliot Spitzer: Legalize Marijuana

http://www.marijuana.com/news/2012/02/former-ny-governor-eliot-spitzer-legalize-marijuana/

lol

Spitzer was taking advantage of the fact that none of his opponents were American. He spoke as if he had authority over all drug enforcement in the US. Anybody who peruses this forum regularly could've wiped the floor with him. I certainly did not like his condescending "We arrest you for your own good" attitude.

I didn't like the way the moderator kept cutting off the Mexican and Brazilian presidents. A little more respect maybe? Nobody was cutting off the bloviators (like Hitchens or the General).

Best moment of the debate was when Julian Assange said of Peter Hitchens, "Who invited this twit?"

 

[edgarshade]

Here's Richard Branson's take on the debate...

With reader comments

Versus - It’s Time To End The War On Drugs saw the likes of Russell Brand, Julian Assange and former President of Brazil Fernando Henrique Cardoso join me on a team in favour of ending the war on drugs.

We spent over two hours debating with those against ending the war on drugs, led by the remarkably erudite former governor of New York Eliot Spitzer (who I have a sneaking suspicion was playing devil’s advocate and actually agrees with our argument!).

More...
http://www.virgin.com/richard-branson/blog/debate-shows-desire-to-change-outdated-drug-laws

 

[edgarshade]

The recording of the event has now been uploaded, for those that missed it...

http://youtu.be/gSrN2zIRwN8

Also interesting fact checking article...

Fact Checking The Great Drugs Debate
by NEUROBONKERS on MARCH 16, 2012

With reader comments

I have transcribed the key quotes from both sides to encourage fact checking and to help establish a public record. I’ve attached the relavent source materials where applicable – if you would like to add a source or post a rebuttal to a factual point, just transcribe and source appropriately in the comment section and I’ll paste the info in. Only strictly evidence-based rebuttals will be included.

More...
http://neurobonkers.com/2012/03/16/fact-checking-the-great-drugs-debate/