Ken Schram: Constitutional rights do matter
SEATTLE -- Oh Joy.
The King County Sheriff's Department has decided constitutional rights do matter and so have agreed to stop harassing people collecting signatures for an initiative that would legalize marijuana here in Washington state.
A few quivering fingers pointed out the signature gatherers last month as they worked the crowd outside the football stadium.
Sheriff deputies swooped in and ordered a halt to the signature gathering process, arresting one man who foolishly tried to use the First Amendment as shield.
Following an array of legal maneuvers, the sheriff's office, along with stadium officials, have decided that signature gathering can continue at least through the end of the year.
Mighty big of them, don't you think.
Meanwhile, state lawmakers have pretty much decided there is too much work in getting a budget deal done before the holidays and plans are to wrap legislative things up early.
But hey, that doesn't mean the special session that began late last has been a total bust.
A few state senators did manage to file a bill to create a special license plate that will honor the state flower.
Now isn't that special.
Have something to say to Ken? Login or signup below to post a comment. Just be sure to read the rules and keep things civil. You can also e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com. You can also hook up with Ken on Facebook.
The King County Sheriff's Department has decided constitutional rights do matter and so have agreed to stop harassing people collecting signatures for an initiative that would legalize marijuana here in Washington state.
A few quivering fingers pointed out the signature gatherers last month as they worked the crowd outside the football stadium.
Sheriff deputies swooped in and ordered a halt to the signature gathering process, arresting one man who foolishly tried to use the First Amendment as shield.
Following an array of legal maneuvers, the sheriff's office, along with stadium officials, have decided that signature gathering can continue at least through the end of the year.
Mighty big of them, don't you think.
Meanwhile, state lawmakers have pretty much decided there is too much work in getting a budget deal done before the holidays and plans are to wrap legislative things up early.
But hey, that doesn't mean the special session that began late last has been a total bust.
A few state senators did manage to file a bill to create a special license plate that will honor the state flower.
Now isn't that special.
Have something to say to Ken? Login or signup below to post a comment. Just be sure to read the rules and keep things civil. You can also e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com. You can also hook up with Ken on Facebook.
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