What Part of Illegal Is Unclear?

New Haven, CT announced that it will make a municipal id card available to "undocumented residents." Undocumented is pc-speak for illegal. New Haven wants to give services to illegal immigrants that are paid for by tax payers.

No other crime would be ignored like this. If someone stole, they would expect to be punished. New Haven has decided to "welcome" illegal immigrants. Will it "welcome" thieves and drunk drivers too? After all, if you're going to forgive one lawbreaker why not another.

The new immigration bill is running into problems in Congress because people think its grants amnesty to lawbreakers. That law requires that illegal immigrants pay a fine, leave the country, and then return. That's called paying your debt. It's no different than a criminal being given a fine and probation. That is a workable solution. New Haven is just saying we don't care if you break federal law, we didn't pass it.

"Cocaine" Fights For Shelf Space

Cocaine is the latest beverage to cash in on the energy drink craze. Produced by Las Vegas-based Redux Beverages, the drink has stirred up controversy with its choice of name. It has already been forced off the shelves in Connecticut, Illinois and Texas. It is also under investigation by the FDA.

"Our goal is to literally flush Cocaine down the drain across the nation," said Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, who announced Monday that Redux Beverages has agreed to stop selling the drink in Connecticut. "Our main complaint about Cocaine is its name and marketing strategy seeking to glorify illegal drug use and exploit the allure of marketing 'speed in a can,' as it called the product."

Those of you familiar with columns in various Connecticut Newspapers will know that I usually feel that anything Richard Blumenthal is against is probably a good idea. Here's what else Blumenthal said.

"...selling Cocaine in a can and appealing to children as the so-called legal alternative violated our consumer protection laws, even if they are properly licensed."

Read that again so you know you read it right. Blumenthal is fighting this drink because it promotes itself as "a legal alternative." Correct me if I'm wrong but aren't our elected officials supposed to be supporting legal alternatives to our kids taking drugs. Redux has stated that the energy drink has no drugs in it, the name is simply a marketing ploy. As an energy drink, I don't know that it could be considered healthy, but it's certainly healthier than drugs. This isn't even the first drink to name itself after cocaine. You might be familiar with the other one, Coca Cola. Are we going to force them off the shelves now too? (By the way, for evidence that Coca Cola is also named for Cocaine, the Coca Cola Company is considering a lawsuit against Redux for trademark infringement over the name.)

These so-called consumer protectors basically feel that the American public is too stupid to tell the difference between a drug and an energy drink. Redux Beverages has announced that it will re-release the drink under a new name and label. Keep an eye out for it and judge it on whether or not it tastes good and gives you an energy boost.

To register a complaint about the government again interfering in the lives of the public, write to the attorney generals who are behind this:

Richard Blumenthal
Office of the Attorney General

55 Elm Street

Hartford, CT 06106

and

Lisa Madigan
100 West Randolph Street
Chicago, IL 60601