Blockbuster New Sarah Palin Book: Gossip Or Biography?

Joe McGinniss, a controversial American writer and novelist who has written New York Times bestsellers since the age of 26, has long been shadowed by accusations of plagiarism and sensationalism, but is returning yet again to the literary scene this year with a controversial topic: the secret life of Sarah Palin.

McGinniss made headlines during the writing of his tell-all, even going so far as to rent a home next door to the Palins, prompting them to put up a tall fence between the properties.

Now, the book is done, and some publications are hailing it as "explosive," as it details several shocking details about the Palins' private lives:

• Former vice presidential candidate alleged to have snorted cocaine off an oil drum
• Said to have had night of passion with basketball star
• Husband Todd said to have dissolved snowmobile firm after discovering affair with business partner
• Ex-governor of Alaska has yet to announce whether she will run for president next year

I would be more interested in the book if, say, Sarah purchased blow with state money and snorted it off an oil drum during a pipeline grand opening, but this is sure to cause waves within the political community, especially the one surrounding Mama Bear.  Will I read it?  Uh, maybe.  If someone else has a copy I can borrow.

Former World Leaders: Decriminalize Marijuana

A group of notable former heads of state is presenting their formal report today as part of a commission examining the war on drugs begun, all in all, 40 years ago in the US under President Nixon.  Their finding?  Stop penalizing drug users who do no harm to others.

"'The global war on drugs has failed, with devastating consequences for individuals and societies around the world,' the members of the Global Commission on Drug Policy say in a report.

"'Fifty years after the initiation of the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, and 40 years after President (Richard) Nixon launched the US government's war on drugs, fundamental reforms in national and global drug control policies are urgently needed.'

"And saying that restrictions on marijuana should be loosened, the report urged governments to 'end the criminalization, marginalization and stigmatization of people who use drugs but who do no harm to others.'"

This report is interesting in that many of the commission's members come from countries heavily affected by the illegal drug trade, to include Kofi Annan, former Colombian President Cesar Gaviria, and Brazilian Fernando Cardoso.  Their argument, essentially, is that if drug reform can decriminalize low-impact substances such as marijuana, then the drug-money fueled cabals would lose power and violent crime related to that trade would drop.  

I can't say that I disagree.