If you didn't have an opportunity to see "SNITCH" this week
on PBS' Frontline, you missed one of the most powerful
indictments of bought testimony, and of the drug war itself,
ever to be shown on American TV. Check out the PBS web site
at
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/snitch/ for
a primer on mandatory minimums and their history, pro/con
arguments, background readings, case studies, discussion and
more. One of the featured interviewees is Eric Sterling, a
member of DRCNet's advisory board, quoted in the previous
story. Videos can be ordered by calling 1-800-PLAY-PBS --
but call soon, they've gotten so many orders that they're
backed up till February already. Ask them for the paperwork
to get permission to show the tape at meetings of your local
civic groups, or invite your friends or families over for a
private showing. E-mail your comments and compliments to
frontline@pbs.org.
I have a first cousin who was sent away for 10 years (conviction
overturned after 7) in exactly the manner depicted in the PBS special.