Show Senator Hatch is a hypocrite Stewart N. N Thorpe Contributing writer Dallas Austin Grammy- Grammy winning producer who has produced hits for Madonna Janet Jackson Pink TLC and others was arrested on May 19 with a gram of cocaine in the United Arab Emirates Sentenced to four years in prison Senator Orrin Hatch rescued him in July after making several calls on Austins Austin's behalf Gulf News a media publication based in the reported on Oc Oct 4 that an American citizen was caught with grams of marijuana He had also been sentenced to four fourt fourr t r years in prison But Hatch hasn't made any phone calls for him Hatchs Hatch's office has been contacted about this American In 1996 Hatch criticized the Clinton Administration for decreased drug prosecutions Hatch said this gave the message to young people that drug use isn't bad Hatchs Hatch's words are expo exposed ed to be hypocritical What message does freeing a pop culture hit maker from drug charges harges send se d to young people after all Senator Hatch Meanwhile an ordinary American citizen is ignored on a similar sentence for four years but just for grams of marijuana For ordinary Americans like Hatchs Hatch's own song says it best The Answers Answer's Not in Washington On the other hand forthe forthe for forthe the entertainment industry that has given Hatch hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years Hatch is their special cheerleader in Washington Hatch supported a bill that was passed p-assed by t the e Senate in 2004 was kept from becoming law which because of procedural problems This was a bill that would punish people for sharing a single song file even if it was their first time up to five years in prison r t- t Hatch remarked that it may be the only way you youcan youcan youcan can teach someone about copyright Hatch would love the opportunity to throw literally millions of Americans into prison for small infringements against the entertainment industry People may petition their grievances send letters make phone calls and perhaps create signs but they just arent aren't speaking with money Only a expects their politician to act acton on principle and ethics instead of the direction of money This is America land of the best democracy that money can buy t |