White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer gestures as he speaks to reporters at the White House briefing room April 2, 2003 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Jul 16, 2001
Mokhiber: Ari, I've got two questions for you.
There appears to be a grassroots movement, led by Republicans nationwide, to keep big rig interstate trucks -- to keep them on the Interstate highways and to ban them from small two-lane, two-lane roads.
For example, Christine Whitman, when she was Governor of New Jersey, implemented this policy in parts of New Jersey.
Senator Warner got behind an effort to ban these big trucks from a small road in Virginia just last week, Rt. 17. It's happening in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia.
Does the President favor this kind of limitation on interstate trucks to the interstate highway systems?
Ari Fleischer: Russell, that's a matter the Department of Transportation will be working on it. I don't think that's something the President himself would get involved in.
Mokhiber: Okay, second question I have for you. There is a broad coalition of political leaders ranging from former CIA Director James Woolsey to consumer advocate Ralph Nader, that is pushing for the legalization of industrial hemp.
This is a non-drug crop that was grown by Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. It has a wide range of uses -- clothing, fuel, among others.
Farmers around world are growing -- in China and Canada -- and importing it. It is illegal here in the United States for farmers to grow it.
Does the President favor the legalization of industrial hemp?
Fleischer: I'm not aware of any statement that the President has made that would lend one to reach that conclusion.
Mokhiber: Could you look into it for me?
Fleischer: Industrial hemp?
Mokhiber: Yes.
Fleischer: Well, I will advise you if anything changes from what I just said.
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Russell Mokhiber
Russell Mokhiber is editor of the Washington, D.C.-based Corporate Crime Reporter. He is also founder of singlepayeraction.org, and editor of the website Morgan County USA.
Mokhiber: Ari, I've got two questions for you.
There appears to be a grassroots movement, led by Republicans nationwide, to keep big rig interstate trucks -- to keep them on the Interstate highways and to ban them from small two-lane, two-lane roads.
For example, Christine Whitman, when she was Governor of New Jersey, implemented this policy in parts of New Jersey.
Senator Warner got behind an effort to ban these big trucks from a small road in Virginia just last week, Rt. 17. It's happening in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia.
Does the President favor this kind of limitation on interstate trucks to the interstate highway systems?
Ari Fleischer: Russell, that's a matter the Department of Transportation will be working on it. I don't think that's something the President himself would get involved in.
Mokhiber: Okay, second question I have for you. There is a broad coalition of political leaders ranging from former CIA Director James Woolsey to consumer advocate Ralph Nader, that is pushing for the legalization of industrial hemp.
This is a non-drug crop that was grown by Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. It has a wide range of uses -- clothing, fuel, among others.
Farmers around world are growing -- in China and Canada -- and importing it. It is illegal here in the United States for farmers to grow it.
Does the President favor the legalization of industrial hemp?
Fleischer: I'm not aware of any statement that the President has made that would lend one to reach that conclusion.
Mokhiber: Could you look into it for me?
Fleischer: Industrial hemp?
Mokhiber: Yes.
Fleischer: Well, I will advise you if anything changes from what I just said.
Russell Mokhiber
Russell Mokhiber is editor of the Washington, D.C.-based Corporate Crime Reporter. He is also founder of singlepayeraction.org, and editor of the website Morgan County USA.
Mokhiber: Ari, I've got two questions for you.
There appears to be a grassroots movement, led by Republicans nationwide, to keep big rig interstate trucks -- to keep them on the Interstate highways and to ban them from small two-lane, two-lane roads.
For example, Christine Whitman, when she was Governor of New Jersey, implemented this policy in parts of New Jersey.
Senator Warner got behind an effort to ban these big trucks from a small road in Virginia just last week, Rt. 17. It's happening in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia.
Does the President favor this kind of limitation on interstate trucks to the interstate highway systems?
Ari Fleischer: Russell, that's a matter the Department of Transportation will be working on it. I don't think that's something the President himself would get involved in.
Mokhiber: Okay, second question I have for you. There is a broad coalition of political leaders ranging from former CIA Director James Woolsey to consumer advocate Ralph Nader, that is pushing for the legalization of industrial hemp.
This is a non-drug crop that was grown by Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. It has a wide range of uses -- clothing, fuel, among others.
Farmers around world are growing -- in China and Canada -- and importing it. It is illegal here in the United States for farmers to grow it.
Does the President favor the legalization of industrial hemp?
Fleischer: I'm not aware of any statement that the President has made that would lend one to reach that conclusion.
Mokhiber: Could you look into it for me?
Fleischer: Industrial hemp?
Mokhiber: Yes.
Fleischer: Well, I will advise you if anything changes from what I just said.
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.