Former Rep. Pete McCloskey receives Sierra Club award

[bananas]

http://www.penipress.com/2010/10/08/the-legacy-of-environmental-maverick-pete-mccloskey/

Former Rep. Pete McCloskey receives Sierra Club award
By Alexandra Wexler | 8 Oct 2010

These days it’s not too hard to find Californians in favor of legalizing marijuana, but most people who went to hear former Congressman Pete McCloskey speak in Redwood City last Saturday were amused to find out that he is one of them.

“I’d vote to legalize marijuana,” said the 83-year-old ex-Marine and one-time Republican Party candidate for president. “In much of rural southern California… that’s the main cash crop. If we legalize it, the price will go down, and everybody’s using it already anyway.”

His view on Proposition 19 is classic McCloskey, a man who defies any mold. A staunch supporter of the Second Amendment, he also happens to be the co-founder of Earth Day, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in April.

In the auditorium of Sequoia High School, McCloskey addressed a crowd about the environmental challenges of our time. He was honored with the Loma Prieta Chapter of the Sierra Club’s first Environmental Hero Award.

<snip>

McClosky changed parties in 2007:

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/4/16/323891/-Former-Republican-Presidential-Candidate-Turns-Blue

Former Republican Presidential Candidate Turns Blue
by NYPopulist
Mon Apr 16, 2007 at 01:01:57 PM PDT

Yup, even Pete McCloskey, a one time candidate for the Republican Presidential nomination was fed up and disgusted to the point that he re-registered as a Democrat. For those who don't know, Pete was one of the very, very few good guys on the other side of the aisle. He was sued by Pat Robertson, was the first Republican to call for Nixon's impeachment, ran for President on an anti-war platform, endorsed John Kerry in 2004, and in a final attempt to save the party that was once near and dear to his heart, ran against Richard Pombo in the Republican primary last year. After losing, he quickly endorsed now-Congressman Jerry McNerney.

His explanation for leaving the party that his family has been a part of for 150 years is one of the most beautifully written things I've ever read.

<snip>

[RufusTFirefly]

1. K/R for McCloskey, a genuine maverick.

Not a self-professed or media-created one.

I certainly don't agree with him on a number of issues, but I still admire his candor.

[kristopher]

2. That's a remarkable view of the sickness at the heart of modern conservatism...

Thanks for sharing it.