Irony alert: Anti-marijuana lawmaker busted for marijuana

The story: In a comment Robert Watson wishes he probably hadn't made, the Republican minority leader of the Rhode Island House of Representatives said in February that the state legislature's priorities are fine "if you're a gay man from Guatemala who gambles and smokes pot." Last Friday, Watson was arrested in Connecticut for driving under the influence of alcohol... and possessing pot and a wooden marijuana pipe. OK, so "trace evidence of marijuana was discovered," Watson said. But "I vehemently deny" being drunk behind the wheel.

The reaction: This sure seems like the "divine retribution" that inevitably targets right-wing hypocrites, says Dennis Romero at LA Weekly. But his breathalyzer test did come in at .05, under the .08 legal limit, and "it's hard to prove one was under the influence of pot. Maybe he's got a case." No, the only case he has is a career-ending case of "extreme hypocrisy," says Joe Klare at The 420 Times. "To poke fun at people for smoking weed when you go home and do it yourself is not only tasteless, but it also proves you cannot be trusted to stand up for your constituents." Still, bad luck for him he was busted in Connecticut, says Max Read at Gawker. His home state, of course, is "far more friendly to Guatemalans, to gays, to gamblers, and, yes, to pot-smokers."

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up