September 30, 2009 3:33PM 

# Wednesday Links 

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- More policymakers coming around to the idea that [it is wrong to jail drug users as criminals.](http://bit.ly/g0H1F)

- How Obama’s protectionist policies [are hurting the poor](http://bit.ly/D6vJe).

- More [stifling of political speech](http://bit.ly/4IKn0).

- “Checks and balances” [be damned](http://bit.ly/1pns31): “In a democratic country, you’d think that before the executive branch could regulate CO2–a ubiquitous substance essential to life–the legislature would have to vote on the issue. But you’d be wrong.” Somewhere, Thomas Friedman is [smiling](http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/09/opinion/09friedman.html).

- Podcast: Next week marks eight years since the U.S. invaded Afghanistan. [It’s time to get out.](http://bit.ly/YguiR) Read the [exit strategy](http://bit.ly/AeRNr).

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