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| U.S. Drug Czar Warns of Potent Pot Here |
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Posted by CN Staff on July 20, 2004 at 06:59:34 PT By Colin McDonald, Seattle P-I Reporter Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer 
The potency of the marijuana grown locally and in British Columbia has attracted the attention of the White House and its drug czar. "This is not the substance you joked about in the '60s," said John Walters, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. "We have a greater reason for concern."Walters visited Seattle yesterday to raise awareness of increased levels of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, an ingredient in marijuana that produces a high. And he met with officials from a new state program at Harborview Medical Center designed to counsel emergency room patients who abuse drugs. "You have more of it here, and it's more powerful," he said. "The production of 'BC Bud' has exploded." "BC Bud" is a potent form of marijuana smuggled in from Canada. According to data from the federal Drug Abuse Warning Network, the mention of marijuana as a reason for an emergency room visit increased nearly 200 percent from 1994 to 2002. Walters used the data to try to dispel the idea of marijuana as a harmless drug. "We know cigarettes kill more people than any illegal drug. This is not about if you die from a particular overdose -- it's about addiction." Snipped: Complete Article: http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/here.htm Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer (WA) Related Articles: Canada's Pot Exports Overstated: RCMP As Pot Gets Stronger, US Officials Change Policy Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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| Comment #31 posted by Hope on July 21, 2004 at 14:56:59 PT |
| Dankhank is right. Your letter is a masterpiece. I was so happy for FoM about the Young/Moore connection that I got on to another topic, but, when I first planned to comment on this thread, I originally meant to post that I thought your letter was magnificent. I so hope they print it. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #30 posted by Dankhank on July 21, 2004 at 14:43:06 PT |
| Your letter is a masterpiece ... I saw it yesterday, it's astute logic bubbling in the back of my head since then .... May I use it? I will give you credit for the succint advice you render if yes ... In any case, BRAVO, for a great letter ... [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #29 posted by FoM on July 21, 2004 at 13:50:47 PT |
| Hope that's ok. I knew that's what must have happened and answered your post on the other thread. No problem at all. *** The View From The Devil’s Sidewalk LA Weekly Was there a specific incident that triggered the impulse to make this film? Did the war in Iraq enter into it, or something of that nature? No, we’re talking mostly about human things, about things that are more personal. My father-in-law passed away a couple of years ago, and my son was married on the same day, and you know, I really loved my father-in-law and, obviously, love my son, so there was something happening there that just got some kind of thing going. And then shortly after that, in August of 2002, I started recording Greendale. http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/tour.htm [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #28 posted by Hope on July 21, 2004 at 12:15:04 PT |
| too many windows open again...I meant to post that to another thread. Now I will try to put it where I meant for it to go. Sorry. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #27 posted by Hope on July 21, 2004 at 12:11:36 PT |
| I remember learning about that, now. It's basically to do with "the meaning of words". I think if you look for "darkness"...you will find it. If you look for "light" you will find it. It's what your "heart" is inclined to look for. I choose to look for the "light". [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #26 posted by FoM on July 21, 2004 at 11:22:46 PT |
| I can't find where I read that about when Greendale was conceived and I hope I'm right but until I can find it I don't want to be saying that it is for sure. I want to be accurate. There I feel better. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #25 posted by FoM on July 21, 2004 at 10:11:17 PT |
| Greendale has been an experience that many people find really good. I don't know exactly where I read this but the concept of Greendale was born on a day when his son got married and his deeply loved father-in-law died. Greendale is about a family and values and is really great. Values most of us here hold dear. There's drugs, a cop killing, media invasion, the Patriot Act and on and on. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #24 posted by Hope on July 21, 2004 at 10:05:03 PT |
| "Greendale calms me down and helps me put things in a proper order" [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #23 posted by FoM on July 21, 2004 at 10:02:34 PT |
| Yes it couldn't be better! I'm watching Inside Greendale now ( That's the making of the movie Greendale ) I was telling another Neil Fan that Greendale calms me down and helps me put things in a proper order. She said it does the same thing for her. After seeing Neil Young play Rockin' in a Free World live 2 times I'm very anxious and hopeful for this video of Michael Moores. *** We have a kinder, gentler machine gun hand Losing boys everyday because we didn't have a plan *** The concert goers exploded with applause when he sang those words. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #22 posted by Hope on July 21, 2004 at 09:56:02 PT |
| Neil Young and Michael Moore working together on a project has to be absolutely thrilling for you, Dear FoM. *smile* [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #21 posted by FoM on July 21, 2004 at 09:41:43 PT |
| I hope it's true! *** From MTV.com "Fahrenheit 9/11" filmmaker Michael Moore is in the process of directing a new video for Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free World," the song used during the end credits of Moore's politically charged movie. Moore's clip, which will feature scenes from the movie as well as performance footage, will be included on the re-released version of the 1989 single, due in late August. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #20 posted by escapegoat on July 21, 2004 at 09:37:17 PT |
| July 19, 2004: Peter Warren interviews John Walters, the US drug czar. Afterward, a call-in segment where listeners disagree with his arguments. Listen in mp3 format: http://www.salvagingelectrons.com/drugradio/cknw-warren-20040719-walters.mp3 Contact Peter Warren: pwarren@cknw.com Web: http://www.peterwarren.ca [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #19 posted by Hope on July 21, 2004 at 09:15:37 PT |
| "Walters should be saying "We know cigarettes kill [etc] but we accept tobacco because it isn't much fun and it makes a lot of money for some important political donors."" You are right. Our government is criminally expensive and if people really did stop using tobacco, and alcohol products...the so called (idiotically) "sin" tax, which I am sure is a largish hunk of income for them would decrease or disappear. "Sin" Tax. That is so stupid, I can't even talk about it. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #18 posted by CorvallisEric on July 21, 2004 at 05:30:51 PT |
| "We know cigarettes kill more people than any illegal drug. This is not about if you die from a particular overdose -- it's about addiction." Such a bizarre statement in the context of a diatribe against marijuana, yet totally appropriate for tobacco. Walters should be saying "We know cigarettes kill [etc] but we accept tobacco because it isn't much fun and it makes a lot of money for some important political donors." [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #17 posted by mayan on July 21, 2004 at 05:00:59 PT |
| Here's a different take on the reaction to the Linda Ronstadt fiasco... America sings a new song of celebrity censorship: http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/story.jsp?story=542990 From the above linked article... Not everyone present agreed with Mr Timmins' account, however. Paula Francis, a news anchor on a local television station, told the Las Vegas Review Journal that her experience of the concert was quite different."I was so stunned to read in the newspaper that anyone had a negative reaction," she said. "Everyone who was leaving when I was leaving was just thrilled. They thought it was a good concert." At the moment of the Michael Moore dedication, she said, "there were loud boos and there was quite a bit of applause. But everyone calmed down right away and seemed to enjoy the rest of the encore." [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #16 posted by lag on July 20, 2004 at 19:16:44 PT |
| Bush and his cronies make Conservatives look bad...and that is really saying something. Some other sites I would recommend are: www.dailyhowler.com www.dailykos.com www.thismodernworld.com The first is a media watchdog site that analyzes news reports and attempts to detail the spin therein. Daily Kos is a left leaning political analysis blog...while I would love to recommend atrios.blogspot.com, as it's one of my favorite sites, it is a very liberal blog that might not appeal to everyone. This Modern World is a fantastic comic where even the 10-15 year old strips are still just as relevant today as they were when they were created. It's bery much satirical and political. Now, on the topic of our drug czar...WHO CARES!!!? I mean, if you were going to tell me that the increased potency might, upon inhale, shatter my body, then maybe you'd have a point. Unfortunately, you are saying that the substance that we smoke, that you say is very harmful, is now in a more potent form, thus requiring the ingestion of less? I mean, the physical harm the plant can cause was already a moot point if you took into account the edible nature of the plant, and now you are saying that it's even healthier for you...wow... [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #15 posted by FoM on July 20, 2004 at 16:01:27 PT |
| We crashed their server and I hope this link works. It really is funny. http://atomfilms.shockwave.com/af/content/this_land [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #14 posted by FoM on July 20, 2004 at 14:48:37 PT |
| I haven't seen F/9-11. It's just not easy for us to go far from home (about 100 miles one way to see it). We have so much to do ( mostly mowing) and so little time. I will buy F/9-11 as soon as it can be pre-ordered. On the 27th we'll be getting Greendale the movie on DVD. I've seen most of it and it has a strong political message and am anxious for it's release. They showed this political cartoon about Bush and Kerry on MSNBC this morning. It's funny! Check it out! [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #13 posted by global_warming on July 20, 2004 at 14:35:14 PT |
| "The program allows you to choose three marijuana seeds and plant them in three pots in a virtual growroom. When watered, these seeds will all germinate and begin their life cycle as determined by their genetic structure. By caring for your plants every few days, you'll be able to watch them grow strongly and develop potent flowering buds. If you ignore or forget about them however, they will die after a week or two. You'll be able to manage and control the plants' environment by watering, fertilizing and by adjusting the light height and photoperiod. You'll also be able to control and improve growth by pruning growing tips. Finally, you'll decide the exact moment to harvest your crop. When you harvest your plants, the dry mass, health and final potency (measured in %THC) of each plant is calculated and compared with each other (and with other plants from previous efforts). You will then be awarded a certificate of merit for every plant you successfully harvest" [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #12 posted by Dankdude on July 20, 2004 at 14:32:37 PT |
| Well we may have to concede that cannabis now days is stronger.
With newer technology in Hydroponics, lighting and even fertilizers for the soil grower, Cannabis these days can reach it's full potential. But I remember that back in the 70's and 80's there was weed going around that was out of this world. But it wasn't pot that drove me to hard drugs, I never considered hard drugs until I started drinking alcohol. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #11 posted by FoM on July 20, 2004 at 14:00:45 PT |
| The times they are a changin' I'm all excited about what's ahead for us. Maybe the circle will be complete this time. I hope you understand what I mean because it's a feeling not something really logical that I can explain. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #10 posted by billos on July 20, 2004 at 13:44:04 PT |
| the persecution of the Jews in 1939............this is very very scary. If you are not a Bush fan you are an enemy of the state. I can't believe it. Civil War? [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #9 posted by Nuevo Mexican on July 20, 2004 at 13:38:39 PT |
| Like Elton John just said, if you love bush, you're promoted, and adored by the corporate media, but if you love your country, truth, and accountability, you're booted out of Vegas, the bastion of Americas' real values, money, greed, braindeadness. If you holler, throw drinks, and tear down posters, only your views matter, and you DON'T get thrown out? Why does anyone even want to live in the country if these people represent our neighbors and fellow voters? I'm wonderin'! We seem to live in a Nazi-loving, embracing, worshipping land where ignorance is bliss! (Unless you're an Iraqi child, or a black child from the inner city, or a woman trying to raise kids on her own, or suffering from a disease that only Cannabis relieves the symptoms of.) Have you seen F/9-11 FOM? Don't wait for the DVD, you will miss out on the tidal wave of consciousness that we here at C-News epitomize. Gotta be ahead of the curve you know! Make a date with Hubby, and Go!!! Just seeing the film will make you happy for a MONTH! I had to see it twice to experience the laughs, tears, outrage and disgust! My apologies if you've seen it, but it seems if you had, it would seep into C-News somehow. Let me know, and if you have, how did it affect you. This election and surrounding hub-bub, is shaping up to be the battle for the future of our lives, the future of the planet, and the future of Free Speech! Cannabis will be legal if everyone wakes up to the truth of the lies our tax-payer supported Orwellian government, there will be accountability, and hell to pay if we don't get Gramma and Grandad out to the movies! Mom, Dad, buddy and sis too! Sorry if i'm feeling a sense of 'haste'! They will walk out thanking you! How many here have seen the movie? Most I hope, but if not, we might as well throw in the towel now, and stop fooling ourselves. Waking the sleeping masses can be frustrating! Read what Elton John has to say about the situation: Elton John Claims Anti-War Music Has Been Silenced The British pianist pointed out that supporters of the war in Iraq (news - web sites)--such as country star Toby Keith--are given free reign, while the Dixie Chicks (news - web sites) faced a huge backlash after singer Natalie Maines made an anti-Bush comment to a London audience last year. "They were treated like they were being un-American, when in fact they have every right to say whatever they want about him because he's freely elected, and therefore accountable," John said. He added that in the 1960s, artists took pride in using their freedom of expression. "People like Bob Dylan (news), Nina Simone, the Beatles and Pete Seeger were constantly writing and talking about what was going on. That's not happening now." http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/launch/20040719/en_launch/219012 US singer Linda Ronstadt kicked out of casino for praising Michael Moore "What country do you live in?," Moore asked in the letter. "Last time I checked, Las Vegas is still in the United States. And in the United States, we have something called 'The First Amendment'" which guarantees the right to free speech. "For you to throw Linda Ronstadt off the premises because she dared to say a few words in support of me and my film, is simply stupid and Un-American," Moore continued. "What about the other half of the crowd at the Aladdin who, according to the Las Vegas Sun, cheered her when she made her remarks? Did you throw them out, too?," Moore said. There will be a backlash, and hopefully a huge Free Speech, anti-war, anti-bush Rally, with Linda, Elton, CSN&Y(F911 ends with 'Keep on Rockin' in the Free World!), and of course, our newest, young, prolific, and VERY articulate.... Incubus!!! 'Megalomaniac' and 'Talk Shows on Mute' pure genius like Dylan, Hendrix or the Beatles could be counted on in 'the day'! Read Lindas messageboard for insights on how big the backlash will be, as she will now sell more records THAN EVER! (I've sold hundreds, if not thousands of her albums to her fans in her hometown of Tucson, and am now sooooo proud of it!) Sample comment from Linda Ronstadts' messageboard: So. Aladdin audience members hollered, tore down posters, spilled drinks---and generally behaved like a bunch of wild animal---and it's Ronstadt they threw out? That casino's management must be a bunch of flaming idiots. --TMG http://discussions.elektra.com/wm-lronstadt/messages Here are the most profound lyrics to grace our ears in ages, from a Valley Band called Incubus,(Calabasas,Ca) of all things! These lyrics should make your day! "Megalomaniac" I hear you on the radio You permeate my screen, its' unkind but If I met you in a scissor fight I'd cut off both your wings on principle alone On principle alone Hey megalomaniac You're no Jesus Yeah, you're no fucking Elvis Wash your hand clean of yourself baby Maniac, step down, step down If I were your appendages I'd hold open your eyes So you would see That all of us are heaven sent There was never meant to be only one To be only one Hey megalomaniac You're no Jesus Yeah, you're no fucking Elvis Wash your hand clean of yourself baby Maniac, step down, step down Yeah You're no Jesus You're no Elvis You're no Jesus You're no Jesus You're no Elvis You're no answer Step down, step down, Step down, step down Hey megalomaniac You're no Jesus Yeah, you're no fucking Elvis Wash your hand clean of yourself baby Maniac, step down, step, Step down, step down, Step down, step down, Step down http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/incubus/megalomaniac.html Make no mistake about it, these lyrics are inspired by bush, and if you haven't heard of these guys, it's because any controversy would make sure the world ran out an bought their newest work, 'A Crow Left Of The Murder'. Led Zep meets Pink Floyd, Lennon, Hendrix and Dylan! "Talk Show On Mute" Take a bow Pack on powder Wash 'em out with buzzing lights Pay an audience to care "Impress me" personality Still and transfixed The electric sheep are dreaming of your face Enjoy you from the chemical Comfort of America Come one, come all Into 1984 Yeah, three, two, one Lights, camera, transaction Quick, your time is almost up Make all forget that they're the moth Edging in towards the flame Burn into obscurity Still and transfixed The electric sheep are dreaming up your fate And judge you from the card castle Comfort of America Come one, come all Into 1984 Yeah, three, two, one Lights, camera, transaction Your foundation is canyoning Fault lines should be worn with pride I hate to say it but You're so much more You're so much more Endearing with the sound turned off Fahrenheit 911 is Fair and Balanced by Bob Fitrakis and Harvey Wasserman Kristof also fails to acknowledge National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski's THE GRAND CHESSBOARD. Brzezinski calmly outlines a thesis that U.S. domination of the globe in the 21st century depends on its control of Central Asian oilfields. He also says the American public would not back an attack unless there was a terrorist attack that galvanized public opinion to seize the foreign oil. http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0716-02.htm [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #8 posted by billos on July 20, 2004 at 13:34:44 PT |
| babbling idiots could get a job with the fed and make hundreds of thousands of dollars. Although I'm sure Walters has to be retrained after every weekend to repeat his same speech over and over and over and over, you would think that his boss (if he has one) would get tired of it. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #7 posted by E_Johnson on July 20, 2004 at 11:21:27 PT |
| Dear editors, I think the Drug Czar needs to be taken to the hospital for a mental health evaluation, because he is saying things that are completely inconsistent with reality and he must be hallucinating. He claims to be terrified of more potent pot. But according to a Washington Post investigative piece published on June 4, 2002 titled "The Real Dope", marijuana has not increased in potency since the seventies. And people back then used to smoke hashish, which is about 50% THC. The Washington Post article concluded that the Drug Czar's office is out of touch with scientifically measurable reality when it comes to marijuana potency. The Drug Czar then turns around and tells medical patients that they need to take Marinol, which is legal, rather than marijuana, which contains the same active ingredient yet is illegal. Well, Marinol is 100% THC. Isn't that BAD? Marinol contains the most potent form of 100% pure THC available on the market today, and the Drug Czar is pushing it as the preferred alternative. In series of dramatic TV ads, this man has told Americans that marijuana users are terrorists who commit date rape, run over children in fast food drive-through lanes and drown babies in swimming pools. How many children were run over in fast food drive though lanes in Seattle last year? A single one? Has this ever happened in America at all, ever, anywhere? The man is clearly paranoid and delusional, and needs to be locked up until his ability to process reality can be stabilized through medication. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #6 posted by cloud7 on July 20, 2004 at 11:20:28 PT |
| But, think about how ridiculous this statement is. It's not how harmful a drug is, it's about how addictive the drug is. According to this logic, a drug could cause death very easily, but if it's not addicitive it's an acceptable burden for society. But if there is a drug you can't die from and it's addictive that's the problem. In addition he uses tobacco as an example, one of the most deadly *and* addictive drugs known to make his point. His silver tongue is getting tarnished by lies. Also, an important quote from the article got snipped: "But officials at Harborview, the region's major trauma center, are less worried about marijuana addiction than they are about *all* drug and alcohol abuse." [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #5 posted by ron on July 20, 2004 at 11:09:10 PT |
| Maybe someday Colin or the editors will check out the Canadian Press story "Canada's Pot Exports Overstated:RCMP" (CN 19206) They'd have to call their paper the "Pre Intelligencer" if they started checking out Walters' lies instead of just enabling him. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #4 posted by goneposthole on July 20, 2004 at 10:52:38 PT |
| doesn't hold a candle to the original skunk. Facts are stubborn thangs. Time to plow this cannabis prohibition into dry dust .. with a Big Bud 525 horspower tractor and new sharp lathes on the plow [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #3 posted by FoM on July 20, 2004 at 09:32:14 PT |
| CS&N Turn Back The Clock To Late '60s By Jeff Spevak, Staff Music Critic (July 20, 2004) — In 1969, Crosby, Stills & Nash were in tune with the times. Vietnam, civil rights, smoking dope: They had songs for all of that. Thirty-five years later, it's Iraq, First Amendment rights and still smoking dope. Sure, “Woodstock” still sounds like an anthem for hippies. About 5,000 of them turned out Monday night at Finger Lakes Performing Arts Center. The VW bugs with engines in the back may have been replaced by VW bugs with engines in the front, but rebellion rules. Complete Article: http://www.democratandchronicle.com/news/0720A54V6KJ_news.shtml [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #2 posted by FoM on July 20, 2004 at 07:38:08 PT |
| It's funny! Check it out! [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #1 posted by cloud7 on July 20, 2004 at 07:21:13 PT |
| Doublespeak - noun - "We know cigarettes kill more people than any illegal drug. This is not about if you die from a particular overdose -- it's about addiction." [ Post Comment ] |
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