cannabisnews.com: Cop Plugs Pot Legalization in Journey on Horse Cop Plugs Pot Legalization in Journey on Horse Posted by CN Staff on November 09, 2002 at 19:25:13 PT By Sam Blackwell ~ Southeast Missourian Source: Southeast Missourian Howard Wooldridge looks like the Marlboro man: rangy and a little tired. Actually, he claims to be more of a Paul Revere. He and his pinto horse, Misty, rode into Cape Girardeau Friday, 1,000 miles along on a journey to deliver a message across America. The message is printed on Wooldridge's T-shirt. "Cops Say Legalize Pot. Ask Me Why," it says. If it's shocking to see a retired police officer promoting the legalization of marijuana, that's partly the point. "The public knows the war on drugs is a failure," the 51-year-old from Fort Worth, Texas, says. "But everyone is scared to stand up and say, 'The emperor has no clothes on.'" He is one of the founders of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, a new national organization composed of present and former law enforcement officers who support regulation and control of drugs instead of prohibition. They model themselves after the Vietnam Veterans Against the War, but they oppose the drug war. Enforcing drug laws has done nothing to decrease the availability of drugs, he says, and "It's a horrible waste of our good time. "Drunk driving is 10,000 times more dangerous to you." Wooldridge is not riding around the country to promote the use of marijuana. "Marijuana is a bad choice except for medicine," he said. He opposes the criminalization of any drug, taking the point of view that adults and not government bureaucrats should decide what to put in their bodies. "Our grandparents were wise enough to end Prohibition," he said. That said, he and Misty headed for the Mississippi River bridge to continue delivering the alarm. Complete Title: Retired Cop Plugs Pot Legalization in Journey on HorseSource: Southeast Missourian (MO)Author: Sam Blackwell ~ Southeast Missourian Published: Saturday, November 09, 2002 Copyright: 2002 Southeast MissourianWebsite: http://www.semissourian.com/Contact: http://semissourian.com/opinion/letters/submit/ LEAPhttp://www.leap.cc/CannabisNews - Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #12 posted by DdC on November 10, 2002 at 12:57:46 PT Christians or COP's Can't Legalize-only people... Cops are in the same position as "Christians" or any organization profiting on prohibition. They have to take the stand they take. Only individual, brave individuals can go against the grain. In the process, eventually bringing harm to themselves. Those doing the "right thing" need our support. Those wanting to do the right thing, need our encouragement and protection. Anonymity goes so far but sooner or later the truth of prohibition has to surface. The profits drive prohibition. Both sides. The incentive for a cop with vested interest,waiting on retirement or a rookie is to go along. Protect the Badge, protect whatever it is you're told to protect. McNamara and others know whats up and yet they're positions are always back burnered. Furthering D.A.'s political careers dispite Justice. Cops are not legal aids for the D.A. Investigating crimes should have nothing to do with the arrested's conviction or even guilt. The FBI protesting to retain capital punishment or Nevada/Arizona etc cops politicking for prohibition is against the Constitution. The cops, FBI and D.E.A.th are supposed to represent the whole citizenry, not just those they are in leagues with. Therefore the same as the Church, these cop organizations must be made and kept separate from the political process. Individual citizens may campaign for whatever they deem fit, not their tax paid organizations. Fascism is not a buzzword in the case of prohibition. It is a merger of Corporations profiting on WoD and State (US) legislators making it law. And typically the Church sides for good intentions or to protect their own interest. This is also unAmerican. Cops need to be allowed to be citizens at work as well as home. Cops should not be "special" or receive "special" privilege. Or harrassment because of the color of their uniforms. Neglicting Justice to protect a brother cop's acts of injustice doesn't help citizens or cops. Same as when the headcop of D.E.A.th politisizes local copshops to disregard reality and to maintain dysfunction profiting on Americans misery. Perpetuating the hazardous alternatives to cannabis many don't even know is the reason for removing cannabis from the market. Simply following orders trying to be a good cop. Removing the ability to think for themselves. The Military is no different, on purpose. They need obedience to do what they do. When the top brass giving the orders is rightious, then this works for the good of the citizens, when the top brass is corrupted into protecting the interest of politics at the expense and health of the citizens, it's wrong. Its time to do something to stop it. As long as we remain naive and pretend "they" will change cause its right to do so. Then we are as guilty of ignorance as they. Time for solidarity of the ganja factions and the victims of WoD. Including good cops caught up in the mix.Peace, Love and Liberty or the Obedient D.E.A.th Minions!DdCThe Joseph McNamara Collection http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/debate/mcn/mcntoc.htm [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by FoM on November 10, 2002 at 09:33:10 PT Thanks JR Bob Dobbs I added the link to my page. Drug Policy Links [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by JR Bob Dobbs on November 10, 2002 at 09:02:08 PT Ride on! Where was this guy before the election? Why couldn't he have taken a ride through Nevada and Arizona? Oh well, don't stop now! By the way, there's more than one law-enforcement anti-prohibition organization: Police Officers for Drug Law Reform [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by Dan B on November 10, 2002 at 01:17:22 PT: MikeEEEEE I wonder how many cops stay quiet to protect their jobs and promotions. That is a good point you make, and one that the good officers and former officers at LEAP already thought of. A cop can become an anonymous member. In short, this means that his or her number will be counted, if not his or her name. This provides a way for current cops who fear retribution for their views to have a voice without disclosing their identities. I consider it a good compromise, although I find it difficult to understand just how a cop could do his or her job as ordered yet be against prohibition. It would present a terrible moral dilemma--one I am glad I do not have to confront (not being a cop).There are a lot of cops out there who are on our side. It's up to us to let them know about LEAP and get them to take a stand--even if it's as "anonymous cop."Dan B [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by DdC on November 09, 2002 at 22:24:33 PT Drunk driving is 10,000 times more dangerous... 1930 End Prohibition for the Sake of the Youth! http://www.cannabinoid.com/wwwboard/politics/binaries/29/29591.jpgHey It's Billy Jack...So in Truth and Reality Nevada Sandy is Rolling Over in her Grave...Because of her naive grieving family being coerced by local cops, to protect their badges and budgets. Now the drunks booze will remain... that may have been substituted by the safer ganja, the other white meat.Crancer Study, Washington Department of Motor Vehicles "Simulated driving scores for subjects experiencing a normal social "high" and the samesubjects under control conditions are not significantly different. However, there are significantly more errors for alcohol intoxicated than for control subjects"U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (DOT HS 808 078), Final Report, November 1993: "THC's adverse effects on driving performance appear relatively small" Professor Olaf Drummer, a forensic scientist the Royal College of Surgeons in Melbourne in 1996: ":Compared to alcohol, which makers people take more risks on the road, marijuana made drivers slow down and drive more carefully.... Cannabis is good for driving skills, as people tend to overcompensate for a perceived impairment.": No Proof Cannabis Put Drivers At Risk (2001) http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n1849/a09.htmlCannabis May Make You A Safer Driver (2000) http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n1161/a02.html University Of Toronto Study Shows Marijuana Not A Factor In Driving Accidents (1999) http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases\1999\03\990325110700.htm Cannabis Crash Risk Less: Study (1998) http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v98/n945/a08.html Study Goes to Pot (1998) http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v98/n947/a06.htmlDubya not allowed into Canada??? http://pub3.ezboard.com/fendingcannabisprohibitionwhyitstimetolegalize.showMessage?topicID=186.topicThe Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs says: Driving while under the influence of alcohol is regarded as an extremely serious offence in Canada, and persons with convictions for this offence are inadmissible to Canada. Although Canada is similar to other countries in preventing the admission of convicted offenders, Canada does make provision to allow people with criminal records into Canada under certain circumstances.Liquid Drugs (Booze)#1 cause of deaths 18-24 years.Binge Beer ad makes a point By NBC5's Linda Frederick DENTON - College presidents from across the country are hoping a little sarcasm will go a long way toward curbing binge drinking among college students. A unique ad is running in over 100 newspapers nationwide. The ad features a bottle of beer labeled “Binge Beer.” Below the ad is a list of questions like “What’s an occasional riot?” or “Who says falling off a balcony is such a bad thing?” and a long list of college presidents below those questions.. The National Association of State Universities, which includes the University of North Texas in Denton, launched the campaign today targeted at college students and their parents. “It’s very clear that the message is to de-glamorize alcohol,” said BonitaJacobs, Vice President of Student Affairs at UNT. Not all parents we talked to think the newspaper ad is necessary though. “Through (my children’s) entire lives we’ve talked about alcohol and alcohol use. They know what they need to do and what not to do. They don’t binge, that’s stupid.” said Fran Means, who’s child attends UNT. But students NBC5 spoke to say there is a need for concern. “Kids listen to their parents, but once you get out into an area where you’re considered an adult and your around a bunch of other people who also considered themselves adults, their not going to listen to their parents,” said senior David Cook. The administration at UNT in Denton said it will continue to take a pro-active stance against binge drinking. Dementia Associated With Alcoholism http://www.ariannaonline.com/discus/messages/4/801.html?ThursdayJune1520000137pmMarijuana vs. Alcohol Excerpted from the New York Times, (Jan. 4th, 1998). By Michael WineripWhat university officials here and across the country fear they are seeing is a substantial number of students who drink excessively and dangerously, and don't seem reachable. The most recent survey at the University of Virginia reports that of students who drink, 25 percent were binge drinking three or more times in the previous two weeks."It's one thing to drink a little to get buzzed." said Cheryl Battles, a senior, "but I'm amazed at how many people here drink to get wasted - 'Oh man, you were bombed last night, you were hysterical, you were throwing up all over the place.' " Dr. James Turner, head of the university's student health services, said that while the number of drinkers may be down, "we're seeing more serious problems in our emergency room." He said a generation ago, a significant number of students wanting to get high used marijuana, while today it is mainly alcohol. "Now please don't make it sound like I'm endorsing marijuana," he said. "I'm not. But the problems of marijuana are different. They're not as severe. You don't have the violent behavior; you don't have the sexual aggression; you don't have the poisoning." --Michael Winerip is a staff writer for the New York Times Magazine. Smirkoff... [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by p4me on November 09, 2002 at 22:18:57 PT NY Times has nothing to say about marijuana I did a search of the Sunday edition of times magazine for the 12:42AM edition of the online time and got the usual line about the word marijuana did not appear today. I tried the word fascism and it was not needed in the million words that the Times will use to inform the public. It sure seems like the one thing the public needs is to be informed that the fascist run the country and it can not be presented more clearly than to bring up the marijuana madness of the fascist government.I also checed the Washington post and marijuana did appear one time. There was a lengthy article about the fire in the chicken plant in Hamlet that killed 25 people and injured 53 back in 1991. One person that could not speak for two years after the fire because of damage to her vocal cords had the only use of the word marijuana in the Washington Post. The following paragraph is copied from the WP website.She's told her doctors that despite all the prescribed medications she's on, there's nothing like a toke from a marijuana cigarette now and then to dim the pain. "I told my doctors that. I won't lie."1 [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by MikeEEEEE on November 09, 2002 at 20:55:32 PT Interesting Since he's retired he can't be touched by the system.I wonder how many cops stay quiet to protect their jobs and promotions. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by Patrick on November 09, 2002 at 20:39:50 PT End Prohibition Now Our grandparents were wise enough to end Prohibition!And so should we. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on November 09, 2002 at 20:21:38 PT Toker00 I love people who love horses too. Horses teach you about life. They are big and could kill you very easily and yet if we take our time and be gentle a horse will do so much for a person. Horses teach you how to be patient. That's what they taught me. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Toker00 on November 09, 2002 at 20:13:38 PT The John Wayne of Cannabis Law Reform Now we need a Hoss, Little Joe, Adam, and Ben. I love people who love horses.I make light of this, John Wayne was slow, kinda quiet, but when he delivered his message... Hope he has the same impact. Keep a trailer on him, FoM?Peace. Realize, then Re-Legalize. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Toad on November 09, 2002 at 19:46:23 PT Here Here It would be great if this guy could get some big time press. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on November 09, 2002 at 19:40:13 PT Picture from Above Article http://www.semissourian.com/photos/news/top-05.jpg [ Post Comment ] Post Comment