cannabisnews.com: Montel Williams: 'Climbing Higher'





Montel Williams: 'Climbing Higher'
Posted by CN Staff on January 10, 2004 at 11:10:00 PT
Book Review: Montel's Struggle With MS 
Source: CBS News
(CBS) -- For years, television host Montel Williams helped guests deal with their problems. But he was forced to reveal his own problems - a battle with multiple sclerosis - to pre-empt a 1999 story in the tabloids. In his new book, "Climbing Higher," Williams writes that he had been struggling with MS symptoms for years but it wasn't until a painful episode while shooting the CBS television show "Touched by an Angel" that he was finally diagnosed. 
It is at this point that Williams invites his readers into an intimate account of suicide attempts, intense pain, medical procedures, sexual dysfunction and family problems - all attributed to or aggravated by MS. He tells The Early Show co-anchor Hannah Storm MS is an insidious disease with as many symptoms as people who suffer from it. He says, “All of us suffer differently. I happen to have the one considered extreme neuralgic pain in my lower extremities. That means from my knees to my feet, it hurts every day 24 hours a day.” Though people may think that MS makes him weak, Williams says nothing can be further from the truth. “In this country, we look at illness as if it’s weakness. I may be ill but I am for damn sure not weak by anyone’s stretch of the imagination. I work out every day and do everything to counter balance the negative effects, but I’m ill.” He works out at the gym every day and adds, “I have not missed a day of work or one appointment or one thing that I have to do because you have to figure out a way to deal with it.” Another way he has dealt with the pain has been via painkillers. In his book he also reveals his marijuana use. He says, “I spent 22 years in the service supporting, defending our Constitution of the United States, I fought in the war against drugs. I want to tell you right now in this country, we need to start thinking about compassion.” He proposed changing marijuana from class 1 drug to class 2 drug. He points out, “How dare someone tell me they can prescribe morphine, vicodin, percocet. Make the drugs most addictive, name the most addictive drug, they can give me and I can be a walking member of the society by taking that garbage, but my doctor, who has prescribed it for me, can’t prescribe medicinal marijuana? Why? Because we have an idea everybody who does it sits around smoking. There are 50 different ways to utilize it. You can eat it; you can process it into a liquid; or you can turn it into a pill form. The willow tree was taken apart about 200 years ago and turned into aspirin. And we all take it.” About his suicide episode, he says one of the side effects of the medication he was taking caused him to be depressed, spiraling into an abyss because of his pain. Williams says, "I thought if I made it look like an accident, then I could rest in peace and everyone could go on. Then I realized how stupid that was because of my love for my kids. They got me up off the street and made me realize I need to deal with it. "So many people look at so many of us who walk around every day and look successful and think there are no problems. I had a woman in the airport come up to me and say, ’First of all, thank you for what you do for MS. But I got to tell you, you make us look bad because my husband said, why can’t you do as good as Montel.’ I stopped and thought about it. Maybe I should start telling the truth and let people know how really I am doing. I live 100 percent of my day every day, but it’s not easy," Willians notes. According to the actor/author/television host, it was his ability to overcome discrimination and his military training that gave him the strength to finally do what he had been preaching to others: face challenges, and climb higher. He says, “There are so many people out here who are suffering with different illnesses like myself in different ways and don’t have anybody to talk to and can’t really communicate and get it out. So I wrote this book to kind of see if I could bridge the gap between those of us who suffer and those who love those who suffer.” Read an excerpt from his book: "YOU HAVE MS." For six weeks after my diagnosis, when I wasn't on camera I was crying. At night, I was twitching so much I couldn't stay in bed. It felt like I was walking across hot coals just to get to the bathroom. All my thoughts were negative: my job was over, I couldn't perform in the bedroom, my wife was leaving me. I sat around all day thinking everyone was going to find out; people were going to laugh at me; or they were going to avoid me because they'd think the disease was contagious. The voice in my head was never quiet: "I’m going to be left alone; my kids are no longer going to want to see me; they'll have to push me around in a wheelchair." I didn't want them to see me like that. I didn't want to be a burden on anybody. I buried myself in my work so I didn't have to be around anybody. I avoided talking to people, to Grace, my kids. I just tried to avoid human contact. I spiraled into cataclysmic depression. I eventually stopped going to the gym. I couldn't pull weights. My brain would signal "pull" but my left arm couldn't do it. It was just a mess. I was an emotional wreck. I wasn't eating; I went from over 200 pounds down to 176 in a little over a month. I was worried beyond belief. What was there to live for? My marriage was on the rocks; my body was either numb or on fire and it was only going to get worse. Whatever was going on with my immune system was messing with my brain chemically and making me depressed. I was still swallowing percocets and vicodins trying to lessen the pain I was in. I had no appetite for food, sex or conversation. I didn't want to see my friends or family. I couldn't work out. My staff was in dissension. I was hiding my disease from everyone. I felt alone, hopeless, and sorry for myself. I just kept talking myself into the vortex that was sucking me down further every day. On multiple occasions I told Grace she should leave me. I didn't just have low self-esteem - I had no self-esteem. But what I did have were guns. A lot of guns. Nine guns. All registered. All legal. Nine choices to blow my brains out and end the misery I was in. Grace was in Los Angeles trying to get some acting work and my mother-in-law was staying at our house in Greenwich, Connecticut, with Montel and Wyntergrace. Ashley and Maressa were with their mother, my first wife. I decided to spread some towels on the floor of our bedroom closet and clean my guns. At least, I wanted to make it appear as if that was what I was doing when they found me there. Excerpted from "Climbing Higher" Copyright: 2004 by Montel Williams, Lawrence Grobel (Contributor) Source: CBS NewsPublished: January 9, 2004Copyright: MMIV CBS Broadcasting Inc.Related Articles:Montel Williams Goes To Pothttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18095.shtmlTalk Show Host Fined For Drug Paraphernaliahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17732.shtml
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Comment #41 posted by FoM on January 09, 2005 at 19:42:54 PT
observer
We have a friend that was on the Liver Transplant list thru the VA and he came up with cannabis in his system and they told him he would not get a new Liver if he retests with cannabis in his system. He told them how it helped his nausea and pain and they didn't care. He never smoked any thing after that and he luckily finally got a new Liver.
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Comment #40 posted by observer on January 09, 2005 at 19:35:23 PT
evil torture, that's the U.S. government for you
made to sign a form that if she ever test positive for any illegal substances or alcohol of any kind, her pain medication would stop immediatelyHow unspeakably cruel and evil for the government to torture people like that. The U.S. government, and the politicians, bureaucrats, police, prosecutors and all the other government camp-followers are dedicated punishers, loving to punish and hurt people. All for righteousness sake, of course.
http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pot
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Comment #39 posted by FoM on January 09, 2005 at 18:00:02 PT
John00000000 
Thank you for sharing your story. If we keep on working hard maybe things will change. I hope for your sake and your wife's sake it happens soon. Keep hoping like we all do.
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Comment #38 posted by John00000000 on January 09, 2005 at 17:37:45 PT:
Excruciating Pain
 Hi, my name is John Massengill and my wife Syndi has suffered with excruciating pain every minute of everyday since she had an accident on her Naval Ship Feb.19th, 1991.
 She was diagnosed with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSDS) orig. from the lower back down through her lower extremities which spread to her upper body over the years. To describe her constant pain is to use words like fire hot shards of jagged glass, red hot pokers.
 This progressive disease,after being denied treatment while on active duty in the Navy, quickly crippled my wife.
 She has over the years and currently has been through extensive drugs and procedures. This many years later I, a 42 yr old father and husband, am crying just describing her hell. We pretty much just exist with out any social life as this disease is vicious and relentless. 
 On the current topic, knowing the risk (it has helped in the past to a degree) however due to very strict testing at the Veterans Administrative Pain Clinic where she receives her pain medication was made to sign a form that if she ever test positive for any illegal substances or alcohol of any kind, her pain medication would stop immediately which in itself could cause life threatening consequences. 
 We are (for what it is worth) for legalization of medical cannabis.
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Comment #37 posted by BGreen on January 23, 2004 at 08:06:32 PT
Get It At Amazon.com
Click on the link below.The Reverend Bud Green
Mountain, Get Out of My Way
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Comment #36 posted by George Coleman Jr on January 23, 2004 at 07:53:06 PT:
Looking for a book
Mountain get out of my way by Montel Williams. I can not find it so could you tell where I can find this book please. Thank you George Coleman Jr. of South Carolina
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Comment #35 posted by FoM on January 13, 2004 at 16:54:33 PT
afterburner 
I'm sorry to read about your wife. I know how strong my son was with control. I was trying to help him with a glass of water that was on his nightstand. He was so weak and he had to really concentrate to reach it. I wanted to help him so he could get the water quicker and he looked at me and in an agitated voice said no Mom. He said this is about the last thing I can do for myself and he wanted to still have that small bit of control. I'm sure that is why Montel seems to need to be in control.
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Comment #34 posted by afterburner on January 13, 2004 at 16:19:19 PT:
I was thinking same thing returning from grocery
It's yin and yang, a movement and a rest. The stonewall has been breeched. Now it's talking time, time for middle America to catch up with our lead. "Say it loud!" --James Brown. After many disappointing court decisions and some favorable ones, the torch has been passed to the legislature/parliament. With elections coming on both sides of the Medicine Line, the people's voice will soon be heard, and as Montel says, "It's about compassion."My wife lived with terrible pain after her car accident. It made her feel the need to be very in control, like a Momma bear protecting her cubs. Too bad we didn't know then about the analgesic properties of medical cannabis.
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Comment #33 posted by FoM on January 13, 2004 at 14:01:39 PT
afterburner 
It was a good show but Montel has a control issue but that could be because of his illness. I can't find any positive news to post. It's like all I see is negative news when I do a search for news. This bothers me a lot. It seems like all hell is breaking loose against cannabis. I hope I'm wrong but where are the good writers now?
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Comment #32 posted by FoM on January 13, 2004 at 10:32:16 PT
Thanks afterburner!
I am so anxious to see what he has to say. I'm so glad he talked about medicinal cannabis. Lord we need help and people to stand up and speak out.
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Comment #31 posted by afterburner on January 13, 2004 at 10:26:52 PT:
FoM - Medical Cannabis Meets Prime Time
I just finished taping Montel Williams' show on his MS and his book Climbing Higher with co-author Larry Grobel. Included is a chapter on dispelling the myths against "medical marijuana," and a chapter by Adam Kaplan, MD, and six other doctors answering questions about MS and treatment. The Montel Williams MS Foundation http://www.montelms.orgMontel did speak out for Medical Access to Cannabis. His medical treatment: "eating medical marijuana in the evening." His recommendation: reschedule "marijuana" from schedule one to schedule two.ACLU Drug Policy Litigation Project (get in touch with Congress) http://www.aclu.org/drugpolicy"Every one in the audience is getting a copy of Montel's book, Climbing Higher." --Montel's guest host, Emme. Imagine the ripples. Montel Williams show http://www.montelshow.comThe heat is on. Enjoy.
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Comment #30 posted by FoM on January 13, 2004 at 09:39:07 PT
Friendly Reminder: Montel Williams
Hee's a link to help us find what time the program will be aired.http://www.montelshow.com/misc/where_2_watch.htm
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Comment #29 posted by FoM on January 12, 2004 at 18:38:12 PT
Important E-Mail News - Montel Williams
Montel on MMj Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2004The following letter from Montel Williams is pasted from the SpotlightNewsMS spotlighthealth.com newsletter.http://SpotlightNewsMS spotlighthealth.com/Tom Angell www.ssdp.org Dear MS Community Members,Since I came forward with my MS diagnosis in August of 1999, I have made it clear that my treatment regimen is not for everyone, but tailor-made for me. From the beginning of my fight, I have explored a host of conventional and holistic treatments to bolster my personal "arsenal" against MS. I don't let anything go unexplored because I intend to do everything in my power to defend my health and my livelihood against this disease. For example, snowboarding, intense resistance training, and improving the mind-body connection are some of the facets of my unique approach that don't exactly fit into orthodox medicine.Which brings me to what happened in early November at the Detroit airport, where I was stopped and issued a $100 citation for possessing paraphernalia for medical marijuana, which my doctor had prescribed for me. As a result of this incident, I find that I am yet again faced with the opportunity to use my celebrity to challenge prejudice and raise awareness about an important issue. As one of the many people who has found relief from chronic pain with medical marijuana, I feel compelled to speak up in defense of its legitimacy and effectiveness as a treatment. When the pain in my feet became constant, I tried a myriad of painkillers. These left me with unbearable side effects and little relief. That's when I decided to try marijuana. It helped so much that I have become an advocate for the legalization of medical marijuana for qualified patients, such as those suffering from unrelenting, excruciating pain. To me, this is the essence of compassionate care. No one should have to suffer when there is something that may be able to help them. Presently, only eight states have enacted effective laws to remove criminal penalties for the prescribed use of medical marijuana. Other states have symbolic legislation, but they do not fully protect the individual who uses medical marijuana. As I do not condone breaking any law, I would like to see all 50 states as well as the federal government decriminalize medical marijuana. I'd also like to see more research on its effects in MS. Not only may it alleviate pain for MS patients, but there is some evidence that it may improve spasticity as well. To review the research on medical marijuana as it relates to MS, including an objective look at both the risks and benefits, I encourage you to visit the Rocky Mountain MS Center's Complementary and Alternative Medicine website, http://www.ms-cam.org -- overseen by Dr. Allen Bowling, a member of Spotlight Health's Medical Advisory Board for MS. Always the best,Montel Williamshttp://SpotlightNewsMS spotlighthealth.com/
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Comment #28 posted by FoM on January 11, 2004 at 14:09:05 PT
john wayne
I agree with your comment. That's the main reasons that I feel that they shouldn't mix. 
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Comment #27 posted by john wayne on January 11, 2004 at 13:54:08 PT
religion and politics mix
yes they do.Just ask John Ashcroft. Or George W. Bush.Or Ann Coulter.Or Michael Weiner ("Savage").Or David Limbaugh. Or any other far-right bible thumper for whom the war on drugs is an article of faith. 
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Comment #26 posted by purplethumbplum on January 10, 2004 at 23:26:23 PT:
To GCW and FoM and anyone else 
Is not Personal Liberation our goal? Why do we need Budda or Christ or a gurru? Can we not be a Light unto Ourselves? All a person can do is point someone in possible direction. Let them use their own mind to see. To say: Let the Government enforce love is imposing a will! That is not Love. One must see and feel for themselves. All Knowledge ultimately means Self-Knowledge. These people who run this country either do not Know themselves or are evil. OUR Government asks you to have faith in them. Look what they impose on us. Beliefs are destructive. Beliefs are a denial of TRUTH. Religion And Beliefs are two seperate issues. Religion leads to intellegence,liberation,self-knowledge. Beliefs to ignorance,damnation. Do you have faith in your government or do you have faith in yourself? If a person cannot govern themselves how can they govern others? They are bad guys yet they are our bad guys. How do we wish to deal with them?   PLEASE read Think on These Things by Jiddu Krishnamurti to get a better understanding of ourselves. Krishnamurti is to psycology what Einstein is to physics.
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Comment #25 posted by FoM on January 10, 2004 at 17:43:38 PT
The GCW
I had to really think about your question. This one. When people hurt each other, though, don't You wish they believed like You? ****You know I guess I know that it would never happen so I have never given it any thought. Thanks for understanding.
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Comment #24 posted by The GCW on January 10, 2004 at 17:36:02 PT
FoM
FoM, "My beliefs are only for me and no one needs or should ever feel they need to believe like me. Does this help?"420It does help. You believe in peace. When people hurt each other, though, don't You wish they believed like You? 
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Comment #23 posted by FoM on January 10, 2004 at 17:35:26 PT
ekim
Please let us know details before your show. Is it radio? If so can we hear it online? Do you have a link for us? Thanks! Keep up the good work!
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Comment #22 posted by ekim on January 10, 2004 at 17:23:17 PT
our show is on Jan 19
we will have info on the Detroit Med use Petition. and will be talking about the current news. I will try to get info on this petition as well. I have asked Dr Russo to call in. Am trying to get another Leap speaker to call as well. Maybe I will post call in number here if any one wants to call. I did send invite to Dennis and his man in MI. I think it will be livley. thanks for the upbeat Virg.
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Comment #21 posted by FoM on January 10, 2004 at 17:22:53 PT
The GCW
I don't believe I should ever tell someone what that should believe and do as far as faith or politics are concerned. I respect your right to believe as you do and I respect others right to believe as they do. When we put religion in politics we form laws based on the beliefs of the religion that is the dominant religion. That worries me. Many civilizations have been brought down on basic theisms. Loving God isn't a political issue with me but it is what I believe in my heart to be how I should live and act in my life. To try to bring home my point I will say this again. My beliefs are only for me and no one needs or should ever feel they need to believe like me. Does this help?
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Comment #20 posted by Virgil on January 10, 2004 at 17:10:26 PT
Ekim- The amending Michigan's constitution
I hope you bring up the effort to gather signitures to vote on a constitutional amendment to free the weed- http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1054816/posts
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Comment #19 posted by The GCW on January 10, 2004 at 17:03:47 PT
FoM, 
“What about the rights of those from a faith that doesn't believe in Christ?”420I don’t understand getting away from it.Christ wants Us to love Our brother.  No people should be allowed the right to kill and cage, they way We see it today.Do any of those; Islam, Catholic, Jewish, Buddhism, Protestant or any others want to rebel, “to love their brother”?The problems We face today occur because of an absence of love. What group wants to further remove love? It is the reason why people are caged for using a plant and it is the reason why there is rampant killing supported by governments.Do Muslims; Islam, Catholic, Jewish, Buddhism, Protestant or anyone want hate? I don’t think We should give hate a platform, but that is what We have already; We are no different; the hate is here. What We all want is love.Extending hate is unacceptable and should not replace the will of Christ God Our Father, to Love…Again, notice, We have, government already doing the opposite of what is requested. Giving that power of hate to another lord of hate is the same thing…Only love can change the world. -Neil...It's love's turn.FoM, knowing You through C-news, I know You believe in, Love Your brother...And I know You are speaking with love. If there is more I should know, please help Me. You do a wonderful work and do it with sincere respect for all different beliefs. I do however also value Your thoughts on this issue, with Our mutual knowledge of cannabis truth to take Us further, together.Ccannabis awareness and awareness of the “Spirit of Truth” may occur simultaneously. We advance from being really good or nice people to people with the ability of communicating with the very creator that told Us all the plants were good.
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Comment #18 posted by ekim on January 10, 2004 at 16:44:16 PT
I'm doing a show on Jan. 13 about the book 
http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread18095.shtml
Q. Have you done a show on medical marijuana? A. I'm doing a show on Jan. 13 about the book and this issue. The model Emme, whose father died of MS complications, is going to interview me. I think it's time for a change. I hope to inspire others to take a stand. You cannot tell me that if one of George Bush's daughters came to him and said, "This is the only thing that will help my pain," he'd say, "No, baby, you have to suffer. I'll lay you down on a bed and hook you up to a morphine drip, and when you wake up in four or five days, we'll talk." 
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Comment #17 posted by FoM on January 10, 2004 at 16:26:55 PT
The GCW
What about the rights of those from a faith that doesn't believe in Christ? How can they be represented fairly in politics if religion forms the structure of government? Do you see what I mean? 
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Comment #16 posted by The GCW on January 10, 2004 at 16:11:38 PT
FoM,
"What religion should be allowed in politics?"420The religion of Christ God Our Father.We should all live a religion based on the teachings of Christ God Our Father.We've lived many different ways, but never according to the teachings of Christ. It is surely time, to give it a try. Let government enforce love!It would have the effect of pointing all around Us to love Our brother. Killing would no longer be acceptable; where today, the support for killing is pervasive, even amonsts those who go to church regularily. The action of loving Our brother in politics is scarce; where instead it should be everpresent.No longer would We be able to kill Our brother. Or cage Him for using plants. WHO on this earth would not want to live the way Christ taught Us to live?Maybe I'm lost... if so please inform Me, so I know.  When We give Peace a chance, We give Christ a chance.I pray to do the works of Christ and more. Who could resist that?
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Comment #15 posted by FoM on January 10, 2004 at 15:41:31 PT
The GCW
I have a question for you. You said: I get tired of hearing about the need to separate religion and politics. *****What religion should be allowed in politics? Islam, Catholic, Jewish, Buddism, Protestant or some I don't know? None of these religions believe the same thing so how can they join into politics and please all the people that should be helped by political views?
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Comment #14 posted by The GCW on January 10, 2004 at 15:18:23 PT
Let’s get it straight from the start.
I get tired of hearing about the need to separate religion and politics. When religion is clean, We come to understand it all comes down to one thing: TO LOVE YOUR BROTHER. That is what Christ God Our Father said was the epitome of obeying the commandments.For Us to omit the one thing that We are to do, that is: TO LOVE OUR BROTHER, is to do everything but love Your brother.Does anyone else see that?I understand the need to protect Us from weirdo’s who say anything they want in the name of God; but I was mentioning, CLEAN religion.When We separate, LOVE OUR BROTHER, from Our Politics, We are in deep trouble, and that is what has been occurring for a long time.Now We have politics that does not love Our brother, because We are working to eliminate it.Love Our Brother, is the one thing politics must contain, or We end up with someone like who We have, that seems to hate Us. 420 w/ extra Truth.There’s only 2 kinds of truth; Let’s get it straight from the start. –Van Morrison; Little Village.420 (I did, but I didn't exhale)One Truth, is that cannabis is one of those plants that Christ God Our Father said was good on literally the very 1st page of the Bible.The idea that cannabis is the devil weed is the other kind of truth. The truth of failed clergy.To be on the very 1st page of the Bible and come away thinking it is ok to cage Your brother for using a plant, is not getting "it straight from the start."The Green Collar Worker
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Comment #13 posted by FoM on January 10, 2004 at 14:52:33 PT
global_warming 
I do believe I have come closer to an awareness of what is important because I've been around for awhile but I will keep learning. Politics aren't something I feel a desire or need to get involved in. I keep what I believe is right separate from what the government says is right. I believe that religion and politics shouldn't mix. I also believe that we are all individuals and God can deal and lead each one the way that they should go. I don't even like saying that because some people get angry when religious issues are mentioned. A good prayer for me would be something like this. God grant me the wisdom to know what you want from me and help me to not fall short. That's very basic but it allows a person the right to sort out their own life and spiritual issues.
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Comment #12 posted by global_warming on January 10, 2004 at 14:31:03 PT
response
"It's a nice prayer but it is a judgmental prayer. Prayers that say one way is good and imply another way is bad worry me."I agree with you and yet, we have a world in the america, that says, you are with me or a terrorist..Bush Idealogies..I know FOM, you dislike politics, but, you will at some point need to decide, politics, ideas, thoughts, beliefs, and just plain old common sense, we live in the world, and we have neighbors, brothers and sisters, we all seek the grace that fills our cups, our differnces do not make us enemies, nor are we each others enemies, for we desire to live simple and decent lives, then from where does such strife originate?The wars against our children have their origens in the distant past, the past that quickly fades in our minds and is shrouded by our inability to remember..An ancient myth comes to mind, how Cronos ruled this world and maintained control, by eating all his children..I am assured that all of us, in differnt places and times, have a common bond, a bond that has forever been working towards the expulsion of the problems in this world.If I may mention the name of Jesus/Joshua, without being immeadiatly being branded some kind of kook, ..This lowly jewish boy, had a vision, that saw through the injustice, saw through the greed, and even 2004 years, have not extinguished his momement of passion,..My point is, that we all come together in this forum, for differnt reasons, cannabis prohibition is but the tip of iceberg of cruelty, the slaves in these times are heavly sedated, not from cannabis, but from tv, false news-stories, and the arena of the sports..My prayer to you, that you FOM, may your steps in this life be forever lighted, and that with each lighted and protected step you come closer to the "Great Maker",Peace to all who read this forum,-gw
 
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Comment #11 posted by FoM on January 10, 2004 at 14:00:11 PT
global_warming
It's a nice prayer but it is a judgmental prayer. Prayers that say one way is good and imply another way is bad worry me. 
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Comment #10 posted by global_warming on January 10, 2004 at 13:44:07 PT
Another Prayer
Hi AllMy apologies for so much OT material, but it seems to me, that the problems of Cannabis Prohibition rest in even deeper faults inside ourselfs, our communities, our governments,..in the very ways we have been taught to think and believe in this world.Like a good fairy tale which contains a lot of information, heavily compressed, it reveals to the listener, usually a young mind, how they should be dealing with the problem of the story.You see, that is the problem, conditioning that reflects the writers beliefs is perpetuated in these stories.I would like to share with you all a short story I read, which can be found at http://rense.com/general47/truth.htmPastor Stuns Kansas Senate 
With The TRUTH 
APFN Daily Update
1-10-4Thought the penny may drop when you read this prayer given in Kansas at the opening session of their Senate. 
 
When Minister Joe Wright was asked to open the new session of the Kansas Senate, everyone was expecting the usual generalities, but this is what they heard: 
 
"Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We confess that we have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and call it Pluralism. 
 
We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. 
 
We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. 
 
We have killed our unborn and called it choice. 
 
We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. 
 
We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. 
 
We have abused power and called it politics. 
 
We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. 
 
We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. 
 
We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. 
 
Search us, Oh, God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. 
 
Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent to direct us to the center of Your will and to openly ask these things in the name of Your Son, the living Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen." 
 
 
The response was immediate. A number of legislators walked out during the prayer in protest.. In 6 short weeks, Central Christian Church, where Rev. Wright is pastor, logged more than 5,000 phone calls with only 47 of those calls responding negatively. 
 
It seems the truth still upsets some people. 
 
The church is now receiving international requests for copies of this prayer from India, Africa and Korea. 
 
Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his radio program, "The Rest of the Story," and received a larger response to this program than any other he has ever aired. 
 
With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called "one nation under God." Peace to All
And watching Mr. Nord
-gw
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Comment #9 posted by E_Johnson on January 10, 2004 at 13:02:49 PT
Let's make up a ritual of some kind
When we have bad news we ring a bell or light a candle or say a prayer or something. To clear the air of negative spirits.When we have good news we do a victory dance or sing a victory song or something to express joy.
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Comment #8 posted by E_Johnson on January 10, 2004 at 12:50:24 PT
McCaffrey was on his show recently
"In 1999, Mr. Williams hosted then drug czar Barry McCaffrey on his show (remember him?). During the show, Williams made it clear that McCaffrey could do no wrong in Mr. Williams admiring eyes. "john wayne, McCaffrey was on his show right after he made his announcement about using marijuana for MS. McCaffrey was talking about Iraq. It was a show on soldiers in Iraq. But I'll bet they had words about marijuana back stage.Montel does have personal ethics. I am sure that when he realizes what he's wrong about, he will admit being wrong about it.He's probably still wrong about some things, because there is a learning curve or an unlearning curve should say when it comes to government propaganda.
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Comment #7 posted by FoM on January 10, 2004 at 12:45:36 PT
SystemGoneDown
I know he has seen the damage done by people using white powders but I don't know how he felt about Cannabis. He probably didn't think of cannabis as the same thing as drugs. I know powders are different to me then Cannabis. I don't watch his show though so I am not sure. I will watch it on Tuesday. 
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Comment #6 posted by SystemGoneDown on January 10, 2004 at 12:40:32 PT
Montel
What was this guy's stance on marijuana before he had MS?
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on January 10, 2004 at 12:38:19 PT
SystemGoneDown 
Here is a link that might be more accurate then me. In my area it will be at 3 pm et. Hope this helps.http://www.montelshow.com/misc/where_2_watch.htm
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Comment #4 posted by SystemGoneDown on January 10, 2004 at 12:30:03 PT
FoM
When is this showing on Tuesday? 
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Comment #3 posted by john wayne on January 10, 2004 at 12:26:06 PT
Oh, yeah, Montel Williams
In 1999, Mr. Williams hosted then drug czar Barry McCaffrey on his show (remember him?). During the show, Williams made it clear that McCaffrey could do no wrong in Mr. Williams admiring eyes. Williams asked the rhetorical question: "how much money do you need to fight drugs? 100 billion, 200 billion?  Just let us get our shovels ready..." (Ok, the shovels comment I made up.)So now Montel has changed his mind. Guess the prospect of dying a horrible death that med. MJ might help helped changed Montel Williams mind. Now, when is Williams going to come out and say he helped pump up the drug war that he now sees as mistaken? When is he going to say that his unconditional admiration for washington drug warriors has degraded in the face of a life-threatening illness? No, we're going to get poignant "I almost killed myself, boo hoo" drivel. I want "Mea Culpa", dammit. Because it is his fault. Montel and all the other talking heads who can't praise the drug war enough, can't praise it enough, that is, unless dying of an illness that med. MJ might help.
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on January 10, 2004 at 11:21:37 PT
Wrong Date
It's Tuesday not Monday! Duh!
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on January 10, 2004 at 11:11:52 PT
I'm Anxious For The Show on Monday
I can't wait for the show on Monday! Thank you Montel. Thank you for your honesty.
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