cannabisnews.com: John Kerry and Medical Marijuana





John Kerry and Medical Marijuana
Posted by CN Staff on February 10, 2004 at 07:35:33 PT
By Al Giordano 
Source: Big Left Outside
And now… Chapter One of my promised memo on John Kerry and Drug Policy…It comes at a particularly poignant moment, as the voters of Maine, with a huge turnout, seem to have voted, so far, in a landslide for the two clearly pro-medical marijuana candidates: Kerry, far ahead in first, and Dennis Kucinich, in a very strong third place, together got about 60 percent of the vote…
The strongest card any movement has to influence politicians is to show, concretely, that the voters back our position. In this sense Medical Marijuana - having won multiple referenda all over the United States and by landslide margins - continues to be the drug policy reform movement's electoral battering ram.Politicians and office holders don't like to talk straight about drugs. Anybody who has tried to buttonhole a politician of any major party on drug policy knows what I'm talking about. With very few exceptions, they look at you with dread, "oh no, here comes an issue that can only get me in trouble."I remember, in 1994, interviewing Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld in his corner office for the Boston Phoenix. I used most of that hour to push and prod him, to seek some common sense and common ground, on issues close to drug policy reform: medical marijuana, decriminalization, ending mandatory minimum sentencing, etcetera... I got nowhere. Weld (who later sent a medical marijuana bill back to the legislature to be weakened, and, ironically, later lost the Ambassadorship to Mexico because he had later signed the weakened version) didn't like my questions one bit.Weld went from that interview to a meeting with the Senate President, the House Speaker, and the minority leaders of each chamber. As he entered the Senate President's office, he barked at his Senate Republican Leader, Brian Lees, dressed him down in front of everyone. "You told me Giordano was a good guy! He just came into my office all coked up and told me I have to legalize drugs!"The Speaker of the House (a very humorous guy, Charlie Flaherty, who knew me a little bit better than Weld) quipped. "You're confused, Governor. For Giordano, cocaine would be a sedative!" Everybody laughed and they moved on to other agendas.But this is the crap we have to put up with as journalists, or change agents, trying to get politicians to address these issues. Ask a politician about drugs and he starts checking to see if your eyes are red, or if you have needle marks on your arms. A few, over my career, have tried to intimidate, to menace, to infer that if I kept it up the next knock on my door would be that of the police. And that's how they treat journalists. Activists have it even worse.But after many years of hard work and courage by many, many people, medical marijuana is already an issue they can't easily run from.To my knowledge (correct me if I'm wrong) the U.S. Senate, where John Kerry has been for 19 years, has never had a vote on medical marijuana, except when drug warriors have tagged a ban of the District of Columbia implementing the will of its voters on larger budgetary bills.The first time John Kerry had to deal with the issue directly was last year, on the campaign trail. He began by saying he was for medical marijuana, but I doubt he understood what that meant. In fact, last August, after one candidates' forum, when a medical marijuana patient drilled Kerry, the Marijuana Policy Project gave Kerry a deserved whack:"On the day you take office, will you stop the DEA raids?" (medical marijuana patient Linda) Macia asked.Kerry then offered to "clarify" his earlier remarks, saying, "My personal disposition is open to the issue of medical marijuana. I believe there is a study underway analyzing what the science is. I want to get that scientific review," before making any decisions. He said he would "put a moratorium on the raids" pending this review but would not commit to any long-term action to protect patients from arrest.A moratorium on raids pending the results of a non-existent study ain't bad, if you believe, as I do, in results more than what a candidate says, but obviously it's not enough. The next chapter in the education of John Kerry on this issue came in an August 27th Zogby Poll of New Hampshire primary voters:Eighty-four percent of voters said they support changing federal law to allow patients to use medical marijuana without fear of arrest, with only 14 percent in opposition and two percent not sure. Of those who said the issue would affect their votes, medical marijuana supporters outnumbered opponents by nearly seven to one.Although the poll showed former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean in the lead, the issue could present a major problem for him. When told that Dean had acted to block a medical marijuana bill in Vermont last year, 28 percent said they would be less likely to vote for him in the Democratic presidential primary, while only 10 percent said they would be more likely to support Dean.Asked whether they agree more with Dean's position on medical marijuana or with that of medical marijuana supporters, only 15 percent backed Dean's claim that marijuana is not an effective medicine. Seventy-four percent said they agreed with medical marijuana supporters that marijuana is an effective medicine and that "we shouldn't be arresting people for the simple act of taking their medicine."I don't know how those questions got into a Zogby Poll, but whomever maneuvered that one was brilliant. Politicians love polls and will follow them almost anywhere.Three weeks later, on September 22nd, Kerry appeared to have gotten the memo. He strengthened his position, according to the Marijuana Policy Project, which sponsored a very smart effort called Granite Staters for Medical Marijuana (GSMM), specifically to pull the ears of these candidates during the "retail campaigning" trap of the New Hampshire primary, a quadrennial ritual in which the candidates have to make themselves available to ambush by anyone who wants to get to them:Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) pledged an end to the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA's) raids on medical marijuana patients and providers in states that have reduced or eliminated criminal penalties for medical uses of marijuana at a town hall meeting hosted by his campaign on Saturday.During Sen. Kerry's town hall meeting at New England College, in Henniker, GSMM Campaign Coordinator Aaron Houston asked Kerry, "Would you stop the raids, as president?" Kerry responded by saying, "Yes."The Granite Staters-MPP axis maintained a report card, grading each of the candidates. Two days after Kerry straightened out his position, on September 24th, the project made some adjustments in his grade:GSMM also raised U.S. Sen. John Kerry's (D-MA) grade from a "C" to a "B" after he said at a campaign stop on September 20 that he would stop DEA raids on medical marijuana patients and providers in states with medical marijuana laws. Kerry's grade remains higher than Dean's because Kerry pledged a permanent end to the raids while Dean pledged only a moratorium. "In addition, Governor Dean killed medical marijuana legislation when he was governor of Vermont, and we have to take that into account," said GSMM Campaign Coordinator Aaron Houston.Most significantly, last October, Kerry actually did something concretely for medical marijuana patients, other than just talking about it, and he did it, together, with the other Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy:Both U.S. senators from Massachusetts, Edward M. Kennedy and John F. Kerry, have asked the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to approve a groundbreaking proposal from the University of Massachusetts Amherst to manufacture marijuana for FDA-approved medical marijuana research.At present, all U.S. medical marijuana researchers are required to obtain marijuana for medical studies from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. NIDA's marijuana, grown on a farm in Mississippi, has been criticized for its poor quality, and many observers have complained that NIDA has made it unnecessarily difficult to obtain marijuana for research, impeding studies that could document medical benefits.In an Oct. 20 letter to DEA Administrator Karen Tandy, Sens. Kennedy and Kerry criticized NIDA's "unjustified monopoly on the production of marijuana for legitimate medical research." They noted, "Federal law makes clear that the ... bulk manufacture of Schedule I and II substances must be provided `under adequately competitive conditions.' ... The current lack of such competition may well result in the production of lower-quality research-grade marijuana, which in turn jeopardizes important research."January 7, the Granite Staters group issued its final report card marking where each candidate stood.The best candidate, by far, was Dennis Kucinich, unequivocating, the only candidate for president this year who consistently, and unafraid, was happy to talk about drug policy and take the right position. He got a well-deserved A+ on the issue.But watch how Kerry, less educated on the issue as of last summer, responded to a serious and smart citizen campaign: After months of scrutiny and many exchanges on the campaign trail in New Hampshire with medical marijuana patients, he moved up from a grade of C, to a B, and to his final score: A-.The next best was General Wesley Clark, who got a B+.And Al Sharpton, close behind, got a B.The low scores of the rest of the Democrats who remain in this race, and of the incumbent Republican, though, show us two very ominous facts to keep in mind.First, it's still very hard to convince politicians to support even a winning drug policy reform issue like medical marijuana.Second, how unprecedented it is for this movement to have a candidate emerging who is the first presumptive nominee for president to ever support allowing patients access to this lifesaving medicine.Those of us who advocate a change in the drug laws, and especially those of us who have ever needed this plant as medicine, can take a moment to pause and ponder here how far we have come.But, at the same time…When Howard Dean, who should know better, gets just a grade of D- on something as basically humanitarian as medical marijuana, when criminal defense lawyer John Edwards, who should know better, gets a failing grade of F, and finds himself sharing the bottomfeeder's category with George W. Bush, it's a sign of how far we have to go to convince national politicians to do the right thing even on the easiest, no-brainer, drug policy reform issue of all.Which is why on New Hampshire primary night I shared the enthusiasm of the Marijuana Policy Project which declared Kerry's NH victory to be a victory for medical marijuana patients.What MPP and its Granite Staters group accomplished with John Kerry, walking a poorly educated candidate through the medical marijuana issue and, step by step, bringing him to the point where he not only offered words, but also actions, is indeed an impressive victory.The way that MPP did it - not freaking out over the apparent setback of midsummer, but, rather, staying the course, ploddingly pushing, with calm and without falling into traditional activist traps of "freaking out over any bad news," also sets up MPP as a very strong interlocutor for the medical marijuana issue with a Kerry presidency. A very informative link - really, it's must-reading for activists who want to influence candidates - is the complete collection of MPP press releases as it pushed and pulled the candidates, well worth reviewing as a model of how to do it right. I congratulate everybody at MPP and the Granite Staters group for what they accomplished which was nothing short of historic: Presuming that Kerry wins the nomination, he will be the first major party presidential candidate on the side of the patients who need marijuana for medicine.Next in this series: John Kerry and the larger issue of marijuana, beyond the medical issue. There's a lot there, and the soundtrack goes back decades.February 7, 2004John Kerry and Drug Policy 101 It's become clear to everyone.John Kerry might well be the next president of the United States.So what does - or can - that mean for drug policy?For my friends and allies in the drug policy reform movement, there will be unique opportunities to change the direction of the "war on drugs," but there will also some problems ahead because activists are not always good strategists and can sometimes be their own worst enemies.John Kerry, likewise, can sometimes be his own worst enemy, as we saw during much of the 2003 stage of this campaign.Needless to say, I've known John Kerry and his people for more than two decades, and I've known, and been part of, the drug policy reform movement for as long. And yet, as a journalist, and not a politician or activist, I remain a bit of an outside agitator to both camps. They both need to be "toughened up" for the marathon to come.The first step is that we must all act with accurate information.And so I have decided to write a kind of primer, a memo, with your help, via this blog:John Kerry and Drug Policy 101Bankers have a policy called "know your client." Journalists and activists (too often prone to superficial, knee-jerk, reactions to politics, which clouds their strategic thinking) need a similar policy: "Know your president."The first chapters of this memo (I show you the draft Table of Contents because I know you'll have suggestions for documents and links to flesh it out and amend it, and this shall be, "bloggie-style," a participatory work in progress) are:Kerry, The Good…1. Kerry and Medical Marijuana2. Kerry and Marijuana3. Kerry, Mandatory Minimum Sentences, and "Crime Bills"4. Kerry and What He Already Knows About the Drug EconomyIn those areas, above, a Kerry presidency begins head and shoulders above those of all other rivals except Dennis Kucinich.But, alas, that's not the whole story. There's also a lot of bad mixed in there…Kerry, The Bad…5. Kerry as Overzealous Prosecutor in anything defined as "War"6. Kerry as Social Moralist7. Kerry and the Drug Plane Shoot-downs8. Kerry and his Rand Beers Problem9. Kerry and Plan Colombia: The BadKerry: Where the coin is still in the air and needs some wind from below…10. Kerry and Plan Colombia: The Potential for Good11. Kerry's Environmental Passions and Drug Policy Dilemmas12. Kerry's Budget-Balancing Priorities and Drug Policy DilemmasAnd the Epilogue, which is really the Prologue to the action phase…13. Mistakes that the "Drug Policy Reformers" Had Better Not Repeat This TimeAs he took office in 1977, President Jimmy Carter was moving toward decriminalizing marijuana. The "movement" was on the verge of victory. The story of what happened to put the breaks on that reform has hung as a dark cloud over all drug policy reform efforts since. The New York Times Book Review said that, "the drug law movement vanished up Peter Bourne's nose." Carter's top drug policy advisor, Peter Bourne, though, tells a different story. He insists that he didn't snort cocaine, as journalist Jack Anderson had reported, but that that a leading marijuana legalization activist, angry over Carter's "Paraquat" policy, cynically claimed that he did to the press.Regardless, because the truth is long lost and probably somewhere between the two versions, the fact that "the movement" overreacted to some early mistakes (in this case the use of the herbicide Paraquat against Mexican marijuana fields by the Carter administration), and reacted in a knee-jerk, non-strategic, fashion, entombed drug policy reform for the next quarter century.While, obviously, the leaders that made those mistakes sincerely regret them by now, and this is certainly far too late for recriminations, it now becomes important, however delicate and embarrassing the history, to educate a new generation as to those mistakes so that nobody repeats them this time around. And part of the challenge is to neutralize a structural problem for the movement: There are people running around Washington claiming to "represent" the drug reform movement, who, in truth, have no grassroots constituency, or ability to work with the next presidential administration, at all. They might have been benign when it came to bashing Bush's extremism. But they're ill equipped to deal with a Kerry presidency in ways that will bring the cause forward.The drug policy reform movement needs a new team on the field in Washington, and a radically new game plan, because we're moving from defense to offense.The best thing I can do, as a journalist who openly supports reform of drug policy, and who is read widely by both sides of the coming dance - the drug reformers on one side, John Kerry and his organization on the other, not to mention the great mass of sympathizers with each side that somewhat overlap - is to shine sunlight on the entire process. There are going to be some bumps in the road, and some flags thrown on both sides. Until somebody more effective for this thankless job comes along, I'm declaring myself the referee, if only because my whistle easily reaches the ears of both teams, and has the respect of the fans in the bleachers who are the authentic referees in this championship game. Play ball!Source: Big Left OutsideAuthor: Al Giordano Published: February 8, 2004Copyright: 2004 Al Giordano Contact: al bigleftoutside.com Website: http://www.bigleftoutside.com/ Related Articles & Web Sites:Marijuana Policy Projecthttp://www.mpp.org/Granite Staters for Medical Marijuanahttp://www.granitestaters.com/Marijuana States Could Pick Democratic Nominee http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18296.shtmlMMJ Patients Win New Hampshire Primaryhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18241.shtmlKerry: End Medical Marijuana Prosecutionhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18114.shtml
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Comment #66 posted by floyd on February 12, 2004 at 14:13:11 PT
Nuevo Mexican 
Point Taken. Thanks for not being offended, as I really have nothing against Astrology. =)
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Comment #65 posted by FoM on February 10, 2004 at 23:16:28 PT
Nuevo Mexican
If I have learned anything in these past years it has been how to not say anything unless I really feel I should. I am a hot headed person. I'm very high strung. I've found that stepping back for me is the best way. So many times I want to say something but I wait and realize that it wasn't important so I don't say anything. We all must be tolerant of each other. When one of us is wrong we shouldn't condemn them but be patient. Politically speaking I don't know where this will lead but Kerry has a nice way about him. I can see that. He is strong willed but will listen too. That's why he will listen to Dennis. The good men that are running in this race and they are good men will stand together because we need change and I'm sure in the end we will all stand for the one who needs to beat Bush and that's necessary. Our issue or other issues aren't as important as new leadership.
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Comment #64 posted by Nuevo Mexican on February 10, 2004 at 23:00:54 PT
Ah, but Dennis won't be dropping out, according to
sources. (Dennis).Glad you checked out Skull and Bones FOM, and since your a movie buff, check out 'the Skulls'. It's not great, but not bad, and actually reveals more about the bonesmen than you'd expect from a pop movie.If Dennis, Dean, or Edwards were in some weird club it would be front page news, wouldn't it.Of course, alternative media, namely Democracy Now covered the subject last week. Here's the transcript:http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=04/01/23/0445212#transcriptFOM is similar to Amy Goodman but of the Internet and cannabis news! I bet you'd be a good poker player with your neutrality. Which we all admire and count on, so don't get us wrong, you're the rock! Imagine FOM reading the articles, and us watching C-News! LOL! (hasn't this been discussed before?)You bring balance and equality to this wonderful website, you are C-News! But don't let me or anyone upset you, thats not my nor other posters here intention, but you know that!So, its a win/win situation if DJK stays in. his numbers mean he has nothing to lose. And everything to gain.He will influence Kerrys positions, and force him to put Drug policy and reform on the front burner. It will happen as the race 'heats up'.Watching tonights speech by kerry, Dennis has already had a huge effect on kerrys positions, as they just make sense and can't be argued with factually.Dean hasn't won in any of the 14 states after being a front runner for how long, it looked like a sure thing, then Poof!Or, think of 4 years from now, Dean, Clark, Edwards, will most likely not run, and Dennis' name will be a household word.November is a long way away, and I have my faith rewarded so often, I know it can happen. You have to dream.His belief is that he will be president, or he wouldn't be running. He shares a vision, and its not his vision, its our vision. Can anyone really believe it? No! It is too shocking to think someone like ourselves could really run for President and get elected. Really. Thats why I recommend the 1941 movie "Meet John Doe". The parralels are uncanny!Now that Clark has dropped out, Dean, then Edwards will be next, and then it will be John, Dennis and Al! See how Dennis thinks? Dean got 6% tonight in one state, the same as Dennis in New Mexico. A tie! Who would've thunk!So regardless of who wins the nomination, things will change for cannabis, and kerry might get the credit. I don't think he will be willing to buck our countries militrist interests and obsession though, with what I saw tonight. He did look good, and spoke well, kept it short, and is better than bush, but too many questions remain. Like you said earlier, keep the heat on Kerry, make him respond to the citizenry.  
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Comment #63 posted by FoM on February 10, 2004 at 21:26:13 PT
Nuevo Mexican
I wanted to mention that I have been reading about Skull and Bones tonight. I understand why some are upset but I also understand it is a secret group of high achievers that have powerful goals. I don't mind when someone has high goals compared to mine. My one sister is way different then me and money and power have been an important part of their families life and they all are nice people but just a bit to uppity for my taste. I have been involved with people that live above most of us and yet I never found them to be very happy no matter how much in material possessions they accumulated. Rich people, political people, down home people all are important. It's the difference that makes us all special in our own way. About this secret group I say expose it and mention that in a time in our country when secret things that concern society are found out by the general public it's time to shut it down. We don't need organizations like that in America today. Kerry being one of them isn't really shocking to me when I read that William F. Buckley is one of them too and he is an advocate for drug policy reform. That organization might have outgrown it's time so try to keep it out there on the net on other boards until the news gets on it too. That is why the Internet is so great.
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Comment #62 posted by Nuevo Mexican on February 10, 2004 at 20:06:14 PT
Floyd: Kaptinemo doesn't use charts, (who knows)
but his assesment of kerrys character is the same portrait his 'star chart' reflects. You don't need Astrology to determine ones character, but a birth chart will confirm your suspicions. That was my point. Poorly expressed as it was.For most, Astrology is a form of entertainment, for me, it is a spiritual science/religion, based on the movement of the planets, and has blessed my life and lifestyle for 25-30 years. Of course, I am a professional, and don't expect converts here, though most of my puffing friends pick my brain every chance they get. Most know their charts, or are very interested, as Cannabis heightens your awareness of how the environment influences you, and leads one to pontificate the meaning of ones life, on a more intuitive level.Cannabis and Astrology go together like incense and prayer.Perfectly!For me that is!Diversity of opinion is what we come to C-News for, and I am just providing my 2 cents with my 'negative' comments.I am waiting for my heart to get excited about Kerry, and it hasn't happened yet, and he's a liberal(?) from Mass, my heart has yet to tell me this is our man. My heart could be wrong, but I doubt it. If two people come up with the same opinion coming from two different points of view, that should say alot regarding ones insights into Kerrys personality.I was born on the Full Moon like kerry, as you may have noticed, I am comfortable with confrontation, as Kerry seems to be. If he confronts the war on cannabis, and his checkered voting record, then I may get excited. So far, its a flat-liner. I actually enjoy the worst case scenario bush represents, as he is the 'unmasking' of America sordid past, genocide, 120 wars to our credit, etc.Kerry is the clean up man for bush, watch his criticism of bush fade after he's elected.But things go haywire for Full Mooners often, as it is the 'peak' of the monthly cycle, and we all know what happens when things come to a head.Kerry does have a spiritual consciousness, but prefers the policy wonk label to hide it, and i'm afraid once he's in and we've forgotten about George, we may find ourselves scratching our heads, and wondering how Kerry managed to become President.We know it has too much to do with Skull and Bones. Wait til the media attacks kerry his connection to bush and S & B's. They'll ignore bushes role, and magnify Kerrys role.
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Comment #61 posted by CorvallisEric on February 10, 2004 at 19:31:00 PT
Bill O'Reilly
His claim to be independent rather than Republican isn't totally bogus. I heard him call John Ashcroft an "incompetent boob" maybe a year ago (the subject was border control or similar). He said he favored MJ decrim on the infamous Terry Gross NPR interview that he walked out on.
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Comment #60 posted by FoM on February 10, 2004 at 18:46:41 PT
DeVoHawk 
I agree with you. He does have a few good points. I think he will be able to beat Bush and that is very important to me. 4 more years of Bush isn't something I can stand thinking about. 
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Comment #59 posted by DeVoHawk on February 10, 2004 at 18:39:04 PT
Kerry has a few good points
Kerry protested against the Vietnam War at Emporia State University here in Kansas in the 70's. Kerry was on the cover of the newspaper at ESU last week in a flash back article leading a protest rally.I'm quite sure that Kerry will not rush into war since he actually knows what it is like to have been there. I still support Kucinich but I am finding a few strong points that might make Kerry worth voting for. I'll give him a chance.
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Comment #58 posted by FoM on February 10, 2004 at 18:38:52 PT
I Never Bashed Dennis
I ask that we don't bash Kerry here on CNews as a favor. I have showed respect for those who support Dennis and have been very quiet about it. I think that bashing anyone isn't a good thing and I never have. If Kerry helps us with our issue that's all I hope for but I know it might not happen because that's the way politics are. Thanks!
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Comment #57 posted by ekim on February 10, 2004 at 18:38:03 PT
FoM we will keep puting one foot in front of the 
other:)
now on Tech TV on Body Hits they are talking of how THC affects the body. Just on NPR Gov. Frank Murkowski is calling for the people to give up some of there oil tax revenue checks they receive to pay off state debts. I hope this causes more of the people of Alaska to vote for the Cannabis bill coming up. 
Here today in MI our Gov raised the cigarette tax by a whooping 75 cents. now we are the No 2 highest state at 2 Dollars in state taxes. While letting Cannabis be completely controlled by the Black Market.
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Comment #56 posted by FoM on February 10, 2004 at 18:30:25 PT
I Have a Question
Will we ever be able to be happy here on CNews again for anyone besides Dennis? Sometimes I'm afraid to get happy for fear of getting Dennis supporters upset. 
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Comment #55 posted by mayan on February 10, 2004 at 18:26:11 PT
Evil Is Evil
Kerry is the same run of the mill RepubliCrat as Bush. If he gets elected he will be handled by the same power brokers. These power brokers that have got us into this mess are behind Kerry as Bush can no longer push their agenda...he has pissed off way too many people around the world! That is why we are finally seeing the corporate media start to turn on Bush. Bush has accomplished what they asked of him and is now a "useless idiot". He got 9/11,the wars,the Patriot Act,etc. Kerry, as a CFR, Skull & Bones man, will pursue the same agenda and will refuse to raise the issue of 9/11 foreknowledge/complicity because he is a part of it also. It's not whether Kerry or Bush wins, but who pulls the strings behind the scenes. Would you rather have a wolf in sheep's clothing or a wolf in wolf's clothing? Whoever believes anything either man says is terribly naive.The only way out is the way in...9/11 Panel Threatens to Issue Subpoena for Bush's Briefings:
http://www.911citizenswatch.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=52&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0The White House: A New Fight Over Secret 9/11 Docs
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4208768/
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Comment #54 posted by FoM on February 10, 2004 at 18:13:51 PT
Heads Up: For Those Who Are Interested
John Kerry is coming on Larry King in a few minutes.
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Comment #53 posted by FoM on February 10, 2004 at 18:07:10 PT
Thanks ekim
Toledo is almost 200 miles from here I think and Bowling Green I don't know where that is. I hope people in Ohio that support Dennis get to go.
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Comment #52 posted by ekim on February 10, 2004 at 17:59:34 PT
See Dennis in Ohio all day tomarrow
Wednesday, February 11
http://www.kucinich.us/schedule.php
Bowling Green, Ohio
11:00 - 11:30 a.m. ET
Live Taping
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green/PBS Studios
245 Troup St.
Host: Marlene Harris-Taylor (419) 372-7031Toledo, Ohio
12:30 - 1:00 p.m. ET
Meet and Greet Latino Caucus Labor Council/Campus Greens
University of Toledo
Local 50 Town Hall
7570 Caple (corner of Oregon and Caple) 
Campaign Coordinator: David Longacre, (419) 380-8295Toledo, Ohio
1:00 - 2:00 p.m. ET
Town Hall Meeting with Local 50 Labor Union
University of Toledo
Local 50 Town Hall
7570 Caple (corner of Oregon and Caple) 
Campaign Coordinator: David Longacre, (419) 380-8295Toledo, Ohio
2:00 - 3:00 p.m. ET
Kucinich Spin Room for Media
University of Toledo
Local 50 Town Hall
7570 Caple (corner of Oregon and Caple) 
Media Coordinator: Terré Lundy, (216) 889-2004Toledo, Ohio
3:30 - 4:15 p.m. ET
Community Meeting
East Toledo Family Center
1020 Varland Rd.
(Varland and Woodville Rd.)
Campaign Coordinator: David Longacre, (419) 380-8295Toledo, Ohio
4:30 - 5:00 p.m. ET
Canvass/Door To Door
Wyler Homes Projects
Meet at the East Toledo Family Center
1020 Varland Rd.
Campaign Coordinator: David Longacre, (419) 380-8295Oberlin, Ohio
7:15 - 8:30 p.m. ET
Speech
Finney Chapel
Oberlin College
Campaign Coordinator: Marvin Kay, (440) 774-2099Oberlin, Ohio
8:45 - 9:45 p.m. ET
Kucinich Spin Room for Media
Wilbur Hall (across from Oberlin’s Finney Chapel)
Media Coordinator: Terré Lundy, (216) 889-2004
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Comment #51 posted by FoM on February 10, 2004 at 17:54:21 PT
I Have a Dream!
I am listening to John Kerry's speech and he is saying so much. I have dreams of Hemp fields and coffee shops and medical dispensaries all across the USA. That dream that keeps me going hasn't been thought of often these days but tonight I have a renewed hope for our future.I can't wait until I can say! Bye Bye John Walters!
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Comment #50 posted by SoberStoner on February 10, 2004 at 17:47:58 PT
Poll Update
 Does President Bush's releasing his payroll records clear up questions about his military service?Yes 39%  31869 votesNo 61%  49754 votesTotal: 81623 votes I see Clark dropping out as a good thing, and if Edwards goes later this week, even better. Why? Because I believe DK truly will see this thing all the way through to the convention. No he probably wont win a state, but with less competition there almost has to be more coverage of DK by default. Of course, the most I saw from his third place finish was just a single line saying he was third and it being his best showing so far.Depending on what happens at the convention and in the time leading up to it, I can see people finding chinks in Kerry's armor, and DK coming in at the end with a strong finish due to him sticking to his convictions during the entire campaign.Wishful thinking maybe, but there is a chance of it happening.SS
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Comment #49 posted by FoM on February 10, 2004 at 17:44:25 PT
BGreen 
I turned Fox on but they were talking about something else so I went back to CNN. This is very interesting to watch. The hope of not having John Walters or John Ashcroft for 4 more years makes me want to do a cartwheel.Thanks Virgil.
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Comment #48 posted by Virgil on February 10, 2004 at 17:40:19 PT
Clark is in until March 2
Clark's people say he will be in it until Super Tuesday.It really does not matter much what anyone does I reckon. If Clark would drop out it would give more focus to DK. If he stays in he reaches people that others might not. The one that would help most to drop out of course is Edwards, as he is just about like Kerry except for NAFTA, botox, and MMP. 
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Comment #47 posted by ekim on February 10, 2004 at 17:32:08 PT
only Dennis Kucinich kept his head
as all others lost there heads in fear. only Dennis kept his head and did not vote for the War or the Patriot Act. who can doubt that Dennis is a true leader. Go Dennis Go
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Comment #46 posted by BGreen on February 10, 2004 at 17:29:07 PT
O'Reilly Admitted it on ABC News
I wonder whether he'll say anything on his own show?The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #45 posted by FoM on February 10, 2004 at 17:21:31 PT
Woo! Woo! Woo! BGreen!
I think I'll turn of Fox real fast!
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Comment #44 posted by FoM on February 10, 2004 at 17:19:42 PT
Virgil
I did here that Clark was dropping out but why is that good? Clark wasn't against us. I do understand not wanting Edwards but why Clark?
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Comment #43 posted by BGreen on February 10, 2004 at 17:18:54 PT
Bill O'Reilly Admits He Was WRONG!!!!!!!
Conservative television news anchor Bill O'Reilly said on Tuesday he was now skeptical about the Bush administration and apologized to viewers for supporting prewar claims that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction.The anchor of his own show on Fox News said he was sorry he gave the U.S. government the benefit of the doubt that former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's weapons program poised an imminent threat, the main reason cited for going to war.http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=765&u=/nm/20040210/people_nm/campaign_bush_oreilly_dc_3&printer=1Geez, am I dreaming?The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #42 posted by Virgil on February 10, 2004 at 17:13:26 PT
Clark dropping out
David Shuster on MSNBC is saying Clark campaign people say he is dropping out. If Edwards follows, it could not be any better.
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Comment #41 posted by FoM on February 10, 2004 at 16:58:27 PT
Please Don't Throw Tomatoes!
I won't say it very loud. Actually I'm only whispering but listen? Kerry wins in VA with about 50%. Now I'll go away and hide for a little while. 
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Comment #40 posted by Virgil on February 10, 2004 at 16:31:13 PT
I have a stratigic vote.
I hope my vote will be read that there are betters to both men. I hope that as the Republicans regroup they analyze the dissatisfaction of both Parties and both candidates. It is my strategy for change.The medical issue is going to give because of science. Sure the Republicans will continue to whore for the pill companies, the same way some Dims do. At some time when they see it really, really is a Miracle Plant, they will bend to reality. The classification of cannabis will be mainstream by the Dim's convention.The GW delivery device is going to smack both parties in all races before the Democratic convention. It is far broader than someone that will never make US coin. It would make for great cartoons. A person in the audience holding up a delivery device is going to make a great cartoon. The GW delivery device will become a great symbol to medicinal cannabis and not unlike the Statue of Liberty to the American ideals. I wish GW would sell the delivery device in California so that I would not have to wait for it all to bubble up. It is on until it is over and the issue will divide those that are great and those that would have liked to have been thought of as great. The parting from past policy is coming this election cycle. It may just take time to complete the separation. This time we are talking about MMP. In 2008 we will be speaking of Free Cannabis For Everyone.There will be protesters at the Dim's convention. The call for change will be ongoing and it could be that the GW delivery device will be a symbol for change come the convention. The cause for clinical cannabis has never been brighter with an end in sight. It could be we see India jump in on research and a cannabis product line.
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Comment #39 posted by FoM on February 10, 2004 at 16:03:26 PT
Virgil
When I mentioned compromise it had nothing to do with Kerry but was about looking inside ourselves. 
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Comment #38 posted by Virgil on February 10, 2004 at 15:49:15 PT
Bush is a troubled man
There will be a relentless attack on Bush. I think that even he has no illusion of his adequacy. I can almost see hem not even running. That is how troubled I think he is. I think that the Republicans themselves would like a new face on the party. That narrative will be interesting to watch also.
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Comment #37 posted by floyd on February 10, 2004 at 15:43:21 PT
Nuevo Mexican
No offense to anyone, but I hope you dont base your votes on astrology. I'm not arguing whether or not astrology works, as quite frankly, I dont know. What I am arguing is that you are better off judging character for yourself and voting based on that....not the guys star chart. I agree with FoM on this, I dont see why people are so quick to hate Kerry. LOL, and as much as some of you probably disagree, I dont mean to sound antagonistic, I generally agree whole heartedly with the posts on C-News....I just find sometimes we seem too focused on complaining and being negative, and not enough on sucking it up and making change. =)
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Comment #36 posted by Virgil on February 10, 2004 at 15:31:42 PT
On compromise
Do you not think what I am saying is that Kerry should compromise his path of mass murder. What if the polls showed a tie at 45% with one in ten answering someone else? The statisticians would be calling for focus groups to see what policy they could change or what lie they could tell to get elected. It is people that will not compromise that will gain the most compromise.Even if a person were going to vote Dim in the general election, the thing to be saying is we need to change the malicous and viscous classification of cannabis to at least a schedule 2. That would be the best stradegy for change instead of just falling into the herd that says ABB.People will be asking who you vote for. Just say neither and wait for the question "Why?" The pitch is coming and no one wants to play the game. It is a hit every time and people want to join the herd. Even if you are in the herd, it doesn't mean you should say baa when abb is bad enough.I understand the game. There is the game and then there is the vote. I do not even care to talk about November 5th. What I wish people would do is play ball. The game has already started. It is easy to get a hit, when you take the proper stance.
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Comment #35 posted by Nuevo Mexican on February 10, 2004 at 15:17:50 PT
Bush won't win, stop worrying, vote for the best 
candidate! Period! Turn on C-span and watch todays press conference on bushs' desertion, no one is buying the p.r. spin, the lackey press is finally asking hard questions, and Scott McClennan made it worse. Okay, bush has billions. The Days when money bought everything and everyone are over.Bush can't buy the election, no matter how hard he tries, but he's prepared to steal another election, and I'm excited about the option, as he may suceed, but only temporarily. It would be the best case scenario, bush steals the election, gets caught red-handed, and is marched out of the white house in handcuffs.No arguments with that scenario here I'm sure.Rumsfeld is on now, he is toast as well.Let these guys steal an election from the best Democrat, not the 'he can beat bush' mantra.Remember 2000, when Gore was so lame, he couldn't generate much outrage over the stolen election, as he waffled, fiddled and dissapointed so many with his middle of the road approach, the one kerry is taking this election
(he's since come around, takes having the Presidency stolen from you to radicalize your views).I don't think Kaptinemo is into Astrology, but he nails kerry perfectly, and I have his chart to back him up.Kerry is a Full Moon Sagitarius, and that means the moon was in Gemini. (the liars moon). No offense to anyone astrologically, but once in office, kerry will dissapoint.
Edwards, Lieberman, and Dean also have Gemini Moons, and have had the public sour on them, once they looked beneath the surface.This applies to Kerry, as I was in a business with a full moon Sag, only to pull out due to dis-honesty, but the man was a genius, politically on target, outspoken as well.But most of his aquaintences soured on him, as his dishonesty in personal matters was his biggest character flaw.I want bush out, but he's already out, Done, toast, history.Just moniter the mainstream news, you don't have to watch Democracy Now, to see which way the wind is blowing anymore.Kerry has some appeal, but he is a 50/50 choice, and when we have someone with the integrity of Dennis Kucinich, why are we bothering with lameness.Answer: because we're told by polls that only kerry can beat bush. Polls are the most blantant form of manipulation and mind-control. Why do we here about polls everyday?To tell us what we think, so we stop thinking for ourselves, all based on 'fear'.Remember, on Election Day, the U.S. chart enters the sign of Picses, the sign of dissolution, compassion, enlightenment and deception. Hopefully, we will embrace the higher vibrations of this huge shift in Americas personality, and tell me everything will be different after Nov. 2nd.I invest my hope in the stars, and not the polls.(I guess I use the stars to get my 'poll' results, perhaps I'm guilty, but it is a superior system, in existence since the beginning of time, thus, I don't argue with the body of God, the visible Uni-verse).John Nichols: Votes for Kucinich, Sharpton push partyhttp://www.madison.com/captimes/opinion/column/nichols/67741.php
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Comment #34 posted by Binky on February 10, 2004 at 15:00:34 PT
THE KUBBY FAMILY
THE KUBBY FAMILYhttp://www.kubby.com/rcmp.seized.medicine.htmlDirector General Beth Pieterson 
Health Canada 
Director General's Office 
123 Slater Street, 
Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1A 0K9 
Telephone: (613) 946-6484 
Fax: (613) 946-6460 Re: Request for letter to clarify rights of exemptees in public places Dear Director General Pieterson, I am writing you at the direction of Cheryl Anderson, regarding a matter of serious urgency. We experienced an incident yesterday where a police officer seized my husband's legal medicine and destroyed it, even though the officer acknowledged that my husband is a federal exemptee. Due to the serious and explosive nature of my husband's illness, your urgent assistance is needed to resolve this matter immediately. The incident began yesterday when we went for a hike at Cliff Gilker Park on the Sunshine Coast of BC, as part of my husband Steve's daily therapy to help burn off his excessive and toxic levels of adrenaline. No one was there when we arrived and Steve went out in the woods to medicate. He was sick from the drive and he is also under doctor's orders to use medical marijuana on an hourly basis to combat his dangerously high adrenaline levels. While there, he saw a hiker and two dogs approaching and took an alternate trail. The hiker then altered his course and came upon Steve while he was medicating. The hiker asked if it was pot that he smelled and Steve said yes. The hiker then grabbed Steve's only joint and crushed it on the ground. When Steve asked, "What are you doing?", the hiker responded that he was a police officer and that he knew who Steve was but that he didn't have the right to smoke in a public place. Steve said, "Excuse me?" The undercover 'officer', (we put this is quotes because Steve started having a blood pressure attack during the confrontation and was too sick to ask to see some I.D.), said that it was against the Controlled Substances Act for Steve to smoke in a public place and "this park is a public place." He added that he had been watching Steve. Steve protested that he was nauseous and sick and needed that medicine, but the hiker/officer said that the smell of the marijuana made him nauseous and offended him. The hiker/officer then warned Steve not to smoke in any public places again and left. Moments after the 'officer' left, I arrived and saw that my husband was no longer smoking and looked quite ill. After Steve told me what had happened, I was very disturbed that an undercover officer would confront my husband on a wilderness trail and deprive him of medicine that he needs to stay alive. It is no different than taking insulin from a diabetic. I found this confrontation to be an unwarranted and reckless threat to my husband's health. I then went directly to the local RCMP office in Sechelt, to file a complaint. The woman behind the counter took all of my information, and then went to find an officer to talk to me. She came back and informed me that all officers were in a meeting and couldn't speak with me. She added that they had told her it was against the law for Steve to smoke in public. This alarms me greatly, so I confirmed this again, today with Cheryl Anderson and again she told me that Steve is exempt from Federal law and can consume medical marijuana in public places subject to local and provincial law.Ms. Pieterson, we need a letter from your office confirm that Steve's medicine is not to be seized and that it is not a violation of Federal Law for him to use medical marijuana in a public place. It is very important that we keep Steve on his daily exercise plan to control his blood pressure. My husband is a walking time bomb and is especially vulnerable to stress. For him to have to worry about undercover narcotics agents hiding in the bush is a violation of our Charter Rights and reflects poorly upon the ability of Health Canada to protect legal exemptees. Respectfully, Michele Kubby 
Director General Beth Pieterson 
Health Canada 
Director General's Office 
123 Slater Street, 
Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1A 0K9 
Telephone: (613) 946-6484 
Fax: (613) 946-6460 Re: Request for letter to clarify rights of exemptees in public places Dear Director General Pieterson, I am writing you at the direction of Cheryl Anderson, regarding a matter of serious urgency. We experienced an incident yesterday where a police officer seized my husband's legal medicine and destroyed it, even though the officer acknowledged that my husband is a federal exemptee. Due to the serious and explosive nature of my husband's illness, your urgent assistance is needed to resolve this matter immediately. The incident began yesterday when we went for a hike at Cliff Gilker Park on the Sunshine Coast of BC, as part of my husband Steve's daily therapy to help burn off his excessive and toxic levels of adrenaline. No one was there when we arrived and Steve went out in the woods to medicate. He was sick from the drive and he is also under doctor's orders to use medical marijuana on an hourly basis to combat his dangerously high adrenaline levels. While there, he saw a hiker and two dogs approaching and took an alternate trail. The hiker then altered his course and came upon Steve while he was medicating. The hiker asked if it was pot that he smelled and Steve said yes. The hiker then grabbed Steve's only joint and crushed it on the ground. When Steve asked, "What are you doing?", the hiker responded that he was a police officer and that he knew who Steve was but that he didn't have the right to smoke in a public place. Steve said, "Excuse me?" The undercover 'officer', (we put this is quotes because Steve started having a blood pressure attack during the confrontation and was too sick to ask to see some I.D.), said that it was against the Controlled Substances Act for Steve to smoke in a public place and "this park is a public place." He added that he had been watching Steve. Steve protested that he was nauseous and sick and needed that medicine, but the hiker/officer said that the smell of the marijuana made him nauseous and offended him. The hiker/officer then warned Steve not to smoke in any public places again and left. Moments after the 'officer' left, I arrived and saw that my husband was no longer smoking and looked quite ill. After Steve told me what had happened, I was very disturbed that an undercover officer would confront my husband on a wilderness trail and deprive him of medicine that he needs to stay alive. It is no different than taking insulin from a diabetic. I found this confrontation to be an unwarranted and reckless threat to my husband's health. I then went directly to the local RCMP office in Sechelt, to file a complaint. The woman behind the counter took all of my information, and then went to find an officer to talk to me. She came back and informed me that all officers were in a meeting and couldn't speak with me. She added that they had told her it was against the law for Steve to smoke in public. This alarms me greatly, so I confirmed this again, today with Cheryl Anderson and again she told me that Steve is exempt from Federal law and can consume medical marijuana in public places subject to local and provincial law.Ms. Pieterson, we need a letter from your office confirm that Steve's medicine is not to be seized and that it is not a violation of Federal Law for him to use medical marijuana in a public place. It is very important that we keep Steve on his daily exercise plan to control his blood pressure. My husband is a walking time bomb and is especially vulnerable to stress. For him to have to worry about undercover narcotics agents hiding in the bush is a violation of our Charter Rights and reflects poorly upon the ability of Health Canada to protect legal exemptees. Respectfully, Michele Kubby Here is HC official responce (pdf format) http://www.kubby.com/health.canada.letter.pdf 
THE KUBBY FAMILY
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Comment #33 posted by sukoi on February 10, 2004 at 14:50:01 PT:
Web Site
Slightly off topic, but I thought that some of you might like this site.
http://lastonespeaks.blogspot.com/
Enjoy!
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Comment #32 posted by FoM on February 10, 2004 at 14:28:00 PT
Wolf Blitzer: CNN Poll
QUESTION OF THE DAY Does President Bush's releasing his payroll records clear up questions about his military service? 
Current Results:Yes -- 43% -- 20569 votes No -- 57% -- 27601 votes Total: 48170 votes 
 http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/wolf.blitzer.reports/
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Comment #31 posted by goneposthole on February 10, 2004 at 13:39:19 PT
Maybe Kerry needs us
But who needs him?http://www.usvetdsp.com/jf_kerry.htm
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Comment #30 posted by FoM on February 10, 2004 at 13:37:49 PT
Another Thought
Thank you VitaminT and CorvallisEric. I am really impressed at the knowledge that people share that post here. I think we all have changed over the last few years and we know so much more then we did and we're still learning. I am very happy to see the intelligent posts on John Kerry's board about the drug war. Message boards are a wonderful tool to get the word out and our views heard. It's a good feeling to know that we are making a difference. I want to say something about compromise. Anyone here who is married knows how we all compromise on different issues or it wouldn't be pleasant living with each other. Life is convictions and compromise. That isn't failure but wise. A married couple can be a powerful team if they learn how to give freely and take when it is necessary. We in the U.S. are like a married couple. We can work together or we can fight and lose more then we know.
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Comment #29 posted by CorvallisEric on February 10, 2004 at 13:08:01 PT
Kerry vs Bush
I agree with VitaminT, FoM, OverwhelmSam, and others in favor of Kerry if that's the only realistic hope.Bush's enforcement (via John Ashcroft and the DEA) and political advocacy (via John Walters) was persued to the max. Clinton may have been a stupid jerk and arrests on his watch reached new highs, but his appointees didn't persue the deliberately predatory and cowardly policy of attacking the most vulnerable and least culpable as the Bush Administration has done. Part of the coalition that holds the Republican Party together consists of people who are fighting a cultural and religious war against everyone who doesn't look and think a whole lot like they do, Constitution and conservative principles be damned. I remember when Bush the Elder embraced them to become Vice-President.If elected, Kerry will at least have to be better than Clinton to avoid massive protest and risking his re-election; such is the nature of the age - the internet, youth waking up, growing reform organizations. MPP in New Hampshire was just a sample of things to come, which are much less likely to get anywhere if Bush is re-elected.Kerry needs us. Bush doesn't.My voting suggestion is to vote "pragmatically" in cases where it can matter (like Florida or New Mexico in November), and vote your conscience or in protest in cases where the outcome is in little doubt (like Massachusetts or Alabama).
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Comment #28 posted by FoM on February 10, 2004 at 12:59:10 PT
News Article from The Associated Press
TBI Monitors Purchases of Equipment Used To Grow Marijuana Tuesday, February 10, 2004
 ROGERSVILLE (AP) — A new program by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation that keeps tabs on the purchase of lamps and other accessories used to grow marijuana indoors has led to a conviction in Hawkins County.Complete Article: http://reviewappeal.midsouthnews.com/news.ez?viewStory=18649
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Comment #27 posted by VitaminT on February 10, 2004 at 12:57:46 PT
Virgil
I agree that NORML may have been hasty in grading Kerry too high, however in the context of the race in New Hampshire where the significance of grading candidates is embodied in how they compare to one another, NORML got it about right with DK on top, Kerry and Clark in the middle and Dean & Edwards under a cow patty.The idea that the PEOPLE are moving the goal post is dead-on! When the people lead the leaders follow - this is a lesson that Howard Dean learned way too late.Since his campaign hit the skids Dean has made several public statements trying desparately to appeal to DP Reformers. The ticker read: Dean: Drug Abuse a medical issue not a criminal justice issue. Sorry Howie there are no last second epiphanies with me!Kapt - You're right about Kerry IMO, there are few good reasons to trust his words - actions tell the real story. Adding to your comments: Ending the DEAth Raids AND the Schedule 1 lie by signing hr 2233 Is the type of action that would make me see him in a new light. If he did these two things then the War on Cannabis and thus the WoD would be in serious decline!But I'm in this for the long haul as are most us reading and posting here. If I have to hold someones feet to the fire, better John Kerry than George(snort)W. Bush!Thank you FoM, You are the model of grace. Make sure you take good care of yourself, we'll be relying on your spirit in the years to come.
 
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Comment #26 posted by JR Bob Dobbs on February 10, 2004 at 12:43:51 PT
As opposed to... gregarious bladder?
From http://www.suntimes.com/output/health/cst-nws-test10.html - found in today's Chicago Sun-Times, credited to the A.P.Shy bladder during drug test gets some workers fired February 10, 2004BY ADAM GELLER Tom Smith worried he was in for trouble on a Wednesday morning last November, when a supervisor pulled the assembly line worker aside and told him to report to the factory nurse's station.There, with a urine specimen cup in hand, 40 ounces of water sloshing around inside him and the nurse waiting, Smith says he spent three hours straining to do what most people barely think about. But when the time allotted for the random drug test was finished, the cup was still empty. And Smith was out of a job.The story sounds like the makings of a bad joke. But Smith and workers like him say they are tired of being the punchline.Their problem, a little-known phobia known as paruresis or shy bladder syndrome, isn't new. But the malady is getting some unwelcome exposure, an unforeseen consequence of widespread workplace drug testing.Employers conduct about 45 million drug tests each year, the vast majority by collecting a urine sample. Some workers object, but inability to fill a specimen cup is rarely the issue.Then there are people like Smith, who says he was fired from his job at a Caterpillar Inc. generator plant in Griffin, Ga., last fall because his failure to provide a urine specimen was labeled a refusal to take the test.''You tell me I have three hours to urinate and I'm going to lose my job, hey man, I'm frozen. I can't do anything,'' said Smith.A Caterpillar spokeswoman said she could not comment on the situation due to privacy concerns. Experts say paruresis is psychological, not physical, and that it is far more widespread than most people realize.''I get an e-mail a week or a call a week'' from people unable to urinate for a drug test, said Steven Soifer, president of the International Paruresis Association.
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Comment #25 posted by FoM on February 10, 2004 at 12:16:17 PT
What If Question
What if Dennis decides not to keep up the fight and he endorses Kerry how will anyone that supports Dennis feel?
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Comment #24 posted by Sam Adams on February 10, 2004 at 12:09:15 PT
Analogy
I've got it! I want Kerry to beat Bush just like we wanted Stalin to beat Hitler.perfect analogy.  one monster vs. another. Virgil I think you summed up the whole Kerry thing perfectly. I think MPP worked hard & they're just trying to take heart in the small success they had. I know they're no more satisfied with Kerry than you are - they're working on introducing a full legalization bill into the US House right now.
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Comment #23 posted by Virgil on February 10, 2004 at 11:20:28 PT
We need to hold up the best way to Kerry
What we need to do is talk about the best path while people are listening. Cannabis is an issue unto itself. It is also a dual purpose issue because it illuminates the corruption before us.The goal post is moving because of the public position. Kerry is not leading anyone anywhere. His position will change with the wind. Even if you are going to vote for Kerry you should be advancing the best way you see on cannabis policy. Here you have a target to throw stones at and you think we should take to false praise.Voting for the lesser of two evils should easily put a Dim in the White House. What we do not need is the Mindless Election of 2004. When I talk on the issue of the drug war or the War For Failure as I prefer, I want an honest appraisal of a politician's position. The cause of intellectual debate was hurt by the NORML grade to Kerry. It did not even mention the wrong classification of cannabis which is the next goal post. I have no problem being critical of Kerry or NORML's rating. They are not Saints and I just tell it how I see. I do not see it as being dishonest when I say Kerry flunks MMP. I am starting to find it boring to repeat it though.
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Comment #22 posted by FoM on February 10, 2004 at 10:53:46 PT
VitaminT and Everyone
GSMM and MPP need to become John Kerry's shadow. 
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Comment #21 posted by OverwhelmSam on February 10, 2004 at 10:37:57 PT:
VitaminT
I agree that we need to move the goal post a little at a time until the pendulum bolts and swings in the other direction.
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Comment #20 posted by VitaminT on February 10, 2004 at 10:31:56 PT
Applause to GSMM
and to MPP, Aaron Houston in particular has provided outstanding leadership to an organization that kept popping up to hammer candidates and force them to address the issue of MMJ.We need to expand that organization to other key states.
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Comment #19 posted by FoM on February 10, 2004 at 10:31:50 PT
Thank You VitaminT 
Your comment is very much appreciated by me. One step at a time. 
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Comment #18 posted by Sam Adams on February 10, 2004 at 10:24:36 PT
Don't get me wrong
I am hoping and praying that Kerry unseats Bush! But I'll never lift a finger to support Kerry, or any of the Dems other than Kucinich. I'll probably be voting for the Green candidate (or possibly Libertarian)And I expect Kerry to do the exact same thing that Clinton did - continue to ramp up the WOD, spending more every year on it, arresting and imprisoning more and more. I expect he'll tell the DOJ to stop raiding patients in the medmj states, while continuing to obstruct any other progress on ANY drug war reform.
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Comment #17 posted by VitaminT on February 10, 2004 at 10:21:19 PT
This article has some very important lessons . . .
and independent-minded reformers have a problem learning them!We MUST shed our All-or-Nothing mentality! If we don't, we will always get NOTHING!If a candidate moves a little in our direction we're very likely to see them immediately trashed here!? Make sense of that!?! I agree w/ FoM - This guy can beat cokehead GWB! That alone is a victory! But Kerry has also gone on record more than once, saying he would end DEA terrorism on patients and caregivers! That's something we want, right? We need to learn to win with grace.Each little victory makes the next little victory easier to win! It all adds up if we are patient and persistent. The whole Drug War apparatus is dependent upon Marijuana - If we rip enough holes in the fabric of lies veiling the truth about the Good Herb we can make much of that apparatus collapse.Like many on CNews I love DK! He's the kind of person I'd like to see leading our country - and he's NOT going to be president! So I'll vote for him in the primary because I like the influence he has on the race - He is the one talking about issues that matter to me and my family! But in November I'm voting for the guy that can send George W Bogus back to wherever he came from - That will be John Kerry.If we stick together we can have some influence on his policies as president.
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Comment #16 posted by FoM on February 10, 2004 at 10:10:49 PT
EJ That is So True
I agree!***You said: Nobody's going to come down from on high and save us, it's really up to us to save ourselves.
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Comment #15 posted by Virgil on February 10, 2004 at 10:09:08 PT
The adjustments
What adjustments are the Republicans as a Party going to make. Dean got a lesson on MMP. The lessons are out there to be had. It is a long time between now and November and the GW extracts are going to be even a bigger light on the corruption that keeps canabinoids schedule 1. That is why Dean hit the ground so hard. He took a position that could not be defended intellectually, but sure could be answered by a worship of pill company profits. What if Dean had called for the rescheduling of cannabis and said do not ask me, ask these doctors. It is only when Kerry sees that he must right the wrong first that he will bend to the best path. That path is highly clear as thousands of years of use have shown and now we have GW getting ready to cement that path, so that is by far the best path. It cannot be argued. Anything that opposes that will be met with a the indignation that comes with being right.If you want the best way, you have to say what the best way is. The thing that needs to be done is immediately make cannabis Schedule 2. You should be telling your candidate for president he needs to change and that people see it as a sign of corruption that he does not.I sure would like to hear what Judge Gray says on this and how he is doing in his run for Senate. 
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Comment #14 posted by E_Johnson on February 10, 2004 at 10:07:00 PT
It's going to be a long rocky road
Nobody's going to come down from on high and save us, it's really up to us to save ourselves.We're doing the work. After we've done enough work, we'll finally save ourselves.It happened with the women's movement. Everyone scanning the political horizon like hawks.But there never was a President elected who saved women from not being able to vote.In the end women still had to get the 19th Amendment ratified by going from state to state and that was an enormous effort to accomplish. No politician gets credit for that. The activists get all the credit, all of it, for everything.No President came flying down from the sky to save women from oppression and it's not going to happen with us either.
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Comment #13 posted by FoM on February 10, 2004 at 10:00:28 PT
Sam I Don't Trust Politicians At All
I am thinking the way I am because of some of the things he has said and is in print. ***Excerpt from Article:***Both U.S. senators from Massachusetts, Edward M. Kennedy and John Kerry, have written a letter to the federal Drug Enforcement Administration urging approval of an application by the University of Massachusetts to grow high-quality marijuana for medicinal research. Backers of the proposal by plant and soil sciences professor Lyle Craker say support from Kennedy and Kerry, along with the recent refusal by the Supreme Court to consider penalizing doctors for recommending medicinal marijuana, put UMass in a much better position to win DEA approval than previously. UMass would be only the second legal grower of marijuana for research purposes. The University of Mississippi has supplied the National Institute on Drug Abuse with marijuana for 30 years.Senators Back UM Medical Marijuana:
http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17685.shtml
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Comment #12 posted by kaptinemo on February 10, 2004 at 09:52:55 PT:
I reserve my most private opinions
Friends, contrary to what many might believe, I am NOT a 'single-issue' voter. My concerns are not just for our cause, but for the plight of so many Americans. I want to believe that the best man will win...but that rarely happens. I expect that; it's commonly referred to as 'compromise'.But we should not forget the fact that Mr. Kerry is deeply plugged into the very same power structure that has oppressed us for decades, the same elite clubs that Mr. Bush and his cronies belong to. Fail to see that, and if he should become another Janus Two Face, the hardest hurt will be those whose hopes soared the highest.My feet are on the ground, and my eyes are watching like a hawk's. I won't believe it until Mr. Kerry signs some legislation or an Executive Order to stop the raids. Then I'll breathe easier.Only then.
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Comment #11 posted by Sam Adams on February 10, 2004 at 09:51:56 PT
Kerry
FOM, I'd sure hate to see your disappointment when Kerry reveals himself down the road. Don't fall into the trap of "he'll get Bush out of office" - So what! I hope that Kerry can get Bush out of office, but that doesn't change the fact that he's an evil man devoid of any integrity or convictions, a career drug war hawk.How pitiful, in the face of a genocidal drug war, wiping out a generation of black men, to be silent. To be cowed only into saying something ever-so-slightly in support of medical marijuana, like we should hug and kiss him for it. He has not said he supports medical marijuana. He is therefore IN SUPPORT of the federal ban on medical marijuana. He's been FORCED to SAY that he'll slightly back off on raiding the actual sick people, only under the threat of public humiliation in NH. Hell, Bush went even farther on the campaing trail, saying med. MJ was purely a state's right issue. Bush did more for us on the campaign trail than Kerry has! Don't forget it - this is a campaign, and nothing more.Bush and Kerry were best buddies in the Skull & bones club at Yale - they serve the same masters - the political class and the corporate elite.Kerry wholeheartedly supports the current police state which has given us 10 times as many prisons as Europe - while maintaining 10 times the violent crime of Europe. He supports forcibly making us all work for federal, state, and local law enforcement, by pay the taxes of their bloated budget. 
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Comment #10 posted by FoM on February 10, 2004 at 09:44:50 PT
Correction
I think I did some articles but I don't remember them very well. 
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Comment #9 posted by FoM on February 10, 2004 at 09:43:09 PT
OverwhelmSam 
I agree with you about Kerry. I haven't done articles about Loretta Nail's arrest. I haven't followed it. Maybe CC will do an article and someone can post a link. That way we will all know. I don't think the papers will do much but CC will I'm sure.
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Comment #8 posted by OverwhelmSam on February 10, 2004 at 09:35:44 PT:
Kaptinemo
Kerry may not be what we wish, but Bush has had his chance. It doesn't hurt to give Kerry a chance, of anyone who gets the Democratic Nomination. Spreadin our vote out to other candidates will ensure Bush gets another four years. With Bush, we're not going anywhere for another four years. At least with Kerry, there's a chance for change. Especially if MPP keeps up the heat during the campaign.
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Comment #7 posted by Virgil on February 10, 2004 at 09:33:09 PT
As the wind blows
In an Oct. 20 letter to DEA Administrator Karen Tandy, Sens. Kennedy and Kerry criticized NIDA's "unjustified monopoly on the production of marijuana for legitimate medical research." They noted, "Federal law makes clear that the ... bulk manufacture of Schedule I and II substances must be provided `under adequately competitive conditions.' ... The current lack of such competition may well result in the production of lower-quality research-grade marijuana, which in turn jeopardizes important research."It will be interesting when Dean looks back and see that he missed the wind on the MMP issue. Here we see Kerry yield to the wind. What he did not do is call for removal from Schedule 1. That is what leadership would have done long ago. The same leadership would have known of the wonders seen in previous research. The same research would have gotten us true research by NIH. The same leadership would have said, here is the substance abuse in America and it starts with sugar. We have problems with trans-fats. We have a problem with alcohol and tobacco. The whole Kerry canvas is wrong. I like dogs and I won't buy the painting if doesn't have a dog. Here we see the wind blow and if Kerry wants support in beating the worst president ever he would not emulate him in his WOD capacity. If the Dims cannot beat the worst president ever, it is because they are the worst party ever.Don't tell me I am not helping the Democrats. I am telling them they flat out suck on the WOD. It is they that should change and there is a world out there saying the same thing. Now America sees the war in Iraq as a failure. They would also see the proven failure of the WOD, if people like me said, Kerry is unacceptable as a Drug Warrior.If Kerry were for MMP he would call for its reclassification and cut the Gordian knot. He should open his mouth and just say so. If he cannot see the pain that comes with the corruption of the Schedule One Lie, he is listening to the wrong people. 
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Comment #6 posted by OverwhelmSam on February 10, 2004 at 09:31:45 PT:
Kudos for the Marijuana Movement
MPP, Granite Staters, and others are doing a great job with the Democratic's who are running for President. I hope George W. Bush is raked over the coals when he begins his campaign.But we need to do more. Reporting on the Representatives and Senators who are our biggest enemies needs to be pursued also. The few in Congress I can think of are Istook, Biden, Peterson, and Souder. There may be others who need to find out that if you pass cruel and unusual punishment laws against peaceful marijuana users, your career as a politician is over.FoM - Please post anything you find out about Loretta Nall as soon as you can. She has her day in court today and faces 2 years for essentially writing a letter to the editor of her local newspaper. Thanks, Dennis 
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on February 10, 2004 at 09:23:53 PT
I Agree Kaptinemo
No one should let up on John Kerry. He needs to always be reminded that we matter. I remember watching a program recently at a fire station when Kerry was on tv and people were calling in. A woman almost if not in tears called in and thanked John Kerry for caring so much about medical marijuana and those who use the drug to help them. He listened very carefully and nodded in agreement with the caller. When she was finished talking he made this comment. He said "you are very welcome." I think he really meant it to from how seriously he was listening to what the caller had to say.
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Comment #4 posted by kaptinemo on February 10, 2004 at 09:11:26 PT:
"Known by the company you keep"
FoM, I have a visceral distrust of *all* pols...just some vastly more than others. We've all heard the bait-and-switch routine before, and so long as Mr. Kerry has Rand Beers whispering in his ear, there's a danger that as soon as he is elected, he'll see the DrugWarrior 'light', recant his earlier positions on MMJ and stopping the raids, and give the green light on them again.I am hopeful that he would not be as Janus Two-Faced as Bush so evidently was at the beginning. But my hope is tempered by the school of hard knocks we reformers have suffered through and lived in these past 25 years.I wasn't born there, but the traditional motto of the sovereign State of Missouri is one I live by when dealing with pols: "Show me." The more Mr. Kerry talks about MMJ, the less easily he will be able to backpedal. The more noticeable the issue becomes, the less likely it will be allowed to fall through the social problem cracks and disappear.Show *me*, Mr. Kerry. Show all of *US*. Prove your words of sweet reason are backed by both conviction and actions. Keep talking about the plight of sick and dying people and the actions taken against them by the ghoulish DEA, which doesn't have the decency to wait until they are dead before robbing them of their only means of comfort. Keep talking about prison overcrowding. Keep talking about wasted taxpayers dollars. And above all, keep talking about how this DrugWar explicitly targets minorities and the poor...exactly as it was meant to do.And while you're talking, Mr. Kerry, keep in mind something else; that ground has already been trodden by a man who from the git-go has been up-front about it all: Mr. Kucinich. I think of Mr. Kucinich as being the conscience of the Democratic Party, indeed, of the vast majority of the American polity, as he has been one of a vanishingly small group of pols who from the inception of his political life has dared to 'speak truth to power'. His issues are America's issues, Mr. Kerry. If DK doesn't get the nomination for Prez, well, you couldn't have a better Veep. Nor could we.
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on February 10, 2004 at 08:12:26 PT
goneposthole
Why is everyone so upset with a man who could get Bush out of office and will probably help change the laws on MMJ? I don't understand it. Everyone has something in their background that we wouldn't like if we were told but why is he such a bad choice?
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Comment #2 posted by goneposthole on February 10, 2004 at 08:03:15 PT
Bush will not be re-elected
John Kerry is a negative. He is enough to make a grown man cry, let alone babies.If the Democrats had any wherewithall and presence of mind, they would draft Ron Paul at the convention.This process needs to be upended.
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on February 10, 2004 at 07:41:54 PT
Just a Note
I went ahead and posted this article by Mr. Giordano. I know this article spurred some reactions and I thought it might be interesting for others to read too. I'll keep looking for news to post.
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