cannabisnews.com: Marijuana & Medicine: Need Science-Based Approach





Marijuana & Medicine: Need Science-Based Approach
Posted by CN Staff on April 02, 2004 at 18:36:17 PT
Editorial
Source: The Weekly 
Institute for Behavior and Health’s President Robert DuPont, M.D. testifies before the House Committee on Government Reform Washington, DC, April 1, 2004: The Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources held a hearing today on the highly controversial topic of “medical marijuana.”
Marijuana is the nation’s most widely used illegal drug. According to the 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), more than 95 million Americans (40 percent) age 12 and older have tried marijuana at least once. In 2001, more youth had entered substance abuse treatment facilities, with most of the increase due to abuse of marijuana, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Marijuana abuse was responsible for 23 percent of adolescent admissions in 1992. This rose to 62 percent in 2001 and largely accounted for the total increase of adolescents in treatment between 1992 and 2001.  For more than half a century, reducing the use of marijuana has been a major focus of national drug abuse prevention efforts. Public policy debates over marijuana use have generally focused on the most effective strategies to minimize use. Public health officials are in agreement that their central goal is to reduce the use of marijuana throughout our country.  Subcommittee Chairman Mark Souder (R-IN) stated in his opening remarks, “In recent years, a large and well-funded pro-drug movement has succeeded in convincing many Americans that marijuana is a true ‘medicine’, to be used in treating a wide variety of illnesses…Unable to change the federal laws, these pro-drug activists turned to the state referendum process, and succeeded in passing a number of ‘medical marijuana’ initiatives. This has set up a direct conflict between federal and state law, and put into sharp focus the competing scientific claims about the value of marijuana (and its components) as ‘medicine.’”  In her testimony, Nora Volkow, M.D., Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reminded the Subcommittee that, “Marijuana is not a benign drug. It contains more than 400 chemicals.” She further stated, “Approval for the use of marijuana, or perhaps more importantly purified compounds based upon the chemicals found in marijuana, as therapeutic agents must show substantial evidence of effectiveness and show the product is safe under the conditions of use in the proposed labeling. Safe, in this context, means that the benefits of the drug appear to outweigh its risks.”  While Marijuana Policy Project Director, Robert Kampia, supported the medical benefits of smoking marijuana, Robert DuPont, M.D. disagreed. “They are using the ‘medical marijuana’ issue as a Trojan Horse to legitimize the use of marijuana in this country, and throughout the world. The ‘medical marijuana’ advocates are loudly and consistently opposed to using purified chemicals instead of smoked marijuana. Legitmizing smoked marijuana as a ‘medicine’ is a serious threat to the health and safety of all Americans.”  The full text of Dr. Robert DuPont’s testimony is available online at: http://www.ibhinc.org/The Institute for Behavior and Health, (IBH) focuses on national drug abuse policies that emphasize prevention and investment in better treatmentapproaches. Established in 1978, IBH is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization working to reduce substance abuse through the power of good ideas. Complete Title: Marijuana and Medicine: The Need For A Science-Based ApproachDownload Kampia's full written testimony here: http://www.mpp.org/pdf/rk_040104.pdfSource: The Weekly (GA)Published: April 2, 2004Copyright: 2004 by The WeeklyWebsite: http://www.theweekly.com/Contact: weeklypub1 mindspring.com Related Articles & Web Site:Marijuana Policy Projecthttp://www.mpp.org/States Defend Medical Marijuana Policieshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18574.shtmlThe Trouble with Marijuana and Legislatorshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18573.shtmlSouder Critical of Medical Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18548.shtml
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Comment #29 posted by FoM on April 06, 2004 at 09:01:42 PT
Amigula, Inc. Press Release
The World's First Publicly Traded Marijuana Company -- Comments on D.C. Subcommittee Assembly Addressing Controversial Topic of 'Medical Marijuana'NEW YORK, April 6, 2004 Source: Amigula, Inc.Subcommittee Chairman Mark Souder (R-IN) stated in his opening remarks, "In recent years, a large and well-funded pro-drug movement has succeeded in convincing many Americans that marijuana is a true 'medicine,' to be used in treating a wide variety of illnesses . . . Unable to change the federal laws, these pro-drug activists turned to the state referendum process, and succeeded in passing a number of 'medical marijuana' initiatives. This has set up a direct conflict between federal and state law, and put into sharp focus the competing scientific claims about the value of marijuana (and its components) as 'medicine.'" States Warren B. Eugene -- Amigula's President, "We hear almost every day from very ill people that some of their Federal and State representatives have denied them their basic fundamental human rights, and access to humane medicine and therapies. I intend to present our findings and reports to the United Nations and Amnesty International. This is in direct violation to many International treaties." "At Amigula, we foster a compassionate and caring philosophy," said Warren B. Eugene, Amigula's President. "We have witnessed first hand the pain and suffering in people. We have clearly seen what obtuse, outdated laws, myths and misunderstanding have done to afflicted citizens. In my humble opinion, Congressman Souder needs to develop compassion. The Honorable gentleman from Indiana needs to visit with tens of thousands of real life patients in hospitals all over America. These people are in real pain. Many don't have health care coverage. What has this man ever done to ensure that these good people get proper free health care, egalitarian health care? I want to invite him to come visit real ill kids, teens and adults in hospitals who suffer from MS, epilepsy, severe arthritis, glaucoma, and nausea from chemotherapies. He needs an awakening. I'm certain that if some terrible plague befell upon him and others who think this is make believe that many would -- after suffering cruel and unfair treatment from the likes of people like him -- would change their direction like an Indiana prairie grass fire." Says Peter Hilton Mijovick, treasurer of Amigula Incorporated, "Warren Eugene, our company President, is passionate about what he believes and he puts that into action. He has seen all this first hand. His job is to masterfully teach and inspire others. He wants them to see how things truly are, and what they can do to make a difference in other peoples lives." Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company and its management. Such statements reflect management's current views, are based on certain assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results, events, or performance may differ materially from the above forward- looking statements due to a number of important factors, and will be dependent upon a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, our ability to obtain additional financing and access funds from our existing financing arrangements that will allow us to continue our current and future operations. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date hereof or to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with regard to these forward-looking statements or the occurrence of unanticipated events. http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/news_releases.mhtml?d=55445
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Comment #28 posted by kaptinemo on April 04, 2004 at 10:57:20 PT:
This is why I get for writing on the fly
I meant *in*articulate stoner. But I believe I've proved the point.
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Comment #27 posted by kaptinemo on April 04, 2004 at 10:46:31 PT:
All I do is belabor the obvious
The denizens of this site already know the facts. I mainly write to stick those facts in the faces of all those LEOs out there who are part of the immoral machine oppressing their fellow citizens...and give the lie to the stereotypical articulate stoner. They read this site; oh, yes, the certainly do. The laws of probability alone would guarantee it. And those 'blank' IP that show up on the stats confirm it. They are reading, all right.All *I* do is write what so many of us think, is all. But never get the chance the say to the ones who need to hear it the most.
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Comment #26 posted by global_warming on April 03, 2004 at 15:35:09 PT
Continued Side Comments
Hi AllThe fact that they are talking, suggests, that the "lie" might be exposed.With all good people, of concience, the war on drug users, is cutting into their christian medallions, along with the iraqi, the afganis, the many other humans, who's names we will never hear or know.This wonderful world, of sight and sound, with color and fragrence, is but a subtle refrence, to the world, that hides behind the vail, the vail of death.The secrets of the universe, have formed religions, that have been warring through recorded history, yet the people, have bowed down, to the religions of science and modernism.We will have this forum, in the hereafter, for the world, with each step into eternity, must carry the burden, of history, of blood, of courage, of honor, for mankind.When Jusus, the jew, was murdered, for the profit of a culture, his death, has been remembered, for 2000 years, and with each nail that people forge, to place into our flesh, the path back to God, grows more heavy.The practice and religion that bows down to "knowledge" is a mindset that speaks loudly, yet cannot offer solice, in the moment of passage, into the darkness, as each life that lives, must pass..Not sure where I am going with this response, but I know that we are all special, creatures, that share in this world, the endless night, the glorious unknown, as night embraces the light, the light gives birth, for is it not given, that the darkness, shall riegn, but that the light shall overcome.Peace..-gw
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Comment #25 posted by E_Johnson on April 03, 2004 at 13:57:31 PT
This account doesn't tell the story global_warming
"This current summit of Souder, does suggest, that the antis are trying to solidfy their position.
"According to Rob Kampia, their position is collapsing underneath them, because no Republican colleagues of Souder bothered to show up to his big event.Only two Democrats from Congress who support marijuana legalization bothered to attend.
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Comment #24 posted by global_warming on April 03, 2004 at 12:55:14 PT
Side Comments
Hi AllThis news article has really generated some great responses.I have to thank the Kapt, he most says it accurately, I admire him and wish so much that I could put my words together like him. I'm saddened to hear that ej is on prednisone, from what I have read, and seen, it is nasty stuff, usually administired for health problems, that the white coats don't have a clue.This current summit of Souder, does suggest, that the antis are trying to solidfy their position. Hopefully the truth will be heard and understood.peace
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Comment #23 posted by Petard on April 03, 2004 at 12:18:20 PT
AntiInfertility Compounds listed
I noticed looking over the phytochemical activites of Cannabis Sativa this:"Chemicals with Antiinfertility Activity: 
ARGININE
ASCORBIC-ACID"
and:
"Chemicals with Testosterone-Inducer Activity: 
DELTA-CADINENE"Kinda goes against the other 'Chicken Little/Govt. that Cried Wolf' stories about impairing fertility don't ya think? (ascorbic acid is vitamin c, arginine is an essential amino acid). I didn't see any listings under "Infertility" or "Fertility Impairments".P.S.
Arginine was also listed as an Aphrodisiac. 
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Comment #22 posted by aolbites on April 03, 2004 at 11:31:46 PT
now the 4th amendment is Gone.
so they can look in closets right .. bet there is gonna be an abuse of this ruling for sure...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------Newsbrief: Federal Appeals Court Rules Police Can Search Without Warrant
4/2/0 4 In a March 24 opinion, the US 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans has ruled that police do not need an arrest or search warrant to conduct a search if the search is a "protective sweep" to ensure the safety of officers. The ruling builds on a 1990 US Supreme Court ruling, Maryland v. Buie, which gave the constitutional okay to "protective sweep" searches conducted to ensure the safety of officers during an arrest. Under the 5th Circuit's ruling in USA v. Gould, such searches may be legally made without a search warrant or an arrest.-=cut=-Read the decision online at:
http://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/02/02-30629-CV0.wpd.pdf 
No Warrant?!!?
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Comment #21 posted by E_Johnson on April 03, 2004 at 11:17:51 PT
I take a purified chemical
It's called prednisone and the side effects from this one pure chemical are heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, obesity, stomach bleeding, nausea, vision impairment, cognitive impairment, and an obstreporous attitude.But there's only one chmeical in it, so it must be safe, according to Volkow.
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Comment #20 posted by Hope on April 03, 2004 at 10:51:27 PT
Thank you
You guys are wonderful.
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Comment #19 posted by aolbites on April 03, 2004 at 10:46:23 PT
sweet basil ...
sweet basil has aprox 302 chemical... think i counted right ... lots of repeats... and over 700 activities ... cannabis sativa ... http://sun.ars-grin.gov:8080/npgspub/xsql/duke/plantdisp.xsql?taxon=204the list of activities .... well, the activities page is most impressiveand no, they don't list indica ...
sweet basil
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Comment #18 posted by E_Johnson on April 03, 2004 at 10:04:48 PT
Most phytochemicals are good
The chemical in Lipton tea is theanine, a bioflavonoid, an anti-oxidant, and the equivalent of throwing gasoline on a fire if the fire is your immune system.The chemicals in grapes keep your colon smooth and pink.The chemicals in broccoli prevent cancer.Nature is a big chemical factory, one that has solved the problem of cleaning up after itself.
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Comment #17 posted by E_Johnson on April 03, 2004 at 10:00:00 PT
She's talking about what's in the smoke 
I'm taking prednisone now so I'm a little scattered forgive me.The legendary 400 chemicals are, I believe, the combustion by-products from burning pot.They do not say so straightforwardly, because that does not serve their purpose.Volkow's name is Slavic for Wolf and she really is a wolf among the sheep when she's testifying before Congress.
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Comment #16 posted by afterburner on April 03, 2004 at 09:37:33 PT:
Hope
According to Dark Star's link, cabbage has 223 phytochemicals, onions have 269, and peppers have 301. Marijuana is listed as only 37 phytochemicals. Imagine how many additional chemicals must be in the above common foods if the “Marijuana ... contains more than 400 chemicals.” is a scientific fact and not just another prohibitionist propaganda exaggeration.
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Comment #15 posted by Petard on April 03, 2004 at 08:58:29 PT
Hope and DarkStar
This is the database query form from the same source below. Type in either the common or scientific name of a plant, the database then generates all the known chemical constituents of said plant and the locations (i.e. root, leaves, fruits, etc.)There is another database query from the source that lists the LD (lethal dose) of various phytochemical compounds available too.
http://www.ars-grin.gov/duke/plants.html
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Comment #14 posted by E_Johnson on April 03, 2004 at 07:56:48 PT
Let's talk about ordinary black tea
Drinking five cups of ordinary black (or green) tea per day has been found to raise the body's interferon production to five times normal.This is good if you're a person with a normal immune system trying to fight off a cold virus.This is not good if you belong to the minority of people ofNorthern European extraction who have an antibody to their own smooth muscle tissue.Because then that extra boost to the immune system can become fatal over a period of a few years because it stimulates your body to start attacking its own organs.The dangerous chemical in tea is theanine, which acts as an anti-oxidant but also has a unique power to dramatically boost interferon.It's good and bad at the same time.That means the way to handle it is to inform adults and let them choose wisely.If they can handle that idea with tea, then why not with pot?
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Comment #13 posted by Dark Star on April 03, 2004 at 07:51:08 PT
Hope, Here is What You Need
http://www.ars-grin.gov/duke/
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Comment #12 posted by Hope on April 03, 2004 at 07:34:58 PT
400 chemicals
Does anyone know a website or anything that lists the chemical components of other vegetation? I've searched and searched the web trying to find a site that would list the chemical make-up of regular foods. Onions ought to have a lot of chemicals. Kale, Spinach, rhubarb, peppers or potatoes, even. Logically, it seems that something so interesting and simple should be posted somewhere. I want to be able to say to the next prohibition lover that spouts this scary "fact".... that cabbage has 437 chemicals, some of them volatile. :)I can't find the information. Anyone have a clue?
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Comment #11 posted by kaptinemo on April 03, 2004 at 06:36:38 PT:
And one of the most telling aspects is
their criticism of our use of the very legislative processes that they are now deriding.First, we go to the courts to challenge the Constitutionality of the laws. We told are by them that the courts are powerless to change them; we are told to change them by using the legislative method. We do so. Then legislatures such as Arizona's did with Prop200 try to nullify the will of the people by gutting those laws, and the people respond by voting for them AGAIN.  So...they tell us to change the laws by the usual way, then when we succeed, they cry rivers at our success and stridently declare that 'science' should be the determining factor, not the 'iggerint pee-pul'. (Remember the early 1980's hit by Thomas Dolby, "She Blinded Me with Science"? Remember how the word 'science!' was emphasized? That's how the antis sound to me when they make these declarations, they're so laughable!)Of course, the implication is that there is only one kind of 'science'...their kind, with lab-coated parasites on public payrolls pimping themselves for grants and willing to swallow any personal objections about fudging data to get those grants. Anyone outside of the government's (and it's corporate allies) white-clad 'stable' isn't doing real 'science'. Keep it up, antis; the rest of the planet has gotten wise to the game, and they are taking their marbles home with them, fed up with the insanity. American governmental science is being publicly slapped in foreign science journal editorials with the Lysenkoist paintbrush, for being subborned for political purposes to serve a narrow minded political agenda devoid of interest in fact-finding, save when those facts shore up government positions. The once near-universal admiration of American science and it's practitioners has turned to boos, hoots of derision and catcalls. I expect the rotten produce to be arcing our way any minute.This engineer says: Thanks a lot antis; thanks ever so much for taking a noble profession and dragging it into the political slime bucket...NOT!
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Comment #10 posted by Jose Melendez on April 03, 2004 at 05:47:06 PT
Scooby Snacks, anyone?
"In each instance, the antis have had the mask of legitimacy they’ve worn for so long pulled
       away to reveal some very ugly warts…and more and more people are seeing this DrugWar for
       what it really is. "Mr. Anti says: ''I'd have gotten away with such Constitutional (Art III, Sec. 3) and antitrust (Sherman, Clayton Acts) violations if it weren't for those meddling kids and their hippy smoke filled van . . ."
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Comment #9 posted by kaptinemo on April 03, 2004 at 04:59:00 PT:
They're really scared, now
As usual, it's another faux 'morality play. They're the 'knights in shining armor', and we're the villains.But, something's changed. And this hearing is proof. They wouldn’t have held this hearing if they weren’t worried.Some of this governmental reaction is illustrated by the antis’ scurrying around, using public resources to propagandize the American people has been instigated by our steady, slow, but inexorable successes in the State arenas. In almost every State with the referenda process, we’ve won. And now, we are winning in the State legislatures such as Maryland (which is governed by a Republican, of all things!) and Hawaii. They are bound to be joined soon by other State legislatures who’ve had their fill of Fed arrogance and interfernce in local affairs and want to make a statement, themselves. Other reasons for the increase for the flurry of governmental activity against us are because of actions that the antis have initiated but backfired on them, with embarrassing results. The California compassion club raids, the First Amendment lawsuits they’ve lost, the Rosenthal trial with the incredibly historic result of the jury apologizing to Mr. Rosenthal for the verdict they felt pressured to render and their bitter denunciation of the judge and prosecutors causing the ruling judge to mete out a token punishment, I could go on, but you get the picture. In each instance, the antis have had the mask of legitimacy they’ve worn for so long pulled away to reveal some very ugly warts…and more and more people are seeing this DrugWar for what it really is. Namely, it is a corporately driven engine that is using the resources of the Federal government to maintain itself at the taxpayer’s and consumer’s expense. The proof of this particular pudding is the (seemingly unrelated) Federal's adamant refusal (using tissue paper thin excuses of ‘safety concerns’ and intimidating legal force) to prevent the re-importation of cheaper pharmaceuticals back into the US, thus cutting into Big Pharma’s bloated profits. We cannabists know that goes double for the Green Wonder. It’s just too useful a plant to be allowed to challenge Big Pharma’s stranglehold on medicine.I repeat, the antis are very, very worried that the gravy train they and their allies have ridden for so long will come to a violent screeching halt, with the subsequent derailment of so many careers and profit margins. Hence, these hearings.It’s said that a meteor killed the dinosaurs off, leaving the playing field to the mammals to grow and become the dominant form of life. We’re the 'mammals', and MMJ is the 'meteor'.And the DrugWarrior 'dinosaurs' know it.Otherwise, they’d have felt safe in insulting Mr. Kampia as they did before.
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Comment #8 posted by Virgil on April 03, 2004 at 04:10:37 PT
Imprison Souder
He is involved in the conspiracy of mass murder and treason. I am no drug activist. I am concerned about freedom and reason and bringing people like this lying sack of shit named Souder to justice. He belongs in jail for fraud as seen in his opening remarks with a stage show that cannot listen to the chief medical consultant for GW Pharma, Dr. Russo. Souder is a criminal in public office and needs to be brought to justice which at a minimum is a 100 years in prison without parole. 
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Comment #7 posted by lilgrasshoppah77 on April 02, 2004 at 23:27:26 PT:
Robert Dupont is suspect...
to say the least! As a professional shill for Straight inc, not to mention unprincipled flipflopper, anything he says should be taken with a pint of salt.I fucking hate this man. He is a devil and an antichrist. Pretty much anything he says is the polar opposite of truth.
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Comment #6 posted by E_Johnson on April 02, 2004 at 23:18:20 PT
heh heh heh
DuPont had this on his web site:There is one thing stronger than all the armies in the world,
and that is an idea whose time has come.- Victor HugoSorry buddy, medical marijuana fits the bill here. Not your agenda to wipe it out!
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Comment #5 posted by Petard on April 02, 2004 at 21:27:52 PT
400 chemicals huh?
And how many chemicals are we feeding to our cattle, poultry, pork, and other tasty animals? How many chemicals are we subjecting our veggies to also between the fertilizers and pesticides and herbicides? Just how many chemicals are there in a carrot, a potato, a hotdog, or a hamburger? How about how many are in a beer or a wine?For that matter, there's more than 400 "chemicals" in the human body. The only one the prohibs are concerned with though is not a chemical at all, it's called self-determination!!
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Comment #4 posted by E_Johnson on April 02, 2004 at 20:33:16 PT
Souder better shut his mouth now while he's ahead
If he keeps talking about how large and well funded the so-called pro drug movement is, he's going to make everyone pay more attention to it. Having a large and well funded movement doesn't exactly make someone less popular in Washington.He's trying to play the lowly little antidrug populist, with a budget of billions.It looks like even his own party doesn't buy it any more.Rob Kampia just sent out an email and said there were no other Republicans there. Nobody showed up for Souder's hearing except the people he invited to speak.
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Comment #3 posted by John Tyler on April 02, 2004 at 19:52:34 PT
the correct perspective
"Unable to change the federal laws, these pro-drug activists turned to the state referendum process, and succeeded in passing a number of ‘medical marijuana’ initiatives etc." Sounds like the forces of freedom have been trying to change the laws through the democratic process. The forces of repression have been trying to stop them at every opportunity with their lies, deceit, intimidation and raw police power.
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Comment #2 posted by E_Johnson on April 02, 2004 at 19:20:47 PT
Another thing I'd like to say
Souder insults the basic idea of science each and every time he uses the word.Volkow too. Only she doesn't have ignorance as an excuse. She's morally culpable of deliberate deceit, because she knows darn well she's lying and manipulating when she touts that "400 chemicals" BS.
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Comment #1 posted by E_Johnson on April 02, 2004 at 18:56:53 PT
Everybody gets sick including them
Some day Mark Souder will get sick too.Some day Nora Volkow will gets sick too.Their bodies will start to hurt and swell or shrink and otherwise fall apart and do things they don't want it to do.And the doctors will says, here take this, it will save your life, and while it does, yes, it does, it also makes them wish they were dead.And where will they run then?
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