cannabisnews.com: Federal Judge Hears Arguments Over Pot Ads 





Federal Judge Hears Arguments Over Pot Ads 
Posted by CN Staff on April 28, 2004 at 16:32:04 PT
By The Associated Press 
Source: Associated Press 
Washington -- If they take ads critical of the war on drugs, transit agencies across the U.S. risk losing much needed federal dollars. That law is at the heart of a suit in which a federal judge heard arguments Wednesday. The American Civil Liberties Union, the Drug Policy Alliance and other drug policy reform advocacy groups are challenging a statute passed last year after congressional staffers saw ads in city subway stations with the message "Have better sex, legalize marijuana."
Drug policy reform advocates contend the campaign was designed to spark public debate on the issue, but Rep. Ernest Istook, R-Okla., successfully sponsored a bill enabling Congress to deny federal aid to transit agencies accepting such ads.Fearing it would lose $85 million in federal funds, Metro - which runs subways and buses in and around the nation's capital - later rejected ads advocating reform of marijuana laws. U.S. District Court Judge Paul L. Friedman has been asked to decide whether those ads can be rejected by transit operators who routinely accept anti-drug messages. "Congress can make value judgments when providing federal funds," argued Sarah W. Clash-Drexler, a lawyer from the U.S. Department of Justice who argued on behalf of the U.S. Department of Transportation and Transportation Secretary Norman P. Mineta, both named as defendants. The plaintiffs are suing the Metro system separately. "These ads would actually encourage or at least provide a stamp of approval for illegal drug use," said Clash-Drexler. The government contends that the prohibition does not represent direct suppression of free speech, and cites Supreme Court rulings that transit systems are not public forums. "This case deals with core political speech," said Sidney A. Rosenzweig, counsel for the plaintiffs. Rosenzweig labeled the policy "literally discriminatory," because the federal government continues to spend an estimated $145 million on ads condemning illegal drug use. "The ads suggest a new way of thinking about how to address the issues of illegal drugs in this county," said Joe White, executive director of Change the Climate, one of the plaintiffs. Friedman did not say when he would rule. Metro no longer accepts public service ads from non-governmental institutions, and has refused to accept paid ads from drug policy reform advocates. Other transit agencies across the nation risk losing as much as $3.1 billion for accepting such ads. Source: Associated Press Published: Wednesday, April 28, 2004 Copyright: 2004 The Associated Press Related Articles & Web Sites:MPP: http://www.mpp.org/ACLU: http://www.aclu.org/DPA: http://www.drugpolicy.org/CTC: http://www.changetheclimate.org/Istook's Illegal Amendment http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18401.shtmlSuit Targets Ban on Pro-Pot Ads http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18362.shtmlFeds Face Lawsuit in Censorship Fight http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18359.shtmlAre You Ready For Some Censorship? http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18240.shtml 
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Comment #11 posted by FoM on April 29, 2004 at 14:37:23 PT
MikeEEEEE
I thought you might appreciate these words from a song.We have a kinder gentler machine gun handLosing boys everyday because we didn't have a plan
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Comment #10 posted by MikeEEEEE on April 29, 2004 at 07:26:05 PT
The war
SUPPORT FOR WAR IS DOWN SHARPLY, POLL CONCLUDES...http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0429-02.htm
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Comment #9 posted by FoM on April 28, 2004 at 19:44:52 PT
MikeEEEEE
Yesterday I was listening to a live concert of Neil Young from Radio City Music Hall from the recent theatre tour ( that was so kindly sent to me as a surprise from another Neil Fan ). I had the music cranked up loud and as Neil was ending the song Rockin' in The Free World he played Taps like Jimmy Hendrix. I watch the bombing in Fallujah and it was almost a surreal experience and the grief and sadness for the boys on both sides that are dieing overwhelmed me for a few minutes. I really don't know who Sheep are but we need to feel this war and it's pain and maybe we won't take it so lightly.
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Comment #8 posted by MikeEEEEE on April 28, 2004 at 19:29:40 PT
Sheep
Gas prices rise, people do nothing.
War kills our kids, people do nothing.
Most people know the drug war is a waste, people do nothing.I hear excuses like, I'm too busy, it's not my problem, let somebody else worry about.Until this nation cares about these issues expect to see more BS. It's really a function of caring, then VOTING for the best leaders.Democracy works best when used.
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Comment #7 posted by FoM on April 28, 2004 at 19:03:47 PT
MikeEEEEE
Things are bad aren't they? I'm very calm about what is happening. It's like a resignation that we are on a highway to hell and we won't be able to stop it. I really am fatalistic when it comes to some things. Maybe the old expression that people smoke pot to cop out will be what helps many people thru these very hard times. 
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Comment #6 posted by cloud7 on April 28, 2004 at 19:00:57 PT
mayan
"I think the terms "coercion" and "extortion" better define the fed's tactics."Exactly. Of course, these tactics comprise the rulebook the entire federal government is run on.
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Comment #5 posted by MikeEEEEE on April 28, 2004 at 18:56:27 PT
Spin Control
The Feds are in spin control.Perfect example: Iraq is spinning out of control and the lies about the war. 
We can't expect these people to write social policy.
At this point everything they say is suspect.WMD = weapons of mass distraction.
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on April 28, 2004 at 18:25:42 PT
sukoi
Here's an article I was just reading that might interest you and others.http://www.buzzflash.com/farrell/04/04/far04014.html
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on April 28, 2004 at 18:19:28 PT
sukoi
That is a cute gif. I can't use it here because I don't know how to add icons. I might be able to use it on my FTE site though. Thanks! I promise I will not shoot you! LOL!
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Comment #2 posted by sukoi on April 28, 2004 at 18:03:33 PT
Hey FoM
Check out this avatar, you should use it (or something similar) for U.S. issues! Sorry about the site, please don’t shoot me (I know you won’t)!http://aimoo.com/forum/userprofile.cfm?id=355166&CategoryID=303930&ThreadID=1410841&ProfileID=UUID-%26%22TH%3E%22NZ%27%0A
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Comment #1 posted by mayan on April 28, 2004 at 18:01:11 PT
"Value Judgements"
"Congress can make value judgments when providing federal funds," argued Sarah W. Clash-Drexler, a lawyer from the U.S. Department of Justice..."Value judgements"??? I think the terms "coercion" and "extortion" better define the fed's tactics."The government contends that the prohibition does not represent direct suppression of free speech, and cites Supreme Court rulings that transit systems are not public forums."So, prohibiting these ad's isn't suppressing free speech? Gee, I'm glad they cleared that up! We can go back to sleep now because our government has it all under control. The only way out...Bush, Cheney to Face 9/11 Questioning in Secret:
http://news.myway.com/top/article/id/380018|top|04-27-2004::17:45|reuters.html9/11 panel session won't be recorded:
http://www.indystar.com/articles/9/141932-7889-010.htmlWhite House seeks to head off damage from 9/11 testimony by Bush, Cheney:
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2004/04/27/438539-ap.htmlGrilled to Order: 
http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0417/mondo2.phpPublic Pressure Forces Judge to Open Edmonds 9/11 Hearing: 
http://911citizenswatch.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=250&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0CBS News Channel Eyewitness Describes 'Secondary Explosions' in the WTC:
http://prisonplanet.tv/articles/april2004/042704secondaryexplosions.htm
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