cannabisnews.com: State's Privileges State's Privileges Posted by CN Staff on July 06, 2004 at 08:22:24 PT Editorial Opinion Source: The Monitor The U.S. Supreme Court seldom explains why it decides which cases it takes, so it is hard to know why it agreed to hear an appeal from a key 9 th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling on medical marijuana last December. Whatever the reasons, the high court will face a fascinating dilemma. In Raich v. Ashcroft last year, the 9 th Circuit found that the federal government had no authority to arrest or prosecute two medical marijuana patients, Angel Raich of Oakland, Calif., and Diane Monson of Oroville, Calif., and the two anonymous caregivers who supplied them with cannabis. The reason? The patients get their cannabis without buying it or crossing state borders and obtain it in compliance with state law. Therefore there is no interstate commerce going on, and without interstate commerce the federal government has no justification to interfere with their medical regimen. As a result of the 9 th Circuit decision, other courts have effectively ended what looked like a concerted campaign by the U.S. Justice Department to subvert California’s medical marijuana law by arresting patients. In March, a judge decided to allow a San Bernardino couple to tell a jury the marijuana they grew was for medical purposes. In April, a patient was released from federal prison pending appeal under the Raich decision, and a federal judge issued an injunction against federal interference with the Wo/Men’s Alliance for Medical Marijuana in Santa Cruz, Calif. The Justice Department asked urgently for an appeal to the Supreme Court. The dilemma? The high court has issued several recent decisions (notably in the Lopez and Morrison cases) limiting the ability of the federal government to use the interstate commerce clause as justification for micromanaging local matters. Chief Justice Rehnquist is said to consider a restoration of states’ rights and privileges to be a major personal goal, as part of restoring more balance to the federalist system. Will the court affirm federalist principles or give the Justice Department a green light to torment sick people? We’re rooting for federalism. Note: Supremes to rule on medical marijuana laws. Source: The Monitor (TX)Published: July 06, 2004 Copyright: 2004 The MonitorContact: letters themonitor.comWebsite: http://www.themonitor.com/Related Articles & Web Sites:WAMMhttp://www.wamm.org/Angel Raich v. John Ashcroft Newshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/raich.htmSuicide and State's Rights Addressed By Courthttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19136.shtmlMedical Marijuana: A Nation Gone To Pot? http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19121.shtmlPot Group Basks in Victory, Eyes New Harvesthttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18728.shtml Federalism Wins - National Reviewhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18002.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #42 posted by FoM on July 07, 2004 at 14:13:59 PT Off Topic: For Nader Supporters- HardBall Tonight I really appreciate Chris Matthews and his show HardBall. I think so much like he does. Nader will be his guest tonight and I'm planning on watching it so I can understand what Nader believes because I really don't know. Wednesday, 9 p.m. ETThe Nader factor: Is he just a spoiler? Chris Matthews goes one-on-one with Ralph Nader to find out why he's running again. It's definitely a night of political must-see TV. 'Hardball with Chris Matthews' airs 7 p.m. ET. Repeats at 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. EThttp://msnbc.msn.com/id/3036697/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #41 posted by FoM on July 07, 2004 at 13:28:11 PT Just a Note If anyone finds the transcripts from O'Reilly when Montel was on please post the link and I'll get it posted. I've looked and looked but can't find any transcripts. Why don't they post transcripts like CNN and MSNBC does? I think I know. [ Post Comment ] Comment #40 posted by FoM on July 07, 2004 at 08:38:24 PT kaptinemo That was a repeat show of Montel on O'Reilly. I checked for days after the show he was on when it was live and they never posted the transcripts. So much for fair and balanced. They had other transcripts that were on the same show but not Montel's interview.PS: I also heard that Tommy Chong was going to be on Jay Leno. [ Post Comment ] Comment #39 posted by kaptinemo on July 07, 2004 at 06:55:55 PT: While we're on the subject of TV Has anyone seen transcripts of Montel William's 'interview' with O'Reilly? [ Post Comment ] Comment #38 posted by BGreen on July 07, 2004 at 06:19:57 PT You Are Correct, Sir! Friday 7/9/2004 10:35 PM, 1 hrThe Tonight Show with Jay Leno Tommy Chong; soccer stars Mia Hamm, Julie Fondy and Brandi Chastain. (2004)Talk TV14, English [ Post Comment ] Comment #37 posted by westnyc on July 07, 2004 at 06:15:45 PT Anyone know? I think I just saw a commerical promo blip of Jay Leno. I think it said that Friday night Tommy Chong will be his Friday night guest. Anyone else see this? [ Post Comment ] Comment #36 posted by westnyc on July 07, 2004 at 05:57:54 PT Byrjun You are so right!!! The appointments of the Supreme Court are extraordinarily important. I hope you are not right and that there will be no retirements while Bush is still in office. Look at some of the appointments in the 9th district (I think) of Patricia Owens (a judge who creates rule of law instead of using precedent) to rule in favor of Ford Motor, etc. One thing for sure, if this happens Roe VS. Wade will definately be overturned since it is hanging by a tread as it is. Forget any rationalization of drug laws - they would rule it constitutional to execute pot dealers. [ Post Comment ] Comment #35 posted by Dankhank on July 07, 2004 at 05:48:18 PT now DKuchinich is on foxNews [ Post Comment ] Comment #34 posted by billos on July 07, 2004 at 05:43:47 PT Sorry, but I think Edwards...... STINKS..............I believe is pro drug war. He's going to be as effective as Dan Quayle was. A big 0.(that'a ZERO)Anyway........ANYTHING is better than der fuerher Booosh, including Yucko the Clown. [ Post Comment ] Comment #33 posted by mayan on July 07, 2004 at 05:18:49 PT Got Representation? Kerry and Edwards could annihilate Bush with the obvious 9/11 cover-up,"post-war" Iraq,the Plame leak,etc... Medical cannabis and industrial hemp could and should also be home run issues for Kerry/Edwards. The Dem's have two issues here from which they could easily expose the current administration's terribly unpopular, anti-state's rights stance! They could have 80% of Americans with them on these issues so they have absolutely nothing to fear about being politically incorrect! That third-rail is dead! Why won't they represent us???Almost four months until Americans can officially, overwhelmingly reject Bush & his fake "war on terror". It seems like a long time to have to put up with the lying, treasonous murderer. The neo-con's could even steal another election! That thought literally sickens me. The rigged polls will portray this race as neck and neck right up until election day when, in reality,Bush has very sparse support across America. It's all about projecting America as being evenly divided and leaving the door open for election fraud. People will also be less inclined to vote for a third-party if the race projected as tight...just like last time! If the fix falls through an "October surprise" could achieve the same ends as one more "terror attack" will almost certainly result in suspended elections...along with a suspended Constitution!!! We may then see where the lines are truly drawn in this country. The way out is the way in...Judge Dismisses Lawsuit by Fired FBI Translator: http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGB1EB7NCWD.html9/11 - An Inside Job: http://www.911review.org/Wiki/TheSaudisDidIt.shtml9/11 Visibility Project: http://www.septembereleventh.org9/11 Truth: http://www.911truth.org/9/11 For The Truth - Mariani Vs. Bush: http://www.911forthetruth.com/9/11 Citizens Watch: http://www.911citizenswatch.org Feel a draft yet?People Against The Draft: http://www.nodraft.info/Down with the Patriot Act...336 Civil Liberties Safe Zones! http://www.bordc.org/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #32 posted by kaptinemo on July 07, 2004 at 04:31:53 PT: For those interested in the privatization matter I strongly recommend that you either go to the library and check out or buy a copy of Greg Palast's "The Best Democracy Money can Buy". Among many other interesting things (such as the Religious Right's involvement in shady business dealings that may have included murder) it goes into how the privatization of public utilities schemes *actually* work and how the World Bank and IMF is involved in the process. It isn't pretty what they have done to other nations. Hint: There may be an Argentina in our own future if this process isn't stop-punched and soon. Argentina was being trumpeted years back as being a model of what privatization of public utilities can do. Their currency was pegged to the US Dollar. For a while, their economy was roaring. Now it's on life support, clean water is as valuable as gold, co-ops have sprung up to maintain vital services, people are forced to barter for just about everything, and TV game shows offer jobs as prizes. It's not pretty. Palast's website is well worth the time: http://www.gregpalast.com./ For what it's worth, it's got the Nemo Seal of Approval. [ Post Comment ] Comment #31 posted by FoM on July 06, 2004 at 22:04:58 PT Here's The Link I've heard about this movie. It should be good. That's one thing good about Senator Edwards is he has been fighting corporate America for a career. Water is more valuable then oil. The next war will be fought for clean water. We can live without oil but not water. http://www.thecorporation.com/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #30 posted by Virgil on July 06, 2004 at 21:50:14 PT Sorry, watching Michael Moore on CR I should have been clear in saying that rain water is privatized by Bechtel in Bolivia. [ Post Comment ] Comment #29 posted by Virgil on July 06, 2004 at 21:47:10 PT The Corporation I think the term that is emerging for the films that address the corruption that runs the country is going to be "exploitation films." One of those is coming out called "The Corporation."One of the big scams is the call for privitization especially turning public functions to what are private monopolies. In Bolivia they can arrest you and hold you until you can prove your innocence. Bolivia, Colombia, Venezula, and Mexico furnish more oil to the US than the middle east and they are what the west was to the 1800s and their natives are the current Indians. In Bolivia US soldiers can kill anyone they want without impunity. But I read an interesting thing that is all but shocking to me concerning privitization. Bechtel of military industrial complex fame controls/monopolizes water. The interesting thing I read that will be in the movie is that they even privatized rain water. The exploitation films will carry a lot of shocking truth to a very asleep people.Michael Moore is on Charlie Rose and Charlie asked him about the 7 minutes in the film dedicated to Bush reading with the school children on 9/11 and he replied something like ""I can't imagine Clinton or any other president in my lifetime just sitting there like a deer in the headlights. And that, I think, is unkind to deer." [ Post Comment ] Comment #28 posted by FoM on July 06, 2004 at 21:42:39 PT BGreen That's the truth! [ Post Comment ] Comment #27 posted by BGreen on July 06, 2004 at 21:33:48 PT Two Words To Instill Fear & Truth In Pres. Kerry Michael MooreThe Reverend Bud Green [ Post Comment ] Comment #26 posted by AgaetisByrjun on July 06, 2004 at 20:30:00 PT For me The most important issue of the campaign isn't anything in the small picture, but rather the future of the Supreme Court. John Paul Stevens, one of the liberal justices, is almost certain to retire before the 2008 election. Some of the others are getting pretty up there, too. I wouldn't be surprised if Stevens, Rehnquist, and O'Connor all retire before the next election. If Bush is president, I can't imagine what kind of court it'll end up as. Instead of looking at Rehnquist, Scalia, and Thomas, and hoping that O'Connor or Kennedy will be with us, we'll be facing down Scalia, Thomas, Neocon 1, Neocon 2, and Neocon 3, with Anthony Kennedy still an x-factor. Kerry would at least be fairer, and hopefully more liberal. Even if Kerry is as bad as Bush, we'll have the future on our side, and the Kerry-appointed Court could be just what we need to cast down prohibition. [ Post Comment ] Comment #25 posted by FoM on July 06, 2004 at 19:54:23 PT Interesting Sentence from Article In a refreshing departure from the hypocrisy in the public persona of American politicians, Edwards admits to having smoked marijuana. http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040707/asp/frontpage/story_3464320.asp [ Post Comment ] Comment #24 posted by FoM on July 06, 2004 at 19:40:55 PT westnyc I agree that the powers that be won't soul search but if the people soul search in time they will have to listen because if we make sense justice must prevail. When I say we or me I mean people that care. If we don't keep trying to light a candle when it is dark because it keeps going out then we lose. I can only stand up for what I believe in. I believe these laws against cannabis need to be fixed and soon. If we believe in something and it's the right thing we can win. [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by westnyc on July 06, 2004 at 19:17:09 PT Soul Searching! FOM! Soul searching is something that I think we should all do more often. Lord knows, I am not perfect and I never will be. I would however like to be a better person. A kinder person. However, you are not like the people who have the power of our country. You care for others and think of a world bigger than yourself. That is not the case for our current administration and the corporate powers that be. They are not reasonable or kind and if they did do any soul searching they would ask Jesus to enlighten them on the best way to remain patriotic and be able to make alot of money at the same time. They would ask the almighty for the power to kill their enemy evildoers and those that refuse to acknowledge their God and their "God given right to tell others how to live!"What I mean to say is I can soul search and so can you, but when it comes to the controllers - well, their mindset and what they will see when it comes to soul searching is completely different than yours. Theirs is a terrifying illusion which they would like to come to fruition! [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by AlvinCool on July 06, 2004 at 19:16:33 PT Since everyone is talking about it Will the democrats raise taxes? They have to, the republicans have overspent by about 1.2 trillion and just put it on the credit card. I wish it wasn't so, but it is.Do I think that Kerry/Edwards want to do better than Bush and his cronies? Yes they do.The only guarantee is that if Bush is re-elected he will push through a bill that will test everyone for mental illness and force treatment. At this stage of drug testing and the way our congress passes bills, what sane person here can't envision them EASILY tagging on drug testing for EVERYONE in America at the same time?Bush and Ashcroft must go. They view us the same way they view people at gitmo. If anyone thinks I'm lying or misreading please let me know about it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by FoM on July 06, 2004 at 18:04:26 PT Just a Comment I've stayed tuned to MSNBC all day and I want to say something about the Kerry - Edwards ticket. What I have to say isn't political but just an observation from my point of you. Edwards and Kerry look good together. That's all. [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by Virgil on July 06, 2004 at 16:43:22 PT There are two big factors to the Internet There are the young and the old. The baby boomers are reaching retirement age with ever increasing numbers and the young minds at home with empty heads can fill it from the vast reaches of the Internet.It is the maturing of the Internet that makes everything different, plus the snowball of all the conversions to Free Cannabis means it is powerful enough to break the plan of silence and other treacheries of the drug warriors.My aunt that died last a few weeks back might believe that pot was justifiably legal, but those that showed up for her funeral don't and they have the threat of prison and some degree of ruin to act for change.I am in the Juneau Empire forum, but I see that there is a person that scours the Internet to see the truth that something is bad wrong with America. There are the few nutcases that have a leave the country attitude, but I was greeted more with what are we going to do about it.I guess we will continue to talk about it all and grow in understanding and a conviction for change. There are outside forces that will tremendously affect the cannabis picture in the US. There is an open question of the status of the laws for possession and growing in Canada. Until there is a conviction against the defense that the laws are dead, I am on the side that says the laws are dead. Then there is the GW extracts that will be like the calvary coming over the hill to wipe out the non-believers and only leave the treason that rules us to deal with.This Democrat and Republican issue where everyone has a favorite team like in football is going to come under tremendous morphing. It is not a game and the only option for change is a new party, with a straight up vote requiring a majority the only solution for all public offices.In four years, I have come to see things completely different because of the Internet. The young will not have to overcome a lifetime of assumptions as they read away on the Internet. They have a lot bigger stake in all of this as they have much more living in the future than many of us do.Where some now follow soap operas or sports or the entertainment/celebrity culture there are more people concerned about intellectual development and coming to a more perfect understanding of reality. CP is much more fragile and there will be others that call using public office to further it truly is treason.I ask you, is cannabis prohibition treason? Is cannabis prohibition mass murder? Is cannabis prohibition a crime against humanity? People have not searched for the answers, because they have not been asked the questions. It is all changing somewhat rapidly.There is the issue of the 40 million adults that are functionally illiterate in a country where the politicians would have you believe that no child will be left behind in a proper education. Well, what about the 40 million people that are grown and cannot even read and write? The Internet has some answer for that and as a movement it is one of those things we need to find out and spread around. The fact there is not something like readandwrite.gov to teach people over the Internet shows just how screwed up the government really is. What does the Department of Education do anyway?Once CP is defeated at least we can be sure that there will never be an attempt to bring it back. The politicians have to wonder how they will answer their grandchildren when they blow some funny smoke in there face for being so wrong about CP. [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by FoM on July 06, 2004 at 15:21:32 PT Soul Searching I don't think that soul searching is politically correct so forgive me if anyone takes offense to me using the expression.How many people take the time to stop and be quiet and think? I call that soul searching. I try to find what the end result would be if my ideas would be used. That's quite a responsibility to think that way. Since 9/11 we all have searched to try to figure out why it happened and where we are going now since our course as a society has been radically re-arranged. We need to take time and answer to ourselves quietly. That's my 2 cents. [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by kaptinemo on July 06, 2004 at 15:03:14 PT: Power + money = hubris and arrogance No argument from me on that one, as I've witnessed the process close up. In observing 'war games' and then knowing the symbols of maps and numbers were not just that. Too many never make it past that level of awareness...and some don't want to. Too uncomfortable, like trying to engage DrugWarriors in debate, and showing how the process they serve causes more damage than the drugs do. They shy away from it as a vampire to a crucifix. To look at it squarely is to engage in some degree of self-examination. And they sense that they wouldn't like what they find. [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by westnyc on July 06, 2004 at 15:00:34 PT Yes FOM FOM. That's my point. Do I like to work at a job that I really don't like just to pay 1/3 of my income in taxes? No I do not. Do I like that social welfare accounts to around 4% of national spending? It's small; but, no I don't. Do I blame the poor woman in South Philly with three wailing mouths needing to be fed? No I do not. Welfare Reform as well as the WOD has found a way to better use and exploit the poorest and most disenfranchised Americans. It is a way to keep them down and quite often a way to put children in dangerous and unhappy situations. It's also a process diabolically designed to recycle itself generation after generation.These policies don't have any boundaries. It is equal amongst all impoverished people. Is it just conicidence or not that our Nation's poorest also happen to be black or hispanic. [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by FoM on July 06, 2004 at 14:05:50 PT westnyc That so true. No one seems to understand that a civilized society will always need to care for those who are less fortunate. We have a choice. We can care for those who are displaced and get some free loaders along the way or kill them all and be done with it.PS: I don't mean that but I'm tryting to make a point. I only kill fleas. [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by FoM on July 06, 2004 at 14:00:35 PT kaptinemo I know what you are saying. They talk about drugs and how bad they are for everyone but the worst drugs are power and money. When you have lots of money and can buy lots of things who needs a mind altering drug? I think that the drugs called money and power are legal because they are productive to a capitalistic way. What do you think? [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by kaptinemo on July 06, 2004 at 13:38:16 PT: I can't fathom it either, FoM But I can only offer that because most people are simply too busy trying to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table, they simply haven't the time - or the impetus - to dig any deeper than the surface that is presented to them.But those who've been savaged by the system come to understand far more intimately just how many dimensions are at work regarding politics in this country. And how many of those dimensions resemble something out of Franz Kafka's books. In short, totally illogical and irrational. But no less threatening.To dare to look too closely is to risk losing your perspective...or your livelihood for being branded a crank. For example, you have to wonder how many people are actually AFRAID to see "Fahrenheit 9/11". For many of us, there were few surprises. (Mine was seeing the images of Bush's motorcade after the inauguration being pelted with eggs and booed; I had no idea that had happened; no wonder he's so scared of making a real, unrehearsed public appearence.)But imagine if someone who was a True Beleiver were to have their world turned upside down by the reveletions (for them) that Moore brings out regarding the cronyism of the Bush Administration, or the linkages between Big Oil and Afghanistan and Iraq. It would truly be devastating, as it has proven to be to those who *were* such True Believers and then had their illusions ripped from them. Because, then, the question becomes: "What do I do about it?"A very dangerous question for those whose only previous political involvement was just pulling a voting lever. Dangerous for the voter...and especially for the system that depends upon such political somnambulism on the part of the electorate. Many Americans have a gut-level understanding, below reasoning, that things are wrong. But they look to the very people intent upon hoodwinking them for direction. To take off that hood and to look around with open eyes devoid of pretty illusions is very scary for most. Which is why many don't. I doubt very seriously that your Bush-admiring friend has ever done so, for precisely that reason.We can't afford any such illusions, for we face the wrath of the smiley-masked Beast every day. We know of it's wretched abominable birth. We smell it's breath, we feel it's claws, it's drawn our blood millions of times. Sometimes fatally. We see it for what it is, not for what it presents itself to be. Knowing we are in a struggle, literally in the case of the patients, for our lives, we *must* act. But the average Joe hasn't gotten to that point yet.If he ever does, it will be because things have gotten really bad here. As they could become. [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by westnyc on July 06, 2004 at 13:38:08 PT Welfare Reform = welfare for the wealthy! I know this has little to do with cannabis reform but I have to say that Welfare Reform is welfare for the wealthy! It is nothing more than giving taxpayer dollars in taxbreaks to people who make the "lazy poor" get off their asses and work for the big man. How else can someone get some poor SOB welfare mother of three to clean their filthy toilets and pay less than two-bucks an hour for their privilege to do so? There is a portion of Bowling for Columbine in which a mother in Flint must bus herself eighty-miles a day to work in Dick Clark's Music Makes the World Go Around theme restaurants. Dick gets practically free labor from a woman who couldn't afford a home and couldn't be near her child to make sure that he was safe and that he didn't shoot another six-year old child at school with a gun he found at his Uncles. The mother of this boy lived with her brother because she and her son had nowhere else to live. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by FoM on July 06, 2004 at 13:26:04 PT I Know It must have to do with tax benefits too. That's the only reason I could imagine as why. This person isn't active in politics and isn't on the Internet. Maybe that's why he says what he does because he doesn't understand. You can be smart in business but not have a great deal of common sense I think. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by E_Johnson on July 06, 2004 at 13:19:03 PT It makes no sense to me Bush has never made an issue of welfare reform or welfare at all.It was not an issue in 2000. Clinton did away with it as an issue and it has not been an issue since then.Your friend sounds kind of strange, frankly, to focus on welfare as a reason to suport Bush in 2004. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by FoM on July 06, 2004 at 13:02:09 PT You Asked EJ You asked where was he during the 90s. Building his business and it is supplying jobs to many people which is appreciated. He is very nice and also what I call very cool but he is devoted to Bush with a picture of him in his office too. I'm totally puzzled by his view. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by FoM on July 06, 2004 at 12:58:35 PT I Thought of This Song Today Beatles - Revolution You say you want a revolutionWell you knowwe all want to change the worldYou tell me that it's evolutionWell you knowWe all want to change the worldBut when you talk about destructionDon't you know you can count me outDon't you know it's gonna be alrightAlright AlrightYou say you got a real solutionWell you knowwe'd all love to see the planYou ask me for a contributionWell you knowWe're doing what we canBut when you want money for people with minds that hateAll I can tell you is brother you have to waitDon't you know it's gonna be alrightAlright AlrightYou say you'll change the constitutionWell you knowwe all want to change your headYou tell me it's the institutionWell you knowYou better free your mind insteadBut if you go carrying pictures of Chairman MaoYou ain't going to make it with anyone anyhowDon't you know know it's gonna be alrightAlright Alright [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by E_Johnson on July 06, 2004 at 12:54:03 PT He's not very bright FoM "He said I don't want my hard earned money going to people who are too lazy to work. "Welfare reform was accomplished under Clinton. What was this guy doing during the nineties -- sleeping the whole time? [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by westnyc on July 06, 2004 at 12:39:38 PT Apathy I guess I can understand why some people are apathetic. I have felt many times that it just doesn't matter what I think and what I understand is happening. That's one of the reasons I loved Michael Moore's movie - I felt like he understands what I have a difficult time saying myself. People don't care because it is how we've been led to believe in this century - our opinion doesn't matter and we can't beat the powers that be; therefore, it's best to do nothing. Speaking-out shows how paranoid you are becoming by creating and supporting all these crazy "conspiracy theories."Last night I watched a program on the suffering in the southern Sudan. I can't understand why Bush and Cheny don't free these people (babies) from their leaders like we did for Iraq. Is it because their Dicator's "weapons of mass destruction" are starvation and machetes? [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on July 06, 2004 at 12:09:14 PT Something Strange To Me My husband had a conversation with a person who is a republican. This person is very successful and a diehard Bush supporter. He was able to get a new truck for his son because of something that Bush did. I don't know what though. This person has been affected by drug laws in the past and when my husband asked him about the drug law issue he said he didn't care. He said it isn't important enough. He said I don't want my hard earned money going to people who are too lazy to work. I'm sharing this with you so you all know that what seems totally understandable to us isn't sometimes even to those that you would think would understand. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by westnyc on July 06, 2004 at 11:53:08 PT I do understand EJ - That's an uplifting thought; however, I am still so frustrated and I am tired of being angry all the time. I know that it is the smart thing to do to vote for Kerry/Edwards - perhaps kinder than Bush - I still don't see any major social changes being spewed forth by either of them. If I vote for Nader it is for one reason - to send a very solid message to the Democrats that they need to quit being Republicans and to embrace more liberal values. I want my vote for Nader to send one message to them and that is the message that "YOU SUCK!" Being a liberal and standing for justice and equality and the betterment of all peoples is not a shameful thing to be. It is what the Democrats should strive to be and then embrace it, just like JFK. I don't believe that our country should continue to be solely a two-party system because it doesn't belong to them exclusively. It is about direct conflictive opposition and these two parties have merged into one. The Coke or Pepsi question. I know I'm preaching to the choir but both parties are indebted to Campaign Financing which is nothing more than "Legal Bribery."I don't buy John Edwards, to me he looks like John Davidson of Hollywood Squares after eating the prize canary. Fake and plastic but pretty nonetheless.At least Nader stand for something I agree! [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on July 06, 2004 at 10:47:04 PT EJ Bravo!!! You said it and I agree! [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by E_Johnson on July 06, 2004 at 10:40:36 PT The most important thing to me is that our movement remains strong and focused and moves forward in all of our campaigns, no matter how any of us feel about the election.If we can make progress under Bush, we can make progress under any fool that gets elected in this country. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by mamawillie on July 06, 2004 at 08:42:11 PT John John-- blech! What were their scores.... a D and an F? Third party voting, anyone?I am *most* unhappy with Edwards... [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Truth on July 06, 2004 at 08:34:02 PT Bye now Bye Bye Ashcroft, don't let the door hit you on the way out. The John John ticket is the ticket. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment