cannabisnews.com: Pickets Protest GOP Stance on Pot Pickets Protest GOP Stance on Pot Posted by CN Staff on August 27, 2004 at 17:28:12 PT By Alisha Wyman Source: Union Democrat Outside the Sonora Opera Hall yesterday, Christopher DeMars sat in his wheelchair holding a sign that said "Cannabis can save us." With him were his son, Christopher Hart DeMars, and friend, Gary Dirks, each with their own signs. Inside the hall, GOP Senate candidate Bill Jones was speaking to members of the community to rally Mother Lode vote in the upcoming November election. The protest was directed toward Republicans, who the elder DeMars says are trying to keep him from using marijuana to ease the symptoms of progressive multiple sclerosis. "Republicans are the ones who have been waging war on medical patients in the last six years," the Sonora man said. "They all need to know, they're letting the ball drop, and we're being tortured." Despite a California law that makes marijuana legal for medical purposes, DeMars said he has been arrested for growing the illegal weed in his home. Two years ago the disease forced him into a wheelchair. The pot helps ease pain and ends sleepless nights, he said. While the pickets' signs elicited honks and shouts of both in support and against the messages from passing cars, Christopher Hart DeMars said he doubted they were provoking a strong reaction from Jones. "It's more of an informal poll," he said. People pulled their cars over or walked up to ask them where to get the drug for pain or to debate the merits of using marijuana medically. Teri Murrison, the Tuolumne County volunteer chairwoman for Jones' campaign, said the pickets' presence in no way marred the luncheon. "It is an exercise of their rights in the Unites States," she said. "I think it gave the event some flavor." Jones supports the law in California but thinks there are other options for patients besides marijuana, he said. "I believe in FDA-approved drugs," Jones said. "That's the way we should handle it."Source: Union Democrat, The (CA)Author: Alisha WymanPublished: August 27, 2004Copyright: 2004 Western Communications, Inc.Website: http://uniondemocrat.com/Contact: letters uniondemocrat.comRelated Articles & Web Site:Medicinal Cannabis Research Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/research.htmBush's Born Again Drug War http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19327.shtmlBush Targets Marijuana Smokers http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19229.shtmlOutside View: Drug War Light on Compassionhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19214.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #34 posted by FoM on August 29, 2004 at 13:13:25 PT About The Air America Show I've seen a Steve Earle concert tour on World Link TV. He is a very smart man. This is the program's schedule.***Eight-time Grammy nominee and Steve Earle has signed on to host a weekly radio program on Air America Radio. The newest addition to the AAR lineup entitled, "The Revolution Starts Now," will air Sunday nights from 10:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. The weekly radio show will feature recognizable guest who will be asked to bring his/her favorite playlist for the one hour broadcast. Earle will engage his guests in discussions and debates on a range of issues including from politics, music and current affairs. "Steve Earle is a natural fit for Air America Radio," said Doug Kreeger, CEO of Air America Radio. "Political discourse goes beyond talk and conversation, and Steve's message in his music have extreme relevance to the changing social conditions that we live in." Earle is also known for his work with several organizations to educate about and abolish the death penalty, such as The Journey of Hope...from Violence to Healing; Citizens United for Alternatives to the Death Penalty; the Abolitionist Action Committee; the Tennessee Coalition to Abolish State Killing and Amnesty International. In addition to his work in opposition of the death penalty, he is active with the Vietnam Veterans' Campaign for a Landmine Free World and the Kensington Welfare Rights Union. http://www.airamericaradio.com/_show_earle.asp [ Post Comment ] Comment #33 posted by FoM on August 29, 2004 at 13:04:27 PT More On The Protests from the RNC Friday, August 27th, 2004The Revolution Starts Now: Steve Earle on the Republican Convention, the Death Penalty and the GOP Hijacking of Johnny CashSinger and songwriter Steve Earle - who is in New York to perform for those protesting the Republican convention - joins us in our studio to talk about the Republican convention, his latest album "The Revolution Starts...Now," John Walker Lindh and much more. [includes rush transcript] The Republican Party has announced the soundtrack for its convention. Most of the musical performances at the RNC will be country western musicians. But one Texas musician who was not invited is Steve Earle. But he is here in New York - where he will be in the streets and performing at various events. Last night he performed at an event honoring unsung heroes. He recently began hosting a radio show on Air America on Sunday nights. Steve Earle's new album is called "The Revolution Starts...Now." Steve Earle, singer and songwriter.http://www.airamericaradio.com/http://www.artemisrecords.com/media/SteveEarle-TheRevolutionStartsNow.ramTranscripts: http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=04/08/27/1449225 [ Post Comment ] Comment #32 posted by FoM on August 29, 2004 at 12:45:21 PT Flag Draped Coffins What an impact! [ Post Comment ] Comment #31 posted by FoM on August 29, 2004 at 12:33:23 PT Dankhank It is great coverage! It makes me feel proud to be an American today! Thank you C-Span!!! [ Post Comment ] Comment #30 posted by Dankhank on August 29, 2004 at 12:25:10 PT c-span great coverage of NYCstop Bush ... now [ Post Comment ] Comment #29 posted by FoM on August 29, 2004 at 10:18:46 PT Stop Arresting Medical Marijuana Patients I just saw that on a sign! [ Post Comment ] Comment #28 posted by FoM on August 29, 2004 at 10:15:53 PT Protests I'm sure most of you know that the protests are being shown on C-Span but I thought I'd mention it. So far they are peaceful. That is so good. The coverage is great. Thank you C-Span! [ Post Comment ] Comment #27 posted by FoM on August 29, 2004 at 09:24:10 PT afterburner Thank you. George Soros really does care about freedom from oppression for people in the world. http://www.soros.org/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #26 posted by Hope on August 29, 2004 at 08:21:49 PT article on Soros Thank you, Afterburner. That was a very interesting article. [ Post Comment ] Comment #25 posted by FoM on August 29, 2004 at 07:45:20 PT john wayne I really meant when two countries are fighting in a war. Once a war is underway there isn't any way to stop a war with out talking. I was thinking about Vietnam and how long it took to end it and all the lives that were lost on both sides. [ Post Comment ] Comment #24 posted by afterburner on August 29, 2004 at 05:59:37 PT I Happened across this Article It shows the bigger picture behind George Soros, our cannabis supporter, and opponent of the doctrine of pre-emptive military action.Mr. Soros goes at Washington - Christian Science Monitor - 24 Aug 2004 ... In a briefing paper circulated by Republicans on Capitol Hill last month, Soros was described as the "Daddy Warbucks" of the Democratic Party. ... http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0825/p11s01-ussc.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by john wayne on August 29, 2004 at 03:58:28 PT talk, talk, bomb, bomb, shoot, shoot You might feel better FoM, but did "two countries go to war"?I don't think so. The US unilaterally invaded, with no actual threat from the invaded country.What exactly is there to talk about? I think the "talking" is coming out of the insurgents RPG's.Here's what they're saying: http://icasualties.org/oif/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by FoM on August 28, 2004 at 20:03:54 PT Just a Comment We just finished watching a Discovery - Times Special on the war. It was very good. This war is terrible. These young men are dieing and they don't even have good equipment. Some of them are using Vietnam era trucks. They have to rig equipment because it breaks down. They should have the best protection that is made to try to keep them safe. When I say I really am upset with this war that's an understatement. When countries go to war to end that war the sides must talk. Between the time of war and talking it's the soldiers that will die. The longer it takes for both sides to talk will determine how many people die and not much more. There I feel better. [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by Hope on August 28, 2004 at 19:15:03 PT It goes without saying But perhaps it should be said.Thank you. [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by Hope on August 28, 2004 at 19:01:51 PT My hat's off to you, Gentlemen. You place yourself on the front line a lot. [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by cloud7 on August 28, 2004 at 17:14:27 PT ... Here's one of my favorite quotes/stories on jury nullification:"I think you made a big mistake. When I was called for jury duty, I considered it a rare opportunity to Do Something (remember that essay?), because there was a possibility that I might end up on a jury where the defendent was being charged with a non-crime. And guess what? It happened. I told them what they wanted to hear in voir dire, and I ended up being picked to sit on the jury. The defendent was on trial for "possession of a firearm without the proper paperwork" and some other victimless stuff. The trial lasted three weeks! My fellow jurors were the worst state-worshipping sheeple you could imagine. When I refused to vote guilty they went ballistic, but I held my ground and hung the goddamn jury by myself. It was one of the best things I ever did in my life. Just the look on the prosecutor's face, when he realized he wasn't going to get a conviction in what should've been an open and shut case, was worth it alone." [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by Dankhank on August 28, 2004 at 15:19:28 PT: more ........... http://www.fija.org/conrad_on_jury_duty.htmis the essay on how to get selected ...looks like another good trifold pamphlet ... :-)PS .... it' 'bout 4:20 Mountain time .... Truth ... [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by Hope on August 28, 2004 at 14:53:50 PT Dankhank That would be wonderful. Through questioning and studying you they try to find the people who think for themselves or that might have an independent streak and weed them out. Like when they ask you about the death penalty…they want killers. If you have doubts about the death penalty in Texas you are not allowed to serve on a jury. That seems wrong. The jury SHOULD have some people on it that don’t believe in the death penalty.I know I was chosen once because of my hairstyle. They are playing Dungeons and Dragons with real people’s lives.Prosecution, and sometimes, persecution, of citizens has become a game…with actual posted scores...a brutal game. Apparently the citizenry either does not care or is afraid to speak up. I care. I’m afraid. I’m afraid I care more than I’m afraid.Thanks for the compliment about my name, Dankhank. Hope is good. I like it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by Dankhank on August 28, 2004 at 14:21:52 PT fully informed juries ........... Hope ...Thanks for the KUDU's ... this is what makes me continue to fight ...There is a section on the FIJA site that purports to coach how to evade Voiu dire or however it is spelled. I will have to make another pamphlet about how to evade the prosecutor's questions that will still encourage him to select me.We cannot stop the fight!!!!!!!!!!Thanks again, Hope ... love that name :-) Fight!!!!!!!!!! [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by Hope on August 28, 2004 at 10:51:56 PT Way to go, Dankhank You are right. Trouble is, if they know ahead of time how you feel you will never get selected. So you have to keep quiet until you are on the jury...then you have to deal with eleven other people who want to send the world a "message"...aaarrgghhhh.Savages.I feel so much better about Oklahoma just knowing you are there to fend "them" off and working to restore freedom and liberty and hope.Thanks, Dankhank for your huge effort and energy in promoting the liberty of humanity. [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by siege on August 28, 2004 at 09:21:41 PT FUNNY DELINQUENT AHSOOO Ty·le·nol the drug acetaminophen. the coroner office in Tn. coroner has a name for it, it is so common. said that the death rate is 4% percent of the population each year for this state alone. what they are saying is way off what it really is. Tn. population is [ 5,470,400 ] X .04 = [218,816.00] if my math is wrong fix it. and we have how many states?? POPULATION: OF USA IS ABOUT.[273,537,800] [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by Dankhank on August 28, 2004 at 07:34:48 PT fixit ON my LINKS page Lots O Links [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by Dankhank on August 28, 2004 at 07:32:00 PT Juries Overwhelmsam and all others ...I have been on jury duty this week, but there were no trials ... in part because of plea bargaining.Rather than avoid jury duty, all Cannabists should try to get on juries ... it is the perfect place to tell America what you think of the drug laws.http://www.fija.org/ will tell you why ... the link is also no MY links page ...In a nutshell, EVERY citizen as a juror can and must rule not only on whether the crime was committed, but whether the law is even proper. This means that if you believe Cannabis law is bad law you must find defendants not-guilty, and send them home. Better explanations are avail at fija.org, so go there and learn.I made a tri-fold pamphlet of the essay "Juror's Handbook, A Citizen's Guide to Jury Duty" and handed out quite a few copies around the courthouse this week, the last one I gave Friday to a harried-looking lawyer waiting for an elevator.For the November docket I will carpet-bomb the courthouse with leaflets.Fight the good fight. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by John Tyler on August 28, 2004 at 07:00:19 PT More on the FDA A short while back it was revealed that FDA employees, admin. types and researchers, were also working part-time (at huge salaries, no surprise)for the same pill companies they were suppose to regulate. It raised some conflict of interest issues and they were told to stop. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by Virgil on August 28, 2004 at 06:01:23 PT On the FDA The pill industry directly funds a large portion of the FDA. Here are three paragraphs copied out of http://tinyurl.com/5n69p*The Journal of the American Medical Association estimates that 125,000 Americans die each year from the side effects of FDA approved drugs.*According to the Post, the user fees from pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies would add almost 500 employees to the FDA centers that review proposed new drugs. That would bring the FDA workforce funded by the drug industry to at least 1530. And that would constitute more than 55 percent of the FDA staff involved in reviewing drug applications.*Beefed up by drug company funds, the FDA has aggressively suppressed natural alternatives to drugs. Red yeast rice, for example, known to be a safe and effective alternative to cholesterol-lowering drugs, was banned by the FDA in 2001. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by siege on August 27, 2004 at 20:52:45 PT DEA The DEA had an opening for an assassin. The DEA had an opening for an assassin. After all of the background checks, interviews, and testing were done there were three finalists two men and one woman. For the final test, the DEA agents took one of the men to a large metal door and handed him a gun. "We must know that you will follow your instructions, no matter what the circumstances. Inside this room you will find your wife sitting in a chair. You have to kill her." The first man said. "You can’t be serious. I could never shoot my wife," The agent replies, "Then you’re not the right man for this job." The second man was given the same instructions. He took the gun and went into the room. All was quiet for about five minutes. Then the agent came out with tears in his eyes. "I tried, but I can’t kill my wife." The agent replies, "You don’t have what it takes. Take your wife and go home." Finally, it was the woman’s turn. Only she was told to kill her husband. She took the gun and went into the room. Shots were heard, one shot after another. They heard screaming, crashing, banging on the walls. After a few minutes, all was quiet. The door opened slowly and there stood the woman. She wiped the sweat from her brow and said, "You guys didn’t tell me the gun was loaded with blanks. So I had to beat him to death with the chair." http://www.RepublicansVoteKerry.comhttp://www.johnkerry.com/communities/republicans/ http://www.RepublicansVoteKerry.com [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by FoM on August 27, 2004 at 20:10:06 PT medicinal toker Yes, I agree with you. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by observer on August 27, 2004 at 19:40:42 PT GOP's Tragedy of the Commons They're more communal than you may suspect, the Repubies.The Crime Wave That Wasn'thttp://www.mises.org/fullstory.aspx?control=1591 Christopher Westley, Friday, August 27, 2004 [P]rosecutors and judges have common access to prison space. They have at best only weak incentives to limit the number of prisoners they "herd" into the commons when making their sentencing recommendations and decisions. . . . Indeed, in as much as prosecutors have incentives to demonstrate to their local constituencies that they are "tough on crime," imprisonment is a relatively attractive punishment. Even if they recognize that their actions add to the crowding problem, their personal benefits (the political support they get from their "tough" image) may exceed their personal costs (perhaps the anxiety associated with the recognition that they are crowding prisons and raising costs to society at large). Thus, imprisonment is chosen relatively frequently. http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pot [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by medicinal toker on August 27, 2004 at 19:39:44 PT how easy it can be The story behind the story is how 3 people stuck up for mmj patients and got an article and the ear of Bill Jones. It didn't take a lot of effort.In this election season, we should all try and do things like this. It only takes one person with a sign to have an impact. And we need to keep on doing it until this is all made right. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by Virgil on August 27, 2004 at 19:38:41 PT Interesting story out of Morocco About 30 percent of the people of Morocco use cannabis. This is a story of the worst forest fire in Moroccon history that may be caused by a farmer burning a field to plant cannabis- http://www.uk420.com/boards/index.php?showtopic=28456&st=0&#entry225829 [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by medicinal toker on August 27, 2004 at 19:06:13 PT FDA approved drugs? Like Vioxx?Study Finds Vioxx Increases Heart Attack Risk Wed 25 August, 2004 22:38By Ransdell PiersonNEW YORK (Reuters) - Patients taking Merck & Co. Inc.'s Vioxx arthritis drug had a 50 percent greater chance of heart attacks and sudden cardiac death than individuals using Pfizer Inc.'s rival Celebrex medicine, according to a large study financed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.The study, presented at an epidemiologists conference in Bordeaux, France, on Wednesday, is the latest to suggest that the $2.5-billion-a-year drug increases the danger of heart attacks. Lingering safety concerns have badly hurt sales of Vioxx in recent years.[snip]They should have done the study before approving it. Cannabis is a much safer arthritis treatment. But Pfizer paid off the FDA and Vioxx was approved, and now the problems start showing up...Add Vioxx to the list of other unsafe drugs the FDA has approved, including some it had to unapprove, and you have an agency with no credibility and a candidate full of hot air. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Overwhelmsam on August 27, 2004 at 18:47:30 PT Just Wondering How would pro-pot advocates go about signinh up for and participating in federal, state, and municipal grand juries? [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Virgil on August 27, 2004 at 17:53:54 PT Highly circular "I believe in FDA-approved drugs," Jones said. "That's the way we should handle it."That word drug is highly elastic and plants are not drugs. But is he saying that the FDA needs to be cleared of the corruption that makes it a whore for the pill companies or is he saying nothing at all with a string of meaningless words?The worst aspect of the denial of medical MiraclePlant is that it should be legal in the first place. Yes California, there should be Free Cannabis For Everyone. Why not go for it with the "Redefinition of Freedom Act?" [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Max Flowers on August 27, 2004 at 17:52:16 PT the party line "I believe in FDA-approved drugs," Jones said. "That's the way we should handle it."Yeah well you would Jones, since you and every other GOP SOB is bought, paid for and in the pocket of the pharmaplutocracy and its pimp, the FDA. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment