cannabisnews.com: Anti-Pot Passage in Voter Guide Draws Fire Anti-Pot Passage in Voter Guide Draws Fire Posted by CN Staff on October 18, 2004 at 08:41:18 PT By Joel Gay, Anchorage Daily News Source: Anchorage Daily News A statement written by Lt. Gov. Loren Leman's office opposing the ballot effort to legalize marijuana was used almost verbatim in the state's Official Election Pamphlet, sent to more than 300,000 Alaska households.While Dr. Charles M. Herndon revised the 300-word statement slightly before signing his name at the bottom, the text was largely written by Leman's chief of staff, Annette Kreitzer. Proponents of Ballot Measure 2, as well as some who oppose it, reacted angrily to the discovery, saying the lieutenant governor is supposed to remain neutral in election issues. "It's outrageous conduct," initiative backer David Finkelstein said.Former U.S. Attorney Wev Shea, who had offered to write the statement but was rejected, said it could provide ammunition for marijuana advocates in a court case if they lose. "I'm just totally disgusted," he said.But Kreitzer defended the effort, saying it was aimed not at tipping the election but at satisfying a mandate in state law to present both sides of every ballot measure in the election pamphlet. She put together some notes on the issue that could be used or not, as the author of the statement chose, she said. The notes were ultimately sent to Herndon."In this case, Dr. Herndon had all the control," Kreitzer said. "He's the one who wanted to put his name on the line. I did a little research for him."The wording similarity came to light last Thursday when the Anchorage Press published a copy of a "proposed draft statement" opposing the measure that Leman's office had e-mailed to Herndon last August.When compared with the final statement that appears in the election pamphlet, they're nearly identical. Snipped: Complete Article: http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/fire.htmSource: Anchorage Daily News (AK)Author: Joel Gay, Anchorage Daily NewsPublished: October 18, 2004Copyright: 2004 The Anchorage Daily News Contact: letters adn.com Website: http://www.adn.com/ Related Articles & Web Site:Yes on 2 Alaskahttp://www.yeson2alaska.com/Anti-Pot Fight Comes To Fairbankshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19647.shtmlAnti-Pot Team Attacks Push To Legalize Ithttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19639.shtmlNorth To Alaska! http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19638.shtmlAlaskans to Vote on Pot Legalization in '04 http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18067.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #18 posted by FoM on October 19, 2004 at 20:07:23 PT escapegoat That was really good! Thanks! [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by escapegoat on October 19, 2004 at 07:13:40 PT Canadian icon gives joint-rolling instructions Canadian author and icon Pierre Berton gives advice on how to roll a joint.http://www.cbc.ca/mondayreport/monrep_player.html?rmmr_celebritytip_pierreburton [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by mamawillie on October 19, 2004 at 06:49:38 PT Wow... totally indefensible I read the language of the opposition statement, and I am floored! It is totally indefensible! I don't know where to start: the word medical in quotes... the lies about addiction... the total lack of facts and objectivity...Wow.... [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by FoM on October 18, 2004 at 14:44:13 PT One More Comment I did a search and found a blog that I was looking for. It's hard to not get involved but in reading different web sites see that everything seems in control so I guess I won't need to speak out which is a good feeling. Tonight this special show on MTV is going to be interesting. I hope an article or two will be written after it airs. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we can see a little light at the end of the tunnel when we watch it tonight. [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by FoM on October 18, 2004 at 13:23:48 PT cloud7 Thank you for the link. I saved it incase they don't archive their articles. I hope we win in Alaska. I really do. [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by FoM on October 18, 2004 at 12:41:35 PT One More Comment I hope that people still care about the laws concerning Cannabis. I hope that why it's slow is that people are getting out and working for who they want to be our next president. We have a few initiatives this year that I hope we will win but they do seem not as important as they were in the past because of this election year. I know that it's hard for me to keep my mind on our issue right now but it will be important if we win I believe. Is there a good democratic blog about the elections that I could visit? I'd like to get involved while the news is slow. Thanks in advance. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by FoM on October 18, 2004 at 12:16:56 PT Off Topic If this election gets all messed up and we have the same problems as 4 years ago I think it could push the country into a real revolution. Does anyone else think that way?Early Glitch as US Votes: http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,11117565%255E1702,00.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by FoM on October 18, 2004 at 12:13:03 PT ekim Thank you. I hope the show is good tonight. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by ekim on October 18, 2004 at 12:02:47 PT more times Comment #2 posted by Druid on October 13, 2004 at 14:54:35 PT MTV asks the Candidates about Drug Laws http://www.mtv.com/onair/schedule/index.jhtml?date=20041018&time=21&submit=Go#timeMon 10/1811:00 PMWed 10/208:30 PM Fri 10/22 1:30 pmSat 10/23 9:00pm http://www.leap.cc/events [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by FoM on October 18, 2004 at 12:02:38 PT Polls and Politics kapt I'll be so happy when we know who are next president will be. If Kerry wins we stand a chance. If Bush wins I doubt we will see change for many years to come. If Bush wins he will be fired up and roll over everyone. That is so scary to me. I think that Kerry will win because they don't poll many young people because of cell phones but they seem to really be behind Kerry. If young people vote for Bush it's their lives on the line with the war in Iraq. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by kaptinemo on October 18, 2004 at 11:53:44 PT: Pointing fingers in a circle "He did it!" "No, she did it!" "No, that guy over there did it!" Is this the level of expected civil service from pols in Alaska?Considering that we all have been hearing nothing but the Gub'mint's blather on cannabis for as long as we can remember, to have to add that bit of tripe as an 'opposing viewpoint' makes it redundant. The pols involved could have saved themselves both time and money - not to mention embarrassment - and just left it alone. Now, they've been caught in a very stupid trap. One good thing out of this gaffe so far is the snicker it brings. So silly. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by FoM on October 18, 2004 at 11:35:33 PT Off Topic Once More Now Kerry is speaking and I am not upset anymore. I can't get over how different Bush and Kerry are. I hope the MTV show on the drug laws tonight is good and many get to see it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on October 18, 2004 at 10:28:29 PT Off Topic I'm trying to watch Bush speak and I see the stock market going up? Why do they applaud and want a global war? I am truly amazed. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by FoM on October 18, 2004 at 09:54:14 PT Thank You Druid I'm looking forward to this show tonight! [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by E_Johnson on October 18, 2004 at 09:26:57 PT Like Richard Cowan said The atrocities will get worse towards the end of the war.This is a political atrocity!It's sad to see people violate basic principles of democracy trying to stop weed, when they treat the victims of alcohol abuse like they're nothing and don't matter. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Druid on October 18, 2004 at 09:20:48 PT Just a reminder.... http://www.mtv.com/onair/schedule/i...me=21&submit=GoTonight Monday October 18thChoose or lose : drug LaWs "The War on Drugs changes with the Bush Administration; Possible Evolution during a Kerry AdminisTration."9:00pm- 9:30pm Mountain timealso airing October 20 / Oct. 22 / Oct. 23 dont miss it__ [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Duzt on October 18, 2004 at 09:11:06 PT this will make sure it passes Alaskans tend to not like or trust the government and this will really piss them off. I think this already is pretty sure to pass, but this will push it further and prove the point that the government is out of control and needs to follow the law. This helps the cause in many ways, gotta love ignorant people who think they are immune to law. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by cloud7 on October 18, 2004 at 09:10:30 PT ... More on this from another link on Yes on 2 Alaska's website:http://www.anchoragepress.com/archives-2004/flashlightvol13ed41.shtmlShameless. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment