cannabisnews.com: The Doper Vote The Doper Vote Posted by CN Staff on October 22, 2004 at 10:14:47 PT By Jules Siegel, AlterNet Source: AlterNet Orthodox leftists seem to be incapable of understanding the size and intensity of the anti-drugwar movement. Do they think these people don't vote? Doper support will be the kiss of death for Kerry, subscribers sneered on massively liberal dailykos.com when I posted the news that voters were being registered at the Washington State Hempfest. Do these people think that drug users don't vote? That they have no influence? That they still dress in bell bottoms and wear flowers in their hair? The right wing is way ahead on this. Libertarians are almost uniformly in favor of immediate legalization. Even hard-core conservatives are anti-drugwar. On far right FreeRepublic.com, a drugwar abuse item typically pulls about 75 percent outright antidrugwar comments. The culturally tolerant fiscal conservative could be Kerry's key swing voter.William F. Buckley, the orthodox conservative's Pope, complained that marijuana laws are based on "moral fanaticism." "What is required," he said, "is a genuine Republican groundswell. It is happening, but ever so gradually."Buckley pointed to a 2003 Zogby survey showing that 40 percent of Americans believe "the government should treat marijuana more or less the same way it treats alcohol: It should regulate it, control it, tax it and make it illegal only for children." In the National Review, Drug Policy Alliance's Ethan A. Nadelmann writes that 72 percent now favor fines rather than jail for simple marijuana possession. At least 50 million have tried grass.Orthodox leftists, however, seem to be incapable of understanding the size and – very important – intensity of the anti-drugwar movement. They tend to support the enforced treatment model without fully understanding how nasty it is. Even when they are drug users themselves, many still privately think of smoking marijuana as a vice that they regret. Anti-drugwar activists see it as self-medication, not just for physical pain, but for the otherwise usually intractable irritations of life in groups.Many anti-drugwar activists in forums such as DrugWar.com plan either to vote for Nader or abstain because Kerry is just another cop, even though he's softened his positions on drug enforcement since the campaign began. These are outspoken opinion leaders with very effective media information programs. Any convincing statement of sympathy would instantly move them.Kerry could come out for a complete review of all drug policy issues by a blue ribbon panel of renowned experts. He needn't demand legalization, decriminalization or any other specific action. If asked, he would answer that he wants to know the facts before offering any positions.No independent panel has ever found marijuana worth criminalizing. Drugs such as heroin, cocaine and the amphetamines will always be controlled substances, I'm sure. But mandatory sentences are already under heavy attack from the local governments that can't afford to pay for them. Only DEA shills deny that the drug war is an utter disaster.Political campaigners don't care if illegal drug use is a vice or not, just how many net votes the issue will produce, and whether or not the number is worth the fire-alarms that taking a position will set off. Given the size of the prison and treatment industry, deafening sirens will suffocate any legislative drug reform enthusiasm.Congressional Democrats are mostly either joined at the liver with the Republicans on drug policy, or too cowardly to speak out. Although it would be a devastating October surprise, Health and Human Services does not seem eager to use its power to reschedule marijuana as a therapeutically useful drug. The judiciary, however, is ripping mad about being throttled by Ashcroft's theological police.Thus there's only one practical consideration left for the anti-drugwar side. Who will appoint the judiciary, including as many as three Supreme Court justices?The Supreme Court can legalize marijuana by fiat. Think of it – no negotiations and tortured lobbying, but genuine experts expounding on the facts, constrained by rules of evidence.Pick one: Bush or Kerry. Which candidate is most likely to name judges who will interpret the Constitution of the United States according to facts in evidence rather than DEA propaganda? Jules Siegel's essay, "The Last Word on Drugs," appears in "Under the Influence: The Disinformation Guide to Drugs" (Disinformation Company, October 2004).Source: AlterNet (US)Author: Jules Siegel, AlterNetPublished: October 22, 2004Copyright: 2004 Independent Media InstituteContact: letters alternet.org Website: http://www.alternet.org/DL: http://alternet.org/drugreporter/20269/Related Articles:MMJ Advocates Likely To Get Break Under Kerry http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19621.shtmlMarijuana Rights Group Uniting Behind Kerry http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19366.shtmlKerry: End Medical Marijuana Prosecutionhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18114.shtml Senators Back UM Medical Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17685.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #18 posted by FoM on October 23, 2004 at 17:28:24 PT Off Topic: I Sure Hope Kerry Wins Bush Signs New Tax Law Without Fuss Published Saturday, October 23, 2004WASHINGTON (AP) - President George W. Bush showered $136 billion in new tax breaks on businesses, farmers and other groups yesterday, quietly signing the most sweeping rewrite of corporate tax law in nearly two decades.Announcing the action without fanfare aboard Air Force One, the White House said the new law is good for America’s workers because it will help create jobs here at home.The election-year measure is intended to end a bitter trade war with Europe, and supporters said it provides critical assistance to beleaguered manufacturers who have suffered 2.7 million lost jobs over the past four years.Complete Article: http://www.columbiatribune.com/2004/Oct/20041023News012.asp [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by ekim on October 23, 2004 at 07:20:49 PT 11 th ANNUAL HIA CONVENTION 11th ANNUAL HIA CONVENTION WE MEAN BUSINESS!San Francisco, CA Wed. November 3rd - Fri. November 5th, 2004SCHEDULEWed. November 3rd - Hemp entrepreneurs and researchers will gather in San Francisco at the Holiday Inn Civic Center for Registration/Reception and an Awards Dinner at a local restaurant. Thur. November 4th - The HIA Annual General Meeting will be held all day featuring Hemp Product Displays, Expert Speakers, Silent Auction and Dinner. Evening entertainment at Green Business Conference. Fri. November 5th - Reserved for networking, committee meetings, and set up for the Green Festival, a must see event!Immediately following the HIA Convention will be the Green Festival, where the HIA, VoteHemp and many hemp companies will be exhibiting. Saturday and Sunday, November 6th & 7th Produced by Coop America and Global Exchange. Mark your calendar! Book your flights and rooms! Holiday Inn Civic Center 50 8th St. (and Market) San Francisco, CA 94103 Room Reservations: 800-243-1135 Be sure to tell them you are with the "Hemp Industries Association." Special rate for HIA attendees: $89 per night. Single or double. (Add. $20 for triple or quad. Rollaway beds available for add. $20)The HIA Reception Suite is on the 4th floor where there is a wrap-around roof patio (and pool). You can request a room on this floor for easy networking access. You can get a non-smoking, or smoking room and have outdoor access. Every room has a small balcony on all other floors, too.HIA Discounted Parking - $15 per day, with in and out privileges.More details on Registration, Agenda, Speakers, Silent Auction, Display Space, Donations, Sponsors, etc. to be announced. If you would like to assist or have suggestions, please let us know.Registration: $200 - Full Event for One Person. $150 - Additional employee, friend or family. $100 - Nov. 4th Meeting Only. $150 - Nov. 4th Meeting & DinnerSign up for FREE Exhibit Space. Bring DONATIONS for the Silent Auction, or send to the HIA office before October 30th.Click Here to download the HIA Convention Registration Form. Send or Fax the completed form to:HIA P.O. Box 1080 Occidental, CA 95465 Phone: 707-874-3648 Fax: 707-874-1104 http://www.thehia.org [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by Aragorn on October 22, 2004 at 19:59:37 PT There are other forces at work.... ...though and Kerry believes in science. I recommend reading the interesting essay- "Marijuana is the Antidote" at http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/whatsnew.htm [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by FoM on October 22, 2004 at 17:22:48 PT Nicholas Oh I am with you. I don't want Hillary either. She is so different then me that I just can't connect. I'll go back to Norway, even though I'm just from here, if that happens! LOL! [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by Nick Thimmesch on October 22, 2004 at 17:17:34 PT: Actually, FoM... ...YOU in OHIO live in the middle of where it's happening given that between Bush & Kerry they have been in Ohio more than The Browns this past month.I'll live with whomever wins: but if Bush does win and then Billary, er, ah, Hillary runs & is elected in 2008 THIMMESCH will have to return to his ancestoral homeland of Luxembourg. [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by FoM on October 22, 2004 at 16:50:41 PT Nicholas No matter how this goes on November 2nd in the end we still are similar in what we hope for. You are a Republican and I like you anyway LOL! I am nothing I'm just voting because this time in my heart I must. We all have our reasons and even though it has caused so much trouble between people we are seeing a democracy do it's very best to work. I never thought I'd see the day when so many people felt this much passion over who would become our next president. You live in the middle of where it is happening. What an exciting time it must be for you. I like staying in the country and staying out of the fighting and spinning and all that goes on but I know you must be really fired up. Enjoy! [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by Nick Thimmesch on October 22, 2004 at 16:34:35 PT: Many have said... ...this presidential election is a choice "between two evils", so it's no surprise that supporters on BOTH sides seem to be behaving badly: oddly, neither would bring real relief to the issue at hand on Cannabis News.http://www.enquirer.com/midday/10/10232004_News_mday_breakin.htmlLocal Bush/Cheney headquarters robbed The Enquirer DOWNTOWN - Cincinnati's headquarters for the Bush/Cheney re-election campaign was broken into overnight.Money and a sign were taken from the office, on Seventh Street near Court Street. The thieves got in by breaking out a window.The office was also ransacked, officials said. It also houses other Republican organizations.No one had been arrested. http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A55239-2004Oct22?language=printerGOP Voter Drive Accused of Tossing Cards By DEBORAH HASTINGS The Associated Press Friday, October 22, 2004; 6:40 PM In several battleground states across the country, a consulting firm funded by the Republican National Committee has been accused of deceiving would-be voters and destroying Democratic voter registration cards.Arizona-based Sproul & Associates is under investigation in Oregon and Nevada over claims that canvassers hired by the company were instructed to register only Republicans and to get rid of registration forms completed by Democrats."We treat these complaints very seriously," said Oregon Secretary of State Bill Bradbury. The Democratic office-holder said three complaints were filed with election officials throughout the state. He declined to provide details, citing the continuing investigation.Substitute teacher Adam Banse wanted a summer job with flexible hours, so he signed up to knock on doors in suburban Minneapolis and register people to vote.He quit after two hours. "They said if you bring back a bunch of Democratic cards, you'll be fired," Banse contends. "At that point, I said, `Whoa. Something's wrong here.'"Nathan Sproul, a former head of Arizona's Republican Party and the state's Christian Coalition branch, denies any wrongdoing and accuses Democrats of making things up."This is all about making accusations," Sproul said Thursday. "They allege fraud where none exists and get the media to cover it."Republican National Committee spokeswoman Heather Layman responded that her party accepts all voters, and she accused the Democratic Party of operating under this mandate: "If no sign of voter fraud exists, make it up, manipulate the media into covering baseless charges and spread fear."Sproul declined to name the states in which his company conducted registration drives. His political consulting firm was founded last year and has received nearly $500,000 from the RNC since July, according to federal election records.Former canvassers such as Banse have come forward in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Nevada and Oregon in the past two weeks alleging they were told to register only Republicans and to "walk away" from people who said they intended to vote for Democrat John Kerry.Some said Democratic registration forms had been thrown out or ripped up.It is illegal to tamper with voter registration cards, which are numbered and issued by local election officials. In some states, including Oregon, such acts are felonies.Eric Russell of Las Vegas told The Associated Press that he watched a Sproul supervisor tear up eight to 10 registration forms completed by Democrats and managed to grab some of the shredded documents as evidence. State officials are investigating his claim.Russell said that Voters Outreach of America, the name under which Sproul employees operated in Nevada and other states, owes him hundreds of dollars for registering residents but refuses to pay him.Sproul called Russell simply a disgruntled employee.Prompted by Russell's accusations, Clark County Democrats unsuccessfully went to court last week to try to persuade a state judge to reopen voter registration in their county, which encompasses Las Vegas.In West Virginia, Lisa Bragg said she refused a sorely needed $9-an-hour job to register voters after attending an orientation session conducted by Sproul employees.Like Banse in Minnesota, she said canvassers were discouraged from registering Democrats and were told to misrepresent themselves as poll takers.Bragg, who filed a complaint earlier this week with the West Virginia secretary of state's office, said Friday that canvassers were given a script that read at the bottom, "Our goal is to register Republicans."She called the registration drive dishonest, adding, "I believe everyone has the right to vote. Even though I'm a Democrat, I would have registered Republicans to vote."In Pennsylvania, Democrats in the state House of Representatives have asked the attorney general to investigate complaints from former Sproul canvassers who said they had been instructed to not register Democrats. About 40 to 50 also complained they had not been promptly paid.In Pittsburgh, library patrons protested that Sproul employees were pressuring people to register as Republicans at tables set up outside a Carnegie Library branch.A similar incident was reported in Oregon in September, when the manager of Medford library headquarters refused a Sproul request to register voters after learning the firm was affiliated with Republicans. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by sukoi on October 22, 2004 at 15:37:48 PT JR Bob Dobbs (comment #6) I couldn't agree more. I live in Texas - definately not a swing state - so a vote for Kerry may have indeed been a wasted one in my case, so yesterday Michael Badnarik got my vote and he got it for the reason that you stated - they need 5%. America needs more choices and I would urge everyone who is not in a swing state to do the same as I did, our future choices depend on it! [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by siege on October 22, 2004 at 15:08:16 PT Cannabis raid Passing sentence, Advocate Stephen Hughes, defending, said: "It will come as no surprise that Mr Nisbet's position is that the drug laws in this country, insofar as they relate to cannabis, are, as he describes them 'ridiculous.'"Lord Brodie said he accepted Nisbet's views were sincere and noted that cannabis had recently been re-classified as a "Class C" drug.http://icdumfries.icnetwork.co.uk/news/headlines/tm_objectid=14782916&method=full&siteid=77296&headline=cannabis-raid-nets---x00a3-390-000-plants-name_page.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by mayan on October 22, 2004 at 14:54:20 PT Bonesmen Can't Lose If Kerry wanted to take Bush down on 9/11 he could. He could expose Bush on any number of fronts! He could also endorse medical marijuana. He knows very well that it is a home run issue.The Skull & Bonesmen can't lose. I just saw a Diebold van driving down the road here in town the other day and I had a very bad feeling about it. It is very likely that the outcome is already predetermined. Bush didn't even win the popular vote in 2000! Does anyone really think that after 9/11,Iraq and every other treasonous, unconstitutional move he's made(plus losing all three debates!) that he really has the support of half the people? Does anyone think that the Republican National Convention was so spectacular that it gave Bush an eleven point boost? Kerry didn't get any boost from the Democratic convention and it was far more energetic! Give me a break. I'm not by any means saying Kerry will lose but the powers that be have kept the race neck and neck so folks will be less inclined to vote third-party. The fascists don't want third parties gaining automatic-ballot status and they sure as hell don't want them in the next debates.The way out is the way in...Within 11 days, the 9/11 Truth Movement hits 4x mainstream media: http://inn.globalfreepress.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=912Deciphering The 9/11 Distractions: http://rense.com/general58/911SID.HTM9/11 - All In One Chunk: http://whatreallyhappened.com/9-11BasicQuestions [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by FoM on October 22, 2004 at 13:53:54 PT I Would Vote For Jesse Ventura Though I really like Jesse.***Jesse Ventura Endorses Kerry Updated: 10/22/2004 ST. PAUL - Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura has officially endorsed Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry.The announcement was made during a 30-minute news conference at the State Office Building. The former Minnesota Governor was there, but did not make any comments. Just days ago, Ventura had said that he did not plan to support Kerry or President Bush this election year. Also at the news conference was former Maine Gov. Angus King, who was the only other third-party governor during Ventura's years in office. He said Ventura changed his mind and decided to endorse Kerry. Organizers didn't even know Ventura was going to show up until the news conference started. He told reporters who followed him out to his car afterward that he'll be doing interviews in Los Angeles.http://www.kstp.com/article/stories/S3582.html?cat=1 [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by FoM on October 22, 2004 at 12:59:47 PT JR I Understand I understand but I would never be a minor party person. I'm not a democrat or republican either. I just want to vote this year because of the invasion of Iraq. I've said it before that I doubt I will ever vote after this election. It just isn't something I want to be involved in. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by JR Bob Dobbs on October 22, 2004 at 12:53:24 PT Don't waste your vote I do not live in a swing state, and thus I have no qualms about "throwing my vote away" on a third-party candidate who will not be elected. All the third parties need is to get 5% of the popular vote for the debate commission to allow them onstage. So if my state is going to give its electoral votes to the same guy no matter who I vote for, then I feel the only way my vote can make a difference is by voting third party and trying to give them as much support as possible.If I was in a swing state, I'd have to contemplate Kerry, but I'm in Illinois - even our Senate race is racing to a foregone conclusion. And Obama, the Democratic winner, is a former drug user who has consistently voted for harsher penalties for drug users - so I'll be voting third-party there, too. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by cloud7 on October 22, 2004 at 12:43:18 PT ... "Only DEA shills deny that the drug war is an utter disaster."I love this quote. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on October 22, 2004 at 12:35:41 PT Related Article from The Associated Press Heinz Kerry: Kerry Will Make Better Choices with Federal JudgesJoe Mandak, Associated PressFri, Oct. 22, 2004 HOUSTON, Pa. - Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry will appoint Supreme Court justices who will safeguard 50 years of civil rights gains if he is elected president, his wife said Friday."Fifty years after Brown v. Board of Education, we are reminded now more than ever that we need a Supreme Court to protect our hard-won victories. John Kerry will appoint the kind of judges that protect our civil rights," Teresa Heinz Kerry said. "John Kerry will appoint judges that interpret our Constitution and don't go there for political reasons to divide our country."Heinz Kerry made the remarks Friday at the Pennsylvania State Conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People at a suburban Pittsburgh hotel ballroom.In a 20-minute speech, Heinz Kerry used a TelePrompTer for one of the few times in Pennsylvania. She never strayed from issues near to many black voters' hearts: education, civil rights, health insurance, unemployment and the disenfranchisement of black voters.Heinz Kerry's appearance came on the heels of a poll showing her husband had opened a 51 percent to 46 percent lead over Bush in a survey of likely voters. Copyright: 2004 Associated Presshttp://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/politics/9989598.htm?1c [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on October 22, 2004 at 11:06:39 PT Dark Star I believe the courts will be what brings positive change. Kerry would not be as prone to fight reform as far as cannabis is concerned I believe. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Dark Star on October 22, 2004 at 11:01:54 PT One Explanation He's saying Kerry should advocate another blue ribbon panel. That's a good one. Every one ever convened in the USA, Canada, Jamaica, England has recommended medical access, legalization or decriminalization, but no governments ever act on the information. The same would happen again. The only hopes for reform are the Supreme Court or changing virtually the entire composition of Congress. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on October 22, 2004 at 10:18:18 PT About This Article I hope someone will try to explain this to me. I don't think the way some people do. I like Kerry and have hope that the laws concerning Cannabis could be changed if he is elected. I don't go further then that. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment