cannabisnews.com: Medical Pot Activists Stage Protest Rally










  Medical Pot Activists Stage Protest Rally

Posted by CN Staff on October 29, 2005 at 08:18:27 PT
By Josh Richman, Staff Writer 
Source: San Mateo County Times 

San Francisco -- About 50 medical marijuana activists rallied under Wednesday's leaden skies near the United Nations Plaza farmer's market, wielding a bullhorn and picket signs to demand that federal officials act on a formal request to loosen the drug's ban. This weekend, "Guru of Ganja" Ed Rosenthal of Oakland hosted a "Wonders of Cannabis" festival in Golden Gate Park featuring joint-rolling contests and an appearance by comedian and noted stoner Tommy Chong.
Mixed messages, some drug policy experts say sadly. "Sometimes I think cannabis activists are their own worst enemies," said University of California, Berkeley public policy professor Robert MacCoun. "They rely too heavily on a 1960s countercultural playbook, but it's precisely that kind of association that inflames opponents." Rosenthal insists McCoun and other critics miss the point: The Bay Area supports medical marijuana, and the ease with which the region has assimilated it should be a model for the rest of the nation. "It's not like we're trying to be far out, we're just appealing to a rainbow," he said. "Marijuana is the one issue that crosses gender, age, ethnic and political lines. There's only one group that's opposed to marijuana and that's the criminal justice system. It's fat in the budget for them and they don't want to lose it." Part of the festival's proceeds benefits Green Aid, a medical marijuana legal defense and education fund that's defraying legal costs for defendants including Rosenthal himself, as he appeals his 2003 federal conviction and one-day jail sentence for growing marijuana. Besides Chong, other guests include policy heavyweights such as Marsha Rosenbaum, the Drug Policy Alliance's West Coast director, politicos such as San Francisco Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, and an array of medical-marijuana lawyers. That said, "we think it's going to be a really fun festival," Rosenthal added. "I'm known for my parties." Methods may vary so long as the goal is the same, said Bruce Mirken, the Marijuana Policy Project's communications director, who speaks Sunday at Rosenthal's event. "What we're seeing is the sign of a true grassroots movement where, frankly, you can't control people." Federal drug-war leaders paint drug policy reform — particularly marijuana reform — as an insidious, well-funded and carefully orchestrated plot, Mirken said. Actually, it's "a very disparate collection of folks from all corners of society who've come to the honest conclusion that our current marijuana laws make no sense," he insisted. "If this were a great, disciplined conspiracy, there probably wouldn't be a 'giant rolling contest' — I'm willing to bet no poll or focus group has tested that as an effective method of reaching the public." Mirken said his own organization strives for a "straight-laced and buttoned-down approach" so as to shatter stereotypes and emphasize facts. "But in any mass movement you've got people with different attitudes, different styles, different approaches. And let's face it, the Bay Area is not a community that does straight-laced really well." As for his participation in Rosenthal's event, "part of what any organization needs to do is reach out to the people who are interested in your issue," Mirken said. "We do want to reach out to those folks even if the event itself is not necessarily the kind of thing we ourselves would organize. Even at a lighthearted event, we're hoping there's an opportunity to address some serious issues." Perhaps foremost among those issues is how to proceed with national efforts to change marijuana policy. The U.S. Supreme Court in June squashed activists' and patients' best hope of judicial relief by upholding the federal ban. In a case brought partly by an Oakland patient, the court found medical marijuana activity even occurring entirely within California's borders and with no money changing hands still affects the overall national market for marijuana, and so falls within Congress' constitutional reach to regulate. Nine days after the Supreme Court ruling, the House of Representatives voted 264-161 against a bipartisan amendment to bar spending federal tax dollars to prosecute patients and caregivers in states with medical marijuana laws. Marijuana advocates noted the amendment got 13 votes more than it had a year earlier; it still fell 57 votes short of the 218 it needed to pass. The latest, bipartisan iteration of a perennial House bill to carve out an exception in federal law for states to allow medical marijuana was introduced in May. It was referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee's health subcommittee — chaired by Rep. Nathan Deal, R-Ga. — where it has languished without action like its many predecessors. And neither this Republican administration nor its Democratic predecessor has shown any interest in making the administrative decision to move marijuana to a less restrictive schedule of the Controlled Substances Act, thus acknowledging and allowing its medical use. Oakland-based Americans for Safe Access in 2002 helped petition the Department of Health and Human Services and the Drug Enforcement Administration to reschedule marijuana. HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt at his Senate confirmation hearing in January said the department's review would be done by August. That didn't happen, so activists gathered Wednesday outside HHS offices in seven cities. In Washington, they brought Leavitt notice of their intent to sue; in San Francisco, they rallied in U.N. Plaza. "We're hoping this has an effect on D.C., although not much seems to move them," said ASA legal campaign director Kris Hermes. ASA campaign director Caren Woodson was one of two representatives who met Wednesday with HHS regional director Calise Munoz. "She said, 'I have communicated all of your concerns'... so Leavitt is hearing the message, which is a success as far as I'm concerned," Woodson said. "The battle continues, and I feel the voices are getting louder and louder... The walls are going to tumble, at some point." Source: San Mateo County Times, The (CA)Author: Josh Richman, Staff WriterPublished: Saturday, October 29, 2005 Copyright: 2005 MediaNews Group, Inc.Contact: jrichman angnewspapers.comWebsite: http://www.sanmateocountytimes.com/ Green-Aidhttp://www.green-aid.com/Americans For Safe Accesshttp://www.safeaccessnow.org/Wonders of Cannabishttp://www.wondersofcannabis.com/ Protesters Rally for a Dose of Their Own Medicinehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21237.shtml

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Comment #98 posted by runderwo on October 30, 2005 at 22:24:31 PT
Jim
"Think back to your favorite stoner sessions, if you would. Philosophy, social reform, etc., an agenda of higher purposes, if you will. It doesn't mean the thoughts are perfect in their construct, but a seed is planted in the mind which can blossom into untold wealth afterwards."This is exactly what I have such a hard time getting across to "straights". Perhaps because the only stoners they are familiar with are the 24/7 types, and many of those are self-medicating for something (i.e. depression, anxiety, aggressiveness) rather than using the effects for any sort of inspiration. But there is no doubt in my mind that cannabis is an excellent planning and rough-draft tool for creative works. You tend to move outside of the "what is" and into the "what could/should be". And that is an important transition in terms of opening doors, not only to push a creative envelope of some sort, but to deepen your own understanding and perception.
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Comment #97 posted by FoM on October 30, 2005 at 20:43:51 PT

Just a Comment
This week will be interesting. We will see if the approach in Denver makes a difference with the voters. There a few more like Telluride but this is the first year in many that it seems relatively quiet. I might be sidetracked a little tomorrow because my sister is coming to visit and we will be dealing with the passing on of possession from our family to other members of our family. If there is news I sure will post it though. 
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Comment #96 posted by FoM on October 30, 2005 at 20:12:00 PT

Jim
Thank you. I read the article and it will be interesting to see how it goes. 
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Comment #95 posted by Jim Lunsford on October 30, 2005 at 20:01:19 PT

Okay, I lied
here's a bit more news. It seems that the Supreme Court has another opportunity to expand upon illegal drug use. And how fitting that it involves freedom of religion. If Roberts is a true conservative, cannabis could be legal under freedom of religion regardless of any CSC rating. http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/1031/p02s02-usju.htmlRev Jim LunsfordFirst Cannabist ChurchRights: What you will make a stand for and nothing else.
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Comment #94 posted by Jim Lunsford on October 30, 2005 at 19:47:01 PT

One last bit of news
Willie Nelson is hosting a fundraisr for Kinky Friedman for texas governor. And Kinky seems to be doing well. I think the times are so obviously a-changing!http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051031/ap_on_en_mu/willie_kinky_fundraiserRev Jim LunsfordFirst Cannabist ChurchLove: Doesn't judge, it understands and serves it's object. Now go forth and love the world
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Comment #93 posted by Jim Lunsford on October 30, 2005 at 19:26:35 PT

Global_Warming
Thanks. That was cool, and quite insicive as well. Verse is such a cool way to let someone know just how much you do "get it". And we "stoners" DO tend to get it. So much more the reason governments fear it.The "high", which our government is so afraid of, is so intricately connected to the creative thinking that is the hallmark of Cannabis. And a creative mind is a dangerous enemy in a totaltarian government. They tend to question authority. Unlike drunks, who tend to repress their questions.Think back to your favorite stoner sessions, if you would. Philosophy, social reform, etc., an agenda of higher purposes, if you will. It doesn't mean the thoughts are perfect in their construct, but a seed is planted in the mind which can blossom into untold wealth afterwards. All of the great spiritual leaders of antiquity are believed to have used Cannabis in unbelievable amounts to achieve their particular understanding of the cosmos. Buddha, Christ, and Mehemet all fall into this category. 
All the more reason for governments to fear it. An oppressive theocracy-fascist government would not like the competition.Yet, it is mainstream now. A known arsenal in the medical arsenal that has shattered many of the defenses of the pharmaceutical industry. An industry under attack because so many of you wrote to the newspapers and congressmen about it. I think America is tiring of the war on drugs. Lest we not forget, the government is also composed of Americans. Note that the DEA is left with the task of continuing this war on drugs. One exception, of course, is for the FBI to bust the military when they are smuggling drugs. And I am willing to bet the future arrests the FBI speaks of can go on for quite a while.Maybe we can learn that just because we have dominion over the earth, it doesn't mean that we should rape and pillage her. The very concept of understanding dominion should inspire us to be it's caretaker. If this is truly God's land, shouldn't we tend it, instead of declare war on it? I would think a good Christian would know the answer.And yes, I am under it's influence right now. I spoke with Jose earlier and asked if I should actually comment once when I wasn't under the "evil influence of the Reefer Madness", but there doesn't seem to be a point to that. It works for me anyway.Ultimately, the regular use of Cannaibis appears to stimulate a desire to help others in a peaceful manner. What wonders could come from a society, such as ours, if the majority of the population understood the cultural and spiritual implications behind each toke. I would think that we would truly bring about a governmental system concerned with helping people to help others. Yet another reason governments fear Cannabis.As for myself, I've been toking for Jesus all day long, and I'm tired now. Off to bed now. I hope this didn't bore anyone. Just the ramblings of another stoner. But I think the message is clear. Soon, either the government can change on it's own, or the people will do it instead. Great change is in the air, on many fronts, and I believe Cannabis will be legal very soon. It's just becoming such an obviously ridiculous law. And one repeal that could change our destinies. Sleep tight now, and pleasant dreams. Rev Jim LunsfordFirst Cannabist ChurchGod: Sure get's jealous when you chop him up into so many different religions. 
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Comment #92 posted by Toker00 on October 30, 2005 at 18:50:10 PT

Thank you FoM.
I appreciate your humor, patience, and wisdom. That is why C-news is so successful. Carry on! : )Wage peace on war. END CANNABIS PROHIBITION NOW!
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Comment #91 posted by FoM on October 30, 2005 at 18:48:36 PT

Related Article from the SFC
Smokin' Steves***October 30, 2005Travel writer and public television star Rick Steves is in the Bay Area this weekend with a special tip: Lay off marijuana smokers. Steves, whose European guides have made him a near-household name in the Bay Area, is also a board member of NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. He'll be making an address in that role at this weekend's Wonders of Cannabis Festival in Golden Gate Park. "Society has to make a choice to tolerate other lifestyles or build more prisons,'' Steves told us in a phone interview from his Seattle office. Citing what he called the "European perspective," Steves said decriminalizing weed doesn't necessarily mean that use goes up. "I'm not going to tell you that people should smoke pot or that I smoke pot in America," Steves said, "but I will tell you that I think our drug policies are laughable." As for Steves himself? "I smoked when I went to Nepal in the '70s -- everyone did," Steves said. "It was very casual. And you know what they say ... when in Rome. "I don't hide it from my kids," Steves added. "I even had the president of NORML over for dinner so my kids could meet him. It's good to be honest about it, be credible and honest because there's a real serious problem with hard drugs out there." As for why he's taking such a high-profile position on pot? "I know a lot of people who smoke, but who would rather hide in the closet and be ashamed than speak out and say these laws are stupid,'' Steves said. "I mean, 8 million people have smoked -- some of them must have inhaled." Snipped:Complete Article: http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/10/30/BAGCVFG9F81.DTL
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Comment #90 posted by FoM on October 30, 2005 at 18:41:51 PT

Toker00 
It doesn't offend me to bring out an issue of such importance. I don't wear tie dyed clothes or a suit as a matter of fact just to add a little humor. I ignore organizations that exclude or lord it over. I just don't pay attention to anyone who makes me or our broad culture seem less then equal in this battle.
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Comment #89 posted by Toker00 on October 30, 2005 at 18:21:24 PT

Listen
Taylor121, I am not talking about forcing our culture on ANYONE. I don't care what you wear. And I fully understand what FoM is saying. You may not understand what I am saying. I don't wear tie-dye either. In fact, I can't remember ever wearing it. But I am not ashamed of those who do! I am 51 and have experienced everything from hippiedom to nerdism. I don't care what interests a person has, as long as one of them is not depriving me or the world of the right to express our support for the same interest, and in our own way. And I am not talking about accepting our culture, I'm talking about not excluding it. And about not excluding the rest of the world by only legalizing medical cannabis.Like I said, fight anyway you want. Just let others do the same. There's much more to our culture than woodstock, cheech and chong, and the beatles. I know about the way of thinking you speak of. That's the way I think. I'm just a bit more radical than most.FoM, if I have offended you, I will certainly tone it down. But I will never apologize for defending the culture that has brought us this far toward legalizing cannabis, and the culture that brought back free thinking. It's like forgetting the unsung heroes of battle. We can't do that. Wage peace on war. END CANNABIS PROHIBITION NOW! 
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Comment #88 posted by FoM on October 30, 2005 at 16:39:48 PT

Taylor121
That's right we need to work together.The whole culture should not be divided but united. An important part of the cannabis culture should be tolerance. Tolerance is humbling and when we are humbled we are open to learning. We should never lock ourselves or another in a box..On another note and to me very important. Rosa Parks has arrived at the Capitol. It's on CNN and it's an absolutely beautiful sight to see. God Bless Rosa Parks. 
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Comment #87 posted by Taylor121 on October 30, 2005 at 16:31:08 PT

I agree FoM
I fully agree with you. That is the point I'm trying to drive home. So many of the young people are like me, we do not come from the era many of you did. We want to change these laws just as much, but we don't identify with that culture. I don't wear suits, but I certainly wear a nice shirt and slacks to my classes. I have nothing against your culture, I just think we should all recognize that a lot of us out here don't conform to it yet we still share one and the same goal. Let's get out there and change the laws together!
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Comment #86 posted by FoM on October 30, 2005 at 16:16:15 PT

Taylor121 
Our ages span many years. I could be your grandmother. Cannabis spans the ages and the cultures of different times. The one thing that is vital to our overall success is that we don't look at each other with any contempt in our hearts for the differences of our times we grew up in or we relate to. If you invited Toker to your house he should be comfortable with you in a suit and you should be comfortable with him in a tie dyed shirt. See what I mean?The way we dress or what time we are from shouldn't be a point of division in a unified movement.
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Comment #85 posted by Taylor121 on October 30, 2005 at 16:15:33 PT

Still nervous on Denver
Anyone out there from Denver and wish to reassure some of us that are having our doubts about the Denver proposal passing? I got a bad feeling about it.
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Comment #84 posted by Taylor121 on October 30, 2005 at 15:56:15 PT

Toker00
"it's all about control. If we all get suits and ties and wear them to our protests and meetings with officials, and cannabis is legalized because of our straight laced approach, will they repeal that decision when we all go home and start wearing our tie-dies again, and celebrate our victory in public? Then why do we have to hide our culture in the first place? "I think one thing you should recognize is that not everyone that wants to reform these laws is part of the culture you are describing. I'm not. I have never worn anything like tie dies in my life. When I come home, I leave my slacks on, put on an undershirt, relax, and that's about it. I consider myself no different in culture from the vast majority of Americans. As FoM said it is a way of thinking. We should not require people to accept an entire culture of thinking, an entire philosophy of life to join our movement. Rather, the one unifying thing as a people that we should recognize is we all want to end this cruel unjust war on cannabis. I think that is the philosophy of the MPP, and that's why they dress the way they do. They want all lines of thinking that agree on our issue.
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Comment #83 posted by FoM on October 30, 2005 at 15:23:14 PT

lombar
I went and got Wyoming's laws from NORML and they are harsh. The laws particularly in states where the punish is excessive really need to be changed and fast. It's long past due.http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?wtm_view=&Group_ID=4574
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Comment #82 posted by lombar on October 30, 2005 at 14:53:07 PT

This is pretty disturbing for any Wyoming resident
"Under Wyoming law, possession of marijuana is not a minor crime," the court ruled, "and the need to preserve evidence of the offense was sufficient to justify the warrantless entry to arrest the occupants of the residence and to secure it until a search warrant or consent could be obtained."FoM. I am not a doctor but perhaps the drug killed the bodies immunity to infections or particularly TB anti-bodies. Just like the one I mentioned, decreased immune function could open us to many infections that our bodies have developed defenses against. The air if rife with micro-(flora and fauna) that our bodies kill all the time. They warned specifically to tell your doctor if you had any kind of infection.

Court OKs house search after cops get whiff of marijuana
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Comment #81 posted by siege on October 30, 2005 at 14:46:46 PT

stone tablets
They have found in Iraq on stone tablets that cannabis was used from 950 BC to 550 BC for all kinds med. and this has been since the war.
There is a book out on it costs $900 so we the people won't see it soon. it said for stiff hands, arthritis would be this, headache don't remember all of it. 
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Comment #80 posted by FoM on October 30, 2005 at 14:37:39 PT

lombar
I think Cannabis has to treat arthritis or how could musicians like Mick Jaggar or Keith Richards still be hopping around on the stage and with a smile on their faces too.I remember one side effect from a drug was tuberculosis. How could a person get tuberculosis from taking a drug?
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Comment #79 posted by lombar on October 30, 2005 at 14:29:42 PT

It's in our face all the time..
I just saw a commercial for a new drug for rhuemetoid arthritis. They always have a calm friendly voice 'sharing' the information with us, they do so care (/sarcasm). The part that got me was when they get to the side effects...decreased immune function which may cause death (with certain illnesses), do not take if you have any current infections or the flu, and a bunch more I can' remember. For that kind of risk it better CURE, not just treat.How is it they can market that on tv and yet demonize cannabis? Is cannabis an effective treatment for arthritis or symptoms thereof? Certainly less risky.
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Comment #78 posted by siege on October 30, 2005 at 14:22:36 PT

JR 
The Pharmaceuticals would be in the toilet and screaming  at the senators for help to kill the bill to let us have it...
like they are doing at this time. then bush would not get his monthly income from them. 
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Comment #77 posted by FoM on October 30, 2005 at 13:44:48 PT

JR Bob Dobbs 
That's a very good question. I don't know the answer because I don't know how much prescription medicine costs since I haven't had any scripts since 94. I'd be shocked at the cost I'm sure.
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Comment #76 posted by JR Bob Dobbs on October 30, 2005 at 13:37:10 PT

A good question
I know a few older people who've lately been complaining about the rising health care costs. And I've come up with an interesting hypothetical quesion which you're free to borrow. "If people were allowed to grow and use a certain alternative to that expensive medication, even if you yourself decided not to, what do you think that would do to the cost of your prescription medication?"
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Comment #75 posted by FoM on October 30, 2005 at 13:06:14 PT

Toker00 
I 100 percent knew what you meant. We're on the same bus. I just try to be polite and don't ever want to stir up discord between activists. I was looking at real estate today just to see if a retirement community might be built in Woodstock, New York. So far I haven't found anything but as we get older I see wonderful retirement communities for people of like mind. A street named maybe Jimmy Hendrix Avenue or a street named Doobie Street. I have a very vivid imagination! LOL!
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Comment #74 posted by global_warming on October 30, 2005 at 12:51:57 PT

re:Government
Reverned Jim (James), Thanks,The Cannabist ChurchThe Holy PlantThat Illuminates Those that are governedWalk in this world
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Comment #73 posted by Toker00 on October 30, 2005 at 12:51:53 PT

FoM, afterburner
FoM, this is the rally I meant! See what I mean about standing up for our culture no matter what? And that selective legalization is wrong? We WILL win, and in a big way, and we don't have to hide to do it! CNN even used the word Cannabis throughout the report! And that the celebration was about ALL Americans having the right to USE cannabis! BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT IT IS! Not cheap Mexican cigarettes!Hell yeah, afterburner, that's what I say!Wage peace on war. END CANNABIS PROHIBITION NOW!
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Comment #72 posted by global_warming on October 30, 2005 at 12:36:26 PT

WOW Afterburner
"No selective legalization. The wholy holy plant, the herb, laughing grass, has lived up to its potential. It's time for the law-makers to do the same. But if they continue to delay and distract, we will do the job for them, Out of the love that's in our hearts, Our compassion for our fellow humans, the planet and its creations, and the loving God. "Thanks
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Comment #71 posted by charmed quark on October 30, 2005 at 12:35:31 PT

CNN on War on Drugs
On right now, a discussion with Norm Stamper, former police chief in Seattle, about the failure of the war on drugs and whether they should be legalized.One comment by one of the moderators - "It's insane - a cancer patient can get arrested for pulling up a weed out of their yard and rolling it up and smoking it but pharmaceutical companies can charge $1000 for a drug that doesn't even work as well".
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Comment #70 posted by Jim Lunsford on October 30, 2005 at 12:34:25 PT

Global_Warming
Thanks for the link. I couldn't connect with the ny times one, but I did pull this one off of Yahoo! I expect it's the same one.http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20051030/pl_afp/usjusticepoliticsiraqbush_051030162002However, I hope we move beyond the tit-for-tat reprisals of this type of society. We have a chance to be better than that. Understanding that other ways of thinking may be less evil than our judgemental minds can ussually grasp. We are fast approaching the end of an era. But, if we do not learn that violence only begets more violence, then we will be doomed to repeat those mistakes. It is only through a peaceful revolution that we will realize universal peace.We are merely experiencing the chaos of a system reorganizing itself in order to meet the needs of society. As a society, and as individuals, I believe it is possible for us to realize this reorganization in a peaceful manner. Simply envision what a peaceful society would be like for you, and then just live accordingly.This internet revolution has perhaps completely destroyed the censorship capabilities of governments. It is the freedom of information, and increasing the capablity of the masses to access that information which has marked all previous great advances in our short history. And now, we discover just how our actions affect families anywhere in the world, at the click of a mouse. Perhaps what we are also witnessing, is the death of Nationalism, one of the greatest causes of war since it's inception. Soon, the days of Bismarck (who once retorted that He would tell his people what to believe)will be gone. But that will require we citizens to become more active in their government. And ever vigilint against it's inevitable corruption. For, until we reach a state in which we choose to serve our better angels, we will need a government. And government is force. Pure and simple.Rev Jim LunsfordFirst Cannabist ChurchUnderstanding: What everyone else lacks
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Comment #69 posted by afterburner on October 30, 2005 at 12:25:31 PT

On and On
Woodson said. ...
"The battle continues, and I feel the voices are getting louder and louder... The walls are going to tumble, at some point." "Keep the Faith" was a popular injunction in the 1970's. Now, that we have had to endure 30 years of delay and distraction, Let us all remember those words, Live those words."Won't back down"No selective legalization. The wholy holy plant, the herb, laughing grass, has lived up to its potential. It's time for the law-makers to do the same. But if they continue to delay and distract, we will do the job for them, Out of the love that's in our hearts, Our compassion for our fellow humans, the planet and its creations, and the loving God.

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Comment #68 posted by FoM on October 30, 2005 at 11:55:29 PT

runderwo 
I also get so tired of how they word titles. I don't know any dopes and never have.
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Comment #67 posted by runderwo on October 30, 2005 at 11:50:57 PT

the headlines
So, depending on the bias the press wants to present, you're either a "Marijuana supporter" or a "Dope supporter". Way to go, guys....
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Comment #66 posted by FoM on October 30, 2005 at 11:49:39 PT

If This Happened It Would Be Great
Bush should also be forewarned: any attempt to pardon Libby and others convicted for treason will mean the end of the Republican Party and the end of the Bush political dynasty."
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Comment #65 posted by global_warming on October 30, 2005 at 11:44:44 PT

Go+ED Rosenthal
"According to Rosenthal, 750,000 Americans were arrested last year for marijuana offenses. He calls that "a waste of money, a waste of lives and a waste of psyche." He says cannabis has lots of uses for humans and "should be celebrated."I guess if you add those "other people" in those other parts of this world-globe, the numbers are staggering..Sure Hope, the wind is changing towards better understanding.http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/30/magazine/30wwln.html?pagewanted=printhttp://www.waynemadsenreport.com/
-----------------------------------
"It is sad that President Bush uttered words of praise for Libby and his actions before he fled Washington for Camp David yesterday. Bush said Libby "sacrificed much, " serving the administration in “extraordinary times in our nation’s history.” What B.S.! Libby sacrificed our nation's national security on behalf of a shadowy political agenda crafted in right-wing funded think tanks in Washington and the back rooms of London, Rome, and Jerusalem. Libby and his co-conspirators are traitors in every sense of the term. Libby joins Aldrich Ames, John Walker, Robert Hanssen, Jonathan Pollard, and Benedict Arnold in the halls of treason. For Bush to praise such an individual is yet more proof that this swaggering dolt and failed human being is certainly no leader and is, in fact, traitorous to the United States as much as his top aides who remain under investigation. Bush and Cheney aided and abetted treason inside the White House. They should not only be impeached and tried by the Senate, but jailed for the rest of their lives as an example to future American leaders who believe it is proper to place the security of the nation in jeopardy for selfish political purposes. Bush should also be forewarned: any attempt to pardon Libby and others convicted for treason will mean the end of the Republican Party and the end of the Bush political dynasty."
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Comment #64 posted by FoM on October 30, 2005 at 11:02:56 PT

Related Article from KCBS/AP
Marijuana Supporters Hold FestivalOctober 30, 2005San Francisco --The first-ever "Wonders of Cannabis Festival and Exhibition" is drawing thousands of people to San Francisco's Golden Gate Park.It's organized by marijuana activist Ed Rosenthal, who says he wants to underscore what he sees as the public's right to use pot.According to Rosenthal, 750-thousand Americans were arrested last year for marijuana offenses. He calls that "a waste of money, a waste of lives and a waste of psyche." He says cannabis has lots of uses for humans and "should be celebrated."KCBS reporter Hnery Mulak attended the fair and met a self-described "conservative Christian grandma" who agrees with Rosenthal. LaRayne Jeffries published a book with her daughter documenting how medical marijuana helped her 16-year-old grandson, whose behavior had been so violent that he was thrown out of every school and treatment program he had entered, and had been treated by more than a dozen doctors. Jeffries tells KCBS that by three years old, her grandson was on Ritalin, and by six he'd been in two residential treatment facilities. She says he would have been "lost to the system" had someone not suggested giving him marijuana-laced brownies...which Jeffries says put him on the road to recovery.The event, which concludes Sunday, features medical and legal consultants, cooking demonstrations and a joint rolling competition.Speakers include comedian Tommy Chong, of "Cheech and Chong" fame. He spent nine months in prison on a marijuana-related conspiracy conviction.Copyright 2005 KCBS/AP
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Comment #63 posted by FoM on October 30, 2005 at 10:22:00 PT

AP: Thousands of People!
Dope Supporters Hold 'Wonders of Cannabis' FestivalOctober 30, 2005SAN FRANCISCO -- The first-ever "Wonders of Cannabis Festival and Exhibition" is drawing thousands of people to San Francisco's Golden Gate Park.It's organized by marijuana activist Ed Rosenthal, who says he wants to underscore what he sees as the public's right to use pot.According to Rosenthal, 750,000 Americans were arrested last year for marijuana offenses. He calls that "a waste of money, a waste of lives and a waste of psyche." He says cannabis has lots of uses for humans and "should be celebrated."The event, which concludes Sunday, features medical and legal consultants, cooking demonstrations and a joint rolling competition.Speakers include comedian Tommy Chong, of "Cheech and Chong" fame. He spent nine months in prison on a marijuana-related conspiracy conviction. Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press

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Comment #62 posted by FoM on October 30, 2005 at 10:11:55 PT

Max Flowers 
I sure agree with you. We have only just begun. I was surfing Bethel, New York web sites today and my mind is stuck in a certain train of thought right now. I know I'm weird! LOL!
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Comment #61 posted by Max Flowers on October 30, 2005 at 10:05:14 PT

FoM
Amen, and it will be worth it all when that day finally comes...
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Comment #60 posted by FoM on October 30, 2005 at 10:01:43 PT

Thanks Max Flowers
You said: Cannabis is about to go big-time mainstream folks, I hope you're all ready. I have mixed feelings about it... I understand what you mean but it will only be the beginning of a new and wonderful culture stepping out into the light of the world and people won't need to hide and fear anymore. I saw an illustration of one of those snow christmas globes today but what was on the inside was a rainbow colored Peace Sign. We will have only just begun.
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Comment #59 posted by FoM on October 30, 2005 at 09:56:11 PT

Just a Comment
I can't find any news to post so we are getting work done around home but I am playing the DVD of Monterey Pop. People where high there you can see but I haven't seen any drinking. I don't believe that alcohol was used too much back then. Just my thoughts.
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Comment #58 posted by Max Flowers on October 30, 2005 at 09:55:06 PT

Just a quick report on the "Wonders Of Cannabis&qu
event. I attended it yesterday. It was really something to see how "mainstream" cannabis is becoming. There were many many vendors set up, selling all kinds of things like pipes, bongs, books, gifts, vaporizers, hemp goods and on and on. Tommy Chong did about a half hour of stand-up and was really funny. I don't usually laugh at stand up comedy, but he nearly had me in tears. Ed Rosenthal was having a great time as Master of Ceremonies, dressed up in a wizard get-up complete with pointy hat. He spoke and was pretty inspired/inspiring also.The big surprise was Rick Steves, a name probably unknown to most of you but he is a TV travel program host (bay area based I think) and writes travel guidebooks. He is VERY straight and nerdy looking, and I never would have dreamed he was a stoner and a fierce liberal. But boy, is he both, and he gave a fiery speech defending the right to privacy and extolling the virtues of getting high while traveling! It was great. He also went into how people should go ahead and break American laws against cannabis while in countries where it's not illegal (or not very illegal, like Holland). He also railed about the loss of privacy we are experiencing in the country presently and urging everyone to fight against it. He is the latest addition to my "hero list."Most of the people attending looked like stoners or looked "alternative" in some way (this was San Francisco, after all), but there were quite a few people who looked like "closet stoners" daring to come out to play, and a few "fence-sitters" and even a few people who out-and-out looked like cops coming on their day off to check it out.. I even saw a few old people (I mean like 80-90 years old!). It was great.Cannabis is about to go big-time mainstream folks, I hope you're all ready. I have mixed feelings about it... on the one hand it will make this battle of ours even shorter, but on the other hand, the "cool factor" if you will is being sucked out of it. In other words, it will soon be so widely accepted that it is not at all "edgy" anymore. Kind of like it was for people who were into microbrew beers before they became a big national fad.
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Comment #57 posted by FoM on October 30, 2005 at 08:47:06 PT

Interesting Article 
I believe change comes from inside us somewhere. I don't believe that politics bring change but people like Rosa Parks who dig deep inside and address fairness do bring change.***Mysterious Phenomena Are All Around Us, and Within Us***Excerpt: Is there a “collective consciousness” or a “zero-point” phenomena that we can tap into by going within ourselves? Meditation, yoga, consciousness research, even the use of psychoactive plants, cacti and mushrooms have been explored by researchers and the general public. What happens when people meditate and get into a so-called “altered consciousness?” How does prayer work? What do Native American Indians experience when they use the peyote cactus in spiritual ceremonies? (Their use this cactus for spiritual purposes is legal for members of the Native American Church under federal law.) Does this make them feel closer to the “Great Spirit?” What is the attraction of marijuana (cannabis) for so many people?Complete Article: http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=3344

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Comment #56 posted by FoM on October 30, 2005 at 07:32:02 PT

siege
I think we are getting so big that things break. Since I don't work on the program end of CNews I can't fix. Matt Elrod or observer would be the ones to fix it. I'm sorry for the problem.
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Comment #55 posted by siege on October 30, 2005 at 07:16:36 PT

FoM
Or your IPS cannot handle the load of incoming for you...
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Comment #54 posted by siege on October 30, 2005 at 07:11:51 PT

FoM
I don't know the size of your phone line that you run, I have a (T1) for the net. It could be your get more hits then you can handle on the incoming line...
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Comment #53 posted by FoM on October 30, 2005 at 06:56:32 PT

siege
What server? Is there a problem with CNews? I know I dropped from approximately 4,200,000 total hits for the month yesterday down to 3,600,000 total hits today so something broke again.
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Comment #52 posted by siege on October 30, 2005 at 06:46:26 PT

FoM
The server is too busy at the moment. Please try again later.
it been this way for the last week...
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Comment #51 posted by FoM on October 30, 2005 at 06:34:07 PT

Medical Marijuana May Need New Torchbearers
This is the same article as above but with this title.http://www.insidebayarea.com/timesstar/localnews/ci_3166724
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Comment #50 posted by FoM on October 30, 2005 at 06:01:57 PT

Toker00 
I turned on CNN Headline news and looked on CNN's web site but can't find the pictures or video. Do you have a link if it is online? I really like Ed Rosenthal. 
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Comment #49 posted by Toker00 on October 30, 2005 at 05:18:59 PT

Beautiful pics on CNN today of rally.
Mirken said his own organization strives for a "straight-laced and buttoned-down approach" so as to shatter stereotypes and emphasize facts. "But in any mass movement you've got people with different attitudes, different styles, different approaches. And let's face it, the Bay Area is not a community that does straight-laced really well."Thank you for making my point. You can conform if you want, but you can't exclude. I live in a "Bay Area" myself. I just wish the people here were a lot more ACTIVE in our movement. I feel like I have to be the spokesman for hundreds of thousands of tokers in this area who are either apathetic, afraid, or just don't give a hoot. But I'll do it. No strings attached.CNN had some beautiful pics of the S.F. rally. Video's of dumping the bud on a table, live, GROWING, cannabis plants, leaves all over the damn place. THANK YOU CNN. They even mentioned the rolling contest. How does that make you feel, ASA? No selective legalization of cannabis. The WORLD has a right to SAFE ACCESS. How about TWSA? The World for Safe Access? Wage peace on war. END CANNABIS PROHIBITION NOW!
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Comment #48 posted by FoM on October 29, 2005 at 21:00:51 PT

BGreen
It could be a joke. I don't know anything about the magazine.ekim I'm not sure what Bill that would be.
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Comment #47 posted by BGreen on October 29, 2005 at 20:55:50 PT

I think it might be a supposed joke
The authors' name is Hanft, which is very similar to hanf, the German word for hemp, so maybe they think this is humor.I'd call it blatant anti-cannabis propaganda.I wonder if those six-year-old kids, monkeys or mentally ill people could write a song like Willie Nelson?I'm sure they could write a better story than Lucas Hanft.The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #46 posted by ekim on October 29, 2005 at 20:54:53 PT

anyone see or hear of this bill 
a story on Fri that a bill that the House had would expand crimes that will bring the person charged with State Death \ but -----------if a jury in that state did not agree to that[been lots of talk of jurynulifcation[ the feds would get a crack at charging the case.
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Comment #45 posted by FoM on October 29, 2005 at 20:44:19 PT

BGreen
Where were the references for who conducted the study? I could say a study said that people who smoke marijuana levitate and can float from New York to LA. 
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Comment #44 posted by BGreen on October 29, 2005 at 20:27:21 PT

OK, This was in a magazine I received today
I can't believe the idiocy of this author and the rag that would publish this crap.The Reverend Bud Greenhttp://tinyurl.com/c4oohStoners vs. Six-Year-Olds: A Radar Investigation
If you’re baked, are you also brain-dead? Radar recruited two potheads, two small children, and a monkey researcher to find out.by Lucas HanftA recent study revealed that marijuana seeps deep into the brain’s prefrontal cortex, distorting basic reasoning. So just how impaired is your average toker? With the help of Venkat Lakshminarayanan, a friendly researcher at a primate psych lab, Radar conducted tests on two stoned adults (Miriam and Bob) and two sober children (Devon and Dom). Here’s how our potheads fared compared to the kids—as well as monkeys, toddlers, and mentally ill patients who’ve taken similar tests.SNIPPED
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Comment #43 posted by FoM on October 29, 2005 at 18:41:56 PT

Comment #27
I watched the video and Allen mentioned every aspect of the plant including Hemp. I was happy to see that he mentioned Hemp.
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Comment #42 posted by FoM on October 29, 2005 at 18:34:23 PT

The Whole Plant
Jim I also believe that the whole plant needs to be liberated. I believe cannabis is good medicine. I also believe that products made from the plant can benefit society. I believe all use is really medical because it does make people feel better and feeling better is medical or why do we have so many drugs on the market to help people just to feel better?
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Comment #41 posted by Jim Lunsford on October 29, 2005 at 18:26:33 PT

Consiracy?
Definitely! Except it's by the prohibitionists. Organized? Please, I thought that Cannabis would inhibit such a monumental task as declaring peace on the war against us. After all, don't they tell us that "pot makes you stupid", or that it reduces our motivation? So, how could a bunch of stoners outfox the drug free minds of the pure and noble justice department? Besides, isn't this a movement in which everyone wants just a certain aspect of the plant available? Industrialists seem to be okay with the prohibition of all forms of cannabis, excepting "hemp" or non-THC variant uses. Medical users are okay with the rest of the prohibitions against Cannabis as long as "patients" can recieve their medication. And so on, ad naseum.Medical, industrial, recreational, de-criminalized, legalized, whatever! Not a single aspect of this grass-roots movement could be considered cohesive enough to qualify as a conspiracy. And yet, laws are being changed. Imagine a world, in which the focus of the movement expanded to include all aspects of cannabis. Without the in-fighting, the laws would be changed in a "New York Minute"! Rev Jim LunsfordFirst Cannabist ChurchCorruption: An inevtitable by-product of government. Most especially found in moralistic legislative governments.
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Comment #40 posted by FoM on October 29, 2005 at 18:11:47 PT

BGreen
I agree with you. That's the only way that change will come.Congress and the president are setting a precedent here by honoring those who stand up against their own repressive laws, and I place them on notice that the cannabis community 'ain't gonna give up our seat on the bus, either!'
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Comment #39 posted by BGreen on October 29, 2005 at 18:07:03 PT

Rosa Parks Was A Law Breaker & Criminal
Now she is being given the highest honor the government can give a US citizen by letting her body rest in state at the Capital.If we break the laws that we deem unjust, we rot in jail.Ms. Parks broke (and ultimately changed) a law that many deemed unjust, and she is lifted up as a hero.This is proof that it is OUR DUTY TO STAND UP AND DISOBEY THE EVIL LAWS AGAINST THIS GOD-GIVEN PLANT CALLED CANNABIS.Congress and the president are setting a precedent here by honoring those who stand up against their own repressive laws, and I place them on notice that the cannabis community 'ain't gonna give up our seat on the bus, either!'The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #38 posted by FoM on October 29, 2005 at 17:54:08 PT

Had Enough 
I believe in accountability. I'm just a realist about if it will happen in politics or when. I do believe people with missions will help like Rosa Parks did. People like Cindy Sheehan will move mountains and their righteous efforts will become part of history.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cindy_Sheehan
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Comment #37 posted by Had Enough on October 29, 2005 at 17:40:10 PT

Comment 35
Accountability has to start at the bottom and go all the way up to the top. It’s like having a strong, solid, secure foundation for the house that is built upon it. The more accountability there is in the lower levels, the more accountability will seep into the higher levels. If the “bad guys” that are in our system is held accountable for their actions, other people will fall in line. 
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Comment #36 posted by FoM on October 29, 2005 at 17:11:52 PT

Hope
We are wealthy and those at the top keep getting wealthier but the poor just get discarded like we discard our trash each day. Republicans and those on that side of political idealism don't care about social issues like those on the other side care about social issues. 
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Comment #35 posted by FoM on October 29, 2005 at 17:05:19 PT

Had Enough 
I don't know if anything can make it really honest no matter who is the president. Accountabilty for wrong doing just doesn't happen. People that get into politics as a means to bring change sell out before they can do anything good. I believe everyday people will be the ones to help fix us if we can be fixed. 
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Comment #34 posted by Hope on October 29, 2005 at 17:02:40 PT

Aren't we one of the wealthiest countries?
http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/us-poor-set-to-lose-food-stamps/2005/10/29/1130400390006.html
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Comment #33 posted by Had Enough on October 29, 2005 at 16:59:17 PT

Comment 29
It's not the system that is failing. It's the people involved in the system that are causing problems. They need to be rooted out, prosecuted, and sent up as Rush Limbaugh said about white male drug offenders before he was caught going through over 4000 Oxycontins, Vicodin, and who knows what else a month.
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Comment #32 posted by FoM on October 29, 2005 at 16:42:02 PT

Hope
Things have changed.
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Comment #31 posted by Hope on October 29, 2005 at 16:29:21 PT

One thing that is really wrong, I think.
Too many people don't respect each other enough.
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Comment #30 posted by Hope on October 29, 2005 at 16:27:25 PT

Global Warming Comment #25
I really hope you are right.Unless you mean lke..."He's in a better world now."
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Comment #29 posted by FoM on October 29, 2005 at 16:25:27 PT

Had Enough 
I know that I don't have faith in our system as it is now. I've seen too much that is wrong over the years. It's too big. With 300 million people corruption will happen.
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Comment #28 posted by Hope on October 29, 2005 at 16:23:59 PT

It's kind of weird that they don't just let them
do it on Halloween...like they used to.
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Comment #27 posted by FoM on October 29, 2005 at 16:19:39 PT

This Was a Good Interview
The camera moves around alot but the interview was very good. Allen made me laugh when he called himself the Head Head.Allen St. Pierre - Executive Director NORML 
  An informal interview with Allen St. Pierre, Executive Director NORML, from the Seattle Hempfest 2005 Media Tent. This is the first online post ever direcly from Hempfest. It was accomplished by using the Junxion Box, a transportable wireless WAN router that uses a patent pending software platform to act as a connectivity bridge between cellular data service and client devices like laptop and desktop computers. With the Junxion Box, people can connect their devices to PC Card modems from wireless carriers using common interfaces like Ethernet and Wi-Fi. Allen St. Pierre was hired by NORML in early 1991 as Communications Director, in 1993 he became the organization's Deputy National Director. In January 2005 Mr. St. Pierre became the Executive Director of NORML. Mr. St. Pierre serves on both NORML and the NORML Foundation's Board of Directors and is secretary to both. Early in 1997, The NORML Foundation was created and Mr. St. Pierre currently serves as it's founding Executive Director. Mr. St. Pierre is the Executive Editor of NORML/The NORML Foundation's reports, publications and webpage as well as the organizations' archivist. The NORML Foundation is a non-profit legal, research and educational organization whose main focus is to work with its sister organization (NORML) and other organizations that seek to advance the agenda of marijuana law reform. Producer: JOlmsted Talent: Allen St. Pierre http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1760525196720521770&q=marijuana
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Comment #26 posted by Had Enough on October 29, 2005 at 16:03:45 PT

FoM
I really don't know why either.  But these are some of the things that go on without mainstream media coverage. Things that make you go Hmmm. Seems to me people that vist this forum are very knowledgeable about that subject.I think this time around the Feds will be in control of rebuilding the levees using the Army Corp of Engineers.
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Comment #25 posted by global_warming on October 29, 2005 at 15:59:40 PT

Thanks
To Lady FomAnd to all the bravest That have posted words and thoughts,This world is headingTo a better world
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Comment #24 posted by FoM on October 29, 2005 at 15:46:23 PT

global_warming 
How nice of you. Thank you so much.
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Comment #23 posted by FoM on October 29, 2005 at 15:44:47 PT

 Had Enough 
Corruption on the highest floor. I do believe there is corruption on about every level of every city and maybe even small town. Less in small towns because it is easier to spot by the citizens. Why didn't the Army corp of engineers using federal money not make that levee stronger? That's has to be a federal project or how could they afford to do city things and protect a sinking city? I really don't know.
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Comment #22 posted by global_warming on October 29, 2005 at 15:40:21 PT

On That Bus
Wish I could Hug youOn that Bus
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Comment #21 posted by Had Enough on October 29, 2005 at 15:32:55 PT

FoM
There is more to this levee issue than what it appears. I believe the Federal Government appropriated money in the past and the State Officials squandered the money on their pet projects and other useless things. When it came time again to give money to New Orleans for the levees, it was given a closer look. I think that was part of the issue, but I'm not 100 percent sureAlso they are finding out that the New Orleans Police Department does not have the personnel on the force that the records reflect. They are now referred to as phantom officers that do not exist. They can’t find them but their paychecks are being cashed to the tune of 24 million dollars.This is an e-mail I received from a good friend and please keep in mind that these are still unfounded allegations.e-mail starts here, my friend wrote to meI don't know how true this story is. I do know that of the 2 NO officers who committed suicide, one was very close to the chief. I have read no info on the second one. No in depth story has been done on either one of them. The numbers of actual police and the phantom payroll has been in the background for over 3 weeks. No big media will do a story on it. But they won't do a story on why "Schoolbus" Nagin didn't get the buses rolling either. Or about how the LA government is squandering money already. I'm out of sympathy for most of this situation.This is the body of the e-mail he recieved and sent to meNew Orleans Cops Payroll? QUESTIONS SURFACE IN WAKE OF COMPASS' RESIGNATION SEPTEMBER 28, 2005 Eddie Compass has resigned as the New Orleans Police chief, the Associated Press Reports. 
On the heels of N.O. police Chief Eddie Compass' resignation, allegations are emerging. Fox News' Tony Snow has said that of the 1700 police working for New Orleans, maybe only 1000 really exist. 
Rogers asked someone in the know, who agreed with Snow's statements. 
"It's pretty much always been known, but never openly acknowledged, that NOPD's actual numbers were far below the "official" figure of 1500 - 1700," said the source. 
"To get that number over 1500, and thus qualify for federal funding, Compass and his predecessors counted reservists and certain retirees as active duty officers. The REAL number is, and has been for some time, a lot closer to 1000." 
Some time ago, the Feds were considering taking over the NOPD. Allegedly, that's when the "cooking of the books" on numbers of cops started in earnest, because one of the feds' complaints was the low number of officers, Rogers is told. 
Some suspect that this should be the death knell for the" residency rule," which requires NOPD officers to live in New Orleans. 
Developing - If the FBI does their job they will get their hands on the individual evaluations that have to be part of any permanent record. Interesting to find out who did them. Also the pay records which would list where the checks were deposited and cashed. 
FOX news report Tony Snow said today that the FBI began investigating the New Orleans police who had abandoned their post during Katrina and of the more than 500 screened so far, 84% don't exist. 
Tony Snow said; of the 1700 police working for New Orleans, maybe only 1000 really exist. 700 times an average salary of $35,000 = $24,500,000 is missing or unaccounted for !!! 
Where was that payroll money going? 
Perhaps the Mayor Nagin can claim he needed the phantom cops to handle the phantom crimes committed at the Superdome. 
Gee weez and don't us forget that a lot of the records involved are going to be "missing" because of the flooding. 
How come none of this was aired on TV News Programs????e-mail ends here

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Comment #20 posted by FoM on October 29, 2005 at 15:22:53 PT

Buckle Up When On The Bus
I couldn't resist.
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Comment #19 posted by global_warming on October 29, 2005 at 15:08:05 PT

Buckle UP
We is acceleratingInto the Bosom of GodLadies and Good gentelmen,.Your pass' is good hereGet on boardThat spark was lighted A thousand years beforeWarm upGet closeHum, and bring songTo the FireThat Lights this Universe
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Comment #18 posted by FoM on October 29, 2005 at 15:02:56 PT

I Was Just Sent This Link
Google now seem to have videos for us to watch.http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=marijuana
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Comment #17 posted by FoM on October 29, 2005 at 14:55:01 PT

global_warming 
I agree with you.
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Comment #16 posted by global_warming on October 29, 2005 at 14:44:56 PT

more ignorance
"..a mother of three from New Orleans, said her family cannot get housing or food stamps in Texas because her husband served time for possession of crack cocaine.""It happened because of turning a blind eye to the need to invest in the Levees ..and poor people, You can bet' your last dollarThe suits and 'high' pricedLawyers and neighborsMay have the best weed
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Comment #15 posted by FoM on October 29, 2005 at 14:42:11 PT

Hope
I really don't know. I actually forgot about it. They trick or treat at a particular time in our local town one night during the week. That's all that is allowed.
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Comment #14 posted by Hope on October 29, 2005 at 14:36:52 PT

Off Topic.
Is this Trick or Treat night?
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Comment #13 posted by FoM on October 29, 2005 at 14:32:08 PT

Had Enough 
I really think it's terrible how they are treating our poor displaced citizens in New Orleans. It happened because of turning a blind eye to the need to invest in the Levees ( thank you government ) and then they want to punish them because they have found solice in drugs or drinking. What should they do when they don't have any hope for ar least a slightly better tomorrow? They would probably say just commit suicide or at least this administration thinks that way.
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Comment #12 posted by Had Enough on October 29, 2005 at 14:25:00 PT

Off topic
Bill would allow aid for drug offendershttp://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/nation/3419046
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Comment #11 posted by FoM on October 29, 2005 at 14:23:35 PT

global_warming 
Yes and many of us
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Comment #10 posted by global_warming on October 29, 2005 at 14:10:14 PT

%6.....
"We can let the world turn us into what they want but then who are we?"We are those "we the people"Walking forwardLeaving behind,..and there are many of us !
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Comment #9 posted by global_warming on October 29, 2005 at 13:54:27 PT

Wearing Cheap Shoes
Dancing in the Dark'This world is changingFor the BetterSalt and BreadCan fill our belliesThere is no saltThat can satisfyOr fill our souls,In the blink of an eyeThis worldWinks backSing a songTo the StarsHigher and Higher
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Comment #8 posted by global_warming on October 29, 2005 at 13:14:31 PT

What are you seeing?
Luk 10:31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 
Luk 10:32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 
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Comment #7 posted by global_warming on October 29, 2005 at 12:54:36 PT

re: t-shirts
"Federal drug-war leaders paint drug policy reform — particularly marijuana reform — as an insidious, well-funded and carefully orchestrated plot, Mirken said. Actually, it's "a very disparate collection of folks from all corners of society who've come to the honest conclusion that our current marijuana laws make no sense,"I, for one, cannot accept that some ill person has time to worry about what t-shirt they have on during their battle with cancer, aids and many other terrible diseases that afflict the flesh of mankind.
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on October 29, 2005 at 12:46:47 PT

Toker00 
I'm glad I don't need a dime. LOL! There is no such thing as non comformity because we all conform to something but I do believe we shouldn't have to turn off what makes us tick to fit in to a society when we don't like the way it's going. In a democracy people should be allowed to be themselves. Neil Young said something interesting in a radio interview. He said he and his wife get along great and they have a good marriage. He said so many people get married and they turn off their dreams to please their mate. He said he never had to do that and that's why he can say they have a great marriage. The same principle should be ours. We can let the world turn us into what they want but then who are we?
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Comment #5 posted by Hope on October 29, 2005 at 11:46:34 PT

This is interesting.
It's about Federal drug cases. Anyone involved in a Federal case over cannabis might ought to read it through. 
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Comment #4 posted by Toker00 on October 29, 2005 at 11:32:59 PT

It's not just about conformity,
it's all about control. If we all get suits and ties and wear them to our protests and meetings with officials, and cannabis is legalized because of our straight laced approach, will they repeal that decision when we all go home and start wearing our tie-dies again, and celebrate our victory in public? Then why do we have to hide our culture in the first place? Because they like to CONTROL us. Kiss my ass and I'll give you a dime. That sort of thing. I've never been one to take that dime. You all can fight the way you want to. The main point we HAVE to make, is that cannabis is not a dangerous, poison or evil plant, and neither are the people who use it responsibly, medically, spiritually, philosophically, religiously, or for food, shelter, or clothing. We must ALL be defended against these unjust laws against cannabis. No exceptions. NO SELECTIVE LEGALIZATION FOR CANNABIS. Wage peace on war. END CANNABIS PROHIBITION NOW! 
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Comment #3 posted by Hope on October 29, 2005 at 11:18:55 PT

Runruff
I wouldn't be surprised if someday that man could sue the government that did those things to him and his family and community. When those enabling government to operate like this, and facilitating it... finally open their eyes and cast aside their delusions they will be glad that that's the worst of it.
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on October 29, 2005 at 10:14:42 PT

Just an Observation and Comment
Excerpt: Mirken said his own organization strives for a "straight-laced and buttoned-down approach" so as to shatter stereotypes and emphasize facts. "But in any mass movement you've got people with different attitudes, different styles, different approaches. And let's face it, the Bay Area is not a community that does straight-laced really well." It's a way of thinking. Some of us see the glass is half full while others see the glass as half empty.It's just a matter of how we want to look at life. It's trying to be happy when the world is going crazy or going crazy along with the world.
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Comment #1 posted by runruff on October 29, 2005 at 09:56:24 PT:

Bottom line, all the time.
The bottom line is always, "show me the money"! The proselytizing, the moral posturing, The stated concerns for public saftey, all are for public consumption. With all budget supported orginizations it is their budgets they are concerned with. With law enforcement it is that, plus the asset forfeiture [treasure hunt]. Oregon should be a model of how quickly leos loose interest in the war on drugs when their profits are removed. It goes something like this. First by trial the law must prove the accused party is guilty of a crime. Then the law must prove the money and or assets were purchased with illegal drug money. If these two things are accomplished then forfiture can beguin. But the Leos' can only keep what amounts to the cost of the operation the rest is given into a state rehab fund to help
rehab drug abusers. The more they confiscate the faster they put themselves out of buisness. Now with a federal bust. The feds get to keep 25% of the assets the rest is given over to the state which uses the money to support statewide rehab programs. After the people of Oregon instated this law by referendum the state and local leos all but lost any interest in the drug war which is mostly a war on cannabis as we all know. The feds are still active here but without state and local help they are whey deminished. The feds like the big bust for profit and propaganda.
Bust like the one they make on me will never be touted as heroic. Fourty paramilitary DEA agents with automatic weapons drawn assulted a rural mountian cabin where they 
found a recovering heart patient who had recent eye surgery bagging up his and several friends annual supply of medical marijuana. The man and his wife were alone having coffee and enjoying a peaceful morning together sitting by the old wood stove, after a long struggle with life and death and sight loosing battles.
The criticaly ill man was arrested and handcuffed at gun point and taken to the local jail were he was held untill his arraignment. He is now facing two years in a federal pen and four years probation. This is all true but here is what the DEA would rather show the public. The exception not the rule in this url: 
http://www.dea.gov/index.htm
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