cannabisnews.com: On The Rope Again 





On The Rope Again 
Posted by CN Staff on September 22, 2006 at 14:32:38 PT
By Bill Maher
Source: Huffington Post
USA -- Until we win World War III and crush the evildoers in what our president calls a "struggle for civilization" - all law enforcement people have to work on THAT, and not on busting Willie Nelson. This week, Willie Nelson, whom Donald Rumsfeld calls the "number two man in al-Qaeda" - was the victim of a pointless search that revealed he had with him a mere pound and a half of marijuana and a fifth of a pound of psychedelic mushrooms - or as Willie calls it, breakfast.That's right, cops in Louisiana pulled over his tour bus and searched it based on probable cause, the probable cause being it contained Willie Nelson.
The Fuzz then hassled Willie, demanded he cut his hair and shot Peter Fonda off his motorcycle. I mean, Louisiana, come on, your state was under water a year ago - if the man wants some of it for his bong, let him. Yes, he had mushrooms - he's a hundred year old hippie, they were growing in his hair. Are we trying to send a message to other aging celebrities who might be thinking about recreational drug use? Watch out, Wilfred Brimley. Alberto Gonzales wants to know what you're sprinkling on your Quaker Oats. Let us not forget the president's words - all twelve of them. "This country," he said, "is in a fight against a lethal enemy - spinach." Which, by the way, Willie also used to smoke, but he gave it up around the time Bush got off the coke. Everybody's got something. But if there's one drug above all we should be cracking down on, it's oil. Oil is the addiction poisoning our lungs, and our political system, and our foreign policy. Willie Nelson, high though he might have been, was on a bus that didn't pollute anything, because it runs on bio-diesel. But bio-diesel threatens the profits of Big Oil, which means the only way we're ever going to legalize pot in this country is to convince Bush and Cheney it's a petroleum product. And it may be, all my bongs have a carburetor. Hemp is another product that threatens oil and timber profits, because it has so many uses, like rope and bio-fuel and textiles. The Declaration of Independence is written on it. President Bush could use it to make another "Mission Accomplished" banner. If he could only accomplish a mission.But that's hard when you lose focus. Let's focus on defending America, and leave the singers and the medical marijuana patients alone. Because, believe me, when you bite into one of their special baked goods, in about 20 minutes you'll be saying, "You're doing a heckuva job, brownie." Bill Maher is the host of HBO's "Real Time with Bill Maher" which airs every Friday at 11PM.Source: Huffington Post (US Web)Author: Bill MaherPublished: September 22, 2006Copyright: 2006 HuffingtonPost.com, LLC Contact: russjourn comcast.netWebsite: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Willie Nelsonhttp://www.willienelson.com/Shouldn't Willie Be Left Alone?http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22181.shtmlNelson, Others Cited for Drugshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22178.shtmlWillie Nelson Cited for Marijuana Possessionhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22174.shtml 
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Comment #41 posted by Had Enough on September 23, 2006 at 19:27:22 PT
paulpeterson re:2
I’m Thinkin' Satchmo, the late great Louis Armstrong.http://www.satchmo.net/
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Comment #40 posted by museman on September 23, 2006 at 15:47:03 PT
whig
I had thought I did put it in 'proper context'"...'academics' was a useless pursuit for one who really wants to know what is going on."
I didn't say 'academics were useless' I said it was my 'understanding' that it was a 'useless pursuit.' In proper context.
 
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Comment #39 posted by Dankhank on September 23, 2006 at 14:05:05 PT
history channel now
secrets of the sahara ...
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Comment #38 posted by whig on September 23, 2006 at 14:04:02 PT
museman
Academics aren't useless. It's kind of like having a little bit of money, it isn't a bad thing if kept in the proper context. If you have some knowledge that you can use, it can be very helpful. But people who think that everything there is to know can be learned in a classroom are sadly confused.You learn more important things from your friends and your family, how to be decent to people, how to care about one another and be part of a community that isn't based on violence.And some things you just plain learn for yourself, and there's no other way to get the knowledge.
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Comment #37 posted by whig on September 23, 2006 at 13:51:58 PT
Paul Peterson
I posted your story for today:http://cannablog.wordpress.com/2006/09/23/popular-culture/
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Comment #36 posted by Dankhank on September 23, 2006 at 13:37:36 PT
Santa ... origin of ... 
one of the first stories I captured off the net was a book review about Laplanders following reindeer around, capturing reindeer urine, drinking it, and tripping the light fantastic. Google these terms and watch the fun appear ...reindeer urine mushrooms santaHere's a selection ...http://www.cannabisculture.com/articles/3136.htmlhttp://www.washedashore.com/rants/xmas/http://www.uio.no/conferences/imc7/NFotm99/December99.htmhttp://www.alienlove.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=147http://www.laweekly.com/general/features/santa-is-a-wildman/3304/Santa was always the coolest dude ...He flew around the world in a night and gave presents to us kids ....Nobody else like that ...
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Comment #35 posted by museman on September 23, 2006 at 12:50:55 PT
re:31
Yup!
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Comment #34 posted by Hope on September 23, 2006 at 12:44:12 PT
Guidance by the State.
There was a time when we were taught to be wary of such. No more.
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Comment #33 posted by Hope on September 23, 2006 at 12:43:28 PT
"Rule of Law"
The term, bandied around so much these days, seems to me a relatively new term. People didn't use to flock to anything that started with "Rule of" anything. Nobody wants to be "ruled". But the bandying around of this term, and it started with guess who...the law makers, themselves,has made it easier for people to forget who they are and bow down to a "ruler"...as long as it's "law".I was suspicious of the term when I first heard it and have grown more suspicious of it every day, since.You're so right, FoM, about young people, seemingly, not being able to think for themselves and make and follow their own dreams anymore. It's a loss. A terrible loss.
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Comment #32 posted by FoM on September 23, 2006 at 12:23:43 PT
Thanks Everyone
This is a really good conversation in my opinion. What makes us unique and why so many young people aren't allowed to find their way anymore. It's almost pre-programmed for many of them I think. We are different and what is important to one person isn't important to another person. If only children could be guided by their innermost dreams and hopes it would be a good thing. 
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Comment #31 posted by Had Enough on September 23, 2006 at 12:22:02 PT
Re:30
Same FacesDifferent Cloaks
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Comment #30 posted by museman on September 23, 2006 at 12:18:23 PT
Had_Enough
Yes, but I think that the problem goes a lot farther back than just 'today's use of it.' The 'rulers' have been the same mean-spirited power-mongers since the fall of Sumeria. About 10,000 years ago -give or take.
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Comment #29 posted by museman on September 23, 2006 at 12:15:01 PT
Hope
"If anything, probably we were born with a lot of common sense and a real sense of caution."That is a good companion explanation to what Y'shua was referring to when he said; "You must be as children to enter into the kingdom of Heaven."
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Comment #28 posted by Had Enough on September 23, 2006 at 12:09:58 PT
'The Rule of Law'
Boy that one sure did get screwed up.Rule of Law. Today’s use of it got way off track. Rules made by the rulers to protect themselves, their money, and power, at our cost.Look how they seem to ‘opt out’ and ‘exempt’ themselves from the same rules of laws the masses are held accountable to.
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Comment #27 posted by Hope on September 23, 2006 at 12:06:39 PT
Born Rebellious?
If anything, probably we were born with a lot of common sense and a real sense of caution. The government has taken the place of parents, actually become the enemy of parents...and it's a huge, huge incalucable loss to society.
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Comment #26 posted by museman on September 23, 2006 at 12:05:37 PT
FoM
" I knew exactly what I wanted to do."Well I sure didn't. I had no clues, other than I was a child of God, and HE had something planned for me. Finding that plan became my focus in my youth, and like John Lennon said, 'Life is what happens to you while you'rebusy makin' other plans.'Your surety of your own destiny seems to be (from my experience) a rather feminine attribute. Most women I have known seem to have a similar 'hard wired' conviction of their destiny. My wife for example, says she 'dreamed of me' when she was a child - which is probaly the only reason I had a chance with her (other than my magical musical charm) because choosing me was choosing a life of hardship, and we both knew it at the time.I on the other hand, as I said, had no clues. It's only in the retrospect of my years that understanding has set in. 
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Comment #25 posted by museman on September 23, 2006 at 11:54:47 PT
Hope
"... we were probably a part of the last generation relatively free from government agencies trying to control every detail of our lives."For a brief moment, but then we came of age in the '60's, decided that cannonfodder wasn't our destiny, and opened up a big can of worms called ACTUAL LIBERTY AND FREEDOM, which has had those obfuscating numbskulls (the rulers, and the controllers) scrambling ever since to shore up the holes in their constrictive box called 'The Rule of Law.'
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Comment #24 posted by FoM on September 23, 2006 at 11:54:30 PT
Museman
When a nun became too old to teach they made them a job type counselor. This little nun about 4' 11" and 90 years old said dear what do you want to do as a career. I said I want to get married and have children and live far away from people in the country and raise horses. I knew exactly what I wanted to do. She said dear that is not a career so I thought and I didn't want to upset her so I said I know I will become a nurse. She smiled and I did what I knew I wanted to do with my life.
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Comment #23 posted by FoM on September 23, 2006 at 11:49:11 PT
Hope
Parents were our bosses and the government wasn't even an issue. 
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Comment #22 posted by museman on September 23, 2006 at 11:48:07 PT
FoM
Is it 'rebellion' to sense the error in a situation, and naturally want to have nothing to do with it?Contemporary schools are not, and never were, about educating, they are about programming.A person learns through their interest. The world wanted me to be something completely different than what I am, and sometimes it seems like the world went out of it's way to ostricize me, judge, categorize, and label me with such pat defintitions as 'rebellious.' I was a pushover. One of the original 'nerds'. Nothing 'rebellious' about my activities for the most part - until rock 'n roll, and of course military training. Then things changed.One regret I have is that it took me til college to understand that 'academics' was a useless pursuit for one who really wants to know what is going on.
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Comment #21 posted by Hope on September 23, 2006 at 11:47:13 PT
It makes me think 
that we were probably a part of the last generation relatively free from government agencies trying to control every detail of our lives.
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Comment #20 posted by Hope on September 23, 2006 at 11:45:47 PT
If a child did that now....
there would have been an all points bulletin...several police cars and child services people everywhere trying to find out if your parents or the school were negligent somehow. 
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Comment #19 posted by FoM on September 23, 2006 at 11:41:40 PT
Hope
Unfortunately she took me by the ear and deposited me in school the next day. Then I started crying and didn't stop until I got myself sick. I got a few days off again that time. LOL!
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Comment #18 posted by Hope on September 23, 2006 at 11:39:32 PT
Lol!
I can just see the little FoM doing that!
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Comment #17 posted by FoM on September 23, 2006 at 11:36:18 PT
Hope and Museman
If we are rebellious are we born that way I wonder. When my mother put me in school on the first day I waiting until recess and I went home and it was quite a walk for me and I told my mother when I walked thru the door that I didn't like it and I didn't want to go back.
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Comment #16 posted by Hope on September 23, 2006 at 11:34:12 PT
"Where is the airplane?"
Lol!I'm with you, Museman. That was very suspiscious talk coming from an adult.Statements like that from adults filled me with doubt...except, I really did want to go "snipe hunting" and never got to.
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Comment #15 posted by FoM on September 23, 2006 at 11:33:44 PT
Museman and Hope
Very interesting experiences.
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Comment #14 posted by museman on September 23, 2006 at 11:30:52 PT
The doctor said
I would go 'on an airplane ride.'The first thing I said when I awoke with my tonsiless throat on fire, was "Where is the airplane?" That 'airplane ride' was the first lie in a long string coming from 'professionals.' You might say it was my 'gateway' to early understanding that the 'adults' weren't as together as they wanted me to believe.
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Comment #13 posted by Hope on September 23, 2006 at 11:28:43 PT
Being the child of an alcoholic...
I was so attuned to anything that seemed a bit abnormal in any adult's behavior. I would have been for sure that I was in a serious situation with a doubtful outcome if a doctor had offered such a scenario to me. To me, that statement would have meant, "Hey, it's time to bust and run. I'm getting out of here!"As a child, I completely escaped an injection at one time and a Schick Test on another occasion by the "bust and run" technique. My younger brothers and sister quickly learned this technique from me. With the Schick test, without preplanning, when I bolted, they did to, in four different directions.After we were rounded up, we were taken home, unpunctured, to get a good talking to.
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Comment #12 posted by FoM on September 23, 2006 at 11:23:23 PT
Hope
I never was scared only of the hospital and surgery but the pink elephants sounded really cool. 
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Comment #11 posted by Hope on September 23, 2006 at 11:20:32 PT
It would have scared me if they'd said that to me.
I'd have thought, "Oh no! They're crazy! Someone help me!"
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Comment #10 posted by FoM on September 23, 2006 at 11:16:52 PT
Hope
I'm glad it didn't lead to alcoholism too. I can even remember the anesthetic. It was ether and it made me so sick afterwards. If I remember since I was a very strong willed child they told me it would be fun and I might see pink elephants. I thought well ok for pink elephants. LOL!
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Comment #9 posted by Hope on September 23, 2006 at 11:11:09 PT
Hip Hop and Grass and The Easter Bunny
"Hippity Hoppity. Easter's on it's way"That's funny, FoM...tonsillectomy as a gateway. I'm glad it didn't lead to alcoholism, searching for those pink elephants.
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on September 23, 2006 at 11:03:50 PT
BGreen
Where did the idea come from for tie-dyed eggs? Maybe the easter bunny! LOL!
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Comment #7 posted by FoM on September 23, 2006 at 11:01:48 PT
This Really Makes Me Happy
Rocker Young Wins Americana Award 
 Young's work over 30 years is acclaimed for its depth and diversity.September 23, 2006 
Veteran singer-songwriter Neil Young has been named artist of the year at the Americana Honors and Awards. The 60-year-old released protest album Living with War this year. Young is one of rock's most political artists, with songs like Rockin' in the Free World. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5373838.stm
 
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Comment #6 posted by BGreen on September 23, 2006 at 10:56:21 PT
Oh yeah, Santa is busted
What do you think he does 364 days of the year in that massive workshop while the elves are busy making toys?I think Santa is a gardener.Squinty eyes, rosy cheeks, pipe in hand while hollering for "Ho Ho's" to sooth the munchies.The Popeye/green leafy spinach/pipe thing just can't be a coincidence. But what's with Olive Oyl? Eat something for crying out loud.Now, we just HAVE to figure out that Easter Bunny character. LOLThe Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on September 23, 2006 at 10:42:03 PT
Pink Elephants
I just had a flash of when I was in second grade and I had to have my tonsils taken out. The last thing I remember the doctor saying to me when I was in the operating room was now enjoy you might see pink elephants. That must be where it all started for me. I guess getting my tonsils out was the gateway drug! LOL!
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on September 23, 2006 at 10:37:06 PT
Hope
That twinkle in Santa's eyes. It's an I know something you don't know look. Too much! No wonder he said reindeers could fly! LOL!
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Comment #3 posted by Hope on September 23, 2006 at 10:33:13 PT
Popeye
"Toot-Toot!"Now we need to find out if Santa had something in that "pipe", other than nasty old tobacco, that he held the "stump of" "clenched tight in his teeth"... "as the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath.""A right jolly old elf".Must have been "spinach". What with all that flying around, and living forever.
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Comment #2 posted by paulpeterson on September 23, 2006 at 10:10:55 PT
whig
There is no way Popeye was not a metaphorical advocate of marijuana usage. I mean, really, all the green stuff goes through the pipe-he gets supermanish, he finds always the "proper intent" he only uses his powers for good, and only after he has given a number of chances for the bad guy (a beer guzzler no less) and he is always chilled out otherwise. No road-rager there, nope, un-uh, nada.He always cleans up his messes, and you never see him smoking real nicotine products, do you? In 2001, in fact, I tried home grown green, undried, as a "tea" infusion. I was immediately stricken with the realization that "blanched" green tastes remarkably like steamed spinach-then it struck me just what Popeye was into.You see, in pre-hippy societies in North America, the repression was almost as bad as it is today in some conservative bent circles. Writers and animators and film makers had to hide their messages embedded in the media.Two good examples? Sergei Eisenstein (sorry if I butchered the spelling) was a Stalin era film-maker in the Soviet Union. He got the project to do a film about the Russian Revolution-the name: "Battleship Potempkin". He was also quite gay, which was forbodden in that era and place. So he would insert these scenes in the film of soldiers polishing long, phallic symbols-like shiny missiles, long guns, artillery stuff-you get the message.Another example comes to us from that "Bible" book. There, certain authors would do a narrative-but with say 4 or five levels of meaning. The auspicious "historical" narrative, the logical, rational analysis of reality, then a "pesher" level, with social commentary & beneath that, a true statement (you have to dig for it) as to what cannabis had to do with the happenings. Remember, of course, that the Catholic Church, by the time they got possession of the visual "metaphors", strung Jesus up on a cross for every church. Then they dashed all around the coast-line, pillaging and murdering every "priest" and accolate in every competing religious practice-especially the ones that used "mysteries".So the only evidence of the "mysteries" in the Bible, at least, is that evidence that was occluded and sent just outside the radar zone of the Council of Nicea (325 AD) and other councils of conservatism.And by the way, right after I had my first experience with "Spinach" someone told me they had read a book about that Popeye writer-and yes, he was a strong advocate of this stuff.That, boys and girls, is just the point. Each and every one of us watched those visual metaphors for hours each week. Which is maybe why we have the strong visual affinity to pipes and such, being so well indoctrinated to the supporting visual metaphorology. And that is the story for today. PAUL PETERSON
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Comment #1 posted by whig on September 22, 2006 at 15:02:38 PT
Interesting
Didja ever notice that Popeye ate his "spinach" through his pipe?http://www.alternet.org/drugreporter/21206/
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