cannabisnews.com: Politician Sends Student's E-Mail To Keene Police










  Politician Sends Student's E-Mail To Keene Police

Posted by CN Staff on February 09, 2007 at 12:00:14 PT
By Maria D'Eramo 
Source: Equinox 

New Hampshire -- Criticisms seared through cyberspace last week because of a New Hampshire representative's fiery response e-mail to a Keene State College student who had asked for support in a bill to decriminalize marijuana in the state.On Monday, Jan. 15, KSC senior Toby Iselin, co-host of local television show "Keene Free Minds," wrote Rep. Delmar Burridge (D-Keene) an e-mail asking for his support of a full legislative debate on marijuana decriminalization that the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, on which Burridge serves, was scheduled to hear testimony from the following Wednesday.
In the e-mail, Iselin wrote, "I know you are opposed to this bill, but I trust you can understand how important of an issue this is to many people both in Keene and the rest of New Hampshire. I hope you will consider passing it through committee so that all sides will have their chance to speak on it."Burridge's response denied Iselin's request and described several personal biases against the bill, including the death of his brother due to a car accident in which marijuana had been involved."I will vote no on this Bill and have lots of very chilling stories to relate to the other committee members so it goes my way," wrote Burridge. Despite the lack of personal information Iselin provided in his e-mail, Burridge's response took on an accusatory tone, and used terminology such as "reefer user." Burridge also suggestioned Iselin change his friends, his ways, "act legal," and noted that he had forwarded copies of his e-mail to the Keene Police Department.According to an online forum at -- http://www.FreeKeene.com/ -- Iselin said, "I would just like to add that I never said that I don't drink, and nowhere in the e-mail did I mention that I smoke marijuana. It seems that Representative Delmar Burridge is making assumptions without looking at any of the arguments or evidence.""It was a very poor way of dealing with a constituent," said Chuck Weed, political science professor and state representative (D-Keene), who introduced the bill. "As soon as I know where Burridge is coming from I'll be happy to clarify it for Toby."Weed said Burridge has a substantial background in criminal justice, but it is likely his emotions got in the way."He teaches students, knows the age group, and knows the issues. That type of response won't make him a very positive representative. He was clearly chastised by everyone who read the message," said Weed.KSC students were mostly disappointed in Burridge's approach, regardless of the issue involved. "I think that a state politician should admire the student's initiative and be more professional when responding to a citizen's input," said junior Allie Warren, "Regardless of whether they agree or disagree.""Arguments, evidence and reason mean nothing to someone acting purely from emotion. I have nothing but sympathy for Rep. Burridge's loss, but I also recognize that he is acting from emotion, rather than reason, and that's why we have a 'War on Drugs' in the first place, because legislators are frequently unreasonable," said Iselin, according to FreeKeene.com.Burridge was contacted, but unavailable for comment. Complete Title: Politician Sends Student's E-Mail Supporting Pot Bill To Keene PoliceSource: Equinox, The (NH Edu)Author: Maria D'EramoPublished: February 8, 2007Copyright: 2007 Keene Equinox Contact: equinox keene.eduWebsite: http://www.keeneequinox.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Common Sense Marijuana Policyhttp://www.nhcommonsense.org/ E-Mailed Accusations Make Rep. Look Like Dopehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22584.shtmlKSC Professor Introduces Bill in N.H. House http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22581.shtmlBill Would Make Pot Legal in Statehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22543.shtml

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Comment #19 posted by freewillks on February 10, 2007 at 08:00:35 PT
All I can Say!
Rep. Mark Souder is rabid. 
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Comment #18 posted by FoM on February 09, 2007 at 21:26:20 PT

Hope 
No I didn't hear about that. Testing should be a cross section of all different people and ages to be fair. It sounds like they want to isolate groups of people more then to do a really valuable study.
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Comment #17 posted by Hope on February 09, 2007 at 21:20:36 PT

"Testing"
Which reminds me. Have you heard about the police in an area of Canada recruiting aboriginal prostitutes to smoke cannabis for them and let them study them so that they can recognize people who are stoned and recognize them better...or something?I don't like that "testing" it on "prostitutes" or "native" or "aboriginal" peoples. That doesn't sound or seem "right" to me. 
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Comment #16 posted by FoM on February 09, 2007 at 21:04:00 PT

Hope
I hope that Dennis Kucinich gets to ask Souder where he comes up with the stats he quotes. Cannabis is like cocaine now! Marijuana has killed people he thinks. It's really wrong that this unfair information still is circulating after all these years of showing just the opposite. Doesn't he read the research that is available in abundance online? Maybe it's time to test smoking in a controlled setting and record the results. I'm sure they would get many volunteers for a study like that.
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Comment #15 posted by Hope on February 09, 2007 at 20:52:12 PT

They treat people like children
and they are very bad, very "ugly", "bullies" as "parents"Lord knows...it's not right.There is no respect anymore, apparently, for another human being's dignity.Dignity and integrity go hand in hand with love and respect...and Honor. He, Burridge doesn't seem an honorable man to me. He seems more like a lunatic...and they certainly do exist and have been to known to get themselves in postitions where they feel they can be an even more powerful bully to those they wish to bully. Positions of "power" over others, like government and law enforcement and the mafia and stuff.If they want to act like "parents" to other adults...the least they could do would be to be good parents instead of bad, abusive, disrespectful, unloving..."BAD" parents. Bad parents with guns they point at you, old ladies and old men, and even children, babies, and young people, and they will lock you in cages and keep the key.Must stop typing again.
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Comment #14 posted by Hope on February 09, 2007 at 20:40:23 PT

"I would need to delete."
I fully understand that, FoM.Insolent, arrogant, hateful Bugger, as well as "emotional", and "unreasonable", that Delmar Burridge! Mean, too. OK...I gotta stop typing.Maybe it's time for Museman or someone to write a song about Delmar Burridge. The "Ballad" of "Delmar Burridge".
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Comment #13 posted by mayan on February 09, 2007 at 16:16:23 PT

Contact Delmar Burridge
We are no longer on the defensive and it's time to prove that point beyond any doubt.Representative Delmar D. Burridge (d)
http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/ns/billstatus/legdetails.asp?txten=376669Let's flood his inbox...dburridge ne.rr.comTHE WAY OUT IS THE WAY IN...Rosie O'Donnell Endorses John Conner's Work & Impersonates Him by Saying "911 Was An Inside Job" on "The View" Today (short video):
http://911blogger.com/node/6082More Ground Zero Heroes On The Record: Building 7 Was Deliberately Brought Down:
http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/february2007/090207broughtdown.htm9/11: Press for Truth -- LINK TV to Broadcast Documentary beginning this weekend:
http://www.911citizenswatch.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=999Brzezinski Predicts Next US Gov. Attack on US will be Blamed on Iran:
http://mujca.com/brzezinski.htm
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Comment #12 posted by FoM on February 09, 2007 at 15:47:15 PT

Paul
Tucker is on twice but the 6 0'clock airing has been bumped by the news on Anna Nicole Smith. The link says no show so I hope they post the transcript from the first time Tucker was aired today.http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3719710/
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Comment #11 posted by FoM on February 09, 2007 at 15:30:06 PT

Paul
I don't know what to say because anything that I would say I would need to delete. How dare he say people go on to other drugs. I will post the transcript of the show when it becomes available.
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Comment #10 posted by paul armentano on February 09, 2007 at 15:09:32 PT

Watch the Souder video here
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8063292/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8063292/
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Comment #9 posted by paul armentano on February 09, 2007 at 14:38:49 PT

Drug Overdose Deaths
I was told by a viewer that Rep. Mark Souder was on Tucker Carlson's show today allegeding that pot overdoses kill thousands every year! He also claimed avg. THC potency was around 50 percent and that mj may have played a role in yesterday's death of ANS! I'm told that the show will be rebroadcasted at 6pm today. Did anyone else hear this, or see the show?
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on February 09, 2007 at 14:19:08 PT

The GCW
You are so correct.
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Comment #7 posted by The GCW on February 09, 2007 at 14:17:42 PT

OVERDOSE
CDC Finds Dramatic Rise in Drug Deaths Feb 9http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/D/DRUG_OVERDOSES?SITE=COFRI&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULTBy MIKE STOBBE
 
AP Medical WriterATLANTA (AP) -- Unintentional fatal drug overdoses in the United States nearly doubled from 1999 to 2004, overtaking falls to become the nation's second-leading cause of accidental death, behind automobile crashes, the government reported.(Cannabis has not caused an overdose in over 5,000 documented years of usage.)
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Comment #6 posted by Toker00 on February 09, 2007 at 14:10:41 PT

Then let's do this.
Get this politicians e-mail and fill it with our thoughts on the subject. Do you think he would send our e-mails to our respective police departments, too?Toke.
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Comment #5 posted by MikeEEEEE on February 09, 2007 at 13:51:56 PT

United States of Prejudice
Every empire falls, but evil empires fall quicker.

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Comment #4 posted by observer on February 09, 2007 at 13:30:07 PT

Dissent Attacked
"I will vote no on this Bill and have lots of very chilling stories to relate to the other committee members so it goes my way," wrote Burridge.Burridge, weaselly rascal. Lying political language. Iselin wasn't asking Rep. Burridge to vote "on this Bill", he was instead asking Burridge to allow the bill out of committee. So that all the state representatives could vote on it. This shows the value Burridge puts on democracy, representative government, and truth. Nil. Classic weaseling and misdirection. Well did Orwell prophesy of such politicians."Political language is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give the appearance of solidity to pure wind." - George Orwell see: http://www.drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme8.htm#8Propaganda Theme #8: Dissent Attacked
Anyone Questioning Any of the Above Assumptions is Bitterly Attacked and Characterized as Part of the Problem That Needs to be EliminatedA reading of any number of works which trace the development and evolution of our narcotics policy, all demonstrate the personal hazards in challenging those policies. To attack or challenge existing policies has opened one up for charges ranging from a lack of patriotism to charges that the critic is himself part of the international drug conspiracy. To most persons, confronting the issues surrounding the inadequacies of existing drug policy is simply not worth the challenges to their own personal integrity.(White, W.L. (1979). 
Themes in Chemical Prohibition. in Drugs in Perspective (pp. 117-182). Rockville, MD: National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Drug Abuse Center.)
Classic.
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on February 09, 2007 at 13:25:22 PT

OverwhelmSam 
I agree that it will get worse before it gets better. Republicans will use any caring about Cannabis reform as being soft on crime. Republican politicians are hard for me to handle because they are so mean spirited and fight dirty. I believe we have some good people that will try in the Democratic Party but they will be smeared like always. Dennis Kucinich is going to introduce a marijuana decriminalization Bill I've read in a few articles. I think he is a strong person so that should help I hope. I don't believe in any politician more then a little bit. Politics are politics. 
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Comment #2 posted by OverwhelmSam on February 09, 2007 at 13:17:35 PT

Politicians Actually Think They're Boss
Unfortunately, the citizens are their employer. Not enough politicians are getting fired and not enough fanatical cops are going to jail or being sued. 
The pinheads in Washington imagine that persistence will pay off and they will stop cannabis use. They can't even stop tobacco smokers and it causes cancer and agonizing death. What makes them think they can stop cannabis consumption that practically has no health consequences?They've been persecuting cannabis consumers for decades. We're just getting started, and it's not going to be pretty.
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on February 09, 2007 at 12:03:41 PT

This Shouldn't Have Happened
What made this politician think he had the right to do this? How can laws be changed that are bad laws if fear of politicians rules? Thank you Chuck Weed for your sane approach to reforming the laws on Cannabis.
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