cannabisnews.com: Operation Alesia is Another Exercise in Futility










  Operation Alesia is Another Exercise in Futility

Posted by CN Staff on July 27, 2007 at 13:53:34 PT
By Paul Armentano 
Source: Record Searchlight 

California -- Operation Alesia has come and gone, and judging by the public’s divided reaction to this extravagant anti-pot campaign, it appears that many Northern Californians are unconvinced that America is winning the war on weed. They have sound reason to be skeptical.Despite statistics indicating that Operation Alesia resulted in the elimination of some 280,000 illicit marijuana plants — more than all of the pot confiscated in Shasta County in 2006 — does anyone really believe that this operation will tangibly reduce the demand or availability of marijuana in the local area?
It’s time for a reality check. State and federal law enforcement personnel now arrest approximately 800,000 Americans annually and spend some $10 billion per year enforcing marijuana prohibition. Nevertheless, the U.S. government reports that domestic marijuana production has increased ten-fold in the past 25 years from 2.2 million pounds to 22 million pounds. Is this the sign of a successful public policy?According to a national report released last winter, nearly a third of America’s domestic pot supply is grown in California, where marijuana ranks as the state’s top cash crop. Does anyone really believe that Operation Alesia or future law enforcement campaigns will do anything to change this fact?Let’s be frank. The criminal prohibition of cannabis has had no discernible long-term impact on marijuana’s availability or use, especially among young people. According to the latest survey data from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, a majority of teens now say that they can score pot more readily than they can tobacco or alcohol. More than one-third say that they can purchase weed in just a few hours. (By comparison, only 14 percent of respondents say they can readily purchase alcohol.) Annual federal data compiled by the University of Michigan’s Monitoring the Future project reports that an estimated 86 percent of 12th graders say marijuana is “fairly easy” or “very easy” to get. This percentage is virtually unchanged since the mid-1970s — despite remarkably increased marijuana penalties, enforcement and arrests since that time.It’s time to end the dog-and-pony shows like Operation Alesia and acknowledge reality. The criminal classification of cannabis is disproportionate to the drug’s relative harmlessness to the user and to the well-acknowledged harmfulness of other substances — particularly alcohol and tobacco.The U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that 94 million Americans — 40 percent of the U.S. population age 12 or older — have used cannabis during their lives, and relatively few have suffered deleterious health effects because of their use. Criminalizing these millions of otherwise law-abiding Americans is expensive, engenders disrespect for the law, and alienates large numbers of the population — particularly young people.A wiser and long-overdue national policy would tax and regulate cannabis in a manner similar to alcohol — with the drug’s sale and use restricted to specific markets and consumers. While such an alternative may not entirely eliminate the black market demand for pot, it would certainly be preferable to today’s blanket, though thoroughly ineffective, expensive and impotent, criminal prohibition — as epitomized by the futility of neverending operations like Alesia. Paul Armentano is the senior policy analyst for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. He lives in Pleasant Hill.Source: Redding Record Searchlight (CA)Author: Paul ArmentanoPublished: Friday, July 27, 2007 Copyright: 2007 Record Searchlight Contact: letters redding.comWebsite: http://www.redding.com/Related Articles & Web Site:NORMLhttp://www.norml.org Drug Czar Gives Warninghttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23176.shtmlShasta County Pot Eradication Operation Beginshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread23173.shtml

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Comment #78 posted by FoM on August 10, 2007 at 12:32:35 PT
museman
I can often see a person's heart when I look into their eyes. His are empty.
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Comment #77 posted by FoM on August 10, 2007 at 12:31:26 PT
museman
Yes like that too. 
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Comment #76 posted by museman on August 10, 2007 at 12:16:03 PT
FoM
"Like Bush has a emptiness around him if that makes sense"More like a deep, dark hole.
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Comment #75 posted by FoM on August 10, 2007 at 11:57:24 PT
museman
You mentioned aura and I can often see a person's spirit without even talking to them. I can tell if they are honest. Like Bush has a emptiness around him if that makes sense.
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Comment #74 posted by museman on August 10, 2007 at 11:28:13 PT
Hope
It's not all about the appearances. A wise old rainbow once said to a group of us younguns'"You can cut your hair, and put on a business suit, but you can't change the spirit. There's just no way to hide that."I did an experiment in the '90's. I cut my hair, and moved to someplace where no one knew me. I thought that it would make it easier to ease in to the community.It didn't work. I managed to integrate with some folks after a few years, but it wasn't until I got busted for pot, and decided that the 'cat was out of the bag' and grew my hair back, that the community embraced me as a whole, because that particular community was composed of a high level of real people, and for me, short hair wasn't me, and they could sense it.As far as the spirit goes, I learned years ago that just a little confidence in the truth can be real intimidating to people, because you kind of 'wear the truth' and it shows- or at least it can be felt, albeit rarely understood for what it is.For whatever reasons, I have an enlarged, ultra-sensitive aura, and when I go out in public (not on a stage in performance -that works well with the situation) people are always bumping into my spirit, and since they don't know the difference between fear and confidence-when it comes to intuitive sensitivity- they usually assume a defensive posture. I in turn feel that, and believe me, it is not a comfortable feeling. "...don't want to see the red raw meat, the green-eyed 'goddam' straight from your heart." -J.LennonThe appearance of 'hippiness' just adds subliminal justification to their knee-jerk reaction, and the continued feeding of that stigma by the status quo and it's officers who serve and protect the corporate rich, just gives more false credibility to an already stretched reality.I can't do anything about my enlarged aura, believe me I've tried. Society has had me sort of subconsciously believing for years that it was some kind of freak defect, and not actually the enhancement that it is. It is only recently that I have begun to use it as a tool and an asset.
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Comment #73 posted by Hope on August 08, 2007 at 18:13:23 PT
A thought...
You've spoken before about how people seeing your long hair and all, sometimes seem to be afraid of you.Some men, and some women, just have to deal with an intimidating presence, if that's the hand nature dealt them. I suspect Mark Souder would be afraid of you, because you look different or wear your hair different than he, like some of those others that you've mentioned. The sad thing is that he, Souder, is, truly, the dangerous one. He's the one that's hurt so many people, caused so much grief, and done so much harm to so many because of his beliefs. 
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Comment #72 posted by Hope on August 08, 2007 at 18:04:10 PT
Museman
You're sweet. Angry, poetic, artistic, thoughtful, wise, spiritual, intelligent, and other things...but very sweet, too.In people...true sweetness...kindness, gentleness...like that of our Lord's, to me, is the most attractive attractant in the human repertoire. Yes. People are judged wrongly for the craziest reasons. Fatness. Oldness. Lazy eyes. Thick glasses. Bad teeth. Bad hair!!! My present mullet like situation comes to mind...heck...I even judge myself on that one.I have to borrow the words of Mr. T... though and say that "I pity the fool" that misses out on seeing the true beauty of the person that you are.
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Comment #71 posted by museman on August 08, 2007 at 11:52:12 PT
Hope
I left out a very important 'human foible' -assumption.First of all; :-}I have heard a lot of assumption coming from people who make quick judgements based on 30 seconds of first appearances. Do you know that there are some people out there who assume that anyone with bad teeth is some kind of "inferior breed" ? People judge other people by the state of their shoes,...I have no sense or care of 'style and fashion' yet some people just assume that because my car is older than 2 years, that I am out to rip them off or something -watch those hands go for the door locks, even if I'm driving by at 40 miles an hour.I've heard the term "white trash" more times than I could count, and because I am forced to live in a crappy double-wide, the casual references to 'trailer trash' do not escape me.Of course the people who make these kind of assumptions are usually deficient in things like love, compassion, tolerance, and understanding, and a very large percentage are in the 'upper class,' whose priorities are all about appearance, and not about reality. Like politicians, socio-crats, and their various minions.PROHIBITIONISTSActually, I am feeling quite the "stranger in a strange land" these days. I am so fundamentally removed from the social consciousness, I find most people uncomfortable to be around. So it is good to get positive feedback, it's like a beckoning fire in the dark woods that helps me find my way back.
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Comment #70 posted by Hope on August 08, 2007 at 11:29:39 PT
Sorry....
Hope that wasn't a thread ender!You can delete it if you wish, FoM.It just seemed so serious and sad the way Museman said it that I had to indulge my tendency, albeit a bad idea, sometimes, to lighten the mood of that all too true statement.I have a feeling most of us might get along fairly well in such a community, though. 
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Comment #69 posted by Hope on August 08, 2007 at 11:01:37 PT
You mean.... You mean.....
Someone might expel gas?!!! Or have something stuck to a tooth? Or have a great long hair suddenly waving from their nose or ear?Probably.:0)"I often wish we were a real community, but then we'd have to look at each other everyday, and end up seeing all the human foibles which breed contempt, comparison, competition, and judgements."("....breed contempt, comparison, competition, and judgements.") That's all we need is a gas passing contest.)
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Comment #68 posted by Hope on August 08, 2007 at 10:53:05 PT
Comment 46!!!
Oh my. That is so amazing wonderful. Bookmarked! Thank you for sharing that with us, Museman. What a blessed place to be baptized. Most of us had to settle for a man made puddle of some sort.That's just beyond beautiful. Exquisite maybe.And of course, did I say how, in spite of the way people sometimes treat you, you are, indeed, in my book, quite lovable.Thank you. So much.Of course you realize how blessed you are.:0)
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Comment #67 posted by museman on August 08, 2007 at 10:51:48 PT
Hope
Thanks, your appreciation keeps reminding me that I am not some singular voice ranting away to unhearing ears. In fact, this little online community is exceptional in all of it's members. I often wish we were a real community, but then we'd have to look at each other everyday, and end up seeing all the human foibles which breed contempt, comparison, competition, and judgements. To live in a community completely composed of intelligent people would truly be a wonderful experience. I had it once, relatively speaking, so I know it's possible, just very rare in America in this era.Did you see my new video?
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Comment #66 posted by FoM on August 08, 2007 at 09:06:22 PT
Hope
Did you try to reload the page? It comes up as an error for me to put I refresh the page and the picture comes up.We had a wonderful day on the lake. We went to the Lodge and a picnic area and generally had a good time. We grilled out then. I hope we can figure out why the motor stalled when the tank got half full but the motor when it was opened up sounds like it's brand new. It gets hot being stranded on the lake. Hopefully we will go out again this year after they operate on the motor again.
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Comment #65 posted by Hope on August 08, 2007 at 09:01:26 PT
By the way...
FoM. Thank you so very much for posting to this thread or I would have gone off and left that "Box of Pearls" that Museman gave me sitting right there, and it would have been lost to me. It really would have been a sad loss. I'm so glad I was called back to it.Thank you.To me...it's an honor to be among all these artists.
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Comment #64 posted by Hope on August 08, 2007 at 08:54:35 PT
FoM comment 45
Sounds like you had a really fine day. The fawn's mother was probably watching and very upset as he was not minding her. I can't open those files. Probably with different numbers, but the message I get on both is ...."ForbiddenYou don't have permission to access /453/1/8/7/2154108070028198903jGayQm_ph.jpg on this server."
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Comment #63 posted by Hope on August 08, 2007 at 08:46:35 PT
So worthy of memorization to the heart.
"Those who learn to be human in the time that is left, have a good chance to stand at the threshold of a marvelous change and new establishment of that which has been rejected for so long, and like the trees dance in the wind with true joy of being."Only I think I might keep in mind a personalized version to my self and change the word "Human", to, "Holy".It's beautiful and powerful, as are so many of the thoughts that proceed from your mind and out on to these pages.Thank you.
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Comment #62 posted by Hope on August 08, 2007 at 07:40:40 PT
Oh my gosh! Museman!
I can't believe I didn't reply to your comment 42... about your baptism and all! I'm so sorry.Your experience with watching the trees was beautiful. I meant to tell you that and was going to give some thought and time to replying to what you said. There are so many beautiful things to see if we would just notice them. But alas, few actually do.There is so much beauty and wonder, including your wonder at it all, in that comment. The constant business and chaos of life can cause us to miss so much subtle beauty and wonder. You've encapsulated so much in that one comment even of so much beauty and wonder. I've got to copy it into my kept files so I won't lose it again."Those who learn to be human in the time that is left, have a good chance to stand at the threshold of a marvelous change and new establishment of that which has been rejected for so long, and like the trees dance in the wind with true joy of being." 
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Comment #61 posted by FoM on August 07, 2007 at 19:24:51 PT
museman
I uninstalled FlashGet because it kept starting the download and it might put me over. I hope to try again maybe with something easier if I can find a program that can schedule downloads and I can understand it. I thought I should let you know I have been trying but no luck. Thank you for uploading it. A 24 hour shutdown is just to risky since I need to find news.
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Comment #60 posted by FoM on August 07, 2007 at 14:13:28 PT
museman
Thank you. I just downloaded a program called FlashGet and I set it up to download between 3 and 6 am but it started downloading right away. I stopped it. I am reading on a forum how to set the download time and will give it a try as soon as I figure out how to do it.
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Comment #59 posted by museman on August 07, 2007 at 13:37:38 PT
FoM
Got that program now, thanks.Video uploaded, http://terryhubbard.com/T/Center_Of_The_Universe.wmveven did a low-fi version...
lo-fi
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Comment #58 posted by FoM on August 07, 2007 at 12:28:23 PT
museman
Here's is the program for Youtube.http://www.download.com/Youtube-Grabber/3000-2071_4-10607323.html
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Comment #57 posted by museman on August 07, 2007 at 12:20:10 PT

FoM
I just checked, and there is no option to download on youtube. I might have enough storage left on my site for a temporary alternative download...checking....yup!I can upload it and it can stay there for a few weeks.Hold on a sec...uploading now, could take some time.be back later.
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Comment #56 posted by FoM on August 07, 2007 at 12:19:24 PT

museman
Thank you.I don't know because that is the first picture I have uploaded since the FAP policy started and the usage page runs a few hours behind actual time so I will know a little later on today when I look. E-mail matters to so I dare not send any pictures to anyone.
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Comment #55 posted by museman on August 07, 2007 at 12:12:09 PT

FoM
So what's the difference between 'download' bandwidth, and 'streaming' bandwidth, in terms of your usage?
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Comment #54 posted by museman on August 07, 2007 at 12:09:49 PT

FoM
Nice.
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Comment #53 posted by FoM on August 07, 2007 at 11:39:27 PT

museman
I live in what I want heaven to be if that makes sense. I risked an upload as far as bandwidth goes. I hope you like it.http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/lake.JPG
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Comment #52 posted by museman on August 07, 2007 at 11:31:33 PT

FoM
We are so blessed to have such easy access to the wonder of nature. People need to get in touch with it if things are ever going to move towards reality, and away from materialistic insanity.
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Comment #51 posted by FoM on August 07, 2007 at 11:03:35 PT

museman
There is a download program for Youtube but I don't know if it works. I'll check my usage and try to watch the video. Getting Fapped for 24 hours makes me afraid to do anything on line. I won't go to big graphic sites anymore. I only use about 30 percent of my daily allowance but fear keeps me from doing more since the policy is so extreme. Very good song and thank you. We went out on the lake on Sunday and spent the whole day out there. We took a lot of pictures and I made a VCD ( that only plays on my computer but works ) and put Louie Armstrong's song A Wonderful World as background music and I used special effects between the pictures. It took me awhile yesterday but it was fun to do and we had a great day. The motor worked great until we hit a half a tank of gas and it stalled. That happened two times but we were close to the launch area so we got it in. Putting a boat on a trailer without power is hard and I'm all black and blue from it! I look like I've been in a fight and I lost! LOL!
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Comment #50 posted by museman on August 07, 2007 at 10:46:22 PT

FoM
I have been meaning to include download links on my songlist page, and I will eventually.If it weren't for the computer, organization wouldn't be much of a part of my life at all.I put a little more time into the video on this one, so if you like the song you got to see it.
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Comment #49 posted by FoM on August 07, 2007 at 10:35:39 PT

museman 
Thank you. I will check my usage page and see how much bandwidth it took to download in a couple of hours when they update. I'm not sure how many of your songs I have but I think 4 or 5 now. I have yours and the Hemp Canadians on a CD. I hope we get cable access soon. Having a high speed connection with restrictions is like getting all dressed up and having nowhere to go. It's very frustrating. PS: I will listen to the song today and again thank you.
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Comment #48 posted by museman on August 07, 2007 at 10:10:08 PT

FoM
Just for you.This link should be a direct download. Right click, 'save as.'
mp3 only
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Comment #47 posted by FoM on August 07, 2007 at 09:43:09 PT

museman
Do you have a link to the song? Youtube is something I can't watch because of Hughesnet's FAP policy but I think I could download a song and be ok. I lost some of your music last year when my computer crashed and wish I could download them and put them on a CD. Is there a page link with your songs? I think I can get a download manager and not get in trouble if I download between 3 and 6 am. That's a free time.
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Comment #46 posted by museman on August 07, 2007 at 09:38:13 PT

salmon -follow-up
Since I didn't get to record decent audio at the event (due to arrogance and class prejudice) I was inspired to write an appropriate song, and construct a video.It coulda been different, but the bed was made and we got out of it.
The Center Of The Universe
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Comment #45 posted by FoM on July 31, 2007 at 18:53:28 PT

Hope
We just got back from the state park and we found the cave. We went up to it but it was getting dark so we didn't go any further but we will explore more on Saturday when we are out on the lake. I have never seen so many deer. I bet we saw close to 50 grazing in the safety of the park and on the golf course and by the edge of the road. We had a fawn bolt down our driveway today and then it turned and ran right up to Stick on the mower. The little fawn was so distressed and then it finally went into the woods. I hope he or she finds it's mom.http://image53.webshots.com/453/1/8/7/2154108070028198903jGayQm_ph.jpg?http://image53.webshots.com/753/9/24/50/2029924500028198903UuzggS_ph.jpg
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Comment #44 posted by FoM on July 31, 2007 at 07:03:10 PT

museman
I really like John Prine's music. This song is called Some Humans Ain't Human and it is so true.***You might go to churchAnd sit down in a pewThose humans who ain't humanCould be sittin' right next to youThey talk about your familyThey talk about your clothesWhen they don't know their own assFrom their own elbows***http://www.jpshrine.org/lyrics/songs/fassomehumansainthuman.html
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Comment #43 posted by museman on July 30, 2007 at 23:35:32 PT

FoM
"We were taught about God's Law and man's law and they can be the same but more often man's law has nothing to do with God's law and the only law we must obey is God's law. That's why I don't believe politics as a solution to much of anything. "What I am seeing these days, is that 10 simple guidelines to successful human being is not enough for Spiritual Romans, who want the right to have vengeance, and more stuff, and slaves, so they simply invented the whole entire concept of 'law', as opposed to 'guidlines.'Upholding Gods Way, does not include cops, lawyers, or politicians, they may find the way to God, but not while they are being those fake beings, and not while they support the error of it. And you cannot be that, and not support the error.So politics is just hot air to push the wars around, keep 'em moving so the people don't get too suspicious of the scam. No truth there. No reality. Pity those fools who must play act at such bone-dust-dry characters, and not ever get to be a real human.
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Comment #42 posted by museman on July 30, 2007 at 23:01:16 PT

Hope
The day after I was baptized -for the third and final time- I was sitting by the Klamath River, and I noticed there was this ballet going on with the trees and the wind. I also noticed that every single tree had it's own shade of green, and it's own distinctive personality. That's right, 'personality.'The dance that the trees were doing was something indescribable. In watching, the effect was as if the trees were causing the wind, instead of the wind causing the trees to move. The living essence of those trees was starkly evident. I tried to video the phenomenon, but I kid you not, every time I turned on the camers, they stopped!Having been a veteran tripper from way back, I can definitely say that the experience was psychedelic, of the highest kind, though I haven't done any psychedelics for many years. The epiphany is this; Reality. Reality can be found only in nature. Man has not got a grip on it. No race, no culture, no nation, no ordinary organization of humanity is even close.In my struggles to understand the reasons for some of the gross mis-interpretations of scripture, particularly the gospels, and the original source of the old testament, the Torah, I have sought the reality of God and His creation all my life. A lot of my focus has been on humanity, because unfortunately, I am human. However, looking for reality in the chaotic jumble of human ways and means can be a mighty frustrating experience. Looking for wisdom resdiding in man is a true treasure hunt fraught with pitfalls and boobytraps. One can find it in man, just not in great quantity.The trees have their own wisdom. It is in their beingness. Understanding the beingness of the trees, not just as an idea, or a 'theory,' provided me with an sound, substantial, foundation of totally uncorrupted reality.I'm not sure anyone really gets the whole picture of what I am trying to say, maybe you just have to 'be there' in a similar situation. YSHWH spoke of this I believe when he referred to the lillies of the field, and how they didn't do anything but be what they were made to be, they know their place in the scheme of things. Beingness is also being totally in the moment of now, and if you want to see now happening, in a clear beautiful way, the trees can show you this.So my 'epiphanies' have been a string of heightened awarenesses having to do with nature, and the contrasting un-natural aspects of a great portion of humanity's world.Collectively, we are an ugly blight on the beauty of YHWH's creation, and the errant beliefs that seperate us from our true nature need to get regrounded in understanding the Spirit of the Earth and all it's inhabitants. Not just in treating the flora and fauna with care and respect, but really seeing the beingness that is missed by all this to-and-fro-ing in our 'seperate reality.'We are unique in nature, and our place in the scheme of things is also unique, but we are not in our place. We are not building futures filled with joy, love, and good feeling, we are perpetuating the same old dark nightmare based on forgotten fears, and gettting real good at it.We have guidance and wisdom given to us, in our terms -the word- represented in the original covenant between YHWH and Moshe (Moses). Since we have not known our place, that was supposed to be the light to guide us into it, into our spot of human-beingness.YSHWH had to come and demonstrate both our ugliness and our hidden true beauty, and give us -NOW- at this time a deeper understanding of reality. Things are about to change. I might see it in my lifetime, I actually believe I will, but I might not.The power of YHWH in nature has been negligently overlooked. Don't look now, but the wind and the water is risin.' The earth has been sucked dry of its' hydraulic fluid, and the plates are going to have to move to compensate for it. The weight of the oceans, polarized in the ice caps, is shifting to a new polarity, because they are melting due to global warming. Habitats that maintain the balance of our entire earth eco-system are being raped and pillaged daily. Species that are co-dependant with other species that are in our food chain, are disappearing -like honey bees-. The list grows faster than i could possibly keep up with it. All because of mankind, and his divorce from reality. When YHWH and nature decide to clean house in a big way, reality will become quickly apparent to all of humanity. To avoid getting caught in the maelstrom, get to know your wind, and your waters, your lightning and thunder, and watch the trees and the stars.Those who learn to be human in the time that is left, have a good chance to stand at the threshold of a marvelous change and new establishment of that which has been rejected for so long, and like the trees dance in the wind with true joy of being.
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Comment #41 posted by Hope on July 30, 2007 at 18:53:03 PT

Lol!
When my Republican and I watch TV...I'm constantly going, "What did they say?" and he says, "I don't know."Ahh...the Golden years!
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Comment #40 posted by FoM on July 30, 2007 at 18:00:05 PT

Hope
That's great about the glasses working. I use reading glasses I bought at the truck stop umpteen million years ago. I thought I forgot them at my sisters and I almost panicked because I really can't see the computer screen very well without them. We moved the sofa closer to the tv and I can see a little better. If we must move it much closer to the tv my nose might touch it. I think a megaphone soon will be in order for Stick and me! LOL!
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Comment #39 posted by Hope on July 30, 2007 at 17:50:52 PT

I understand that!
"Each day my 30 something inch tv gets smaller and smaller and my hearing gets deafer and deafer?"Something good today, though...I got some new glasses and I can actually see pretty dang good with them. Better than I've been able to see in quite a few years now. I don't know why no one has been able to get me a decent prescription in my glasses lately...until these. I'm so happy about them. I'm still deafish... really a made up word...but I can see! At least much better than I could. Doc wanted to prescribe me some sort of steroid for my deafishness...but I opted out on that. She thinks some thing's stopped up in some part of my ear that the steroid thing might help. I can stand it better than I can stand the steroid thing, though I think. Just have to aim my best ear in the right direction. :0)I appreciate Ben Franklin today, too. I finally got a pair of bifocals I can see AND walk in. I'm very happy about that.
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Comment #38 posted by Hope on July 30, 2007 at 17:43:03 PT

Museman
'Jammin on the Salmon' sounds like something I'm really, really glad I missed. And you only got to play three songs! I can imagine loading all your stuff up and getting there and setting up and playing three songs! Good grief. It sounds like it was just an awful experience...and probably for the salmon, too. I can only imagine what that woofer might have have done to them."I have had a series of epiphanies in the past month, since I was baptized." You were baptized recently? Can you share some of your epiphanies? Your comment, for me, needed to be divided into about ten...and each one would still be so very heavy with your very deep and searching thoughts... and I would still, in my simple ways, have trouble realizing and understanding the real value that I know is in all the thoughts you share with us.  You amaze me...and overwhelm me, sometimes.You're a beautiful soul, Museman...and it does me good to see your love, and respect, and knowledge of God. Thank you. Again, I'm sorry about the experience that the Salmon business was...but you told them well how bad the situation was in your comments. I hope they take note of it. If they want to do it right next year... they should get your input on ways to keep it from turning into the very bad time it obviously was for so many. Unless, of course, they like drunken brawls and screaming and fighting.
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Comment #37 posted by FoM on July 30, 2007 at 13:25:56 PT

museman
Maybe I understand because I was never taught about caring for the government by my family or my early religious teaching. I never remember one time that we talked about politics in school. We were taught about God's Law and man's law and they can be the same but more often man's law has nothing to do with God's law and the only law we must obey is God's law. That's why I don't believe politics as a solution to much of anything. PS: I don't mean Catholic Doctrine but God's laws only. I had the best nuns and priests as teachers and I am grateful for that even though I left the church because of the man made doctrines.
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Comment #36 posted by FoM on July 30, 2007 at 12:03:00 PT

Hope
We now have 9 speakers in our living room and a total of 14 100 to 150 watt speakers in the house but no flat screen tv. I have a wall just perfect for a flat screen tv but we will wait until they get bigger and the price falls before we get one. I love loud music and will love a big tv in the future. Each day my 30 something inch tv gets smaller and smaller and my hearing gets deafer and deafer? Is that a word? LOL! 
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Comment #35 posted by Hope on July 30, 2007 at 11:44:10 PT

Museman
I see your post is full of content and seriousness. I'm not ignoring it. Chores call me away from the computer, but I'm giving your post the attention it deserves as soon as I get back.
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Comment #34 posted by Hope on July 30, 2007 at 11:39:46 PT

Lol! A flat screen tv?
Flat screen TVs are a girl's best friend!
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Comment #33 posted by FoM on July 30, 2007 at 11:33:47 PT

Cleavage
I think I am going crazy. Who cares about Hillary's cleavage! How's the war in Iraq going? 
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Comment #32 posted by FoM on July 30, 2007 at 11:30:32 PT

Hope
When he gets home that will make him smile! I just love Omar Sharif. LOL!
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Comment #31 posted by Hope on July 30, 2007 at 11:25:18 PT

Needless to say I am partial to truck drivers.
Yeah...we know. Especially ones that look like Omar Sharif.http://www.geocities.com/i_love_lawrence/omar.htm:0)Hi, Stick!
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Comment #30 posted by FoM on July 30, 2007 at 11:12:55 PT

museman
I understand why you are saying what you are. If we had chased money we would have a lot more then we have but I didn't like being a boss and I didn't like needing to let people go. The whole thing was out of my character even though it made us a good deal of money. I never want to do that again. I want to live simply and at peace with my life and God.
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Comment #29 posted by FoM on July 30, 2007 at 11:06:22 PT

Hope
Trucker drivers are a rare breed. Needless to say I am partial to truck drivers. The man who I've mentioned as our friend and rents from us is also a truck driver. The ice road truckers must go over the ice at 20 mph and most trips are over 200 miles. I have been in below zero temperatures in a truck and everything freezes including the people in the truck. Ice forms in the bunk on the walls of the sleeper. It takes a long time to cover 200 miles on ice at that speed. I really like that one man in the series that has a child and is very young but experienced at ice road trucking. All that for diamonds. I never wanted a diamond in my life. I really must be weird. They are so expensive and are just a little shiny thing. I'd rather have a flat screen tv or something besides a diamond. LOL!
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Comment #28 posted by museman on July 30, 2007 at 11:06:12 PT

people
"We want to change the world but we each are only one person. It might be too late to fix the world but it isn't too late to fix ourselves."And if you ask me, there is no point at all in 'trying to fix the world' if we can't fix ourselves first, because all that ever happens without that is dragging the same old shit into everything, no matter what the intention.I just had one of the biggest let-downs in my life as a musician, and an activist, which is a perfect example of this. I don't want to go into too much detail, but suffice it to say all my attitudes about money, the status quo, compromising with the truth, and hypocrisy were given credibility that stands out like a dead tree in the middle of a flooded plain.It was 'Jammin on the Salmon' -supposed to be about raising consciousness for the plight of the salmon, when it was really about a bunch of spoiled rotten 'comfortably rich' 'counterculturists' getting together for a drunken brawl.My comment and complaint can be read here;http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/208834/The point is that you can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear, and you can't transmute negative spirit into sacredness. Wordy claims of this or that just doesn't make reality.I have had a series of epiphanies in the past month, since I was baptised. There is a place in the mind and heart, that is subtly hidden, I think, from most people, because the world and all the false cares of it take precedent always -unless steps are taken in certain directions, and resolve can become stronger than resignation.I originally found that place years ago, but it seemed that the only way to get there, or to find it was to stimulate the mind beyond the norm, to achieve what used to be referred to respectfully as an 'altered state.' At my last Rainbow Gathering in 06, I found it again, without having to ingest anything.There is a physical place near here, that the native tribes say is the 'center of the universe.' They believe that this is where all creation began, and spread out from to fill the earth. It may not actually be all that, but the power and clarity of nature that still exists there (where 'the land is bigger than the people') provided me with a fresh perspective on reality. Simply put; Tree = real, SUV = illusion.All of the hype and bullshit, the politics, the economic sruggles, the religious fanaticisms, are all just literally HOT-AIR coming out of the mouths of ignorance. 'Civilized' people all over the world are steeped in illusory values, antiquated prejudices, and leave destruction in the wake of all their 'progress' and even create more and more destruction with their wars and corporate exploitation. Whereas the 'primitive' peoples, though sometimes short on intellect and information, have an inherent grasp of what is real and what is really important to life as a human on planet earth.The American Ego is Satan incarnate. When the Islamic world proclaimed us as 'The Great Satan' they were closer than I am comfortable with. Reality is what YHWH made, not what man has manipulated, twisted, and reconstructed to fit into the idea of 'comfort,' 'style,' or artifact. Until a significant amount of folks are ready to sacrifice their TVs their SUVs and their high-priced 'comfort' (high-priced in more ways than just money) for the sake of one tree, one fish, or one human being, let alone them all, no connection with the ACTUAL REALITY that we live in is being made, no actual healing, or renewing, or salvage is actually REALLY happening,..just a bunch of two legged parasites consuming everything in sight.It's not that one has to 'give up their possessions' to gain 'enlightenment,' but that they get their priorities straight. Humbleness and respect for what YHWH has created and given us does not mean lip-service on Sunday. It does not mean political compromise in the Congress. It does not mean economic bandaids of illusory value, it means, honestly and wholeheartedly embracing the reality outside of all of man's little (I know some think of their cities as 'big') boxes. It means giving the earth, all life on it, and YHWH priority.The truth is, is that the Truth is fixed. It is not a clay to be molded into whatever shape suits one's fancy. Reality is like that. There are many views and perspectives on the truth, some more accurate than others. There are many, many more views and perspectives based on small, individual self-agendas, that claim to be true. It is therefore difficult for some to discern the difference. That does not change reality though, what is real is always there, living free, and relatively timeless and unchanging, regardless of the amount of denial that the entire human race can collectively muster.People need to find that reality, and time is already up.

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Comment #27 posted by Hope on July 30, 2007 at 10:20:57 PT

And Cold....
My gosh! It's so cold!
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Comment #26 posted by Hope on July 30, 2007 at 10:19:49 PT

 Ice Road Truckers
I've watched it several times. I generally avoid TV, but my husband watches it, and it's one the shows he watches that can get my attention.It's a very, very interesting program. Scares me and it is very anxiety provoking...but it's interesting, and it's a thing that's really going on and it's about real people in really rough and trying and dangerous situations. Those guys, their giant machines, and that terrain are something that everyone should know at least a little about.
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Comment #25 posted by FoM on July 30, 2007 at 09:28:00 PT

Hope and Everyone
If you haven't ever seen Ice Road Truckers I hope you can check it out sometime. This is my favorite series so far this year. What would people do without people who do this kind of work? One of the men got hurt and had to be taken out of the truck and air lifted for help. He got a $12,000 bill with no insurance. Everything he made would go to pay the medical bill even though the injury happened while ratcheting down a load. I thought Canadians had their inurance covered and if anyone could explain why he was hit with a $12,000 bill I would like to know why. He has a Canadian accent. http://www.history.com/minisites/iceroadtruckers
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Comment #24 posted by FoM on July 30, 2007 at 08:04:53 PT

Hope
Thank you. I want to finish waxing the inside of the boat now that I know the motor will work. We have such a great couple that rent from us. It was the man's first time in a boat and he is in his mid 40s. She was only in a boat one time as a small child so it's fun watching them enjoy the boat. Our friend is in from Arizona for his yearly visit to see his family and he will be visiting us too. My youngest nephew is on his way to Iraq and we had a going away party for him. He leaves for Houston and as long as he passes the physical he will be on his way. The VA doctor isn't sure he will pass because of his MD but he is a skilled air conditioning and heating expert. He was a dedicated army soldier so he knows what he is risking. If he passes his physical he will be able to clear up his debt before he can't work anymore. It is getting very hard for him to walk but he isn't anywhere near as bad as my other nephew. He doesn't follow the news so he really doesn't know how bad it is. I said to him are you going to the green zone and he didn't know what the green zone was. All I can do is pray for his safety.
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Comment #23 posted by Hope on July 30, 2007 at 07:38:08 PT

 :0)
Have a sweet, peaceful day.
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Comment #22 posted by FoM on July 30, 2007 at 07:08:55 PT

Hope
Thank you. That's it. I can't find any news to post so far today. It could stay slow for a while since I can't think of any reason for it to pick up. I will do my best to enjoy this quiet time and hope things change in the near future. 
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Comment #21 posted by Hope on July 29, 2007 at 22:33:02 PT

That scripture would be, most likely...
Galatians 6:9And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
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Comment #20 posted by FoM on July 29, 2007 at 21:12:36 PT

Hope
You're so sweet. I am so angry at what is happening in our country and I know it isn't healthy. I want to help like we all do. We want to change the world but we each are only one person. It might be too late to fix the world but it isn't too late to fix ourselves. I learned early in school about the need for retreats. We had them from time to time and they cleared our minds and helped us cope. We can do that by being involved in something we enjoy. I would adopt a horse to save it but we don't have good farriers around here unless you have a barn full of horses and then they will come. Going out on the lake is soothing and it puts life in a proper perspective for me. Isn't there a scripture that says something like we will win if we don't faint? We can't faint because that is what they want us to do. I know when you are stressed too. It is amazing the vibrations that can be felt in a forum like CNews. I thank God for it too.
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Comment #19 posted by Hope on July 29, 2007 at 20:51:36 PT

I'm sure you're right.
"I need to get away from the news these days a little more."You never seem to take a break and that worries me. You are amazing strong...but even the amazing strong have to take care of themselves.We've spent enough time together over the years, that I know, from the tone of your words, when you are feeling brittle, stretched too thin...or just sick of it all. I'm sure you can tell the same from my words. You're commitment to this good cause has truly been super human. But even super humans have to have breaks...rest and diversions.We "bleed" on these pages. Your blood is on these pages. This is hard, for all of us. And you do the most work and you do it all the time. I wish you would take more time for yourself than you do. But I am so grateful for what you do. So grateful. I don't want you to wear yourself out or break down. You do so much, and you do it so consistently and well, and we need you.You have to take care of yourself.And I think I can safely speak for everyone in this matter...We love you. 
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Comment #18 posted by FoM on July 29, 2007 at 20:07:16 PT

Hope
Thank you. I am proud of them for fixing it themselves. It wasn't easy but they work good together. It really is running great too and then we ran out of gas. We will be prepared for next Saturday and we will make it a day and launch at one of the marinas. There's so much to see and it is only a couple of miles for us to travel so we can go on the spur of the moment. I need to get away from the news these days a little more. It's enough to make me turn into an angry person and nothing is worth that to me. Life's too short to be angry. 
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Comment #17 posted by Hope on July 29, 2007 at 19:06:23 PT

FoM
I'm smiling for you. I'm glad you had a good time and glad you were able to save that four hundred and fifty dollars.And very glad that, in spite of it all, you had fun and made it back safely.
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Comment #16 posted by FoM on July 29, 2007 at 18:57:09 PT

Hope
You know we have been working on the boat. They wanted $500 to fix the motor. After my husband and friend worked on it for quite a few hours they got it fixed. We quick went down to the lake and launched it and took off looking for the marina to get more fuel. We couldn't find it and to make a long story short. We ran out of gas. LOL! A family came up and towed us in. All this happened in about three hours. We were in such a rush we forgot our life jackets. We are having fun and what an experience. Now we are getting ready to watch Ice Road Truckers. It turned out to be a good day. The fish were jumping, the deer were coming out of the woods to drink. We even saw a red fox and a beautiful crane. PS: It cost us about $50 for them to fix it themselves.
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Comment #15 posted by Hope on July 29, 2007 at 14:37:32 PT

Rchandar
That's ok. I get lyrics mixed up lots of times. Hadn't noticed the difference. But the tune and the way the lyrics move through it...are just very cool. It was...and is a good song.
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Comment #14 posted by RevRayGreen on July 29, 2007 at 10:48:12 PT

Great song
Paul has a ranch in Tucson out Reddingon Pass way east of Tucson....when I there there was nary a sighting, but I
understand Linda and him spent some time at the ranch.
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Comment #13 posted by rchandar on July 29, 2007 at 10:42:27 PT:

Hope
Actually, I got it wrong:Jojo was a man, who thought he was a loner,
but he had a buck to pass.Jojo left his home in Tuscon, Arizona,
For some California grass.The second verse,Sweet Loretta (?) thought she was a woman,
but she was another man.All the other girls, they said she got it comin'
But she gets it while she can.Get back, Jo.
You're mama's waitin'.
She got her high-heeled shoes on.Get back, get back, get back to where you once belonged.
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Comment #12 posted by Hope on July 28, 2007 at 22:34:18 PT

What a great line of lyric that is.
"Jojo was a man, who thought he was a woman, but he was another man."
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Comment #11 posted by Hope on July 28, 2007 at 22:15:51 PT

JoJo!
:0)Thanks.
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Comment #10 posted by rchandar on July 28, 2007 at 18:58:07 PT:

Get Back
Jojo was a man, who thought he was a woman,
but he was another man.Jojo left his home in Tuscon, Arizona,
For some California grass.Get back, get back, get back to where you once belonged.Beatles. "Let It Be" 1969--their last hit.Singer: Paul McCartney.Good song!
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Comment #9 posted by BGreen on July 28, 2007 at 18:57:55 PT

That's The Beatles song, Get Back
Jo Jo left his home in Tucson, Arizona for some California grass.Brother Bud Green (The other Brother Green)
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Comment #8 posted by Hope on July 28, 2007 at 18:39:29 PT

Wasn't there a song, Bro. Ray,
about being in Arizona and something about some "California grass"? It was quite a famous song. But I'm so rushed at the moment...that I don't recall and can't search now. Something maybe about Mojo.
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Comment #7 posted by RevRayGreen on July 28, 2007 at 18:14:04 PT

Hope I guess it all gets smoked
"Actually, it said 1/3 of "domestic production".in California, how many million live there :)
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Comment #6 posted by John Tyler on July 28, 2007 at 06:44:42 PT

go Paul
Paul is a really good writer. His articles are logical and well reasoned. I would like to see more of his articles published more often. He makes the Drug Warriors’ ranting look ridiculous. Keep up the good work. 
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Comment #5 posted by Hope on July 28, 2007 at 06:38:05 PT

Brother Ray...comment 2
"...supplying 1/3 of the country..."Actually, it said 1/3 of "domestic production". That's not the same as "supplying 1/3 of the country". But even that, of course, is suspect...it's from the government compiled stats.
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Comment #4 posted by Hope on July 28, 2007 at 06:31:53 PT

Paul Armentano
This is a powerful article, Paul.Article, column, or op-ed? I'm not sure what I should call it...but it's brave and true and well said, as your work always is. Thank you.
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Comment #3 posted by whig on July 27, 2007 at 22:53:10 PT

What about...
Parents who tried it and were temporarily paranoid, and think it is awful for that reason? Speaking for my own experience the first couple times I toked I got little or no effect, the third time when it took effect I was among people I wasn't fully comfortable with. If I'd never used it again maybe I would have thought it was terrible. It takes a little adjustment for some of us.
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Comment #2 posted by RevRayGreen on July 27, 2007 at 17:23:36 PT

As a mid-westerner
who lived in Tucson AZ from 85-95, I only smoked California
weed once in Arizona. Never available in quantity, here in
Iowa it's unheard of unless someone brings a bag back.So as far as California supplying 1/3 of the country, as someone of cullture, that's not the case. But great points
made in the article none the less. 
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Comment #1 posted by paul armentano on July 27, 2007 at 14:25:20 PT

Check this out also
http://www.orlandoweekly.com/features/story.asp?id=11706
 
7/26/2007REEFER MADNESS REDUX The myths behind 'potent' potBy Paul Armentano and Marsha Rosenbaum
http://www.orlandoweekly.com/features/story.asp?id=11706
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