cannabisnews.com: Barry's World Barry's World Posted by FoM on January 09, 2000 at 14:07:59 PT By Peter McWilliams Source: Liberty Magazine This is a portion of a speech that the nation's drug czar, General Barry McCaffrey, gave on Veteran's Day, November 11, 1997, at the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington:"A ceremony at this site brings to mind the images of the nearly three and a half million men and thousands of women who served in the Vietnam theater. It also brings into sharp focus the faces of mothers, fathers, young wives, and children who braved the uncertainty of that conflict, waiting with anticipation for the return of loved ones. "Our country did not treat any of you with the respect, support, and compassion you deserved. It was a shameful blot on our history to send our country's young men and women off to this terrible conflict and then use our soldiers as objects of blame for the divisive political struggle that ripped the nation apart for a decade."More than 58,000 died and over 303,000 were wounded. The bloodshed was terrible, and the suffering has not ended. At least 80,000 of our ranks still suffer from severe service-connected disabilities; around 6% of our Vietnam War comrades suffer from drug abuse or dependence; 11% suffer from current alcohol abuse; many are homeless; and others still suffer from war-related psychological and physical problems. "This continuing heavy human toll demands that we Americans vigorously support the finest possible health care in our Veterans' Administration facilities and sustain strong outreach programs to assist veterans suffering from drug and alcohol dependency and physical and emotional wounds. Our nation needs to make the sacrifice for those who sacrificed so much in Vietnam."I wonder whether McCaffrey knows -- or cares - that his deception about medical marijuana is the direct result of B.E. Smith's federal incarceration. B.E. served two tours of duty in Vietnam as "point man" for his platoon -- the most dangerous position, as it draws "first fire" from the enemy and permits the other platoon members to take cover and prepare for battle. He courageously volunteered for his two tours of duty and for the heroic defense of his platoon.B.E. served as "point man" for California medical marijuana patients by volunteering to be the first medical marijuana patient tried and sentenced by the federal government since the passage of Proposition 215. He turned down a plea agreement that would have netted him no prison time, so that people would see what the federal government was doing to both sick people and the voters of California.B.E. is in federal prison now because he used medical marijuana to treat his Vietnam-induced post-traumatic stress disorder -- one of McCaffrey's "others [who] still suffer from war-related psychological and physical problems."Happy Veteran's Day, general.Here's a letter from B.E. Smith's wife:"For all of you who get this email, can you please forward his new address so people can write him. It encourages his heart, and helps keep him going. His birthday was November 6, and he couldn't even call home, so let's really pick him up with cards and letters now. He won't be able to call me as much, as this place is very big, with only a few phones, and they rotate in using them. Also, even in visiting they have to be pre-approved, so I don't know when I'll be able to see him. So, if you all help me get BE's address out, we can flood him with love and encouragement, and wish him Happy Birthday, and Happy Thanksgiving too! And then Merry Christmas! Love, Mary Gale Smith."His address is: B.E. Smith-1l691-097, PO Box 6000, Sheridan, Oregon, 97378. Please be sure to put your first and last name and full return address, or B.E. will not get it."Letter from Tom Ballanco, B.E. Smith's Attorney - 5/25/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread1456.shtmlI'm sure Mary Gale Smith would like to hear from you, too. She's a good Christian woman who doesn't understand why her man does the crazy things he does, but she loves him just the same. Her e-mail is: besmith snowcrest.net . If only General McCaffrey would listen to commentators from Walter Cronkite to Bill Moyers to Geraldo Rivera to John Stossel who have called the War on Drugs "another Vietnam." If only Drug Czar McCaffrey would listen to Vietnam War veteran McCaffrey (again, from McCaffrey's Veteran's Day speech November 11, 1997): "Nearly three decades have passed since our time in Vietnam. The historians may still be sifting through mountains of documents. However, most of us assembled here already know what we learned from the War. First, we must not commit our youth to war without the support of the American people. For in a democracy, lack of such support produces catastrophic divisiveness and weakening of national will, which are essential to winning."[Amen!]"Second, we must not send our sons and daughters to war without a clear understanding of national aims and the costs for achieving them. For failing to articulate these requirements leads to flawed strategies and higher casualties."[Amen! Amen!]"Third, victory will be paid for in blood by the men and women who serve and by loved ones at home who must bear separations, recoveries from wounds, and ultimate sacrifices."[Such as life sentences without possibility of parole for drug offenses.] "And fourth, as individuals, we learned that to survive and succeed when conditions are appalling and your life is on the line requires: moral and physical courage, competence, self-discipline, and trust in your buddies." [I feel the trust; I'm not sure I have the other qualities in sufficient quantity to stand up to the $50 billion drug war machine, but I'm doing my best.]But did McCaffrey listen? No.Here's what General Drug Czar McCaffrey asked of America as he stood before the Vietnam Memorial:"Our nation needs your help:First, help Vietnam veterans in need. Get involved in state, local, and veteran organizations. Offer your energy, time, money, and support." [Help get B.E. Smith out of prison, for example.] "Second, battle the evil of illegal drugs. Get involved in state, local, and community anti-drug efforts."[There are none so blind as those who dare not see.] "Third, Improve your community. Get involved in other activities to make your community better. Our nation's leadership system works from the bottom up."[Except when it comes to medical marijuana initiatives, of course.] Watch while McCaffrey whisks past ironic, skinny dips in hypocritical, and winds up in endless orbit around arrogant ignorance. Note: Peter McWilliams is the author of 35 nonfiction books and has appeared five times on the New York Times bestseller list. He is currently awaiting sentencing following a plea bargain, for one count of conspiracy to manufacture and distribute marijuana.Newshawk: Doc-Hawkhttp://www.waronsomedrugs.com/Pubdate: Feb 2000Source: Liberty Magazine (US)Copyright: 2000 Liberty FoundationContact: letterstoeditor LibertySoft.com News Article Courtesy Of MAPInc.http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n026/a06.html Related Articles & Web Sites:http://www.petertrial.com/http://growmedicine.com/ http://mcwilliams.com/http://www.marijuanamagazine.com/AIDS Victim Hammered By Pot Charge - 11/20/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3742.shtmlActivists Plead Guilty to Drug Charges - 11/20/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3734.shtmlMedical Marijuana Activists Plead Guilty - 11/19/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3733.shtmlLA Drug Case Bars Medical Marijuana Defense - 11/07/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3585.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: