cannabisnews.com: Johnson Takes Drug Stance to Philadelphia Johnson Takes Drug Stance to Philadelphia Posted by FoM on August 02, 2000 at 08:19:09 PT By Michael Coleman, Journal Washington Bureau Source: Albuquerque Journal New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson brought his crusade for drug legalization to Philadelphia on Tuesday, winning a hero's welcome from hundreds of participants at a so-called Shadow Convention. The Republican governor, in a 20-minute speech, outlined the controversial argument now familiar to many New Mexicans: The drug war is ruining lives and unnecessarily costing society billions of dollars. "Marijuana should be legal," Johnson said. "Drug prohibition is tearing this country apart," Johnson said, drawing heavy applause and shouts of encouragement from the audience. "Prohibition is the bogeyman." The Shadow Convention, organized by syndicated columnist Arianna Huffington, is being billed as an alternative to the Republican National Convention taking place across town. The Shadow Convention is focusing on poverty, campaign finance reform and the war on drugs. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., the Rev. Jesse Jackson and actor Warren Beatty are among celebrities to speak during the four-day event. David Shrier, interim chairman of the Philadelphia Reform Party and a Shadow Convention participant, took time to thank Johnson after his speech. "I'm flabbergasted that a governor has this kind of courage," Shrier said in an interview. "It's just marvelous." Johnson was not invited to speak at the Republican National Convention, but neither were any of New Mexico's other Republican elected officials. The George W. Bush campaign organized the convention in a way that highlights more regular Americans and downplays politicians. Johnson's high-profile support of drug legalization has rankled many New Mexico Republicans. The governor said he has received a "positive" reception from New Mexico delegates in Philadelphia, but some of those delegates expressed wariness after his appearance at the Shadow Convention. Meribelle "Dusty" Bolton, a New Mexico delegate and vice chair of the state Republican Party, said she was disappointed that Johnson chose to spend his time with the Shadow Convention. Johnson has spent time socializing with the regular New Mexico delegation but has not been actively involved in the GOP convention. "He has a perfect right to say anything he wants, but he could have picked a better time and a better place," Bolton said. "We are building unity, and this is a very divisive issue," she said. She said Johnson's drug stance puts New Mexico Republicans in an awkward position. "People are laughing at us, and it ain't funny," Bolton said. Johnson, who quit drinking 13 years ago and hasn't used drugs since his early 20s, said his legalization push "is not about" condoning drug or alcohol use. Instead, he hopes to convince Americans that the drug war isn't worth the cost. "When you consider that half of what we spend on law enforcement, half of what we spend on the courts and half of what we spend on the prisons is drug related, is there a bigger issue in the United States today?" Johnson asked the crowd. "I don't think that there is." After his speech, about a dozen reporters — including correspondents from USA Today and MTV News — peppered Johnson with questions about his drug stance and how his fellow Republicans have responded. Johnson likened himself to a soldier on the front line of a battle, explaining that "the first one over the hill gets shot." But because he has no plans to run for public office again, Johnson said he can afford to take the heat. "This is absolute political taboo," said Johnson, who has endorsed Bush for president. "It can't be addressed at the presidential level, and that's a shame. It would be the death knell for our candidate to talk about this." Bush and Vice President Al Gore, the expected Democratic presidential nominee, both have said they oppose Johnson's call for drug legalization. Johnson's expenses to attend the Shadow Convention and the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia are being paid by "sponsors and people associated with the Republican Party," said Diane Kinderwater, Johnson's press secretary. "It's not at taxpayers' expense," said Kinderwater, who accompanied the governor to Philadelphia. "It doesn't come out of the governor's budget because this is a political event," she said. Kinderwater said her expenses also were being paid for by Republican sponsors. Kinderwater acknowledged that Johnson's security detail is paid with state money. "Security has to go where he goes," she said. Also, under state law, Lt. Gov. Walter Bradley becomes acting governor and is paid a $250 bonus for each day Johnson is out of state. Contact: opinion abqjournal.com Published: Wednesday, August 2, 2000Copyright Albuquerque Journal The Shadow Conventionshttp://www.shadowconventions.com/Shadow Conventionshttp://www.lindesmith.org/shadowconventions/Shadow Convention 2000 News Boardhttp://homepages.go.com/~marthag1/Shadcon.htmMapInc. Articles On The Shadow Conventions:http://mapinc.org/shadow.htm CannabisNews Articles On The Shadow Conventions:http://cannabisnews.com/thcgi/search.pl?K=shadow Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #11 posted by Puritan on August 03, 2000 at 08:43:27 PT Shadow Convention Coverage I can see the future and it is here...not on network televison. They are so dead they are not even aware of it.... yet! [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by MikeEEEEE on August 02, 2000 at 17:09:39 PT dictates awareness Hello Steve1, I believe TV dictates unawareness. I stopped watching TV a long time ago, I guess because I like the truth.FoM, that's a great clip, these poor kids are totally confused by the anti's. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by FoM on August 02, 2000 at 16:44:29 PT: Let's Talk: Teens Talk About Drugs Here's a video clip that I'm finding interesting so I thought I'd post it for you all too!Intimate video interview of an assortment of teenagers and their truthful and daring portrayal of their opinions and experiences of illicite drugs.Video Clip:http://stream.realimpact.net/rihurl.ram?file=realimpact/shadowconventions/shado_teens-drugs.rm [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by steve1 on August 02, 2000 at 16:33:42 PT television dictates awareness television, as it stands now, dictates awareness. I don't even bother to complain about television anymore, as Les Claypool would say, call it pointless. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by MikeEEEEE on August 02, 2000 at 16:33:32 PT News Media Coverage I'm wondering if maybe the TV media was paid for in the last election. Wait...what about the billion dollars that go to the TV networks for anti-drug messages. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by Thomas on August 02, 2000 at 14:57:15 PT Referring To Brewnash' Comment Tuesday, the MSNBC web page invited people to submit questions via e-mail to Tom Brokaw for possible use in their bradcast later that evening. I submitted the question "When is the GOP convention going to address the issues being debated at the shadow convention?" I didn't expect them to use my question, but I wanted them to consider the significance of these other issues. I certainly cannot be the only person who inquired about the other issues. The people at NBC are surely aware of what is being discussed at the alternative convention. Therefore, and to no one's surpise I'm sure, I have concluded that the mass media is not only ignoring the shadow convention and these issues, they are actually carrying on an undeclared black out. How shameful. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by Brewnash on August 02, 2000 at 14:11:23 PT: Media Control Tom Brokaw, also reporting from the convention on NBC Nightly News, not only didn't mention the WoSD, he and his network led off with a story about the crank ring bust, followed up with a scare piece on Ecstasy including footage of McCzar doing his fear mongering best to scare the crap out of Mr and Mrs Middle America. Absolutely shameful. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by DCP on August 02, 2000 at 12:35:13 PT: TV Media Control Reporting on the Republican Convention last night on the ABC evening news, Peter Jennings mentioned, in passing, demonstrations outside the convention. There was no mention of the Drug War. He reported that traffic was obstructed and that there was a "scuffle". The Washington Post (above) reported that, "Police said they arrested 282 people. Three police officers were treated when an unknown substance was splashed in their eyes, and a fourth was hospitalized with head injuries after being hit with a bicycle. Twenty police cars were damaged." Blocked trafffic and a scuffle? I think that this clearly demonstrates the blatent bias that ABC has in their attempt to placate the establishment and in particular, the Republicans. DCP [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by STAN DUP on August 02, 2000 at 11:02:11 PT BULDING UNITY??? From what i am gathering in the news, the republican's have chosen NOT to deal with any isssues during they're convention. AS USUAL, THESE SHEEP ARE BUILDING UNITY FROM NOTHING!!! [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Dan B on August 02, 2000 at 09:52:45 PT: Absolutely, Thomas! The rule of the day, across the board in both parties, seems to be "if we pretend it isn't there, maybe it will go away." Guess what, Republicrats? We're not going anywhere. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Thomas on August 02, 2000 at 09:07:22 PT Mums The Word "He has a perfect right to say anything he wants, but he could have picked a better time and a better place," Bolton said. "We are building unity, and this is a very divisive issue," she said.Yes, I suppose if there is a defference of opinion on a subject, it is better to stick our heads in the sand rather than discuss it. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: