cannabisnews.com: Tilting at Windmills in Berkeley Tilting at Windmills in Berkeley Posted by FoM on June 01, 2001 at 08:50:56 PT By Josh Sens Source: San Francisco Chronicle When Kevin Sabet arrived at the University of California at Berkeley four years ago, the campus was crawling with beer drinkers, pot smokers and dabblers in strange, psychedelic drugs. Today, well, today it's pretty much the same, though Sabet did give changing it the old college try. A few days into his freshman year, Sabet founded Citizens for a Drug-Free Berkeley, an organization that seemed to hold as much promise as the Coalition for a Wine-Free France. With no outside funding, he took to the pulpit, proselytizing at parties, showing up at nightclubs with photocopies of CAT scans of the human brain on ecstasy. Sabet could be a downer to anyone on uppers. And his wasn't just a campus- wide campaign. Among his prime targets were cannabis clubs, which Sabet regarded as outgrowths of the city's "pro-drug mentality." "With alcohol and tobacco, it's already too late. They've already seeped into the fabric of our culture," Sabet says. "There's still time to stop that from happening with marijuana and other drugs." There weren't many citizens in Citizens for a Drug-Free Berkeley, which helps explain, Sabet says, why the Berkeley City Council didn't like to hear him speak. "City politicians are spineless," Sabet says. "I didn't expect them to stand up on principle if it went against the majority of their constituents." Sabet still hopes the city will pass strong anti-pot club legislation - a timely follow-up, he says, to a recent Supreme Court decision that dealt a setback to the clubs. As for folks at City Hall, many probably hope that Sabet will go away, which he will. Next month, he's moving to Atlanta to work for a group called National Families in Action. Then - surprise! - he'll go for a degree in law and public policy. "Yes, I'm leaving Berkeley, but don't worry," Sabet says. "Wherever I go, I'll be keeping a close eye on all of you." Citizen Jane: But what about Citizens for a Drug-Free Berkeley? In Sabet's absence, is its future as cloudy as the bottom of a billowing bong? No way, says Sabet. Sure, the group will go dormant this summer. But Sabet is working on appointing his successor, a woman so prominent that he dare not mention her name. "She's very well-known," Sabet says. "She's also very worried about the backlash she'll suffer if she takes the post." Source: San Francisco Chronicle (CA)Author: Josh SensPublished: Friday June 1, 2001Copyright: 2001 San Francisco Chronicle Contact: letters sfchronicle.comWebsite: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/Related Articles:The Role of Cannabis - Real Agenda Nipped in Budhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9801.shtmlThe Role of Cannabis - Snuffing Out Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9800.shtml END SNIP --> Snipped Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #13 posted by ScottDykstra on June 04, 2001 at 05:46:04 PT: What a dick I think this was the same asshole that debated Chris Conrad on San Fran T.V. not long ago. One thing is for sure, he's all bullshit. He said there was not positive indication for medical marijuana use. Fucking fact is, the FEDS forbid research period. Dr. Tod used to work for the FEDs and when he was told to find ONLY negative research about Marijuana, he told them goodbye.This guy, Kevin Sabet is Barry McCaffreys clone...or the biggest wannabe.Hey Kevin, go back to Nazi Germany. You're a government whore. We don't want you in America. Get out!Scott Dykstra MY website [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by lookinside on June 01, 2001 at 19:59:12 PT: i love sabet... i've posted on this guy a couple times as well as thankingthe SF chronicle for giving him space...with idiots like him leading the war on drugs, we could haveMANDITORY drug use in 5 years...even barry what's-his-name would be appalled at this selfrighteous idiot...(my daughter goes to school at UCB and we goberkeley/oakland to purchase medicine) [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by aocp on June 01, 2001 at 15:32:08 PT F***wit "Yes, I'm leaving Berkeley, but don't worry," Sabet says. "Wherever I go, I'll be keeping a close eye on all of you."So, you're so damn brave that you're skipping town, huh? As for your "close eye", i'll bet those in Berkeley are quaking in their boots right about, oh, never. You know what my fellow ELEMENTARY teachers call you and your ilk? Bullies. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by Aaron on June 01, 2001 at 15:08:23 PT: How is it possible? . . . that I am much younger and less educated than this Sabet fellow, yet I am so aware of his ignorance? Oh yes, now I remember why- he's one of the many "righteous" pussies who just simply don't know what they're talking about. I'd certainly like to see this kid in a debate with someone well-educated about marijuana . . . his defeat would be good for a nice laugh. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by Pontifex on June 01, 2001 at 15:04:33 PT: Rx: A stiff third-eye-opener I live about 15 minutes east of Berkeley, and all I can say is this guy must have a jones to be the underdog.But for anybody who knows this clown, I implore you: don't let him leave Berkeley until he's been dosed with a touch of LSD or psilocybin, or at least a mighty-mighty contact high. A bit of introspection is just what the doctor ordered!I can't wait to be an old fart so that I can reach the maximum level of crankiness. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by Robbie on June 01, 2001 at 13:51:54 PT Tough room I live in Berkeley (not a student) and I in NO way support this dunce, but you know it's an uphill struggle when those students interested in what he had to say brought marijuana to the meetings :-) "Uh, now as we discuss Bill Bennet's application for godhood, I'd like to ask those people in the back to stop passing the joint around, and please stop doing whip-its! This is an anti-drug rally!" From his point of view, he was seated squarely in the lions den. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by bcg on June 01, 2001 at 13:11:26 PT Life in the ATL I am sure that he will be welcomed with open arms here in Atlanta - home of Bob Barr and the New Repressors. News here is that Ralph Reed, formerly of the Christian Coalition (Do as I say not as God does) and current head of the Georgia GOP is pushing for Newt Gingrich to run for governor next election. I am sure they already have a Gold-leafed cushy chair for this guy at HQ - right between Ralph and Bob.(Although I am surprised Dianne Fienstien hasn't recruited him as California's Internet Drug Information Censor Emperor since he is in-state and she seems to need someone to fill the post.) [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by TroutMask on June 01, 2001 at 12:32:37 PT They stand on street corners Hey, nutballs are everywhere! And few people (other than nutballs) listen to them. From the stinky bearded fellow with the "The End is Coming" sign, to the screaming maniacal anti-abortion protester toting his kids up and down the street screaming, to the KKK, to the Nazis...These people have two things in common: They are social misfits and no one listens to them. They are not a plus for their causes, they only embarass Us and Them. Such zealotry changes no ones' mind but the zealots'. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by Imprint on June 01, 2001 at 11:34:37 PT Social Misfit Notice he did leave Berkley. He really doesn’t have a voice there. This also shows that he has no backbone. A real crusader would have stayed and continued his fight in the face of overwhelming odds. This is just an anomalous blip on the radar screen. No doubt he will be recruited into the drug warrior fold and be groomed for the next generation of the ignorant. Simply he is a social misfit that wants everyone else to be as miserable as him. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by dddd on June 01, 2001 at 11:02:13 PT Vintage Flatuence I am somewhat proud and satisfied to classify myself in the"old fart" category......that is why I think it appropriate,andjustifiable for me to make an exception to the unwritten rulesof decorum,and exude the following statement,,which I warn you,is seasoned with raw,and simplistic expletives.To thosewho are sensitive to profane utterings,I would recommendtermination of reading at this point.I dont mind an "Angry young man",after all,that's what angryold farts were in the wonder years.I dont see this guy as an angry young man,,,that term has animplication of honor,and can be excused by citing ignorance ofyouth,and dedication to a cause.....but after a few years of beingangry,,most young men wake up and smell the farts,,,and perhapsI'm being too tough on this guy,,,,,maybe this is his niche in life,andwhy should I be such a bitter old fart,and call him names???..I dont know..........but from what I've read,I think this guy is a fucking shithead!...You can bet he's been preened,primped,and funded by many an exuberantdo-goody from the zombiesque ranks of the Anti Corps,,,.,,,after all,it's noteasy to find narrow enough minds to replace the Bennetts,Walters,and other such stoic wayward clowns.......You can imagine the prideand admiration they have for this golden boy,,,,,,,the czars darling.enuff 4 now.......pardon the un%*&#%&* profanity...dddd [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Cuzn Buzz on June 01, 2001 at 10:52:44 PT Angry young Psychotic This Sabet Clown sounds like some kind of Psycho.I'll bet ya $50.00 he couldn't get a date the whole time he was a Berkeley.Too bad nobody took a cat scan of his brain....maybe they tried but like his penis, it was just too small to photograph.I predict this guy will wind up in a clock tower with a high powered rifle someday. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Sudaca on June 01, 2001 at 09:55:01 PT angry young men tend to run against this sort of cause nowadays. This guy can go join the neo Nazis for all we'll miss him.Citizens for an intolerance free world unite! [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by kaptinemo on June 01, 2001 at 09:44:18 PT: The problem with being an old fart Is that you remember lots of things. Like songs.From Billy Joel's "The Angry Young Man"."There's a place in the world for the angry young manWith his working class ties and his radical plansHe refuses to bend he refuses to crawlAnd he's always at home with his back to the wallAnd he's proud of his scars and the battles he's lostAnd struggles and bleeds as he hangs on his crossAnd likes to be known as the angry young manGive a moment or two to the angry young manWith his foot in his mouth and his heart in his handHe's been stabbed in the back he's been misunderstoodIt's a comfort to know his intentions are goodAnd he sits in his room with a lock on the doorWith his maps and his medals laid out on the floorAnd he likes to be known as the angry young manI believe I've passed the age of consciousness and righteous rageI found that just surviving was a noble fightI once believed in causes tooI had my pointless point of viewAnd life went on no matter who was wrong or rightAnd there's always a place for the angry young manWith his fist in the air and his head in the sandAnd he's never been able to learn from mistakesSo he can't understand why his heart always breaksAnd his honor is pure and his courage is wellAnd he's fair and he's true and he's boring as hellAnd he'll go to the grave as an angry old manYes there's always a place for the angry young manWith his working class ties and his radical plansHe refuses to bend he refuses to crawlAnd he's always at home with his back to the wallAnd he's proud of his scars and the battles he's lostAnd struggles and bleeds as he hangs on his crossAnd likes to be known as the angry young manProblem is, such angry young men seem to think they have the God-given right to tell the rest of us what to do and how to live. As apparently Mr. Sabet thinks he does.I'm too old a fart to have any more patience with kids intent on teaching me how to suck eggs when they've only just learned to pee in the pot. God spare me from 'angry young men'. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: