cannabisnews.com: Sentence is Death Sentence for Small Time Crime 





Sentence is Death Sentence for Small Time Crime 
Posted by CN Staff on April 01, 2006 at 22:24:12 PT
By Susan Lampert Smith
Source: Wisconsin State Journal 
Wisconsin -- A woman who shared my name, Susan Lampert, died a month ago today and her death troubles me.While we met only a few times - all at the Dane County Farmers' Market - our common name bonded us and we had at least one mutual friend. I wondered if she cringed when she would see me in the newspaper, shooting off my mouth.
I certainly cringed when I finally saw her in the newspaper.It was last June, when a farm near Lodi was busted as a marijuana- growing operation. Actually, I heard about it because some of my competitors at a rival news organization mistakenly (and gleefully) thought I had been busted.I hated to ruin their fun.But the bust was no laughing matter for the other Susan Lampert, who was sent to federal prison for her role in the operation. It was a tragedy that ultimately led to her death at 57.The last time I saw her, in the mid- 1990s, she was still healthy and working at a Madison research company.Since then, according to family and friends, she had contracted lupus and also suffered chronic pain from a broken back and depression. She couldn't work and was living on Supplemental Security Income and was on the waiting list for a rent- subsidized apartment in Lodi.She supplemented her income by selling flowers and vegetables at the Lodi Valley Farmers' Market.Peg Zaemisch, managing editor of the Lodi Enterprise, wrote a warm tribute after Lampert's death, calling her "The Flower Lady," and describing her typical attire: a big straw hat and brace supporting her tiny body. Zaemisch questioned whether federal prison was too harsh a sentence for an ill woman who had no criminal record.After an afternoon spent reading Lampert's file at the federal courthouse, I'm angry and sad.Lampert's daughter, Casey Looze, said her mother moved in several years ago with a longtime family friend, Terrance Larson. She got free rent in exchange for cleaning the house and doing chores on the farm.Those chores included watering Larson's marijuana seedlings, which Lampert cared for along with her own flower and vegetable seedlings."She knew about what was going on," Looze said, of Larson's marijuana dealing.Her attorney told the court she had hoped to move out, and was afraid of Larson, sometimes spending the night in her car because she had nowhere else to go."He started going insane; she was afraid of his temper," Looze said.Lampert finally got her subsidized apartment, but three days before she was to move in, Columbia County deputies visited the farm after a road rage incident in which Larson forced an elderly couple off the road. The deputies saw and smelled the marijuana.Lampert, who was away from the farm baby-sitting, turned herself in.Looze said her mother nearly died while at the Columbia County Jail after her arrest. Looze said she took prescriptions to the jail, but her mother never got them. By the time she was released three days later, she was seriously ill."She couldn't walk, talk or chew," Looze said, of her mother's condition following her jail stay. "It was like taking care of a baby."Lampert's bad luck continued when the case was sent to federal court, and she drew "Maximum John" Shabaz, a judge known for throwing the book at defendants.Larson, who has a long record of traffic, disorderly conduct and other offenses, admitted selling large quantities of marijuana (most of it grown elsewhere) and forfeited his farm. He got 80 months in prison, and is currently being treated at a prison hospital in Rochester, Minn. (Court documents suggested he suffered from mental illness and drug addiction.)Lampert also pleaded guilty; her daughter said her lawyer thought she would get no more than probation and a six-month prison term.A number of Lodi people wrote to Shabaz asking for leniency.Shabaz said he wondered why, if she had so many friends, none of them offered her a place to live. He also said he imagined that a number of people in Lodi would like to see her locked up.He's right about that. After Zaemisch wrote the "flower lady" tribute, she and I both got angry unsigned notes from a Lodi parent whose daughter was introduced to marijuana as a high school freshman. The writer said the police and school have to do more about drugs.I understand the writer's anguish. But I also think our hysteria over drugs has created a court system that doesn't distinguish between the drug kingpins and the little people. I hope the writer stands by her daughter and is there for her so that when life deals out bad luck, it doesn't trap her in a downward spiral of bad decisions and worse consequences.That's what happened to the woman who shared my name.Shabaz heard arguments that Lampert was too ill to be sent to prison, but declared that she would get adequate health care there. He sentenced her to 26 months in prison.Susan Lampert died of congestive heart failure March 2, shortly after being assigned to a minimum-security camp for women east of St. Louis."It breaks my heart that she went to federal prison," Looze said, adding that her mother's letters indicated she wasn't getting adequate medical care. "This lady was so sick, so frail. It just breaks my heart."In the ultimate irony, on March 14, the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago sided with Lampert and ordered her conviction vacated. On March 18, Shabaz followed the directive of the higher court and signed an order dismissing the indictment against her.But by then, the gentle Earth Mother who shared my name had been dead for 16 days.Complete Title: Tough Sentence is Death Sentence for Small-Time Crime Source: Wisconsin State Journal (WI)Author: Susan Lampert SmithPublished: April 1, 2006Copyright: 2006 Madison Newspapers, Inc.Contact: wsjopine madison.comWebsite: http://www.madison.com/wsj/CannabisNews Justice Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/justice.shtml
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Comment #49 posted by Truth on April 03, 2006 at 13:26:14 PT
truth
Deceptions unravel,Truth remains.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #48 posted by Toker00 on April 03, 2006 at 09:54:52 PT
Murderers of Truth.
Creators of Lies.Toke. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #47 posted by Hope on April 03, 2006 at 07:26:24 PT
Prohibition and Prohibitionists
are KILLERS.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #46 posted by FoM on April 03, 2006 at 07:15:53 PT
runderwo
You had asked about Jerry and Linda's address. Linda said it was fine for me to post it. Here it is.Linda Sisson, P.O. Box 775, Cave Junction, Oregon 97523
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Comment #45 posted by goneposthole on April 03, 2006 at 06:36:04 PT
'is given'
correction
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Comment #44 posted by goneposthole on April 03, 2006 at 06:34:36 PT
war on justice
A child molester gets a fifteen month sentence, is out in twelve months for 'good behavior,' and is out on the street as a threat to do it again, unbeknownst to the general public.A 'marijuana dealer' is give a five year sentence, has to serve the entire sentence, and is stigmatized and demonized by 'do gooder' prohibitionists.The father of the 'marijuana dealer' wants to shoot the child molester, bury him and be done with the problem. Story is over.The scenario is true, not some strawman argument. Where is the justice?It's a war on justice. Justice is done. 
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Comment #43 posted by mayan on April 03, 2006 at 05:37:13 PT
Misc.
Police crack down on marijuana users: Tories reverse Liberal pot policy - Police chiefs welcome tough stance:
http://tinyurl.com/rjymfJust Say No:
http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_3656809Marijuana referendum doesn’t belong on the ballot:
http://www.diamondbackonline.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2006/04/03/443106804c00b
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Comment #42 posted by lombar on April 03, 2006 at 02:55:18 PT
Law and order
... or justice? If the person believes in 'justice' rather than punishement, then perhaps the notion that 'the punishment should fit the crime' would be helpful. If they just want to force compliance and believe the harshness of the penalty serves as a deterrent, then there is likely no punishment to great to scare the other sheep.. I mean citizens into compliance. Also you have to consider that some may privately agree, or just know the facts, and just lie/misrepresent anyway because its politically expedient. Like the ONDCP. Since they must read all the activist sites anyway they do know the truth but get them to admit it when their job depends on maintaining the status quo? All the people employed by the deceptions... besides any darker more sinister purposes.I sometimes try and make the point that jails are for the violent and dangerous, the segregation of criminals serves not to punish primarily but to safeguard society instead. To protect the vulnerable not exploit them. Society is not protected by giving gardeners 25 years to life. Profits are. The black market is. Cycles of perpetual violence. Waste of resources. For all this they hold the weak notion that less people use drugs than would if they were legal. Anyone can get any drug they want in any city in North America with the money. You could always mention the concept of the courts actually making mistakes? Set ups, frame-jobs, lying corrupt cops,.. all leading to wrongful convictions. I watched some show about anti-death penalty activists and they said something like 20-30% of the death row cases were wrongful convictions. When someone is getting 40 years for a few pounds of contraband and upto 30% could be wrongful convictions, that adds up to a lot of injustice. Girlfriends who were holding without knowing.. friends who were with a person at the wrong time... even if these are 'proper' convictions, they are cruel and unusual. The 'law is the law' types are the worst. They have their book and its written in black and white, that relieves them of any need to make a moral decision, just obey. The book justifies it by its existence, not by any soundness of the law. The person of-the-book-by-the-book is relieved of any need to think or feel, they know how they must act, the book tells them. 
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Comment #41 posted by runderwo on April 03, 2006 at 01:50:52 PT
lombar
Help me answer this one:If she didn't want to go to jail, she shouldn't have committed the crime.How do you corner a law-and-order type into admitting that there is such a thing as an excessively cruel punishment? Maybe the answer starts with "Who has she harmed?" ...
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Comment #40 posted by observer on April 02, 2006 at 16:22:59 PT
The Serpent-State Crushes The Life Out of Another
... she took prescriptions to the jail, but her mother never got them. By the time she was released three days later, she was seriously ill. "She couldn't walk, talk or chew," Looze said, of her mother's condition following her jail stay. "It was like taking care of a baby."... Shabaz heard arguments that Lampert was too ill to be sent to prison, but declared that she would get adequate health care there. He sentenced her to 26 months in prison. Susan Lampert died of congestive heart failure March 2, shortly after being assigned to a minimum-security camp...That's another way government murders you. Good, Godly government officials simply withhold medical care. (Or food and water, if withholding medical care won't do it fast enough.) Or when you're handcuffed, and six cops jump on you and sit on you, to keep you from breathing, your pro-forma autopsy will read something like, "heart failure". (I.e. you suffocated and died, the serpent-state having crushed the breath out of another innocent victim.) But wait, the autopsy says you had a detectable level of THC metabolites in you, and so the reports will insinuate, it must have been the "drugs" that did you in. Case closed. 
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Comment #39 posted by lombar on April 02, 2006 at 15:42:42 PT
Study should be in quotes. 
as it 'Study'."Nearly half of kids who are regular drinkers before age 14 will become alcoholics, said Dr. Danielle Dick, a clinical psychologist and geneticist at Washington University.
"
- I'd have say that 100% of kids who are regular drinkers are already 'alcoholics' by definition. I was told one time by a musician that if you do not start learning piano when you are a young child, you will not be able to reach your full potential. It is only logical to think that creation of neural pathways in youth strongly determines future behavior but its no predictor. This kind of stuff is like voodoo... the elusive self that they want to pin down... its the soul stealing drugs, not your inncent babies, just let us continue to bust adults and fill prisons."Marijuana has often been called a gateway drug, a substance that can lead to use of more harmful drugs. Most researchers agree that marijuana doesn't necessarily set up the brain for further addictions, but does give kids practice in obtaining illicit substances and access to a subculture where harder drugs are available."They better start writing the DEA. Prohibition is the gateway."The real gateway drug may be nicotine, experts say. Most kids try cigarettes before other drugs."Ohh.. back to voodoo again. Most killers start with mothers milk. It must be a gateway to all manner of immorality. Most sentences that start with the word 'most' are the most garbage."For instance, marijuana smokers retain 5 percent to 10 percent less information when listening to a story. That difference may not seem big, but could make the difference between passing or failing a test in school."They wonder why the people cant get thru the hoops but the cannabis smokers are simply wondering "Why are you making us jump through hoops. The piece of paper you have does not prove your smart, what do I need it for?" To jump thru more hoops..."Teens who smoke marijuana - even those who have stopped using for a month - need to expend much more mental energy to do simple tasks, Tapert said."So how do they measure this exactly? Simple tasks like what? I have to expend a great deal of mental energy to see thru the BS in this article.. well not that much, it's pathetic."As grim as the picture is for teens who use drugs, tobacco or alcohol, there is some good news. Because the teen brain is still developing, it may be able to recover from the harm of substance use if teens clean up their acts."Which might be a little more difficult after they have been victimised by their parents and the state for their 'sin'. There must be no hope for the rest of adults, gulags for all the sinners!You know its absolute NONSENSE when they trot out the 'todays cannabis is far more powerful' and then say it used to be too low to even get someone anything but a headache. Those hippies were not puffing 2% hashish or cannabis for that matter...
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Comment #38 posted by FoM on April 02, 2006 at 15:40:09 PT
 Dankhank
That's good stuff.
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Comment #37 posted by Dankhank on April 02, 2006 at 15:32:46 PT
questioning ...
I am 'minded of a "Mash" episode wherin BJ and Hawkeye are at a press conference conducted by a General during the Korean War. Hawk asks the General a question like: "Why are we here killing peace-loving Koreans?"
The General mumbles some claptrap and asks the small crowd if there are any other questions. BJ says yes with hand up and when called asks, "I want to know when you are gonna answer HIS, pointing at Hawk, question?I imagine five or so folks at a politician's gabfest. Spread out in the crowd, dressed differently from each other, these people could wreak havoc on anyone.
answers
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Comment #36 posted by FoM on April 02, 2006 at 14:45:23 PT
Another Study
April 2, 2006New Research Shows Danger Drugs, Alcohol Pose To Teenagers' Brainshttp://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtlebeachonline/news/nation/14247884.htm
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Comment #35 posted by lombar on April 02, 2006 at 14:30:46 PT
The basic premise may be sound...
I dunno why I thought Mr. Tyndale today. Fire in my belly ...The basic premise of catholicism is univeralism of faith which in itself is not wrong. There really is only one species on this planet. Methods to foist this upon the populace were. The practice of religion that excludes new information when it conflicts with dogma is not beneficial. Sorry if that broadside po'd any practicing catholics ... however that is the reason we have freedom of speech in the first place. Freedom of expression has its roots in the struggle against tyranny, the tyranny of mind-programming, control of ideas, is the one that allows all the rest. I attended a Catholic church a few times but I just could not join such a thing. Dogmatic belief and insistence on formulaic rituals just is not free. They have lovely cathedrals and nice choirs... Today I was thinking not just to undermine the war on drugs but to cut its bloody heart out and feed it to the prohibians... non-maliciously of course.Maybe that will be my next web page project... Starting with something like Do you support drug prohibition? (repphrased perhaps)
Yes 
--and then a series of yes or no questionsNo - Link to a list of links of anti-prohibition activist sites.Maybe I'll do it in flash as well..Originally it just started with me having a card in my pocket with a shortlist of high impact questions to pose when the opportunity arises... still want that ;) 
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Comment #34 posted by whig on April 02, 2006 at 14:13:41 PT
OT: War on the net?
http://www.sundayherald.com/54975
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Comment #33 posted by FoM on April 02, 2006 at 13:53:38 PT
Whig
I don't disagree with you. I'm just commenting on how I'm following the conversation. I don't know if Canada is a strong Christian Nation. I think they have a lot of Catholics. I'd like to know though. 
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Comment #32 posted by whig on April 02, 2006 at 13:46:19 PT
FoM
It's not just a rhetorical question, though. Lombar is trying to get at questions that can really undermine the premises of the drug war, and I think this is one that can and should be asked in the right context.
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Comment #31 posted by lombar on April 02, 2006 at 13:41:25 PT
Caesarvision
My TV is usually in the 'OFF' postition. A few years ago, around 9/11 I realised that the media is like a snake in the grass. You can't see it sometimes, its slippery, and has venonmous fangs. It holds no sway if you see it for what it is. A tool to confuse and confound as well as market. Divide people by their predjudices and program the 'popular' culture to consume. Obey. Conform. Or else...I hate police shows for the simple reason that they generally inaccurate but also because they create the illusion of omnipotence of the state. If you do the slightest thing wrong, the guys from CSI will find out what you had for breakfast that morning.. if they were so good in real life, there would be no unsolved crimes. It is the modern equivelent to the Collesium. Caesarvision. Fiction and illusion is the main product(tv shows) interspersed with creating desire to buy this or that, creating a further illusion of need. So 2/3 of the main purposes of tv revolve around escaping reality... why not the 3rd as well, the news? If the the media was not just a 'business' and instead served the people primarily instead of their employers, they would STILL need the say-so of some big-wig to get their message out.The news must also be taken with a grain(pound) of salt. As long as eyes are glued to the box, they won't see the hands picking their pockets, tearing up their rights, and fashoning a fine gold collar.
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Comment #30 posted by FoM on April 02, 2006 at 13:40:40 PT
Whig
You made me think of something..Years ago my husband and I went to PTL for a vacation. It was a very pretty place. Nice people too. They had the most beautiful painting in the lobby area. It was a painting of Jesus in a dark alley leaning down and extending his hand in love to a scared and sick young man shooting up a drug. It really was the way I think how Jesus would be.
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Comment #29 posted by whig on April 02, 2006 at 13:34:52 PT
lombar
I think it's important to keep in mind that even as we know and call the prohibians by their right names, that they are anti-Christ, they call us by the same name, and they deceive the people to subscribe to their authority on the belief that it is the will of God.I think it is therefore helpful to ask, in this context, whether Jesus would approve of lying, jailing, and killing people in his name.By their fruits, ye shall know them.
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Comment #28 posted by FoM on April 02, 2006 at 13:16:50 PT
lombar 
One thing I mind so much with our news channels is they are rude. Rudeness in the way they get sarcastic and  down right mean when something is said particularly about our current administration. I tune out immediately and generally change the channel.
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Comment #27 posted by lombar on April 02, 2006 at 13:08:53 PT
Tough nut to crack..
Two heads are better than one, 10 even better...The excercise was to ask the questions fast, gathering a series of No's followed by a YES that conflicts with the previous no's.. It is a basic conflict within a person to suggest on one hand they do not support lying and yet they pay bearucrats to do it a salary?
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Comment #26 posted by lombar on April 02, 2006 at 13:05:29 PT
Certain parties
ie PNAC whackos that got tired of waiting for a one world order under a dictator/anti christ so they decided to do it themselves. They believe Christ won't return until they fulfil their INSANE interpretations of the bible... The environment does not matter, the truth does not matter, only waiting for Jesus matters..then the earth won't matter, either they will be 'spirits' for eternity or God will wave his magic wand and make the earth clean ... And if there is no God or Jesus to return, they will be lords of the earth with absolute power. Win-win for the few...as usual.A free press is a distinct threat to creating mass delusions. The catholic priests used to hold their power by having the bible in Latin, being the so-called guardians of light and goodness.. Until one William Tyndale translated it into english and got burned at the stake for it. This led to the protestant reformation and the huge loss of power for the Catholic church. It amazes me anyone follows them, they must just be ignorant of history.just my opinion.
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Comment #25 posted by FoM on April 02, 2006 at 13:04:16 PT
lombar
I love to brain storm. I hope you don't mind.I believe never ask a question that you give the person a chance to disagree with the point you are trying to make. Meaning you want an agreeable answer not an argumentative one. Let's see if I can explain better.Do you believe the drug war is wrong?Not a good question.Answer can be yes or no.Ask instead: Do you believe jailing a person who is addicted to drugs is a helpful way of getting that person off of drugs?
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Comment #24 posted by lombar on April 02, 2006 at 12:56:40 PT
Or another way
To use on people who are conservative but really kind anyway?Ask as series of yes/no questions that you know the person will answer NO to and then end it with the point..Do you support institutionalised theft? (asset forfeiture)
-No (unless they are employed in the business)Do you support billions of dollars being wasted
-No (unless they ARE a politician...)Do you think the government should kill non-violent people?
-No - murder is wrongDo you believe the government has the right to use deceit to preserve its policies?
-No - lying is wrong...n) Do you support the war on drugs?If yes then they actually do support all the previous things... and have not really given the matter any serious thought, got caught in the web of lies. Drugs may be bad but prohibition is an ongoing disaster.Killing, lying, stealing, and creating suffering are all 'bad' by just about every major religion and YET these are the methods of the war on drugs.... why do we tolerate it? "Drugs are bad, mmmkay"Lying, stealing, poisoning countries, interfering with the interanal affairs of other nations, and killing are all bad... mmmmkay????
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Comment #23 posted by FoM on April 02, 2006 at 12:51:34 PT
lombar
It's all so weird to me. I was taught certain things are important. Telling the truth was up there at the top of the list. Truth hurts. Truth guides. Truth corrects what is wrong. If writers are censored then we won't get the truth. If we don't get the truth then where are we headed? 
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Comment #22 posted by lombar on April 02, 2006 at 12:33:48 PT
make them squirm
I was thinking a good shortlist of hard questions for all of us to use more offline than on. Internet forums allow too much room for being slippery. In person you see their reaction and judge from their body language so you are more likely to get a better look at the person, MP, congress-critter... whichever.We don't get 'pursuit of happiness' up here as in the Declaration of Independence, ours says 'life, liberty and security of ones person' and 'the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice' and fundemental justice is arbitrarily determined to include the notion of 'protecting vulnearble groups' as in the SCC challenge a few years ago. Nobody has ever really explained the 'fundemental justice' of busting cannabis users to my satisfaction.Right now, there is a kerfluffle going on about an MP that suggested that journalists should be jailed for misinforming people... and ALL statements to the press have been subject to approval by the PM's office. These guys need to be eviscerted in the court of public opinion in short order to be tossed. People thought the liberals were bad.. They traded the wolves in sheeps clothing for wolves in wolves clothing.They need to be questioned, pinned down, forced to justify their actions... they have already failed at being more ethical than the last government and they have not even sat in parliment. Enough is enough. 
Conservative MP: some journalists should be jailed 
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Comment #21 posted by FoM on April 02, 2006 at 12:11:37 PT
lombar
Here are a few questions I would ask if I went to other forums.1) What does living in a free country mean to you?2) What can we enjoy if we have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?3) If you have a loved one that is very sick would you go out and find them marijuana if they asked you to help?4) Is jail the answer as a solution to the drug war?
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Comment #20 posted by ekim on April 02, 2006 at 12:11:30 PT
see or hear a Leap Event near you
Apr 4 06 "Calgary Today", AM770 CHQR Radio 03:00 PM Norm Stamper Calgary Alberta Canada 
 Norm Stamper is an in studio guest on "Calgary Today", AM770 CHQR Radio, Calgary Alberta, Canada, to discuss issues related to the failures of drug prohibition. Visit the station web site at: www.am770chqr.com Apr 5 06 Your Midday Medley KKFI 90.1 FM 10:30 AM Jack Cole Kansas City Missouri USA 
 Executive Director Jack Cole is a guest on the Midday Medley with host Mark Manning on KKFI, 90.1 FM, Kansas City, MO. Mr. Cole and Mark will be talking about various issues related to the failure of drug prohibition and how these issues impact the everyday citizen. Apr 5 06 Olathe Rotary 12:00 PM Jack Cole Olathe Kansas USA 
 Executive Director Jack Cole visits with members of the Olathe, KS Rotary for lunch and discussion of a host of issues related to America's failed war on drugs and its impact on the mid-west. Apr 5 06 "Living Alongside Drugs & Alcohol:From Coping and Hoping to Helping and Healing" 09:00 AM Larry Campbell Calgary Alberta Canada 
 Larry Campbell, a Minister in the Canadian Parliament, presents "Living Alongside Drugs & Alcohol: From Coping and Hoping to Helping and Healing" at this year’s "Safe Streets Safe Cities" Conference. For more information visit http://safestreetssafecities.com/ Apr 5 06 Gabby Haze Show, Radio 1510AM 04:00 PM Jack Cole Overland Park Kansas USA 
 Executive Director Jack Cole is an in studio guest with T. J. Clark, aka "Gabby Haze" on the Gabby Haze Show, Radio 1510AM, Kansas CIty, MO. T.J., describing himself as a "hard line, right winger" and Mr. Cole will be discussing the issue of America's failed war on drugs and what America could do to address the problem in a rational way. 
http://www.leap.cc/events
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Comment #19 posted by BGreen on April 02, 2006 at 12:05:36 PT
Welcome to CNews.com, Toker1776
I'm sorry to hear about your partner's and your illness. You're part of an understanding and caring family here at cannabisnew.com, so please feel free to come back and join in.The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #18 posted by lombar on April 02, 2006 at 12:04:43 PT
I've been thinking..
..I know I really shouldn't, it's pretty dangerous.. ;)Seriously.. I want a short list of questions to bounce off the prohibians(Like1) Do you believe that the government has the right to deny relief to suffering people?2) Do you think the government has the right to lie, steal and kill so teenagers won't smoke cannabis?3) Do you think the billions spent on enforcement, justice system, and prisons are being effective?4) If you had a loved one who gained relief from cannabis, would you have them arrested?...They use repitition of lies, we can only counter with repetitions of our own. Politicians have to be hit with these kinds of questions in public... to see how they answer. 
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Comment #17 posted by Had Enough on April 02, 2006 at 11:10:12 PT
Comment #11
Toker1776, Thank You for your post. Many people do not like to talk about their personal and private medical conditions. I respect the courage you muster up to help share your experience and knowledge. Now Susan, since Toker1776, just told the world about himself and others he has been around, how about you doing a piece on him. He left a way to contact him in his user name, just click on it, and make contact.Help make this “conversation of the kitchen table.” You can help do it. Do not be like other journalists that turn their head to this, instead, take it and run with it. Who knows, you might even receive “Fame & Fortune” for doing it.
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Comment #16 posted by FoM on April 02, 2006 at 10:38:26 PT
Toker00 & Sam Adams
Toker00, I sure understand what you are saying. All I want is a truce.Sam, we can't count on any political party to be our salvation. Politics just can't do it for us. We must make the difference. 
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Comment #15 posted by FoM on April 02, 2006 at 10:35:10 PT
Toker1776 
Thank you for your comment. 
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Comment #14 posted by Toker00 on April 02, 2006 at 10:31:31 PT
I wonder
just how many cannabists would actually file restitution charges? Wouldn't it be much easier, on us and on them, if we forgive but not forget?It might make legalizing easier if they are not threatened by lawsuits if we do legalize. But don't think I don't understand those who would surely not forgive. Everyone is deserving of getting back what was lost because of cannabis prohibition. But realistically, it WOULD bankrupt the government. Can't we handle some of our own advice? Wage peace on war. END CANNABIS PROHIBITION NOW!
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Comment #13 posted by Sam Adams on April 02, 2006 at 10:16:44 PT
one more thought
"He's right about that. After Zaemisch wrote the "flower lady" tribute, she and I both got angry unsigned notes from a Lodi parent whose daughter was introduced to marijuana as a high school freshman. The writer said the police and school have to do more about drugs."So, I hope that this parent has called the police to her home to arrest and imprison her daughter. The girl is the obvious criminal, if she believes the police need to do more, the best way to accomplish that is to get them started on the obvious, confessed criminal right in her household.If she has not turned the girl in, she is GUILTY of conspiracy to give marijuana to a minor.But of course, all this would go directly against the grain of our new National Value of hypocrisy.  You've got a problem in your house? Well then, the first place to start is clearly attacking some guy that lives across town.Now our foreign policy makes a little more sense, doesn't it? It all fits together.
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Comment #12 posted by Sam Adams on April 02, 2006 at 10:10:15 PT
interesting
I wonder if the woman with the MJ-smoking high school freshman girl really understands what's going on.Here we have an individual (Larson) that grew and sold cannabis for his own personal profit. But look what happened. The government swooped in and stole his farm. So basically, the government has taken possession of all the profits of the illegal MJ, and probably much more than that in the value of the land.So the government ended up profiting the most from the 14-year-old girl's pot smoking, didn't they? They took the drug-dealing profits. They took OUR taxes to pay their thugs and prison guards. THEIR policies have done zilch to keep MJ away from kids. Our kids use cannabis at nearly twice the rate of Dutch kids. Is Mom happy now?And of course, the punishment and death of the sickly woman is a disgrace. But the Democrats and Republicans want us thinking about Iraq. They are the parties in total control of every state in this country. Their silence on these continuing atrocities right here in own country and homeland is repugnant to me.
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Comment #11 posted by Toker1776 on April 02, 2006 at 10:06:52 PT:
Picking on the sick and helpless! U.S.A.! U.S.A.
Dear Susan
After reading your post I became heart broken then angry. This is the sort of story I have not only heard all too often, but also have personally experienced my self. My Partner and I are both HIV /AIDS positive for 20 years and have lost several friends over the past two decades. We have both been arrested for growing and possesion, been thrown in jail while being denied our AIDS medication been threatened and humiliated by thug gung-ho police. Two years ago when my partner was very ill with wasting syndrome and all of 110 pounds, they not only denied him his medication, but also lessened his food rations forcing him to eat toilet paper to sustain himself! And that's just part of his horror story. It makes me angry every time I have to read about cases where people who are just simply trying to improve the quality of their failing health by using Marijuana are being treated like enemies of the State! Our Government should be ashamed of itself, but instead continues to turn a deaf ear and a blind eye to the needs of its own population. Just how many more people have to suffer and die before someone in power with actual COMPASSION takes notice and says enough is enough already!!!!! For Gods sakes, It's just an herb, not a Nukelear bomb! Thank you Susan, and keep reporting the TRUTH!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Comment #10 posted by jose melendez on April 02, 2006 at 09:20:46 PT
better yet
Death creates martyrs, offer them amnesty if they recant, and sin no more . . . then go on diesel therapy from prison to prison across this nation of freedoms, and pay restitution.
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Comment #9 posted by OverwhelmSam on April 02, 2006 at 09:16:43 PT
Sinners Must Be Punished And Sent To Their Deaths
Let's start with the prohibitionists, for the evil they visit upon peaceful marijuana consumers is a far greater sin than simple act of enjoying an occassional high. Oh well, the increase in global warming will develop to destroy all life. In the mean time, I think I'll enjoy a little more cannabis, and chuckle about the ironic poetic justice that's just on the horizon. Let's just say, "We brought it on ourselves." I'm sure that little statement fully justifies our evil deeds in God's name.
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on April 02, 2006 at 08:10:04 PT
About The Article
When I read this article last night it really bothered me. I thought of Jerry and Steve. Both are near 60 years old and sick and in prison. When I was young I wondered how life would treat me. I would look at my parents and say they had a good life and I hope my life turns out like their life did. Now we look at the drug war and how we are filling our prisons with people who should soon be retiring and enjoying the rest of their life. Something is really wrong with our country and we need to fix it before it's too late.
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Comment #7 posted by jose melendez on April 02, 2006 at 07:37:23 PT
yes, Susan 
We do need the help of you and your colleagues in journalism. All we ask is that you tell the truth. We know your editors will scowl, even threaten to fire you. Videotoape them. Take notes, write an article.Like these:"ongoing problems with informants, undercover ops"http://narcosphere.narconews.com/story/2006/3/30/20134/3881In the First Social Conflict of His Administration, Evo Morales Represses Oscar OliveraBy Luis Gomez,Posted on Fri Mar 31st, 2006 at 09:44:50 PM ESTThis Thursday at noon, the well-known social leader Oscar Olivera, in support of the workers of Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano (LAB) in their struggle against the owner of half of the company, participated in a blockade of the Jorge Wilsterman Airport in his home city of Cochabamba.A large group made up of LAB workers, factory workers’ leaders, activists (some of them graduates of the Narco News School of Authentic Journalism), and others took up position on the main runway, blocking the landing or takeoff of any airplane… The Evo Morales administration ordered their removal by force (with soldiers and police). Olivera was gassed and mistreated, and has received word that he could be arrested in the coming hours… http://narcosphere.narconews.com/story/2006/3/31/214450/297 
The truth shall set us all free.
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Comment #6 posted by Had Enough on April 02, 2006 at 07:21:25 PT
Oh Suzie Q!!!
Dear Susan.As you can see, things are terribly wrong. Journalists like yourself need to step up to the plate, for the good of all mankind. This is just one of the many atrocities, that Americans, and people around the world for that matter, have been reading, hearing, and worse, some experiencing. This one caught your eye because of name recognition. There are many more out there, with different names, same situation.As put before, you did very well, with your article. Now help us finish the job. Don’t go back to the office and write a piece about run of the mill news, do research on this topic, and publish it. C-News is a good place to start looking for info. Many here will help.Thank you, for I’ve Had Enough, and I’m not alone.
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Comment #5 posted by Toker00 on April 02, 2006 at 06:47:43 PT
DEAth's Colateral Damage.
Susan Lampert Smith. You done good. Now do better. Start a weekly column about ALL the victims of this Bogus WOSD. Start with Jerry Sisson. Congress is going to hear from the Drug Law Reform Movement in November. Let's make sure they here it Loud and Clear. Cannabis Prohibition HAS to be made a front issue. Let's get busy.Wage peace on war. END CANNABIS PROHIBITION NOW!
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Comment #4 posted by mayan on April 02, 2006 at 06:30:20 PT
Isn't It Obvious?
When the most frail & vulnerable among us are persecuted then something is obviously wrong. Sanity has left the building.Prohibitionists should be very proud of themselves. Congratulations.
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Comment #3 posted by larryh on April 02, 2006 at 06:05:40 PT:
that's Sad
Another great testimony for the DEA to hang on their wall of shame. Of course, I'm sure John Walters and all his henchmen figure she got what she deserved. 
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Comment #2 posted by Toker00 on April 02, 2006 at 06:02:08 PT
We HAVE to end cannabis prohibition now.
We HAVE to.Toke.
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Comment #1 posted by runderwo on April 02, 2006 at 03:42:44 PT
wow
You know what, I don't often tear up, but this story did it for me.
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