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| FBI Considers Relaxing Hiring Policy |
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Posted by CN Staff on October 09, 2005 at 10:29:27 PT By Ted Bridis Source: Associated Press 
Washington, D.C. -- The FBI, famous for its straight-laced crime-fighting image, is considering whether to relax its hiring rules over how often applicants could have used marijuana or other illegal drugs earlier in life.Some senior FBI managers have been deeply frustrated that they could not hire applicants who acknowledged occasional marijuana use in college, but in some cases already perform top-secret work at other government agencies, such as the CIA or State Department. FBI Director Robert Mueller will make the final decision. "We can't say when or if this is going to happen, but we are exploring the possibility," spokesman Stephen Kodak said The change would ease limits about how often - and how many years ago - applicants for jobs such as intelligence analysts, linguists, computer specialists, accountants and others had used illegal drugs. The rules, however, would not be relaxed for FBI special agents, the fabled "G-men" who conduct most criminal and terrorism investigations. Also, the new plan would continue to ban current drug use. The nation's former anti-drug czar said he understands the FBI's dilemma. "The integrity of the FBI is a known national treasure that must be protected," said retired Gen. Barry R. McCaffrey, who used to head the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. "But there should be no hard and fast rule that suggests you can't ever have used drugs. As long as it's clear that's behind you and you're overwhelmingly likely to remain drug free, you should be eligible." Current rules prohibit the FBI from hiring anyone who used marijuana within the past three years or more than 15 times ever. They also ban anyone who used other illegal drugs, such as cocaine or heroin, within the past 10 years or more than five times. "That 16th time is a killer," McCaffrey said. The new FBI proposal would judge applicants based on their "whole person" rather than limiting drug-related experiences to an arbitrary number. It would consider the circumstances of a person's previous drug use, such as their age, and the likelihood of future usage. The relaxed standard already is in use at most other U.S. intelligence agencies. Entry-level intelligence analysts usually earn between $36,000 and $53,000, depending on qualifications and where they are assigned to work. Entry-level FBI special agents earn $42,548. The FBI proposal contrasts with the agency's starched image and its drug-fighting history. A generation of video game players can remember seeing the FBI seal and slogan, "Winners don't use drugs," attributed to former FBI Director William Sessions, on popular arcade games from the late 1980s. Private companies have wrestled with the same problem. Employers complain they can't afford to turn away applicants because of marijuana use that ended years earlier, said Robert Drusendahl, owner of The Pre-Check Co. in Cleveland, which performs background employment checks for private companies. "The point is, they can't fill those spots," Drusendahl said. "This is a microcosm of what's happening outside in the rest of the world. Do we dilute our standards?" He said the FBI should have a low tolerance for any illegal behavior by applicants. "If they used marijuana, that's illegal. It's pretty cut and dried." A recently retired FBI polygraph examiner, Harold L. Byford of El Paso, Texas, was quoted in a federal lawsuit in February 2002 arguing that "if someone has smoked marijuana 15 times, he's done it 50 times. ... If I was running the show there would be no one in the FBI that ever used illegal drugs!" The proposed FBI change also reflects cultural and generational shifts in attitudes toward marijuana and other drugs, even as the Bush administration has sought to establish links between terrorists and narcotics. "I don't think you could find anybody who hasn't tried marijuana, and I take a lot of credit for that," said Tommy Chong, the comedian whose films with Cheech Marin provided over-the-top portrayals of marijuana culture during the 1980s. "They're going to have to change their policy." While marijuana use is hardly universal, it remains the most commonly used illegal drug in the United States, with about half of teenagers trying the drug before they graduate high school. "What people did when they were 18 or 21, I think that is pretty irrelevant," said Richard Clarke, a former top White House counterterrorism adviser. "We have to recognize there are a couple of generations now who regarded marijuana use, while it's technically illegal, as nothing more serious than jaywalking." An agency's attitude toward drug use has been blamed for unexpected consequences. The CIA forced one of its officers, Edward Lee Howard, to resign in May 1983 after he failed a polygraph test and disclosed his drug use in Colombia during 1975 when he was a Peace Corps volunteer. Howard defected to the Soviet Union in 1985 after he was accused of espionage activities that spy hunters believe were driven by resentment over his forced resignation. "I had been totally honest about each and every misdeed in my past, including my drug use in South America and my occasional abuse of alcohol," Howard wrote in his 1995 memoirs. He died in July 2002 at his home outside Moscow. Some other federal agencies also have tough marijuana policies. The Drug Enforcement Administration will not hire applicants as agents who used illegal drugs, although it makes exceptions for admitting "limited youthful and experimental use of marijuana." The DEA, however, permits no prior use of harder drugs. "Recreational marijuana use is a fact of life nowadays," said Mark Zaid, a Washington lawyer who has represented people rejected for FBI jobs over drugs. "It doesn't stop Supreme Court justices from getting on the bench and doesn't stop presidents from getting elected, so why should it stop someone from getting hired by the FBI?" ON THE NET FBI employment policy: http://www.fbi.gov/employment/policies.htm FBI recruiting video for intelligence analysts: http://www.fbi.gov/filelink.html?file/real/recruit/intell_analyst.mpg CannabisNews FBI Archives Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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| Comment #37 posted by FoM on October 09, 2005 at 21:05:30 PT |
| That's great! Enjoy Prairie Wind. Prairie Wind blowing through my head. Tryin to remember what my daddy said. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #36 posted by westnyc on October 09, 2005 at 20:58:06 PT |
| I just bought an iBook with iTunes and I found it there for $9.98. It's going to be my first download on my laptop. :-) [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #35 posted by afterburner on October 09, 2005 at 20:35:03 PT |
| Excerpt 1: {I work in your factory. I study in your schools. I fill your penitentiaries. And your military too! {And I feel the future trembling, As the word is passed around. "If you stand up for what you do believe, Be prepared to be shot down." Excerpt 2: {I smoke marijuana But I cant get behind your wars [walls?]. And most of what I do believe Is against most of your laws {I'm a fugitive from injustice But I'm goin' to be free. Cause your rules and regulations They don't do the thing for me} Quicksilver Messenger Service Lyrics - What About Me? http://tinyurl.com/awxb9 ::::: The Guess Who - Guns Guns Guns LYRICS http://www.lyricsdownload.com/the-guess-who-guns-guns-guns-lyrics.html Excerpt: "God speed Mother Nature Never really wanted to say good-bye God speed Mother Nature, I'm weepin', I'm cryin' for ya Never really wanted to say good-bye God speed Mother Nature, ya know that I'm weepin' for ya Never really wanted to say good-bye God speed Mother Nature, and I'm cryin' out Never really wanted to say good-bye I know you're goin' and I'm weepin' Nature, weepin' Mother Nature Never really wanted to say good-bye, and I'm weepin' for ya Weepin' for ya Mother Nature, and I'm cryin' for ya Never really wanted to say good-bye Take care of me lovin' Mother, Mother Nature, and I'm missin' ya Never really wanted to say good-bye Where've you gone? God speed Mother Nature, and I'm weepin' for ya " ::::: George Harrison - All Things Must Pass lyrics http://tinyurl.com/8ybqg Excerpt: "Now the darkness only stays the night-time In the morning it will fade away Daylight is good at arriving at the right time It's not always going to be this grey "All things must pass All things must pass away All things must pass All things must pass away" ::::: Mr. Soul - Buffalo Springfield (Lyrics and Chords) http://www.guntheranderson.com/v/data/mrsoul.htm "Mr. Soul" Lyrics Analysis Analysis of "Mr. Soul" lyrics by Neil Young. [Note: This is one of a series of articles which provide an explanation of the meaning of Neil's "Mr. Soul".] http://www.thrasherswheat.org/fot/mr_soul.htm ::::: TOMMY JAMES AND THE SHONDELLS lyrics - Crystal Blue Persuasion http://tinyurl.com/dznqe "Look over yonder what do you see The sun is a-risin' most definitely A new day is comin' people are changin' Ain't it beautiful crystal blue persuasion "Better get ready gonna see the light Love, love is the answer and that's all right So don't you give up now so easy to find Just look to your soul and open your mind "Crystal blue persuasion, mm-hmm It's a new vibration Crystal blue persuasion, crystal Blue persuasion "Maybe tomorrow when He looks down Every green field and every town All of his children every nation There'll be peace and good brotherhood Crystal blue persuasion" ::::: No Sugar Tonight (Randy Bachman) - New Mother Nature (Burton Cummings) http://tinyurl.com/df2ez Excerpt: "'Cause it's the new Mother Nature takin' over It's the new splendid lady come to call It's the new Mother Nature takin' over She's gettin' us all She's gettin' us all" :::: "The problem of violence cannot be solved by violence." --The Beatles [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #34 posted by FoM on October 09, 2005 at 19:55:24 PT |
| Neil Young has been a Cannabis Enthusiast and written songs like Homegrown and Roll Another Number. He is an example to me of a person who hasn't conformed and made a great success of his personal life. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #33 posted by FoM on October 09, 2005 at 19:51:14 PT |
| I appreciate the help. I try really hard to like other music but I really admire what Neil Young as done with his life and am happy with his music. He has the Bridge School Benefit concert where the money goes to help children with special needs. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #32 posted by FoM on October 09, 2005 at 19:40:40 PT |
| Neil Young is a musician from back many years ago but he still is singing and performing and soon will be 60. Greendale was the rock opera that he did in 2003 which I loved and still do. Prairie Wind was just released. Here are the songs on Prairie Wind. They are free to listen to on Neil Young's web site. I love it. He almost died and his father passed away and his children left the home so one is called Here for You. One is about his father who had a form of dementia and passed away. He had brain surgery and finished writing and recording the new album during this time in his life. He has two handicapped children that have Cerebral Palsy and one his son Ben is paralyzed because of the CP. If you have a decent connection listen to It's a Dream , Here for You and This Old Guitar. Listen Here: http://www.neilyoung.com/prairiewind.html [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #31 posted by siege on October 09, 2005 at 19:33:11 PT |
| neil young Prarie Wind http://www.neilyoung.com/prairiewind.html [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #30 posted by Hope on October 09, 2005 at 19:28:31 PT |
| I believe it's Prarie Wind. FoM and E_Johnson can tell you for sure. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #29 posted by westnyc on October 09, 2005 at 19:20:00 PT |
| OK - You got me! I don't know who Neal Young is. "I love the 80's." However, all this talk from this site and just about everywhere else is making me think I'm really missing something great. I'm getting this album: the name's Greendale, is that correct? [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #28 posted by ekim on October 09, 2005 at 19:06:21 PT |
| http://leap.cc/events/ Oct 10 05 WBZT 1290 AM Radio, Joe Falco Show 05:00 PM Norm Stamper Palm Beach Florida USA Speaker Norm Stamper is a phone in guest on the Joe Falco Show on WBZT 1290 AM Radio, Palm Beach, Florida. Norm was a police officer for 34 years and served as chief of the Seattle, Washington Police Department from 1994 to 2000. In addition to his first hand experience and understanding that the nation's current drug policies have failed, Norm holds a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from San Diego State University and a Ph.D. in Leadership and Human Behavior from the United States International University. He is a graduate of the FBI's National Executive Institute. Norm and Mr. Falco will be discussing a variety of issues related to America's failed war on drugs. Visit http://www.1290wbzt.com/ or http://www.joefalco.com for possible online listening. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #27 posted by FoM on October 09, 2005 at 18:18:15 PT |
| The radio station changed the type of music and it isn't as good as it was but I tried. Need to turn on Rust Radio again! [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #26 posted by FoM on October 09, 2005 at 17:57:32 PT |
| I've been listening to different radio channels and I have this one bookmarked and checked it out. Sometimes I don't like the music but what they are playing right now is really cool. It's Folk music that I've never heard before and I thought some here might like to check it out. http://worldcafe.org/listen.php [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #25 posted by siege on October 09, 2005 at 17:20:30 PT |
| Ok did anyone hear the TV on MSNBC Ch 3 the news caster said that the senators went to Bush and told him that one of the Agency's give them a paper that said that there was a Revolution in the works Here, then the TV went die for about a min and then the sports come on.
could this have any thing to do with them moving Steve Tuck so fast!
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| Comment #24 posted by FoM on October 09, 2005 at 16:30:24 PT |
| I feel that Steve is now our responsibility. I have a Canadian friend that said to me it's up to us now. Once a person is back in the states and not in Canada I agree that it becomes our responsibility to do what we can if all we can do is pray and not forget. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #23 posted by BGreen on October 09, 2005 at 16:24:26 PT |
| One of the most touching things anybody ever said to me was when Steve Tuck went to one of his court hearings, one where things looked kind of hopeless, and I wrote Steve with some encouraging words. Steve had a favorable result that day in court, and he wrote that my words were going through his mind during that court appearance, indeed giving him the hope and encouragement I had desired. I felt at that point that I really did play a minor role in a world-wide fight for freedom. I love Steve Tuck, even though I've never met him personally, and it tears me up that there's no way at this moment to touch him and lift him up. I know that all of the things we've written to Steve and things he's written to us will help him in the struggle to survive. God bless you, Steve Tuck, my brother. The Reverend Bud Green [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #22 posted by global_warming on October 09, 2005 at 15:57:06 PT |
| Forever asnd Ever [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #21 posted by FoM on October 09, 2005 at 15:55:04 PT |
| Yes everywhere. From sea to shining sea. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #20 posted by mayan on October 09, 2005 at 15:46:44 PT |
| Washington, D.C. -- The FBI, famous for its straight-laced crime-fighting image, is considering whether to relax its hiring rules over how often applicants could have used marijuana or other illegal drugs earlier in life. "Potheads" have already infiltrated the highest levels of government. We are everywhere. We flip burgers and we are Presidents. We are everywhere in between. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #19 posted by FoM on October 09, 2005 at 15:28:37 PT |
| About your comment EJ. I find it very hard to hate anyone for anything. Maybe I have just arrived at an age where hate just makes me well angry. I don't like being angry. It makes my blood pressure go up. I am irritable around my husband and it is totally counter productive for me. Hate fuels hate. I pity more then anything. Hope, thank you. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #18 posted by FoM on October 09, 2005 at 15:22:28 PT |
| Just in case you didn't. When you check out the bios when you use the up arrow while on Neil's bio a radio appears and he tells us about all kinds of music things. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #17 posted by global_warming on October 09, 2005 at 15:20:43 PT |
| "I think that's a beautiful way to talk about the fact that we're all going to die some day." Listining to music and that old Negro Spiritual, Lord How Come Me Here, reminds me, how this anti-cannabis thinking is coupled with much destruction and war. We are all on this journey [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #16 posted by E_Johnson on October 09, 2005 at 15:20:07 PT |
| I was just reading the Economist review of recent American political books, and they say that looking at the angry abusive tone of the books on both the left and right, there is reason to despair about the political future of America. We have both liberals and conservatives and and we have independents too and we argue but mostly we're polite. We have courteous, well-mannered leadership capable of optimism and capable of treating our opponents respectfully, even people who want us treated very badly indeed. We can even treat federal agents like human beings, even the ones sent to catch us and hurt us. We're behaving so much better than the mainstream political movements, and that's something we should take pride in. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #15 posted by FoM on October 09, 2005 at 15:07:21 PT |
| Each song on Prairie Wind is wonderful and it's hard for me to pick a favorite one. This Old Guitar is just beautiful. He even adds that silly part. When I get drunk and seeing double it jumps behind the wheel and steers. My absolute favorites are It's a Dream and Here For You. PS: I just got finished listening to it again. It gets better with each play for me. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #14 posted by Hope on October 09, 2005 at 15:02:50 PT |
| The title alone gives me a chill. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #13 posted by Hope on October 09, 2005 at 15:01:19 PT |
| Thank you. That's so beautiful. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #12 posted by E_Johnson on October 09, 2005 at 14:57:56 PT |
| One of my favorite songs is This Old Guitar. This old guitar ain't mine to keep, it's mine to play for a while. I think that's a beautiful way to talk about the fact that we're all going to die some day. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #11 posted by global_warming on October 09, 2005 at 14:44:41 PT |
| This might be a good time to read the words that he typed on this group. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #10 posted by FoM on October 09, 2005 at 14:13:59 PT |
| I just checked Marijuana News because I figure Richard Cowan will update information when he knows something. I am surprised how quiet it seems concerning Steve. Nothing in my newsgroups or anywhere I've seen. It's like NY's one new song called Falling Off the Face of The Earth. I hope we know something soon. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #9 posted by Hope on October 09, 2005 at 14:00:47 PT |
| When will we hear anything of him? [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #8 posted by Hope on October 09, 2005 at 13:59:24 PT |
| is what I'm praying for. Healing. Hope. Health. and stuff... [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #7 posted by Hope on October 09, 2005 at 13:56:25 PT |
| "From a DC 99?" Joe Ely...cool song. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #6 posted by global_warming on October 09, 2005 at 13:25:57 PT |
| Some pot head busting another pot head,..imagine [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #5 posted by afterburner on October 09, 2005 at 13:21:39 PT |
| {said retired Gen. Barry R. McCaffrey, who used to head the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. "But there should be no hard and fast rule that suggests you can't ever have used drugs. As long as it's clear that's behind you and you're overwhelmingly likely to remain drug free, you should be eligible."} "likely to remain drug free" "drug free" So, does that mean that FBI agents or applicants don't use alcohol? {Some other federal agencies also have tough marijuana policies. The Drug Enforcement Administration will not hire applicants as agents who used illegal drugs, although it makes exceptions for admitting "limited youthful and experimental use of marijuana." The DEA, however, permits no prior use of harder drugs.} Doesn't the DEA policy contradict the ONDCP statements that 'marijuana is the most dangerous drug in America'? Tampabay.com & Sptimes.com Online Forums : Drug Policy News ... The DEA - along with the Office of National Drug Control Policy - declares that marijuana is the most dangerous drug in America and therefore requires a higher level of law enforcement priority than methamphetamine, cocaine or addictive opiod drugs. http://forums.sptimes.com/Forums/ubb/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=26&t=003424 [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #4 posted by The GCW on October 09, 2005 at 12:15:32 PT |
| NEEDS HELP... The Alcohol-Marijuana Equalization Initiative in Denver is in the last 23 days of the campaign. If passed this initiative would have wide ranging effects throughout Colorado and the nation. Right now they despirately need funds to get their side of the message out and not be ambushed at the end. Please condiser making a donation to the campaign. You can go to their website at: Dear Friend and Supporter: We may very well be on the verge of passing the farthest-reaching marijuana policy reform initiative in the country and making Denver the first U.S. city to allow adults to legally use marijuana as an alternative to alcohol. But there are just 23 days left until Election Day, and the victory or defeat of the Alcohol-Marijuana Equalization Initiative depends on: 1. SAFER's ability to reach and educate voters in Denver, and 2. whether we will have the resources to do so. SAFER recently commissioned a poll on I-100, which found that--of 730 likely voters--32 percent are in favor, 36 percent are opposed, and 32 percent are still unsure or refused to say. Paired with such a solid base of support, the fact that so many are still undecided is incredibly encouraging, as we have a realistic chance of reaching many of these voters and educating them about the initiative before Election Day. Furthermore, this just goes to show how critical our efforts will be these next few weeks. We are currently working the phones, making calls to potential voters, and "YES on I-100" signs and literature are beginning to turn up all over the city. But the campaign's resources are running thin, and the success of the initiative could depend on whether we raise enough money to cover the costs of extending our efforts and gaining that momentum that might be necessary to push us over the top. I respectfully ask you to consider making a contribution to the Alcohol-Marijuana Equalization Initiative today, and help us take a large step towards realizing a more sensible marijuana policy. Whether it is $10 or $100, your contribution would undoubtedly strengthen the campaign's final push. Furthermore, your small donation would be put toward saving this country more money, time and life than any other political campaign you might ever support. Please make your check payable to the Alcohol-Marijuana Equalization Initiative Committee (AMEIC) and send to: AMEIC P.O. Box 40332 Denver, CO 80204 Thank you again for your time and consideration, as well as for any contribution you are able to make. I also appreciate your continued support, and I look forward to being in touch following the election. Sincerely, Mason Tvert Mason Tvert Executive Director, SAFER www.saferchoice.org mason@saferchoice.org 720-275-8230
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| Comment #3 posted by OverwhelmSam on October 09, 2005 at 11:51:53 PT |
| Great! Now you can use marijuana and still get a job with the FBI later down the road. It's like I've always said, it's not marijuana use that causes recreational users to fail in life, it's the laws and enforced stereotypes which attempt to prevent marijuana users from being successful. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #2 posted by E_Johnson on October 09, 2005 at 10:38:52 PT |
| They're admitting that they can't find good candidates who haven't used pot within the last three years. If we believe Drug War propaganda that marijuana users are stupid socially withdrawn failures, then they shouldn't have to do this, because marijuana users would not constitute a group that would merit consideration for FBI employment under the most basic hiring criteria. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #1 posted by FoM on October 09, 2005 at 10:30:31 PT |
| "Recreational marijuana use is a fact of life nowadays," said Mark Zaid, a Washington lawyer who has represented people rejected for FBI jobs over drugs. "It doesn't stop Supreme Court justices from getting on the bench and doesn't stop presidents from getting elected, so why should it stop someone from getting hired by the FBI?" [ Post Comment ] |
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