is piercing this 'night

like Cindy, who lost her 'son,

somehow, in this belly of the 'beast,

the devil has chewed one too many souls,

maybe,

it is that 'fire,

which can consume all mortal agreements

that burns within its own belly

like a mother ready to give birth

to a new child

a new 'day

hope this helps to clear up the confusion..

No one has a clue if the "fat" person is fat from overeating, bad eating, genetics that predispose one to girth, or just mismanaged diet or any reasons you are not aware of.

What point do you make when you associate 'fat with ass? Is the apostrophe meant to change the meaning?

An apostrophe usually denotes dropped letters; is 'fat something else?

It's interesting that my weight was brought up as if that somehow mitigates my comment.

Haven't we learned in this forum that people can be for a controversial act even when they do not perform that controversial act?

Can I oppose a thing whether I am that thing or not?

I would be this way if the target group was "feebs", retards, homos ... I have a long list ...

allow me to apologize to you if i have in any way upset you..

The only reason I ever talk about this is because it's FAR MORE UNHEALTHY than using cannabis, and if they want to throw cannabis users in jail for unhealthy behavior then they'll have to throw the obese in jail first.

Of course, nobody would ever consider doing this, no matter how fat and unhealthy our country gets.

I grew up as a fat kid and I've NEVER had the luxury of eating whatever I wanted, but I now maintain a weight within normal range (body mass index of 23 or 24,) and I don't have any of the health problems of my obese sibling.

Don't be offended, Dankhank, because we love you no matter how big or small you are.

However, if you aren't eating right and exercising enough then you're risking your health.

We can't afford to lose any members of our family.

GW wrote:

Might some curvy 'fat ass in tight jeans, arouse, those perceptions?

So what is it?

did a fat person make you mad?

of fruitless crucifixions,

there is no 'need for religions,

'enlightened 'humans,

carefully watch those bloodied footsteps,

those martyred steps that are forever lighted,

carefully taking that'next step.

carry's a little furter,

big or small,

is it not 'small

part of 'life,

that 'holds on'

F'reedom,

To negoite 'your soul,

Have you been 'born free?

born to 'witness,

reality?

is a 'grace in the face of the Lord,

imagine that,

'me .. working for 'you

I want all of us to be happy, but I know things are difficult sometimes, and they are for me too. But I'm going to be moving soon and making all sorts of new friends and maybe feel like I'm safe again. I think that's what we're all looking for. Safety. We want to be able to live and be able to pursue our own happiness, and we do that with each other, and with our wives or husbands, and we should not have to hide from the world anymore.

When cannabis is legal, we will have won the whole world. Because we will smoke with out brothers and our sisters and we will know them and they will know us and we will be one people. And it will be hard for the paranoids to adjust, it was hard for me, and it gave me my own slice of hell for awhile. And we all go through this, I think, but for some it is shorter and for some it is harder.

still hanging in there,

does this world, filled with 'full human souls,

come closer to 'understanding

someplace where 'we can enjoy,

this picnic, this 'party,

that last child of God,

that has survived this secular madness?

i know some Asian people, where i work, i frequently ask them questions, about their history and culture, often it is sad to me, that some of these people, have little understanding of their own history and culture.

The Asian's, called Indians, mostly dismiss, the history of the 'caste system, some religious system, that has been in control of their lives, for centuries, there is such a deep sadness in my heart for these people, for every aspect of their existence has been carefully laid out, even their names, reflect their place in this world, their names, mark their place, imagine having a name like joe shitdigger, or a name like jane youwillnevergettoheaven, imagine that you have been hammered from your 'first breath, that this is your place, this is what you must do to survive, to your grave.

1 John 2:15 (New International Version) New International Version (NIV)

So I tucked my hair up under my hat and I went in to ask him why

He said you look like a fine upstanding young man, I think you'll do

So I took off my hat I said imagine that, huh, me working for you

woah!

Well, I'm chasin' the blues Right out of my mind I'm leavin' my cares And worries behind Cause I'm on my way I'm leavin' town today

My lonesome old heart Is broken into I've been walkin' the floor Every night over you But our love is all gone I'm movin' on I'm a-leavin' town today

I got no love, no cares Just heartaches I'm leavin' them all behind Like the sun and the moon And the stars above We're gonna be one of a kind

Well, I'm movin' along I gotta be free I'll find a new love Wherever I'll be But my old love is gone I'm movin' on I'm a-leavin' town today

I got no love, no cares No heartaches I'm leavin' them all behind Like the sun, and the moon And the stars above We're gonna be one of a kind

Well I'm movin' along I gotta be free I'll find a new love Wherever I'll be But my old love is gone I'm movin' on I'm a-leavin' town today I'm leavin' this town today

Some 'sweet connection?

There are times when i do not want to meditate, but would rather point out the folly and failure of our current society.

There is nothing more disturbing than to think about this war on d/people, imagine, all this technology is merely some media hype for another way of saying there is no God, no Soul.

I watched some big time general named klimmats or something like that last night on cspan. This guy seemed to be rather bright, yet he was so extremely careful in his wording.

He was in a position to have much information about this, yup, another war on people, this war in iraq, he mentioned that these United States, have 200,000, that is two hundred thousand soldiers placed in the middle east, to protect three secular states.

While he was talking in curves about ideologies, carefully avoiding the core of his understanding, it soon became apparent, that he was a spokesman for these United States, and he was carrying on his orders.

The thing that bothers me is, that this big shot general, was clearly supporting our American ideals, those same ideals that right here in River City, if you have some trace of Cannabis, you shall be put in a cage, that is unless, you have 'money, to pay off the cop, to pay off the lawyer, to pay off the 'judge.

The unanimous decision is court's first religious freedom case since Chief Justice John Roberts was appointed.

The hoasca tea is considered sacred to members of the group, O Centro Espirita Beneficente Uniao do Vegetal.

Yeah- only two distinct purposes if you forget that Cannabis was the main product of the United States before emancipation and that it is the most useful, sustainable fiber known to mankind. If legalized it would probably become our main source for bulk products such as paper, as well as material for bio-fuels. Sustainable energy AND not cutting down all our forests for exportation to Japan and other countries who are already seeing the problems we will have in 50 years.

"It is obvious that (marijuana) is harmful," Palfai said. "The word 'drug' entails that the consumption is going to cause your body harm in some way, shape or form."

Since when does drug entail bodily harm? I'm pretty sure a drug is just any substance that instigates chemistry. i.e. Everything. You cannot claim that because the government (The authority under question) classifies it as a drug, it is obviously harmful.

"Marijuana users can AND WILL? Experience any of the following: paranoia, dry mouth, respiratory problems, heart problems, inability to concentrate, impaired memory and motivation loss."

Uh yeah paranoia from the po-po and narcs. Dry mouth is a big one. Gonna have to get up and get some water. Why don’t they add blood-shot eyes to list of serious problems? Respiratory is legitimate, but has nothing to do with Cannabis, it's the mode of delivery (smoking). Void argument since Cigarettes are legal too... As for concentration and memory… I’m in college doing just dandy. If you find you can't study when you get high, DON'T GET HIGH BEFORE YOU STUDY.

AKA ... What the "bleep" do we know?

to add interesting insight to that most conflicted creature ... us ...

FoM,

regarding my question of an earlier post, I asked for this reasoning ...

I, too, eschew organized religion since it was made/perverted by man. Read what Jesus said, isn't that enough?

Any who claim Christianity will/should acknowledge the Bible and what it says regarding the giving of all seed-bearing plants to man for food.

I don't think the Cannabis Churches worship the plant, but do use the plant to commune with whom they worship.

This is an act rooted in our human history going back to antiquity. Annointing oils aided some religions to truly commune.

or what John lennon said:

Whatever Gets You Through The Night, 'salright

http://www.lyrics007.com/John%20Lennon%20Lyrics/Whatever%20Gets%20You%20Through%20The%20Night%20Lyrics.html

I should explain that by 'feeling' in this context I mean either a postive, neutral, or negative feeling and not emotions/passions. Look for the "Four Foundations of Mindfulness". Mindfulness of the body, of the mind, of the feelings, and of the dhamma. Only the last one is really specific to Buddhism but dhamma could also be 'law' or nature of reality.

I suppose those curves would arouse a feeling which would largely depend on how fat and how tight the jeans are. Jeans that are too tight are unsightly on any larger persons! Not too mention totally uncomfortable. :)

The eye cognizes an object. Perception differentiates the object into a rectangle. Mental conditioning, learned knowledge gives me a name (computer monitor). Understanding is knowing its a flourescent light shining thru a liquid crystal display which has 1650X1080 individual little squares, each of which is controlled by three transistors. That's 5,346,000 transistors all working in concert to produce an image. That we can create such modern wonders yet we are governed by democracies dreamed up by people in the 1700s never ceases to amaze..

This object, thru the gate of the senses gives rise to a positive feeling which causes to arise the attachment and passion for the object and its many uses. I love computers! :-)

It belongs in front,

on that 'table of Eternity.

This our Destiny,

Forever and in the face of GOD.

m'uch like 'me, much like the m' in ore,

m'oney, m'orals,

m'usic, m'ysticism,

this is the last letter,

in that 'tired road,

Freedo'm

from the heart to the mind and to the 'soul,

Forever,

Might some curvy 'fat ass in tight jeans, arouse, those perceptions?

Sorry I mixed up my words,

I only said that people could step back and see the whole gem, not understand it. There's plenty I don't understand!

When you look at a diamond do you think "Carbon atoms in a tetrahedral array, hardest substance known to man, made by compressing carbon under high temperatures" or do you just look at the beauty of it and enjoy the feeling? See how the light refracts and relects off its surface? You can admire its beauty without know anything about its structure, composition. (anything you believe is beautiful)

The eyes(or any of the 6 sense media eyes, ears, touch, smell, taste, mind) 'see' an object. Perception differentiates an object. Only by reflection and inquiry can one actually attain understanding of any cognized object. When senses 'sense' something, perception arises, and so does feeling. It is all happening constantly, large volumes of data bombard our brains at any given second. The brain filters the bulk of data otherwise we could not handle the real time influx of the data. Our attention essentially shifts from one sense to another, to feelings, to perceptions, constantly. When you recognise this in yourself, a lot of it becomes more bearable, a lot or personal suffering is created by lack of self understanding.

This language is all metaphoric, can anyone 'explain' reality? I think not, we can only encourage others to look for themselves. I do not believe anyone who did not glimpse the whole rock would have enough fortitude and commitment to ending injustice to run this board (or any *sustained* positive political activism, community service).

Unfortunately, our world will not change appreciably until the masses do 'see the gem as a gem' and see turds like the drug war as they are, turds that need to be just so much more sewage of history. Although it may be changing, many people still see turds as diamonds and vise versa.

I had cares about the world all my life but until my own 'awakening' I did not have the courage to speak out against it. Now that I am getting old and seeing the past 30 years of decline(obfuscation, misappropriation, BS), I am getting PO'd.

Thus I believe many people who post here are awakened to a greater degree than many, especially American posters given the harshness of the law. Looks like our government is following. The discourse moves forward, the government moves backward.

We cannot eliminate violence by using violence and that is what any war is. My dream is a 'violence' free world but all the 'drug-free' world people prevent any hope of that, they've institutionalized an eternal unwinnable war.

reached from the head of the 'law,

and made right justice,

this walk 'to Freedom,

will 'see the end of this ignorant injustice,

Freedom, can Triumph,

Freedom,

Time has brokerd agreements,

That God may not understand,

It is not about Cannabis,

It is about Freedom,

It is about this ever changing 'world,

It is about 'how 'we come into 'tomorrow,

It is 'Now, and 'Forever,

..FREEDOM..

a higher dream,

where good people,

can explore their relationship with Eternity,

that Infinite Table,

they may bring their fruits

to the 'table,

without some corrupted lawyer or judge

or some man in blue,

that table of Justice and Truth,

that feeds so many people,

who live with their 'eyes closed,

i wonder how they sleep,

do they 'dream?

However, there is a lot of money invested in the prison system, with more than 500,000 incarcerated for drug crimes.

George Bush said the Dubai deal would go through, note the word deal.

The real danger is that 'some people believe all this bs about Cannabis, propaganda that the law enforcement people keep pushing so hard, I reckon that many folk want to really believe that those men in blue are really good people, who have the best interest of the people, the communities that they serve.

Unfortunately, the real damage with the weed is that some folks are so frightened by this weed, they have called it the 'devils weed, yup that 'cursed devil, right out of some medieval Dante'an hell.

They really know and understand the harms of this devil weed, they insist that any one who uses this plant, should pay the devil in this life on earth.

I can only pity such frightened fools, timid shrewes, who lurk in the shadows of this life.

For the day will come, when their eyes shall open, so that may see clearly, what they have done, and that must pay for for their acts upon the flesh of mankind.

"It is obvious that (marijuana) is harmful," Palfai said. "The word 'drug' entails that the consumption is going to cause your body harm in some way, shape or form."

"The attitude with college students is that they don't see marijuana as benign as, say, cigarettes or more (long-term damaging drugs)," said Dr. Bruce Carter, associate dean of faculty in the child and families studies department. "It is true that marijuana is not as harmful as some of these other drugs, but that does not mean that the drug is not benign."

As lombar pointed out, 'drugs' are used in medical practice to cure, heal or alleviate pain, not to "harm" the body. All 'drugs,' 'substances,' herbs, foods, and even water have side effects and can be abused. Doctors take the Hippocratic Oath to "do no harm," yet all their 'drugs' have side effects.

Even the Strawman argument is poorly written as shown by the double negative.

A red letter day: ayahuasca use in religion trumps the CSA (Controled Substances Act), but port security is in danger of being turned over to questionable foreign interests.

What can we expect in a country split almost 50-50 politically between the old guard and the new reality? Stand firm. Our influence is growing. "Time is on my side," sang the Rolling Stones so many years ago.

Speaking of the Rastaman is coming [to California]:

'NJ Weedman' Hopes Grass Is Greener In California http://kyw.com/local/local_story_051104209.html [Comment #1 posted by FoM on February 20, 2006 IN Marijuana Petitioners Call Current Law a Failure]

MY HOMETOWN - Bruce Springsteen Lyrics http://www.myclassiclyrics.com/bruce_springsteen/myhometo.htm "Foreman says these jobs are going boys and they ain't coming back to your hometown"

I suppose the last thing an 'expert' can ever say is 'I don't know'. However I find that in order to find out the truth of something one has to be able to suspend their 'beliefs' and start at "I don't know". One must separate what one 'knows' with what one 'believes'. People who are willing to say 'I don't know' often know lots.

Also I have to consider the only reason they quoted the guy is because his 'beliefs' were congruent with the current will of the powers-that-be. The reporters never ever challenge this flup.(<- stolen word, Ringworld Engineers, Larry Niven. Sedimentary material from a 'spillpipe' at the rimwalls to recycle the eroded material from the bottom of the seas. Flup. Odious Flup. The ringworld was a 'made' thing so the natural processes had to be emulated via large scale engineering! ;))

Sometimes I think of reality as a many faceted gem that we are all right up close to. If we step back, we can see its a wonderful and beautiful gem with many faces, up close its flat although with depth. Every person sees a different facet and it is within everyones power to step back but most do not. They see their facet as all of reality and dismiss all other facets as false, non-existent, or heretical. Many times, when people post here, they are trying to show us their facet or take on the whole jewel. Many have stepped back and looked upon the whole jewel. We don't all see the same thing when we look at the gem because we are individuals with varying genetics, environment, upbringing, geographic locations, etc. We are all looking into the center of the gem yet we are all the gem. I get a little annoyed when 'experts' start throwing the dirt of deception or ignorance on the gem to obscure the view for others.

I had wondered at the appropriateness of the post because I really wanted to rip that guy a new one just from his one sentence alone... After that he has no credibility to me.

I think my headache is mostly referred pain anyhow, because when I take cannabis I can tell that my bones hurt but when I'm sober I don't feel it directly. I'm just agitated, trembling a lot, and I have a headache of some level. I have a lot of undirected energy, but when I try to focus myself, it tends to run out pretty fast too. Exhausted.

He was pleased I that I'd gone since before Christmas through most of February without an adjustment and without headaches...that kind of daily headache. I still had a couple of migraines. I know where they came from.

It's all been insane. I am glad the cruelties of the Taliban were checked somewhat...if they were. But Iraq looked to me like Bush Jr. trying to finish up what everyone said his daddy should have done...and now this Iraq business.

I'm really afraid of that money grubbing war mongering bunch that seems to be running the world into a hole.

Yep. That covers it.

People used to complain about how much of this country Japanese own, when the Dutch and British own much more.

But no...when I pop off...I sometimes am not very nice. I've actually been told before on that same blog that I have been "mean" to officers.

I didn't mean to be mean. It's some sort of scolding mode I go into. It's not the way to debate. Maybe they don't mean to be mean either. I think I do it less often and less traumatically than they do though.

The mother hen that I am can get mad. And being a Game hen just makes it that much more raucous.

I did like him. I thought he was handsome...beautiful, even. He was clean, he was well groomed. I had no dislike of him whatever...I was trying in my small way to comfort him if I could.

"I was going to be nice and smile and not act like I didn't like seeing him or anything...and he glared back at me with the most hateful scowl. I don't think they like strange women to smile at them, might be part of the problem."

When someone who really doesn't like you smiles at you and pretends that they do, are you fooled by it? Does it seem to you like they are sincerely friendly? You had hatred in your heart for him, and what you saw was just a reflection of what he saw from you.

Nuff.

In the months after 9/11/01 I made an extra effort to eat at the Lebanese restaurant up the street, because I know their business fell off from some other people who want to blame everyone of Arabic descent.

please check The Religion of Jesus Church web site listed below

founded 1969 Sonoma CA.

membership is free

to demonstrate membership just print the santuary page

I have primed our attorney to seak fed injuctive relief months ago

Oh heck...I forgot about the sometimes feeling of night blindness and the bifocals!

The horse in my imagination is getting slower and bigger and less fiesty by the moment.

I hope the imagining of the rejoicing party comes true and not the imagining of you and I being burka clad Paul Reveres of the New Century.

In a very few sessions she will know all about burkas, know how they feel, and everything they can do and she will not fear it at all.

I hope that doesn't sound cruel.

Well actually it does. The whole damn burka bit. It's like a portable tent prison.

I was going to be nice and smile and not act like I didn't like seeing him or anything...and he glared back at me with the most hateful scowl. I don't think they like strange women to smile at them, might be part of the problem.

Or maybe he was just sick of all the nice people in our little community and would rather people just ignored him, or even glared at him, under the circumstances.

"By analogy in the physical world, my little toe comes from my genes and is part of my body, and my words which I type across the electronic impulses of this space are an extension of my consciousness."

And something else...I knew we were in big trouble when they started calling our country "The Homeland". That sent rigors all over me then and it still does.

Something terrifyingly fishy has been going on with our country for a very long time.

Our government is practically a police state. Our jobs have been sent overseas. Our factories have been sent overseas. Foreign countries disproportionately are in control of some serious real estate in our country. It's excruciatingly disturbing.

I fear a few greedy, rich, powerful people have sold out the entire nation for personal profit.

I can't believe the Dubai ports deal. The ruling class seems intent on selling us out as fast as possible. Bush is more concerned with hooking up his Arab oil buddies that he ever will be with us middle-class Americans.

As for the article, I am again reminded of George Orwell. It's sad that so many in our society feel that they can advance themselves by looking down on others (potsmokers). Lying and scapegoating others just to make themselves look good.

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. Why doesn't the author take a hard look at his own life. Why doesn't work on improving his own physical and moral health by leading a more virtuous lifestyle, instead of demeaning others, aiding the government in demonizing and arresting millions of innocent, hard-working people?

How can anyone seriously compare the effects of dry mouth, mild paranoia, etc, with the effects of an alcohol hangover? Cannabis has never forced me to the bathroom, crouching over the toilet for 36 hours with alcohol poisoning. But alcohol sure did, on my 21st birthday. What a lying, spineless hypocritical little tattle-tale this guy is.

Is that just illicit 'drugs'? Most people doctors give drugs to their patients 'help' them. Using an anti-biotic when you have an infection, does that harm the body? The whole pharmacutical industry is based upon 'treatment', not so much cures anyway. While he is raging on about ignorance, he is revealing his own. Maybe I use cannabis to help me have patience when dealing with morons who insist I deserve to be in a cage.

If we were to hold everything we wish to be legal to the standard of absolute harmlessness NOTHING would be legal. A person can drown in water, choke on a screw, get hit by a car, etc. This argument is pointless and you can bet this 'doctor' has prescribed far more dangerous drugs during his carreer.

paranoia, - So, if you face prison for burning a stinky plant, is it really paranoia? Paranoia is being afraid of imaginary enemies and harm..

dry mouth, - Just about every new drug on TV lists this as a possible side-effect. Drink a glass of water or milk. What a brutal side effect for something that feels good.

respiratory problems

-As yet not really proven but lets assume that it is true just to be on the safe side. Smoking is not the safest way to consume cannabis. You can eat it or vaporize it. Smoking is not the only way to consume cannabis but having it is the way to end up in prison.

heart problems, -An increase in heart rate, this guy is stretching for any reason at all. Don't you think potato chips and a sedentary lifestyle may be more dangerous?

inability to concentrate,

-How does one define 'concentrate'? If we are to take the buddhist point of view, access concentration leads to sammadhi. So now the general public must be master meditators? Most people are unable to concentrate and think critically, cannabis or no. If anything, it helps you concentrate.(by increasing contentment, lowering other desires)

impaired memory

-Short term memory and short term impairment. Must have forgot that Doc.

motivation loss.

-Lots of 'motivated' people are opposing stupid cannabis laws, not all of them are puritans, I am sure. If he means not 'motivated' to be someones wage-slave, even that cannot be generalized. Besides, should cannabis give rise to a greater sense of contentment, why would the people be 'over-acheivers'? If one is contented, they have more peace of mind and less desire, ambition, and delusion(s). Perhaps that is what they really fear. Overconsumption requires people to be constantly wanting, people who don't want much, don't consume much thus do not inflate their bogus economic indicators.

Society has far bigger fish to fry than teens smoking some pot but as long as we cannot get rational sane cannabis laws, why should I believe we will ever get rational sane policy of any kind.

I think there may be some treason involved in this port situation since the events involving NYC's Twin Towers...if the circumstances surrounding that horror were what they, the gov, said they were... and especially if the people supposedly responsible for that came out of the United Arab Emmirate.

My husband is a Republican...and not just a Republican but a pretty irritating one. We don't really talk about politics or we argue. Even he, today, is worried and didn't poo poo anthing I said about what I fear the Bush regime may or may not have been involved in.

He says even Rush Limbaugh is upset about this and if Rush doesn't kiss that Admininistration all over the place and defend it mindlessly...no one does.

It really frightens me. Some of these people that we are supposed to trust, appear to literally be in cahoots with people we have been led to believe we should doubt and possibly fear.

Six of the largest ports on the East Coast controlled by the United Arab Emmirate...Immerate? That's not spelled right...but you know what I'm trying to say.

The logic of that proposal escapes me. It's extraordinarily stupid greed or worse.

We're told that some of ya say ya want to kill us...want to wipe out our large cities to the tune of huge casualties...here come right in the front door and have wonderful access to our largest cities. Here come right in...it's all yours. Here's the key.

Anyway, saw this, found it interesting, hadn't seen it posted here but it may have, if so, sorry for the double post...

http://www.alternet.org/drugreporter/32194/

Bush Shrugs Off Objections to Port Deal

in these digital corridors,

what is a man?

whose thoughts and words

reverberate throughout the Infinite,

it is amazing,

that in this electronic church,

'we can discuss all of the issues that weigh heavy on this day and our souls.

This stream of thoughts and writ, are a balm, and illuminate, the hearts and minds, for all to see, for all when thay are ready to embrace, and become a 'citizen, a 'witness,

The Time is near, when Cannabis, and Good Humans will be able to 'live, to inherit, their place in this sun.

But I tried. LOL

I don't think it means it's a "drug" either.

Water? No. Milk? No. Air? No. Light? No. I can't think of anything cept maybe a rock that doesn't move, hit, or trip you. They can explode. I've seen it...not too long ago as a matter of fact.

Sand? That could probably tear your bowels up if you ingested it...and grind down a mountain when tossed about with some pressure. Gelatin? Dissolved, unflavored gelatin makes me puke, unless it's in a gelatin capsule. Now the right kind...or the wrong kind, I should say, of gelatin could carry CJD.

What I was talking about though was the use of a double negative in the sentence...which completely changes it's meaning.

I'm not sure that anything in creation is truly completely benign in every circumstance.

Nothing is said about "preestablished" or "state condoned," so I don't really care if FoM agrees (yet or ever) with the view that some of us (whig, etc.) have accepted.

It doesn't matter because religion is PERSONAL!

Once again, my views concerning MY God and MY sacraments are PERSONAL (and well established on this board.) No government (nor female friend in Ohio LOL) has any direct effect on my personal spirituality.

The Lord God is my God, His son Jesus is my Spiritual Guru, Lord and Savior, and I believe that cannabis IS the Tree Of Life as well as my sacrament.

I believe it, I live it and in MY LIFE THIS IS THE TRUTH!

My goal is to stop anyone for being persecuted for it's use.

Cannabis can be useful...a tool...like a quiet room...or a mountain top, in your commune with the spiritual and I know it's important to you and I say go for it.

The "damage" associated with cannabis is created by governments: authoritarian, paternalistic, totalitarian-leaning governments.

The absence of physical harm from smoking pot has required that all the punitive force be government created. Punishment for marijuana is thus the great frontier of authoritarianism. A widespread popular behavior detested by the ruling culture has justified war propaganda, police engagement and mass punishment. A new movement began which counseled parents to quit trying to be understanding friends to their kids and develop a toughlove capacity to squelch all individuality and nonconformity in the name of drug resistance.

But when it comes to the negative health aspects of marijuana, the list is long. Marijuana users can and will experience any of the following: paranoia, dry mouth, respiratory problems, heart problems, inability to concentrate, impaired memory and motivation loss.

Paranoia? How come people don't feel "paranoid" in Amsterdam, and do feel "paranoid" when they toke in fascist police states like Oman, the United States, Guatemala, Zimbabwe, and so on? Maybe the "paranoia" is more of a reasonable precaution to avoid being sent to a rape-camp and forced-labor camp (aka, a US Federal Prison)?

"While there may be instances where a need for uniformity precludes the recognition of exceptions to generally applicable laws under RFRA, ......". page 4

In a sense I think you really are already, because in a real sense I see CNews as being that. Everyone is entitled to respect for their own private beliefs and practices, yet we do share some things in common by our choice to come together.

Would you rather if spirituality were taken out of our movement and our little family here?

DMT is also an endogenous compound in the body (as is alcohol as well, unortunately for my point) so it is not a toxin in the pure sense of the word. Chemically, it is not a stranger to the body and is a biochemical.

Uh huh. Or maybe you mean Schedule I substances such as cannabis. Obviously it is true.

A Physiology of Conversion and Brain-Washing

by William Sargant

Baltimore, Maryland and Hammondsworth, England: Penguin Books, 1961

he made the statement how he Bush hadnot provided any evidence in the case.

Sounds like Bush is wasting more court space.

I know there there have been many misunderstandings, and it comes down to the fact that language is imprecise and what one person says may mean something different to another person.

Cannabis is a sacrament to me, it brings me into communion with God in Christ. I think FoM objects when I refer to this as Eucharist because she may be using a different implication of this word, that Cannabis ITSELF is literally God, the Christ. Rather, I believe that when we consume Cannabis, it transubstantiates within OURSELVES.

If a pregnant woman smokes cannabis the smoke goes through her lungs and the THC and other cannabinoids then enters the blood stream. Now all of the harmfull aspects of smoking are in her lungs. So how could these problems then resurface in the fetus and cause respiratory problems? I am the only one out there that sees this flawed arugment. In every study I have seen and read they allways talk about the possitive affects of THC and the other cannabinoids. The only negitive thing I find is with the smoking of it.

When I first started reading this article i though hey this is some good press. But after further reading I see it is just filled with misconseptions and furthing the lies.

But the bar has been set almost impossibly high, because for the government to overcome the burden they'd have to (per the SCOTUS reasoning) distinguish a compelling state interest which applies to Ayahuasca and NOT to Peyote, because Peyote is expressly protected for religious purposes per RFRA.

The justices sent the case back to a federal appeals court, which could consider more evidence.

It doesn't even require another SC case. All lower courts are BOUND by the precedent set in UDV. So if we have a SINCERE religious basis for the use of cannabis, then the presumption will be for our protection from interference.

Moreover, the SUPREMACY clause of the US Constitution, which you and I discussed recently, means that the First Amendment and RFRA override STATE PROHIBITION LAWS too.

If it gets to the Supreme Court again, it's because the GOVERNMENT appeals it there.

Whig is right, that is NOT off-topic at all, it is extremely relevant to cannabis. Not directly, as in that this ruling makes cannabis legal per se (that will take another SC case to show), but indirectly in a very serious way... as in a massive stumbling block in US jurisprudence has been knocked down. I'm still trying to let this sink in... it is so big.

This sends a quite serious message to the Bush administration and the DEA and all anti-drug forces: religious freedom is now totally dominant over the drug war in this country, as it should be and always was supposed to be, as per the US Constitution. Overreaching federal power has been set BACK! Back toward where it's supposed to be---OUT of the private lives of the people.

Actually, thirty years later, I ask myself how much protection did I recieve by smoking cannabis along with cigarettes? My lung capacity is just fine. How much protection did I recieve by smoking cannabis along with drinking alcohol? My mind seems to be much sharper than my friends who only smoked cigarettes and/or only drank alcohol. And, by replacing both cigarettes and alcohol with cannabis only, for pretty close to 15 years now, (with very few relapses) how much protection will I recieve from the noxious chemicals that are clouding our atmosphere?

Try rationalizing with an alcoholic about the damages done by the drug war. They won't have any clue. Try telling a cigarette only smoker that cannabis could protect their lungs from the toxins in tobacco. They almost get angry before blurting out "I'd rather be dieing of lung cancer than be put in jail for smoking pot!" Or something to that affect. Two very LARGE groups of people who could definately benefit from cannabis therapy.

"The origins of marijuana can be traced to China, around 6,000 B.C. The Chinese farmers grew cannabis seeds and cultivated the crop for profit. Today, cannabis serves two very distinct purposes: medicinal use and the pastime of just getting high."

This boldface lie angrifies me. "Medical use" and "just getting high". Because we are not allowed to grow the plant for ANY purpose the Chinese did 6,000 years ago! (And are still growing it today, I might add) Today cannabis is being cultivated for many uses, just not here in the good ole' USA.

The most people who would benefit today, from cannabis cultivation, are the sick and the poor. The only people who would not benefit from it would be the Corporate CEO'S who bribe our politicians to keep it illegal, and competition out of the way. Sure they care about us. Sure they do.

You don't have to subscribe to the faith that some of us have in the sacramental role of Cannabis.

Facial Challenge.

Success.

***

By Gina Holland, The Associated Press

February 21, 2006

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court ruled unanimously today that a small congregation in New Mexico may use hallucinogenic tea as part of a four-hour ritual intended to connect with God.

Justices, in their first religious freedom decision under Chief Justice John Roberts, moved decisively to keep the government out of a church's religious practice. Federal drug agents should have been barred from confiscating the hoasca tea of the Brazil-based church, Roberts wrote in the decision.

The tea, which contains an illegal drug known as DMT, is considered sacred to members of O Centro Espirita Beneficiente Uniao do Vegetal, which has a blend of Christian beliefs and South American traditions. Members believe they can understand God only by drinking the tea, which is consumed twice a month at four-hour ceremonies.

New Justice Samuel Alito did not take part in the case, which was argued last fall before Justice Sandra Day O'Connor before her retirement. Alito was on the bench for the first time on Tuesday.

Roberts said that the Bush administration had not met its burden under a federal religious freedom law to show that it could ban "the sect's sincere religious practice."

The chief justice had also been skeptical of the government's position in the case last fall, suggesting that the administration was demanding too much, a "zero tolerance approach."

The Bush administration had argued that the drug in the tea not only violates a federal narcotics law, but a treaty in which the United States promised to block the importation of drugs including dimethyltryptamine, also known as DMT.

Copyright: 2006 The Seattle Times Company