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  NORML's Weekly News Bulletin -- March 9, 2006
Posted by CN Staff on March 09, 2006 at 14:53:11 PT
Weekly Press Release  
Source: NORML  

NORML Frequent Cannabis Use Not Associated With Cognitive Declines In Working Memory, Selective Attention

March 9, 2006 - Utrecht, Netherlands

Utrecht, the Netherlands: Frequent cannabis use is not associated with cognitive deficits in memory or attention, according to trial data published in the forthcoming issue of the journal Psychopharmacology.

Investigators at the Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience assessed brain function in "frequent but relatively moderate" cannabis users in the domains of working memory and selective attention using functional magnetic resonance imagining (fMRI).

"No evidence was found for long-term deficits in working memory and selective attention in frequent cannabis users after one week of abstinence" compared to non-using healthy controls, authors concluded. "Furthermore, cannabis users did not differ from controls in terms of overall patterns of brain activity in the regions involved in these cognitive functions."

Previous trials on cannabis use and cognition have reached similar conclusions. An October 2004 study published in the journal Psychological Medicine examining the potential long-term residual effects of cannabis on cognition in monozygotic male twins reported "an absence of marked long-term residual effects of marijuana use on cognitive abilities."

A 2003 meta-analysis published in the Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society also "failed to reveal a substantial, systematic effect of long-term, regular cannabis consumption on the neurocognitive functioning of users who were not acutely intoxicated," and a 2002 clinical trial published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal determined, "Marijuana does not have a long-term negative impact on global intelligence."

For more information, please contact Paul Armentano, NORML Senior Policy Analyst, at (202) 483-5500. Full text of the study, "Long-term effects of frequent cannabis use on working memory and attention: an fMRI study," will appear in the journal Psychopharmacology. A summary of clinical studies assessing the impact of cannabis on cognition is available online at: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6812

DL: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6832


Marijuana Production, Availability Rising, Federal Report Says

March 9, 2006 - Washington, DC, USA

Washington, DC: Marijuana production and the amount of cannabis available domestically are on the increase, according to the National Drug Intelligence Center's (NDIC) 2006 "National Drug Threat Assessment" report.

The report finds that marijuana production in Mexico, Canada and the US is rising, with domestic cannabis production increasing sharply in 2005 to its "highest recorded level."

Marijuana availability is also increasing, the NDIC finds. Among those state and local law enforcement agencies polled in the study, 98 percent rank pot's availability in their area is either "moderate" or "high." Last year's NDIC report estimated that between 12,000 and 25,000 metric tons of marijuana is available in the United States.

For more information, please contact Allen St. Pierre, NORML Executive Director, or Paul Armentano, NORML Senior Policy Analyst, at (202) 483-5500.

Full text of the NDIC report, "National Drug Threat Assessment 2006," is available online at: http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov

DL: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6831


Register For The 2006 National NORML Conference In San Francisco Join NORML April 20-22 -- Sign Up Today For Discounted Pricing

March 9, 2006 - Washington, DC, USA

Washington, DC: Online registration for NORML's 2006 National Conference in San Francisco is now available at:

http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6828

Join us in one of the world's most cannabis-friendly cities to be a part of the largest and most respected marijuana law reform conference in the United States.

The three-day "extravaganja" will take place April 20-22 at the Holiday Inn Golden Gateway in downtown San Francisco. Discussion panels at this years event include:

- Grassroots to Grasstops: Activists Effectively Working Together at All Levels
- Reefer, Rhetoric and Retorts: Winning Ways to Frame The Marijuana Debate
- A Look Ahead at This Fall's Pot Initiatives
- Cannabis Dispensaries and Their Carrying Capacities
- Cultivation and Hash Making: Toward Patients' Self-Sufficiency
- Marijuana and Health: Myths, Facts and Mysteries
- Religion, Sacrament and Marijuana
- Big Brother Is Watching: Drugged Driving, Student Drug Testing and Dog Searches
- Emerging Clinical Applications For Cannabis

Network with the nation's top marijuana activists and advocates, mingle with celebrities and members of High Times magazine, as well as NORML's staff and board of directors, and enjoy a variety of unique after-hours events. Register today and take advantage of special discounted pricing on both the conference and hotel accommodations.

"NORML's 2005 National Conference attracted over 600 attendees and we expect this year's gathering to be even more successful," says NORML's Executive Director Allen St. Pierre. "If a person is serious about changing America's misguided cannabis laws, the annual NORML conference is the gathering place for medical cannabis patients, cannabis consumers and concerned citizens."

NORML's 2006 conference agenda is now available online at: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6830

Information on discounted room reservations is available at: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6756

(Discounted rooms will be available until March 27.)

Secure online registration is available at: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6828

DL: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6833

Source: NORML Foundation (DC)
Published: March 09, 2006
Copyright: 2006 NORML
Contact: norml@norml.org
Website: http://www.norml.org/

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Comment #54 posted by ekim on March 12, 2006 at 13:45:13 PT
museman
good luck man.

you have given much i dare say everyone here understands your feeling, and wants the best for you.

please know that one does not have to be seated here to be here. the list of others that have and are here flashes in my mind like a great epic tale still unfolding.

long live museman -- and send in replacements

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Comment #53 posted by FoM on March 12, 2006 at 13:37:46 PT
Museman You Are a Good Guy
You wear a white hat in my book.

You said: Me personally, I've been missing these opportunities. Some of you may not understand, but it is part of my 'job description' as a spiritual man. In the near future, more and more of my generation will be leaving. There is no crowd of folks banging on my door, yet I've missed some mighty important opportunities with the handful who have asked, just before they passed, for me to spend a little time with them.

We got a phone call yesterday from our only black friend that we have ever really shared our life with. He lives in Arizona now. He is coming home because his father is in the hospital and in very bad shape. I told my husband we will have him come and spend the evening with us. I will cook for him and sit around the fire and remember the days that use to be. When he left from his last visit I looked long at him as he drove away and my husband saw I was sad and he asked me what was the matter. I said that we are getting older and we might not ever see him again.

Yes I hope we meet someday and I know you like Neil. In the most intimate of ways we have met. Sharing thoughts is the meeting of the minds and there is nothing more precious then that.

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Comment #52 posted by museman on March 12, 2006 at 13:15:37 PT
values
"Physical necessities are of "some value"...but spiritual things have "greater value" that cannot be measured as easily as counting the number of dollars we have access to."

Yes, that's exactly it.

When Y'shua told us "No man can serve two masters." He was also referring to this. Put that in context with "Whose face is on this coin...etc." and "...camel through the eye...," and "seek ye first the Kingdom of Heaven...etc." along with his actions with the money changers in the temple, and "To those who have, more will be given to them, and those who have not, even what they have wil be taken away." This last one needs a bit more. Some have thought that this meant material wealth, but as one puts all the pieces together another picture emerges. The only real 'substance' in this context is spiritual, whether it means knowledge, wisdom, good works and deeds- that may or may not include the use of Caesars tools- the distinction is between the spiritual and material. The idea is to 'lift up' the material closer to the Spiritual.

Obviously not every human being is ready to be 'lifted up.' We all argue our position with the same strengths and weaknesses, sometimes we grow by it sometimes we stall, stumble and fall.

Today I got a fresh look at my priorities. Let me remind everyone of something. Life is short. One moment your friend or your loved one is smiling back at you, the next they are gone. Gone. Nowhere to be found except in memory.

If in the course of your day, an old acquaintence that you haven't seen for years passes by your path, you exchange greetings, updates, and they part with you, asking that you 'come visit,' my advice is, no matter how annoyed that person might make you, or bored, or small dis-comoforts it might cause you to 'hang out' with them, do it. Spend an hour with that person, it may be your last opportunity.

Me personally, I've been missing these opportunities. Some of you may not understand, but it is part of my 'job description' as a spiritual man. In the near future, more and more of my generation will be leaving. There is no crowd of folks banging on my door, yet I've missed some mighty important opportunities with the handful who have asked, just before they passed, for me to spend a little time with them.

I have failed in that. My spirit is crying to me that I cannot continue to fail like that. Therefore I have to change. I am going to have to force myself to get up and out from my computers. I have to re-socialize my lifestyle. I have been reclusive for far too long. I will be honest, I hide from fear. Yes I admit to it. As can be surmised by the things I have talked about, my sentiments aren't often popular, and I suffer the prejudices, judgements, and ignorance that all mankind are capable of, just by going shopping. Some people may not understand that, but anyone who has ever been judged and persecuted by, appearance, religion, or race, would know exactly what I'm talking about. I am no masochist. I do not like pain. I try to avoid it as much as possible, hence my 'social fears.'

It has been easy for me to turn inward, to be 'anti-social', because I have a large family that soaks up most of my time.

Because of my nature, whenever something I am doing is in imbalance, I have to quit, back away and leave it completely alone until I can go back to it with balance, or leave it alone forever. So I have to shut down my computers, or at least keep my usage down to a bare minimum of time. Time you see is the problem. I like so many others I suppose, act every day as if I have all the time I need. I am missing it.

My life is just too potentially full to keep missing so much of it. I am such an addict that I have to 'cold turkey' it you know. The internet has become my favorite addiction since I quit tobacco. I had a real hard time quitting that. The net is such a valuable tool that I can't see me cutting myself off completely, but I got to go.

In have enjoyed our discussions, and even the arguments. It has all been very good. And this decision has nothing to do with anything other than what I just related. I will not 'disappear' and Jerry's page will be maintained, but I will not be having the same 'daily presence' as I have had.

FoM; You are a wise woman, and I hope someday to meet you, please forgive my slights to Neil, he is a good man.

Whig; Our conversation has only just begun, but I am going to have to leave it for a while. My email is around somewhere, I'll be checking in there at least.

Everyone else;

What an incredible group of folks! I've never encountered anything quite like it. This is a very special thing that you are doing, and spreading. Sometimes it is like you can see sanity and rational progress actually happening!

I'm not going away, just turning off my computer, getting out in the sunshine, gonna play some music, maybe relocate my smile somewhere, and smoke a lot of herb with my brothers and sisters.

Peace and Love to you all

Terry

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Comment #51 posted by Hope on March 12, 2006 at 07:30:15 PT
Money is physical and should never be spiritual.
I think that's the main thing.

There are a lot of physical necessities in the world that aren't conducive to a healthy spirituality, but a necessity for the physical life, none the less. It's when materialism inteferes with our spirituality that we have to be on guard against it. Desire for the physical can be an impediment for the spirtual aspects of our lives.

Physical necessities are of "some value"...but spiritual things have "greater value" that cannot be measured as easily as counting the number of dollars we have access to.

Money and barter of any kind are the same. Money is barter...but barter can be other things besides money, although it is AS money. They are all part of the physical reality, not the spiritual.

"Spiritual" is above and beyond the "physical" to those who are inclined to it.

Love is spiritual and our attachment to money should not go beyond the physical.

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Comment #50 posted by FoM on March 12, 2006 at 07:05:29 PT
afterburner
Yes money is a tool.

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Comment #49 posted by afterburner on March 11, 2006 at 23:26:46 PT
Money money money money, MONEY
Money manifests. Money comes to ideas. Follow your bliss. Money is a tool, green power.

O'Jays lyrics - For The Love Of Money http://www.lyricsbox.com/ojays-lyrics-for-the-love-of-money-74l2rfl.html

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Comment #48 posted by FoM on March 11, 2006 at 17:59:24 PT
whig
I agree with you. Money shouldn't be the deciding factor in an important life changing experience.

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Comment #47 posted by whig on March 11, 2006 at 17:55:58 PT
Speaking of money
So when my wife and I were looking at both New Haven and Berkeley, the issue of money of course was at least somewhat relevant. It costs a lot less to live in New Haven. Yale provides a much more comprehensive set of benefits than UC, too. They would even have included me in their medical benefits group and paid half my insurance premiums, not a small thing let me tell you. The stipend was a little bit lower but when you deduct all the expenses, it was more financially advantageous if we'd chosen to go to Yale.

Either place, we're not going to have much money. It's going to be scraping by regardless. We're almost certainly taking out another round of student loans at least to bridge things for the first semester. But, when we look at it, we're not actually going to starve to death in either place.

I told my wife even before we went to visit the two schools, it was very important to me that our decision be based on just two things: 1) the academic program; and 2) how well we'd like to live in either place. What I did not want us to do was make a decision for financial reasons. If we'd done that, we'd be deferring our happiness for four or five years, and then we'd be faced with the same decision matrix again. Go for the money, or go for what is most fulfilling and makes us happy. Never go for the money in this circumstance. It might be that the two will happen to coincide, but if so it's just a happy accident. Either one of us could be hit by a car the next day, so each day is a blessing to be enjoyed, never regretted.

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Comment #46 posted by FoM on March 11, 2006 at 17:50:16 PT
whig
Your last comment was a little hard for me to understand. I believe that money is a means to an end. Money is necessary for the basic necessities like food, shelter and clothing and extra money helps us get a few little pleasures above necessities in life. Money should be used wisely. Money can help in even what we buy. I ordered the Waiting to Inhale DVD. I have friends who have a DVD player but don't have a computer. I will loan this DVD to my friends. That way people who would never see this movie might become more involved in reform or at the very least become more aware. That is using my money wisely.

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Comment #45 posted by whig on March 11, 2006 at 17:34:08 PT
FoM
I guess the question you can ask yourself is when someone gives you money, is it because you did something good to help someone, or did you do something that makes you feel dirty. Because I think that's really the thing. If you're doing good things for people and they want you to have good things, they want to help you too and money is a tool that lets you decide what helps you most rather than someone else having to figure it out for you (and run your life in the process, which would be a terrible thing for you and them both).

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Comment #44 posted by FoM on March 11, 2006 at 17:22:38 PT
Whig
I understand and agree with you. Why I ask is somethings most definitely take money to achieve pleasure. A simple example. My computer broke. If I hadn't had any way to get it fix and I didn't have a computer to switch to or I didn't have any money to buy a part or a new computer I would be denied the pleasure of the company we all share here on CNews. I can't separate money from pleasure because money is required to achieve most means of pleasure. I hope this makes sense.

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Comment #43 posted by whig on March 11, 2006 at 17:10:57 PT
FoM
As I see it, you are not on an allowance. You have the freedom to choose to do what you will do. You can seek pleasure in many ways, but you are not guaranteed to achieve it if you seek it in the wrong way. Much as you are not guaranteed to find your keys if you look for them in the wrong place. This does not answer to the moral question, but I thought I'd make that point anyhow.

I think if you treat others with love and respect, you cannot go far wrong. Even if you make mistakes, you can learn from them. A fixation on money or material things is injurious to the extent that it takes precedence over the important things.

In medieval times, many monks took vows of poverty, interpreting scripture to forbid the possession of things altogether. Likewise, even today many priests particularly in the Roman church take vows of celibacy. These rely, I think, on a literalist interpretation which also gives rise to things like self-flagellation and any number of other things that are destructive of one's own happiness, the idea that we must all SUFFER as Christ.

I've written to Museman about this before on his board. We do not have to crucify ourselves. We do so when we feel we have sinned and when we seek to punish ourselves. But this is a kind of hell, or at least a purgatory. To love others we must love ourselves, and so redeem the whole world. For if we despise ourselves we will condemn the world. We must be the change we desire to see, for it is how the world changes, one person at a time.

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Comment #42 posted by FoM on March 11, 2006 at 15:47:59 PT
museman
Pleasure will bring those good emotions but what I mean what pleasures are we allowed to seek without it being considered greed?

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Comment #41 posted by museman on March 11, 2006 at 15:33:24 PT
FoM
Joy, Love, Happiness. Satisfaction of a job well done. The warm feeling of oneness with the universe. A good life.

I'm sure that the list is even longer. I submit that if 'greed' is deemed necessary for any of these, then it is quite possible that those who believe this never actually get the experience, because these are all humnan experiences that existed before we were all enslaved to the system of weights and measures, and will continue to exist when mankind has been relieved of that particular burden.

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Comment #40 posted by FoM on March 11, 2006 at 15:23:43 PT
museman
I'll throw a question at you. What types of pleasure can we wish to have in life and not enter into what would be called greed?

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Comment #39 posted by museman on March 11, 2006 at 15:19:15 PT
whig
Thank you you just gave me the answer to Overwhelmsams question about 'defining rich.'

The 'defintition' of the 'rich' that I am referring to, is "One whose accumulation of 'money,' Material wealth and resources, goes way beyond necessity and even comfort to such extremes that I do not need to define or describe, to the point that their having of it constitutes the focus of their love of it above all else."

In a word, "GREED." How do you define GREED? If money ain't part of the description I don't know what is.

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Comment #38 posted by whig on March 11, 2006 at 15:05:45 PT
museman #37
Binary choices are a sticky wicket for lots of people. We are told that we must be for the Republicans or the Democrats. (I am for neither.) We must be for George Bush or Saddam Hussein. We must be for Security or Terrorism. See?

Money does not have to be Good or Evil.

What people DO for the love of money can be despised.

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Comment #37 posted by museman on March 11, 2006 at 14:57:14 PT
whig
Are you saying that by my point of observing how some Do worship and give power to it, that that point of observation is giving power to it? Are you saying that I should ignore what I percieve to be a great and dangerous error just because it is not popular belief? If there is a better way to say what I am trying to say, help me say it.

To me this is a rather large issue, like Jerry put it in his letter to me, it's the "bottom line" issue. The one reason why change is so slow to come. I'm not taking this stance just to be contrary, or Heyoka, (though I have been known to do that, another place another time...) I am into achieving greater understanding, everyone's including my own. I grow slower in my fifties, and don't swallow so quick and easily as I did in my youth, but I still look up at night.

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Comment #36 posted by museman on March 11, 2006 at 14:44:02 PT
A letter from Jerry
He asked me to post it on his page, and my site, but I just had to share it with you. It just fits in this thread as if he was at home on his computer reading and replying.

"Have you ever had a really rude awakening? I mean really rude. Like falling face down off a top bunk, or someone throwing water on you as a prank?

Well my rude awakening was no joke or accident. I was a 17 year old soldier my first year in. My head was full of John Wayne movies and Audie Murphy heros. I was patriotic and full of the "American" ideal of truth, justice, and the American way. By age 19 I was fully aware of the facade. I had had my "rude awakening." Not only was the patriotic mumbo jumbo meant as fodder for the masses, but I learned that all patriotism was based on fictitious history.

The bottom line was always finance. Money. Budgets, and how to get more of it.

And so as my vista of understandiong widened, I began to see that laws, politics, social change, religion, morals,..all were tied somehow to that bottom line. I can no longer look at my world in the sugar coated way of a 17 year old. The more I was able to see, the more I understood, the more I saw.

Politicians, judges, preachers, generals, salesmen, housewives, they all boil it down to the bottom dollar. If you don't see that the Supreme Court is there to help stabilize the economy more than the law, you are just missing the whole point. Senators, Congressmen, even the President. The bottom line is the monster that controls our lives. The bottom line has been traded for truth justice, and the American way."

by Jerry Sisson 3-6-06



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Comment #35 posted by whig on March 11, 2006 at 14:41:01 PT
museman
Semantics. I attempted to explain that money is a 'symbol' of a certain kind of power. Whig my whole point is that I DON'T BELIEVE IN THAT! I DO NOT GIVE IT POWER!

You're giving it LOTS of power, right here. Whether it is money itself, or what money is symbolic of, has no power to be hated, feared or loved except as you invest such emotions in a totemic sense. Worship of Mammon is the same whether it is love or fear. Do neither, but love God in every one.

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Comment #34 posted by museman on March 11, 2006 at 12:45:30 PT
afterburner#29, whig,
Thank you, you saved me from having to quote that one as well.

Semantics. I attempted to explain that money is a 'symbol' of a certain kind of power. Whig my whole point is that I DON'T BELIEVE IN THAT! I DO NOT GIVE IT POWER!

The powers that be DO GIVE IT POWER AND BELIEF, and when we agree to their empowerment via THAT CHOSEN 'artifact' we are contributing to all the evil that is done by them with it.

If however we can live our lives with our priorities straight using the guides available (of which the gospels, and attending works I believe are the best available) then the presence of money becomes moot. If everyone lived that way there would be no need for such fear-based systems as capitalism.

Power is given to money by the belief of humanity. Without that belief money is just lousy art, and a waste of trees.

It IS the power and belief that I am speaking of not the paper and the coin. It is a total invention, and it was not given to us by God, or sanctioned in any way other than allowing us to 'play with our toys.' But when that becomes cause for all the terrible things that have come about by humanity's seeking of it instead of the REAL wealth of Spirit and Love, then some children of God must first take the heat for the truth of it, until the obviousness of the situation sinks in.

Here is what I mean;

If you were a building contractor, for instance, and I wanted you to build me a house. I can't or won't pay you 'money' because I don't believe in it (this is hypothetical) but I do have the abilty to give you whatever you want in terms of goods. Would you do the job? Most would not. Why? Because the power of the money is not present, the social esteem, the personal empowerment of having that money is not there.

I understand that there are thousands of years of ingrained STUFF surrounding the belief in the power of money, and I hold out no hope of seeing any of the kind of changes I'd like to see in my life time-concerning this entire concept, and I do not HATE people for their choices, but I can and do HATE the object of their fear and desire which is (from now on I will take pains to be clear on this) the POWER of MONEY.

As far as the 'camel through the eye' goes, I did post a link which covers it fairly well. There is no actual evidence of there ever being a 'gate' or a 'narrow canyon entrance.' Probably the whole idea came about in the myriads of deliberate axiomizing of the parables to keep the peasants in their place (divine right of kings, the 'stewards of wealth' etc) and the powers in place as well. Besides why would Y'shua refer to the 'eye of a needle' if he was talking about an existing gate to the city of Jerusalem? Why wouldn't he just say '...through the east gate of Jerusalem...'? I know that what we have of his words are all parables, pretty much, but a parable is not a 'riddle' it is a code that only spiritual minded people can really understand- if they bother. And I am not inferring anything of any of you.

I state these things because I feel and believe their importance. I think discussions like this are extremely important and helpful, even if we don't agree. We are on the same side here. I hold no attitudes towards people- except the George f'n Bushes in the world (and if I was as good as I'd like, I would even be more forgiving of those crapheads, but I have human weaknesses just like everyone else.)

peace



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Comment #33 posted by whig on March 11, 2006 at 06:49:23 PT
OverwhelmSam
More than what you say, forgiveness and redemption is available to everyone.

I think the camel passing through the needle parable as Hope explained it made it absolutely clear what is meant. Those who are attached to their material possessions cannot fit through. It is nearly simplicity itself, though, merely to let go of all that. Nearly, but for those who have lived their lives for such attachment, it is a letting go that may seem almost impossible to them. There are few things actually easier but seemingly harder than simply acknowledging one's own long-committed errors.

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Comment #32 posted by FoM on March 11, 2006 at 06:25:49 PT
OverwhelmSam
I feel very rich. I am not rich by society's standards but I feel I'm rich. How do we measure rich?

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Comment #31 posted by Jose Melendez on March 11, 2006 at 04:40:16 PT
Huh?
I thought THIS was heaven!

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Comment #30 posted by OverwhelmSam on March 11, 2006 at 03:30:59 PT
museman
Okay, by your interpretation it's impossible for a rich man to get into heaven. Define rich.

It's ironically relative, but to many people in the world, even the poorest people in American Society who have homes, cars, food, computers, phones, schools and jobs are rich beyond their wildest imagination.

So in essence, are you saying that no one in America can get into heaven unless they live on the street?

Are you saying that many of the characters in the Bible didn't go to heaven?

Think about that one.

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Comment #29 posted by afterburner on March 10, 2006 at 23:07:22 PT
On Love of Money
You cannot worship God *and* mammon, money, the golden calf.

Matthew 6:24 "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."

My two cents worth.

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Comment #28 posted by whig on March 10, 2006 at 21:50:47 PT
Hope
I think the explanation of the parable makes sense in this way: you cannot take your wealth with you. It is your humanity, what kind of a person you are, that matter, and all that passes through when you enter into heaven. You cannot buy or bargain your way. You cannot have your servants do your work for you. You have to come face to face with your own actions and your own responsibilities and your own consequences and you have to make yourself right with yourself, and I don't mean phony self-esteem here. You will remember everything. Every step you take, every move you make. And when you are prepared to face the music, you redeem yourself.

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Comment #27 posted by Hope on March 10, 2006 at 21:40:38 PT
I did proof read quickly...but
"He said, that in when Jesus walked the earth..."

Should read, "He said, that in the days when Jesus walked the earth as a man...."

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Comment #26 posted by Hope on March 10, 2006 at 21:38:16 PT
Another camel and needle story
I had a wonderful volume that was borrowed from me and never returned. It was a wonderful book and I grieve at it's loss and can't remember the author or exact title and haven't seen it since.

He said, that in when Jesus walked the earth, of course the most common method of moving goods was the camel caravan. The camel train. At that time there was a high canyon wall near Damascus that had to be circled by caravans...adding about 200 miles to the journey.

At that time there was a very small passage way, known as the "Eye of the Needle" that passed through that wall...near Damascus, that camels could be pushed and pulled through after they were unloaded and lowered to a kneeling position.

The goods were put through seperately by men. It could save a hundred or two hundred miles off the trip...but was difficult in itself and time consuming. Long caravan's more commonly took the long route because of the work involved.

Several years ago I actually met a young Muslim man from Damascus. I asked him about it and he said that he had heard of it, too, although he had not seen it personally. He thought perhaps that it no longer existed, as it was probably blasted larger or something at some time or another...but that he had heard of it there in his home town, Damascus.

So I don't know what's true as far as the story, it's translation, or our ability to understand it.

I personally, like the shortcut through the canyon wall story, and the young man I met, and his knowledge of Damascus and the surrounding area indicated that it did once exist and was used in exactly that way.

Either and all ways, it's very interesting. Parable or not. The great point of the scripture though, I believe, is that it is "harder"....not impossible...and that "Nothing is impossible with God."



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Comment #25 posted by whig on March 10, 2006 at 21:19:46 PT
museman
For once I really disagree with you and I think you are attributing a talismanic power to money which is analogous to idolatry. Please don't take this the wrong way, because I have great respect for you and I don't mean to insult you in any way, but I think having a fear or hatred of money is almost as bad as loving it. Having any emotion about money is like having an emotion about anything that isn't human. I like having my computer, in the sense that it is a useful tool that I need to use for certain purposes, but I'd never express actual love or fear or hatred of it, nor for a car or boat or house or anything material. It is this love of materiality, not money per se, which is the problem, and I won't get into a literalist debate over scripture but I think this is the underlying meaning too. Your house deed, your car title, these are Caesar's too. Few wealthy people even have much cash money, they hold lots of stocks and bonds and real estate and stuff.

In the specific parable of the tax collector, the point was to speak carefully while having an underlying meaning, and literality always goes right out the window when you do that.

I was talking before about how potheads communicate with one another in places where we cannot speak openly. And by the way, I truly believe that the Christian sacrament has always been cannabis, it's nothing new under the sun.

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Comment #24 posted by museman on March 10, 2006 at 21:01:20 PT
O_Sam
"The eye of the needle was a small East gate to Jerusalem. A camel had to lower itself to it's knees to pass through, as a rich man must humble himself to enter the gates of heaven."

http://www.biblicalhebrew.com/nt/camelneedle.htm

The object of money itself is still steeped in the false values that are placed upon it. When Y'shua said "Render unto Caesar what is Caesars, and render unto God, what is Gods." He did not 'qualify' the validity of money, but rather the nature of it, and the importance of knowing what was truly valuable, namely following the austere 'light' and unburdened path of God's will.

Money is a symbol, a magic talisman of an ancient evil that still claims sovereignty over humanity and the earth. The fact that over the last few millennia, powers of church and state have confused the histories, and the proverbial records with false analogies, does not change the power symbol and it's ultimate effect, which is men (and women) having dominion over other men (and women). It is the ultimate power tool of control, the object of desire, an un-natural addition to our reality that has accumulatively led the entire planet and all life on it to the brink of disaster of truly 'biblical' proportions.

Is it an unpleasant part of our reality still that I as well as everyone else living within this system must accept and deal with? Most certainly.

Do I have to invest my belief in it? Most certainly I do not, and I don't.



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Comment #23 posted by FoM on March 10, 2006 at 16:40:17 PT
whig
That's how I feel. My sister was visiting today and while she was here I got a call from our banker and our loan is about ready to go. I said thank you and hung up and told my sister and she said that's great and I said I'm happy that we might be able now to finish the work on the house we had to stop last fall. We left it at that and went about talking about all types of other things that were important to us but money got about a minute of our time.

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Comment #22 posted by whig on March 10, 2006 at 16:29:59 PT
Money vs. the Love of Money
There is a difference.

The LOVE of money, power and material wealth in all its forms which leads people to harm others for their own aggrandizement is the evil. Money itself is just a tool, undeserving of love, but like all tools it is also capable of being put to useful work. We should endeavor to have enough to do the things we need to live and help one another, but more than this if we accumulate things and value them too highly then they tend to control us and twist our humanity to something careless of the needs of others.

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Comment #21 posted by FoM on March 10, 2006 at 16:16:38 PT
Money
Anything good I have done for anyone has come with being able to help them somehow and money was usually involved. If we hadn't made money how could we have helped people? As far as Neil goes I'm sure he has had plenty of fun with his money but how could he have made The Bridge School what it is today without money? Would his seriously handicapped son named Ben have had a chance at all with anything without Neil's wealth?

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Comment #20 posted by OverwhelmSam on March 10, 2006 at 15:36:32 PT
museman
There's nothing wrong with money, in our Society money is freedom from oppression. I am not nearly as affected by the marijuana hate laws as a young couple just starting off in life, but I want the laws changed because they punish the less fortunate.

The eye of the needle was a small East gate to Jerusalem. A camel had to lower itself to it's knees to pass through, as a rich man must humble himself to enter the gates of heaven.

Job, David, Soloman, the Prophets and Kings of the bible were all very wealthy men. Seems to me God wants the diamonds for his children.

We should all endeavor to become wealthy. Money is not evil, it's just paper and metal. What some people do for money is evil. The pharmaceutical companies and law enforcement for instance.

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Comment #19 posted by museman on March 10, 2006 at 11:26:13 PT
FoM
Old testament vs New Testament. I respect your belief, however in the examples and words of Y'shua, "It would be far easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than a rich man to enter into heaven."

Read the story of Nicodemus.

As far as being 'stewards of the wealth' I am sorry but that is just too party-line for me. In my experience there is no such thing, because money is a tool of the faithless, and love, and action in love is a tool of the faithful.

A 'true' steward of the wealth (which I fervently believe is impossible) does not 'hold' the wealth he merely channels it and directs it's flow in directions more of benefit to humanity. This means that all of us are 'stewards' of the wealth, not just those few who have most of it. If you have to keep your wealth, then you have built walls to protect and contain it-armies and police to insure it, and with absolutely no access from those who might actually benefit from true charity.

I like Neils music too, and I know you think a lot of him. Even he is just a bit too comfortable in his wealth in my opinion.

There are many more talented artists out there who have had as much to say as Neil, but werent' given the oppportunity, because folks like Neil agreed to the terms of the recording industry, hoarded the spotlight, and what could have been a true wealth of music and talent gets whittled down to a few 'stars.'

Yes I have very unpopular opinions. I am not a judge. My opinions do not qualify or unqualify anyones being before God-that is between them and God. However it is part of my nature to refine and develop my discernment of both truth and error. I follow Y'shuas word and example, not the confusing schizophrenia of the Old Testament. And Y'shua says and demonstrates that the idea of wealth is a fallen idea, one that was created by demonic intent for demonic purposes. Wealth is an abherrant concept.

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Comment #18 posted by FoM on March 10, 2006 at 10:45:33 PT
museman
I don't understand something. I know you aren't talking to me but money isn't the problem. Neil Young is wealthy and so is Michael Moore. It says in the bible that if a person is given a lot they must use their wealth properly. Being a good stewart of wealth is important but money isn't the problem unless it is misused.

For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required (KJV)

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Comment #17 posted by museman on March 10, 2006 at 09:54:31 PT
Sam
I replied to the wrong post- I wholeheartedly disagree, It does make a difference who is saying it. The motivations of money have never, ever, been in the best interests of anyone but the rich themselves.

Because they can 'turn on a dime' to embrace whatever seems to be popular or politically correct, how can anyone trust their motives.

As far as I am concerned this (as an example) is the worst kind of plagiarism I have ever seen. If you tihnk it 'doesn't matter who says it-as long as it gets said' then why didn't it get heard when the un-rich and the un-powerful were saying it? Just a bunch of good-looking thieves, socially 'acceptable' by virtue of their 'station' going about riding on the virtues of those whose intentions were never in question except by those same standards of corrupted society.

Money money money, show me different.

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Comment #16 posted by museman on March 10, 2006 at 09:40:54 PT
Sam
It might not be the 'key' for you, but I have to live here.

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Comment #15 posted by FoM on March 10, 2006 at 09:05:55 PT
OverwhelmSam
We just ordered the movie. When we get it I will let everyone know how it is.

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Comment #14 posted by FoM on March 09, 2006 at 21:12:56 PT
OverwhelmSam
I think I will order this even though it is a little more money then buying from Amazon. I have thought about it and then I didn't order it but this weekend I think I will.

http://www.waitingtoinhale.org/

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Comment #13 posted by OverwhelmSam on March 09, 2006 at 21:05:41 PT
FoM
I haven't seen that one. That's pretty good, makes me made at our government that they won't change the law. When will they learn that drug laws don't change anything. They buy prescription durgs over the internet, grow marijuana in a closet, and buy whatever they want on the street. I think prohibition has created more of a High Society than if they would have just treated serious drug addiction as a health issue.

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Comment #12 posted by FoM on March 09, 2006 at 20:47:05 PT
OverwhelmSam
I really wish we could purchase this movie thru Amazon.com. It would make it a little cheaper because if you buy at least $25 of products and let it take a little longer you don't have to pay shipping ot tax.

It would be a lot cheaper on Amazon.

Price: $24.95 + $10.00 domestic S&H.

California buyers add $2.18 for tax

http://www.jedriffefilms.com/waiting.htm

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Comment #11 posted by OverwhelmSam on March 09, 2006 at 19:03:38 PT
museman
The key is not who was saying it, but what was said, basically that at some point the people should become fed up and do something about it.

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Comment #10 posted by museman on March 09, 2006 at 18:48:42 PT
jose
Yes very sickening.

for two cents I'd LUV to start a www.grantspiss.com. As those of us who live in the same county, but different than GP we often resent the political power of GP, where little CJ, and Takilma, and Kerby, and O'brien, and Williams, and Selma get only the political and economic shaft.

Thanks for spreading Jerry's info. Jerry is a very good friend of mine. He does not deserve this infliction and oppression that is upon him. No one does. The fact that someone like that man could be imprisoned all the way across the country AT HIS OWN EXPENSE is just a shining example of the corruption rampant in our own government.

Perhaps the Truth will set him free a little sooner than the powers would like.

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Comment #9 posted by jose melendez on March 09, 2006 at 18:33:03 PT
cannabis was never legally prohibited
sickening

http://www.politicalcrossfire.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=48262

root balls

http://www.katu.com/news/story.asp?ID=64961

JOSEPHINE

http://www.ilovegrantspass.com/cgi-bin-old/printcomm.cgi?id=4049

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Comment #8 posted by museman on March 09, 2006 at 18:28:10 PT
Not me
"We need a professionally made grass roots film like this showing in different venues around the US to generate demand so that it can be released nationally in movie theaters across the country for the whole population to see. DVD sales alone would generate tens of millions."

Tens of millions, for whom? Answer honestly, make sure all the investor details are included.

You know... I watched the trailer. I will probably watch the movie too, however it just burns me how some of these politicians can sit there talking truths that some of us really paid for in terms of social/economic/political shunning by a lot of these same types of 'upper class citizens,' 'members of the club,' etc.

Now you may be right about Paul, and though in my entire life I've never seen a politician who could look me in the eye, I've seen a few brave souls who mistakenly believe that they can continue to prop up the dead and decaying corpse of a horse that is our government, and most importantly the system of economic weights and measures which support it. I suppose that's 'respectful' in a way, if it's the best you can do without taking the necessary steps to get the truth and act it out uncompromisingly.

The truths that were spoken in that trailer are some great hooks for us 'counter culture' types, because we've been talking about them for many years, maybe even centuries. However when was a politician ever beyond saying anything, quoting anyone, having someone else write his speeches, taking credit for it themselves.

One might say, oh well, at least they are saying what we want to hear. Maybe. The question is not what they are saying, but what are they doing? Making a movie for 'millions?'

Sorry but I gave up my slave collar years ago, got no respect for those who speak of freedom while agreeing to be bound, and forcibly bind others with the very terms and conditions which render them un-free in the first place. In my understanding that is hypocrisy.

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Comment #7 posted by mayan on March 09, 2006 at 18:26:06 PT
ABSOLUTE FAILURE
From the second article on the bulletin...

Marijuana production and the amount of cannabis available domestically are on the increase, according to the National Drug Intelligence Center's (NDIC) 2006 "National Drug Threat Assessment" report.

The report finds that marijuana production in Mexico, Canada and the US is rising, with domestic cannabis production increasing sharply in 2005 to its "highest recorded level."

Every person employed in the cannabis prohibition industry should resign or be fired immediately! They have failed miserably. How many billions of our dollars have they spent trying to eradicate this noble plant from the face of the earth? There is more cannabis than ever!

The mere fact that the prohibitionists would even attempt to make a versatile plant such as cannabis extinct speaks volumes about them.

THE WAY OUT IS THE WAY IN...

Mechanical Engineering Professor From Clemson Speaks Up About WTC 'Collapses': http://www.911blogger.com/2006/03/mechanical-engineering-professor-from.html

Hunger Strike for 911 Truth: http://www.911blogger.com/2006/03/hunger-strike-for-911-truth.html

Scholars for 9/11 Truth: http://www.scholarsfor911truth.org/

Unplug the War Machine By Facing the Disturbing Truth of 9/11: http://www.911sharethetruth.com/

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Comment #6 posted by OverwhelmSam on March 09, 2006 at 15:39:11 PT
Not A Bad Idea
We need a professionally made grass roots film like this showing in different venues around the US to generate demand so that it can be released nationally in movie theaters across the country for the whole population to see. DVD sales alone would generate tens of millions.

The pharmaceutical companies could play the part of the bad guy.

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Comment #5 posted by FoM on March 09, 2006 at 15:25:46 PT
OverwhelmSam
I really respect Ron Paul too. He is an exceptional human being. We need more like him.

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Comment #4 posted by OverwhelmSam on March 09, 2006 at 15:22:43 PT
FoM
I liked the way Ron Paul expressed his concerns. He must be the only Representative in Congress who understands what is happening, and is fighting the establishment from within. I have a huge amount of respect for this man.

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Comment #3 posted by FoM on March 09, 2006 at 15:16:44 PT
OverwhelmSam
After watching the trailer all I can say is it was very good.

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Comment #2 posted by museman on March 09, 2006 at 15:10:39 PT
more mounting evidence
What is astonishing is how the mountains of information available by credible (without economic or political agendas) research, when compared to the piles of dung that stink back to the 30's with the same old tired crap-for-facts mentality, are virtually ignored by the powers that be.

In my mind that makes the powers that be pretty damn ignorant. (among other expletives I'd like to mention)

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Comment #1 posted by OverwhelmSam on March 09, 2006 at 15:07:49 PT
Groups Against the Government Should Unite
If you have a few minutes, watch this trailer. I can see how these comments apply directly to the way the government treats marijuana consumers.

http://www.freedomtofascism.com/

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