cannabisnews.com: House Oversight Committee Calls Taylor Back House Oversight Committee Calls Taylor Back Posted by CN Staff on July 17, 2007 at 12:51:07 PT By Michael Roston Source: Raw Story Washington, DC -- Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) has asked Sara Taylor, the former top aide to Karl Rove in the White House, to return to Capitol Hill for a deposition next week. Taylor complied with a Congressional subpoena and appeared last week before the Senate Judiciary Committee to testify in the investigation of the firing of 8 US Attorneys. Now, Waxman is suggesting that Taylor might be implicated in politicizing government programs that Waxman has called 'historically nonpartisan.' Waxman, the Oversight Committee's chair, was particularly critical of the White House appearing to deploy the nation's 'drug control czar' and his staff in the Office of National Drug Control Policy to Republican Congressional campaign events."As the nation's drug czar, Director [John] Walters has the responsibility to oversee the federal government's domestic and international drug control efforts," he wrote in the Tuesday letter. "It is hard to understand how his ability to perform this essential function would be enhanced by extensive taxpayer-funded travel to 'god awful places' to appear with vulnerable Republican members."Waxman's reference to 'god awful places' pointed to an e-mail written by Douglas Simon, the White House's drug control liaison, who praised the ONDCP for helping out on Congressional campaigns.The California Democrat went on to suggest that the trips might not be completely in keeping with existing laws."In the case of ONDCP, in particular, the politicization described in the documents appears inconsistent with the agency's tradition of nonpartisanship," he argued. "In 1994, Congress passed legislation to insulate the drug czar and the agency's Senate-confirmed deputies from political pressures by prohibiting them from engaging in political activities even on their own time."In the letter, four Republican Congressmembers are identified as having received campaign-related visits from the ONDCP: Rep. Jim Gibbons of Nevada; Senator Jim Talent of Missouri; Jon Porter, also of Nevada; and, Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona. Talent was defeated in his 2006 re-election campaign. Gibbons now serves as Nevada Governor, and is reportedly under federal investigation for bribery accusations.The letter went on to suggest that the White House was attempting to use government machinery for purely political ends."Evidence is mounting that White House efforts to inject political considerations into official government business extend beyond the Department of Justice and the General Services Administration," Waxman wrote to Taylor. "Your memo to ONDCP details an extensive itinerary of pre-election travel, including 20 events with vulnerable Republican members. It appears that even historically nonpartisan federal agencies like ONDCP were expected to use federal resources to assist endangered Republican members."Waxman asked Taylor to voluntarily appear before the committee's staff for a July 24 deposition. He also suggested that additional topics might be raised in the deposition."You may also be asked questions at the deposition about other subjects being investigated by the Committee, including the use of RNC e-mail accounts by White House officials and White House political briefings to federal agency officials," he noted, adding that the committee was planning a July 30 hearing.Complete Title: House Oversight Committee Calls Ex-Rove Aide Taylor Back To The Hill Newshawk: KaptinemoSource: Raw Story (DC)Author: Michael RostonPublished: Tuesday July 17, 2007 Copyright: 2007 Raw StoryContact: editor rawstory.com Website: http://www.rawstory.com/CannabisNews ONDCP Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/ONDCP.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #44 posted by FoM on July 18, 2007 at 20:01:22 PT Dankhank Thank you for the links. Cannabis has been used for so many centuries that this is truly reefer madness. [ Post Comment ] Comment #43 posted by Dankhank on July 18, 2007 at 19:30:54 PT and this ... a page that loads a song, "Hemp, Hemp, Hooray," that has a lot of good information.fairly small bandwith, I think, vocal and some percussion.http://www.digitalhemp.com/multimed/mmedia/hraytd.htm [ Post Comment ] Comment #42 posted by Dankhank on July 18, 2007 at 19:23:21 PT washington and jefferson there is this, I've seen it and other stuff, occasionally; apparently some few epages of a diary or some letters ...http://www.populistamerica.com/liberty_whiskey_and_hemp [ Post Comment ] Comment #41 posted by FoM on July 18, 2007 at 17:51:09 PT Dankhank I guess we might never know. [ Post Comment ] Comment #40 posted by Dankhank on July 18, 2007 at 17:24:04 PT smokin' I have read that JFK likely used it for his back.We know that he had constant back pain.but ... have we forgotten our founding fathers?They grew it, surely they must have tasted ... [ Post Comment ] Comment #39 posted by FoM on July 18, 2007 at 17:17:24 PT Dankhank Did JFK smoke marijuana? I know members of his family did. Jackie didn't care about marijuana issues. I think she sent John to a Deadhead Camp one summer. [ Post Comment ] Comment #38 posted by Dankhank on July 18, 2007 at 17:04:08 PT pot smokin' pres ... think we may have had one already ...'JFK is the suspect ...wouldn't surprise me ... [ Post Comment ] Comment #37 posted by FoM on July 18, 2007 at 14:28:57 PT whig I don't know. Maybe I haven't. I've had a few different cinnamon essential oils but it's been a few years now and I don't remember the names. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinnamon#Cinnamon_and_cassia [ Post Comment ] Comment #36 posted by whig on July 18, 2007 at 13:55:26 PT FoM Sorry to keep saying this, but the government isn't labeling cinnamon correctly. You've probably never seen cinnamon. [ Post Comment ] Comment #35 posted by FoM on July 18, 2007 at 11:33:09 PT whig Yes, cinammon sticks. I have used peppermint essential oil, lemon essential oil and cinnamon in coffee or tea. Ginger is good for nausea too. I love essential oils. Essential oils are what I have in my medicine chest. They are very therapeutic for us. Tea Tree oil is what we use for cuts and scrapes. We use Lavendar as an antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral oil. That one is used by inhalation though and sometimes topical for a burn or a tension headache. [ Post Comment ] Comment #34 posted by whig on July 18, 2007 at 11:20:13 PT FoM You don't need to get essential oils, you can just stir a little cassia in your coffee. Just get a little bit of what is called cinnamon and you can even get just the sticks and use them to stir your coffee with for a little flavor. [ Post Comment ] Comment #33 posted by FoM on July 18, 2007 at 11:09:40 PT whig I need to make a correction. I don't think Cassia is the same essential oil I used in coffee. Some essential oils are best not to be consumed and I'm not sure about Cassia. I don't want anyone to get hurt by any of these powerful essential oils. Research will help and bottles are labeled if they are not for human consumption. There I feel better. [ Post Comment ] Comment #32 posted by whig on July 18, 2007 at 10:46:02 PT No, Coriander Cilantro is the same plant as Coriander.C, C, C, C.... Something significant about that? [ Post Comment ] Comment #31 posted by whig on July 18, 2007 at 10:44:57 PT paulpeterson Curcumin is not the same thing as Cilantro. You are thinking of Cardamom.Lots of herbs start with C, eh? [ Post Comment ] Comment #30 posted by FoM on July 18, 2007 at 10:21:13 PT Whig I've used Cassia oil in my coffee. It is a wonderful essential oil. I might try to buy more now that you reminded me how good it was. It is very aromatic too.http://www.essentialoils.co.za/essential-oils/cassia.htm [ Post Comment ] Comment #29 posted by paulpeterson on July 18, 2007 at 10:14:01 PT whig-fascinating research about another THC-thanks This Curcumin based "THC" complex is fascinating. How closely related are the pharmacopia building blocks with our more familiar and more controversial THC, which Johnny Pee loves to hate, eh? It appears both are EFA based, ie: is Curcumin (also the source of Celantro?) somehow related to the mulberry family? Or are these compounds independently evolved, eh? Good work, brother. PAUL PETERSON, Northwest Iowa endocannabinoid researcher [ Post Comment ] Comment #28 posted by kaptinemo on July 18, 2007 at 04:36:40 PT: Persistance pays off We've been yelling about violations of the Hatch Act for years; Congress has now finally, finally, after all those years, begun to listen. This affects far more people than just drug law reformers; the danger to all democratic institutions by this practice of government interference for partisan (and self-servingly bureaucratic!) purposes has been evident for over 7 years. It's taken Congress this long to get the message. Let's hope that they'll do more than lend a politically cheap sympathetic ear (and nothing else, as they've done for years!) and take this mad bull by the horns and 'put it down'.The ASA Data Quality Act...Studies showing that medicinal cannabis is superior to the Gub'mint's much-touted Marinol...and now this. A perfect storm may be brewing in War-shington this summer regarding drug law reform. Let's hope the drug law reform 'leadership' sees these for the opportunities they are... [ Post Comment ] Comment #27 posted by whig on July 18, 2007 at 00:00:14 PT Interesting Turmeric can be smoked, and does seem to be a decongestant in that role. [ Post Comment ] Comment #26 posted by whig on July 17, 2007 at 23:37:39 PT About cassia In the US, cassia is sold as cinnamon. I don't think I've ever tried cinnamon and probably few in the US ever have. [ Post Comment ] Comment #25 posted by whig on July 17, 2007 at 23:24:34 PT Five trees in Paradise Isn't that right? [ Post Comment ] Comment #24 posted by whig on July 17, 2007 at 23:19:14 PT FoM Sorry for the semi-OT, but I think this is important. Curcumin seems like it might be a sister plant in some way. [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by whig on July 17, 2007 at 23:18:25 PT Tetrahydrocurcumin http://www.tetrahydrocurcuminoids.com/effects.htmlThese results indicate that the addition of curcuminoids resulted in the significant neutralization of free radicals in a dose-dependent manner, Tetrahydrocurcumin being the most effective, followed by curcumin and Bisdemethoxycurcumin.One study evaluated the comparative antioxidant activity of curcuminoids and tetrahydrocurcumin in vitro using linoleic acid as the substrate in an ethanol/ water system as well as using rabbit erythrocyte membrane and rat liver. It was found that Tetrahydrocurcumin had the strongest antioxidant activity among all curcuminoids in each assay system (Figures 5-8). The authors concluded that these results suggest that Tetrahydrocurcumin must play an important role in the antioxidant mechanism of Curcumin in vivo [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by whig on July 17, 2007 at 23:06:36 PT Turmeric http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turmeric#MedicineIn the Ayurvedic medicine, turmeric is thought to have many medicinal properties and many in India use it as a readily available antiseptic for cuts and burns. Whenever there is a cut or a bruise, the home remedy is to reach for turmeric powder. Ayurvedic doctors say it has fluoride which is essential for teeth. It is also used as an antibacterial agent.It is taken in some Asian countries as a dietary supplement, which allegedly helps with stomach problems and other ailments. It is popular as a tea in Okinawa, Japan. It is currently being investigated for possible benefits in Alzheimer's disease, cancer and liver disorders.Turmeric, under the name Avea, is becoming popular to treat depression.It is only in recent years that Western scientists have increasingly recognised the medicinal properties of turmeric. According to a 2005 article in the Wall Street Journal titled, "Common Indian Spice Stirs Hope," research activity into curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, is exploding. Two hundred and fifty-six curcumin papers were published in the past year according to a search of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Supplement sales have increased 35% from 2004, and the U.S. National Institutes of Health has four clinical trials underway to study curcumin treatment for pancreatic cancer, multiple myeloma, Alzheimer's, and colorectal cancer.A 2004 UCLA-Veterans Affairs study involving genetically altered mice suggests that curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, might inhibit the accumulation of destructive beta amyloids in the brains of Alzheimer's disease patients and also break up existing plaques. "Curcumin has been used for thousands of years as a safe anti-inflammatory in a variety of ailments as part of Indian traditional medicine," Gregory Cole, Professor of medicine and neurology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA said.Another 2004 study conducted at Yale University involved oral administration of curcumin to mice homozygous for the most common allele implicated in cystic fibrosis. Treatment with curcumin restored physiologically-relevant levels of protein function.Anti-tumoral effects against melanoma cells have been demonstrated.Curry Pharmaceuticals, based in North Carolina, is studying the use of a curcumin cream for psoriasis treatment. Another company is already selling a cream based on curcumin called "Psoria-Gold," which shows anecdotal promise of treating the disease.A recent study involving mice has shown that turmeric slows the spread of breast cancer into lungs and other body parts. Turmeric also enhances the effect of taxol in reducing metastasis of breast cancer.Curcumin is thought to be a powerful antinociceptive (pain-relieving) agent. In the November 2006 issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism, a study was published that showed the effectiveness of turmeric in the reduction of joint inflammation, and recommended clinical trials as a possible treatment for the alleviation of arthritis symptoms. It is thought to work as a natural inhibitor of the cox-2 enzyme, and has been shown effective in animal models for neuropathic pain secondary to diabetes, among others. [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by whig on July 17, 2007 at 23:02:27 PT Tasty beverage 1 tsp turmeric powder1/2 tsp cassia powder1 tsp raw honey8 oz cool waterStir and enjoy. [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by whig on July 17, 2007 at 23:01:10 PT What if... we someday have a president that smokes pot... [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by whig on July 17, 2007 at 22:56:59 PT Who is president? In a democracy the people are in charge, the president is their representative. So whoever is elected what we should want to know is that they will not fight the people. [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by whig on July 17, 2007 at 21:57:20 PT Hillary Clinton I am glad she has stated she will not continue the raids on states that have ended cannabis prohibition.While many have good reason not to trust a politician, she has made her public declaration and unless they shut down the blogs we will remind and remind and remind her if she goes back on this, and I will as quickly move to opposition if she demonstrates bad faith.With that having been said, I now move into a position of non-opposition. Any candidate who is not threatening to arrest me, my doctors and providers, is not an adversary.It will be up to each state to establish medical marijuana, there will not be a federal solution which would be acceptable in California and Kansas right now, except to stay out of the way and let us make our own laws.Of course there is still the constitutional issue, the spiritual/religious issue, and many other approaches that people should continue to take and I will continue to support. Medicine is obviously only one part. [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by FoM on July 17, 2007 at 18:07:42 PT mayan I say lets say a little prayer that nothing bad happens. I do pray for peace. [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by mayan on July 17, 2007 at 18:05:57 PT FoM We'll be lucky to make it to the next election without another false flag terror attack in which the democrats will likely be complicit in again. I don't know what to say. [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by FoM on July 17, 2007 at 17:58:39 PT Clinton I am not a Clinton fan. I didn't vote for him and I will only vote for her if she gets the nomination. I am glad for what she said about Medical Marijuana though. The Clintons are want to be Republicans. I never thought of them as what I thought was a Democrat. I don't want any right wing party for quite a few years. The reason for that decision is the last 6 long and horrible years. It doesn't matter to me who people vote for but I know how I will vote and I think we can win this time.PS: I am a registered Independent. So far I haven't registered as a Democrat but I will probably to vote in the primary this time. It's too important to me. [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by observer on July 17, 2007 at 17:33:14 PT coequal partners for jail? Marijuana Arrests Under Clinton http://www.injusticeline.com/mjarrest.gif I'm not sure I like how either party handles marijuana smokers. Pot arrests under Hillary's Democratic husband's administration skyrocketed. During his first campaign, Bill Clinton routinely invoked his wife, joking that voters would get “two for one” if they elected him. Hillary Rodham Clinton, the candidate signaled, would be a coequal partner. (Atlantic Monthly, May 2007) I dunno. It didn't seem like that coequal partner did too much for cannabis users. [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by mayan on July 17, 2007 at 17:25:54 PT Ron Vs. Hillary Who voted to support the war? The Patriot Act? Enough said. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by mayan on July 17, 2007 at 17:23:56 PT Hillary Clinton? Gag me with a f*cking plunger!!! If anyone believes a single word she says then I have some ocean-front property in Kansas to sell you. She is the establishment pick. The same forces that brought us two consecutive stolen presidential elections,Iraq,Afghanistan,9/11,etc.,etc.,etc. are behind her. Will Americans once again be so easily manipulated into choosing the lesser evil which is being rammed down our throats? Isn't it high time that WE decide???I am supporting the republican candidate that the republican party itself wishes would just go away. To hell with tweedle-dee and tweedle-dum! This country can stand no more evil.Just my two cents. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by FoM on July 17, 2007 at 16:53:51 PT Jmoran When you elect a republican or a democrat you get the other people in the party. What I mean is you get the ideology of the party and the RP is really into war.( Military and Prisons ) The DP is more into social issues. The Republicans are law and order.The Democrats are more open to changing their viewpoint on issues and that is more social. They aren't as judgemental I mean. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by Jmoran on July 17, 2007 at 16:36:49 PT: FoM Yes you are right and that makes it so scary. What's worse about the Republicans is that they have made it so bad for us that even when there seems to be an okay one like Ron Paul. You can forget about him because he is Republican. I have always said that it doesn’t matter the Party (I am not a Republican) if He/She is good for the country and its people then that’s the one to Vote for. The Republicans have beaten us so hard now that I can't believe any of them. Even if the guy is all that and a bag of chips it is too bad because I will not vote for a Republican because of this crap. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by FoM on July 17, 2007 at 16:30:41 PT Press Release from MPP U.S. Congress Investigates Drug Czar's Illegal Trips to Nevada in 2006 to Oppose Question 7Internal White House Memo Refers to Reno and Las Vegas as "God Awful Places"July 17, 2007WASHINGTON, D.C. — In recently released White House memos, federal officials detail the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy’s use of taxpayer funds to influence the outcome of the 2006 elections, including races in Nevada. As a result, the House Committee on Oversight and Government reform has begun an investigation of "efforts to politicize the activities of federal agencies," including ONDCP.Complete Press Release: http://www.mpp.org/site/apps/nl/content2.asp?c=glKZLeMQIsG&b=1157875&ct=4134097 [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by FoM on July 17, 2007 at 15:58:57 PT jmoran Until the Republicans are out of power it won't be pretty. They have nothing to lose now. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by jmoran on July 17, 2007 at 15:03:40 PT: Very Scary about comment #1 link story "Karl also launched into a feisty discussion about the plans for the final two years of this administration. ln no uncertain terms, he said he is not going to let the last quarter of this presidency be dictated to by the Capitol Hill. There are a number of things this administration and more specifically ONDCP have to accomplish before the time is up. lt is time to regroup and move forward."The above quote is a very scary from that email from Doug Simon. Someone said at the end of Wars is when the worst atrocities happen. Well it is clear they intend to do that. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on July 17, 2007 at 13:53:09 PT observer I don't think Bill Clinton promised us anything. Maybe I forgot but he never did anything until he left office and said marijuana should be decriminalized. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by observer on July 17, 2007 at 13:48:44 PT Hillary Clinton Sen. Clinton responded firmly, "Yes, I will."Didn't her husband President Bill Clinton promise us the same thing... only to arrest all the more people who use cannabis? On the other hand, any tepid, tiny movement away from absolute prohibition is welcome, even if it is only rhetorical. Hillary Clinton: Drug Policy Reformer? 07/05/2007 - 5:17pm http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle_blog/2007/jul/05/hillary_clinton_drug_policy_refo http://tinyurl.com/2s7zcn [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on July 17, 2007 at 13:29:36 PT Press Release from MPP I guess if Clinton becomes our next president it might be as bad as I thought. Thank you Senator Clinton.***Clinton Pledges to End Medical Marijuana Raids; McCain Flip–Flops***U.S.'s Second Largest Cancer Charity Calls for Legal Medical Marijuana Access as Candidates Weigh SupportJuly 17, 2007MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE -- Two prominent presidential contenders have moved in opposite directions on the issue of federal attacks on medical marijuana patients, as America's second largest cancer charity, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, came out strongly for protection of medical marijuana patients. Democratic frontrunner Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) called for an end to federal raids in states where medical use of marijuana is legal, while Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) backtracked on an earlier promise to end the raids.During a Manchester campaign on July 13, Len Epstein, a volunteer for Granite Staters for Medical Marijuana (GSMM), told Sen. Clinton, "Twelve states allow medical marijuana, but the Bush administration continues to raid patients," to which she responded, "Yes, I know. It's terrible." Epstein then asked, "Would you stop the federal raids?" Sen. Clinton responded firmly, "Yes, I will."Complete Press Release: http://www.mpp.org/site/apps/nl/content2.asp?c=glKZLeMQIsG&b=1157875&ct=4133635 [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on July 17, 2007 at 13:23:12 PT Paul That made me laugh! [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by paulpeterson on July 17, 2007 at 13:15:22 PT Sara Taylor is a good ol Repugnant from Iowa I am so glad to see a staunch Repugnant from Iowa get grilled good on the stand-that makes for good ol Iowa press about the full court press on our own girl. Otherwise no Iowa press likes to stick out there on drug control issues if it is not ironclad anti-drug in focus.To see her grilled until toastybrown on both sides, um, um good. PAUL PETERSON, from behind enemy lines [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on July 17, 2007 at 12:57:55 PT Related Article from Mother Jones Waxman: White House Politicization "More Widespread Than Previously Known"http://www.motherjones.com/mojoblog/archives/2007/07/4910_waxman_white_ho.html [ Post Comment ] Post Comment