cannabisnews.com: Transcripts: The War on Drugs Transcripts: The War on Drugs Posted by FoM on May 10, 2001 at 08:41:16 PT Transcripts by eMediaMillWorks Source: Washington Post Following is the transcript of President Bush's statement on the nomination of John P. Walters to be head of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. BUSH: Thank you, please be seated. Thank you all so very much for being here. It's an honor to see so many members of the United States Congress who are here. Thank you so very much for coming, and members from both political parties, members who are dedicated to joining with an administration which is dedicated to reducing drug abuse around America. Thank you for being here. (APPLAUSE) I'm pleased that members of my Cabinet have joined us--the attorney general of the United States, John Ashcroft, the secretary of health and human services, Tommy Thompson. Thank you all for being here. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Surgeon General, thank you for being here as well, sir. We're honored to have you here. (APPLAUSE) Also with us is John J. DiIulio, who is the director of the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. John is on the leading edge of encouraging faith-based programs to become energized to help people who need help. And John, thank you so much for being here as well. (APPLAUSE) I'm honored to be joined on stage by five Americans--well, six Americans--five Americans who won't speak... (LAUGHTER) ... which is saying something for the first American I'm going to introduce, William J. Bennett... (LAUGHTER) BENNETT: Thank you, sir. Just a couple of words. BUSH: Always a pleasure. He was our nation's first drug czar, former secretary of education--a fearless, fearless fighter against drug abuse--as well as Joe Califano, from the Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University; former secretary of health, education and welfare under President Jimmy Carter. As well, like Mr. Bennett, a fearless advocate for those of us who are dedicated to reducing drug abuse. Thank you both for being here. (APPLAUSE) And we have three members from the community, anti-drug communities who have joined us. Arthur R. Dean is the chairman and CEO of the Community Anti-drug Coalitions of America. Thank you so much for coming. Appreciate you being here. (APPLAUSE) Jessica Halsey (ph) is a member of the Drug-Free Communities Advisory Commission. Thank you, Jessica. (APPLAUSE) And Henry Lozano, Californians For Drug-Free Youth, member of the DFCAC, a graduate from Teen Challenge. (APPLAUSE) I'm pleased to announce that, as of today, the federal government is waging an all-out effort to reduce illegal drug use in America. (APPLAUSE) And I'm proud to nominate John P. Walters as my director of national drug control policy, where he will serve as a valuable member of my Cabinet. (APPLAUSE) Mr. Walters has had a distinguished career in government. He served as the chief of staff to Bill Bennett and later served as deputy director and acting director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. John will bring tremendous skill, knowledge and good judgment to this job. He's an articulate advocate, an able administrator and a man of deep and reasoned convictions. He as repeatedly been called upon to provide guidance to the United States Congress. John cares passionately about this issue and he is the right person to lead America's anti-drug efforts. Our effort rests on the firm belief that by focusing more of our nation's attention, energy and resources, real progress will be made. From the early 1980s until the early 1990s, drug use amongst high school seniors was reduced every year. We had made tremendous strides in cutting drug use. This cannot be said today. We must do and we will do a better job. (APPLAUSE) Fortunately, today we know about what works in prevention and education, treatment and law enforcement. We will put this knowledge to use, but above all, our efforts rest on an unwavering commitment to stop drug use. Acceptance of drug use is simply not an option for this administration. Illegal drugs impose a staggering cost of more than $100 billion every year, principally from lost productivity. Yet, this dollar figure does not capture the human tragedy of drug use--lost lives, educational and job opportunities unmet, families torn apart, health care costs, school drop-out rates and more. Drug use harms people of every economic class, but drug use is doing the most damage to the poor. John Jacob, former president of the National Urban League, has said that drugs are destroying more children and more families than poverty ever did. John Walters and I believe the only humane and compassionate response to drug use is a moral refusal to accept it. We emphatically disagree with those who favor drug legalization. (APPLAUSE) Drug legalization would be a social catastrophe. Drug use and addiction would soar; hospitals would be filled with many more drug emergency cases; child abuse would increase; the cost of treatment and social welfare would rise; there would be more drug-related accidents at work and on the road; and legalizing drugs would completely undermine the message that drug use is wrong. A successful anti-drug effort depends on a thoughtful and integrated approach. Mr. Walters understands this as well as anybody in America. During his career, he's work to improve the effectiveness of drug education and prevention programs. He played a key role in sharing a record commitment of resources to drug treatment and research in previous administrations. He help assure that the federal government did its part in the source countries on our borders and on our streets. My administration will continue to work with nations to eradicate drugs at their source and enforce our borders to stop the flow of drugs into America. This will make working in close cooperation with Mexico a priority. It'll make having strong relations in hemisphere a priority, a priority which I will keep. (APPLAUSE) However, the most effective way to reduce the supply of drugs in America is to reduce the demand for drugs in America. (APPLAUSE) Therefore, this administration will focus unprecedented attention on the demand side of this problem. We recognize that the most important work to reduce drug use is done in America's living rooms and classrooms, in churches and synagogues and mosques, in the workplace and in our neighborhoods. (APPLAUSE) Families, schools, communities and faith-based organizations shape the character of young people. They teach children right from wrong, respect for law, respect for others and respect for themselves. They're indispensable, and my administration stands ready to assist them in every possible way. Joe Califano is the president of the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse and a man whose research has helped shape my thinking. Joe has said that teens of parents who eat, talk, play and pray together are not likely to be lured into the world of drugs. The child who reaches age 21 without using illegal drugs is virtually certain never to do so, and children cite parents as their under one reason they don't use drugs. And so we'll energize the parents movement by creating a parent drug corps which will provide needed support to educate and train parents in effective drug prevention. (APPLAUSE) We must increase funding for the drug-free communities program and for the drug-free workplace program. (APPLAUSE) And within 30 days, Professor John DiIulio will compile a complete inventory of existing federal anti-drug partnerships with local faith-based and community groups and work with John Walters to strengthen those efforts. Despite every effort, however, some individuals will become addicted to drugs. There are around 5 million hard-core users of illegal drugs in America today, and while they represent one-third of the drug users, they consume two-thirds of all drugs. It is estimated that more than half of them are not receiving any treatment. I'm therefore asking Secretary Tommy Thompson to conduct a state-by-state inventory of treatment needs and capacity and report back within 120 days on how to most effectively close the treatment gap in this country. (APPLAUSE) In order to close that treatment gap, we'll provide $1.6 billion over the next five years. We want to advance our understanding of drug abuse and addiction, so we're planning to significantly increase funding for the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. We also recognize the benefits of coerced abstinence, and so we will support drug courts and drug testing for prisoners, probationers and parolees. (APPLAUSE) We know that inmates receiving drug treatment are 73 percent less likely to be re-arrested and 44 percent less likely to use drugs than those who receive no treatment at all. I'm therefore asking the attorney general, John Ashcroft, to come up with a comprehensive plan within 120 days to ensure our federal prisons are drug-free, to expand drug testing for probationers and parolees, and to strengthen our system of drug courts around the nation. (APPLAUSE) We must reduce drug use for one great moral reason, over time drugs rob men, women and children of their dignity and of their character. Illegal drugs are the enemies of innocence and ambition and hope. They undermine people's commitment to their family and to their fellow citizens. My administration will send a clear and consistent message that drug use is dangerous and drug use is wrong. (APPLAUSE) John Walters will lead that effort with firm resolve and a caring heart. He will do an exceptional job. I am proud to submit his name to the United States Senate and I look forward to working with members of the House and the Senate from both political parties to reduce drug use in America. (APPLAUSE) I'm honored to welcome so many people who devote their lives to the well-being of others to the Rose Garden here in the White House. I want to thank you for your work and ask God's blessings on your work in this great nation of ours. And it's my honor to welcome John Walters. WALTERS: Thank you, Mr. President, for honoring me with this nomination. I look forward to the confirmation process in the Senate and the opportunity to work with Congress again in reducing the problem of illegal drug use. As the president has mentioned, our country has made great progress in the past in reducing drug use, and we will do it again. We will especially protect our children from drug use. We will help the addicted find effective treatment and remain in recovery. We will shield our communities from the terrible human toll taken by illegal drugs. And we'll stop illegal drug use and the drug trade from funding threats to democratic institutions throughout our hemisphere. Most of all, Mr. President, as you have stated so clearly, and it's symbolized by those with us here today who represent millions of Americans working effectively every day to reduce drug use, addiction and crime, our efforts rest on the knowledge that when we push back, the drug problem gets smaller. This fact is beyond question today, even if it is not always beyond denial. Mr. President, thank you for nominating me to be director of the office of national drug control policy at this important time. If the Senate permits, it would be my privilege to support the outstanding individuals represented here who work every day to combat the drug problem throughout our nation. Thank you. (APPLAUSE) BUSH: Good job, John. Thank you all for coming. WALTERS: Thank you, sir. (APPLAUSE) BUSH: Thank you. Speakers: George W. Bush, President of the United States John P. Walters, nominated to be Director of Office of National Drug Control Policy Source: Washington Post (DC) Published: Thursday, May 10, 2001Copyright: 2001 The Washington Post Company Contact: letterstoed washpost.comWebsite: http://www.washingtonpost.comRelated Articles:Bush Names Drug Policy Directorhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9658.shtmlBush To Name Walters as Drug Czarhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9654.shtmlThe Walters Nominationhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9640.shtmlThe Delusional Drug War http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9589.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #35 posted by nl5x on May 10, 2001 at 23:56:58 PT nomination of John P. Walters video White House President Bush announces the nomination of John P. Walters to be Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the position popularly know as Drug Czar. Watch from earlier http://www.cspan.org/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #34 posted by MDG on May 10, 2001 at 22:39:13 PT: Move to THIS state: Indicana! and watch The Indicanapolis 420!So simple! Mike... [ Post Comment ] Comment #33 posted by davanita on May 10, 2001 at 19:51:07 PT: the war on drugs what is really going on today? Not only do I believe that "the war on drugs" is BS it is also against free will but it seems as if most Americans have forgotten what freedom really is. Everything comes handed down from our great "roman-like" government...our education,social security (LOL), our right to free speech and control over our bodies. The "war on drugs" isn't the only issue where our freedom is compromised, what about abortion? Family values are trying to shoved down my throat in a governmental pill; I won't swallow it, will you?Sirs and Madams,we have put ourselves in this situation where we put all of ourselves into this "government". It reminds me of what my mom once said about new boyfriends"why would you want to throw yourself into someone so intensely when you barely know them?" Why are we throwing ourselves into a government so blindly? Are we as Americans so intent on being the best we are losing what our ancestors fought for. Are we too wrapped up in being in love with our country to respect ourselves? We're just throwing away the foundation of this REPUBLIC (not democracy). Truth,justice, honor...we say fu*ck that when we elect and continue to elect peon after peon who doesn't have our views. use your voice VOTE.(voting is just one responsibility)I am a pothead..do I seem dumb to you?More importantly, I am an American who sees all of our freedoms being taken away...does my generation (I'm 20) want to bring children into a world like ours...hell no.respond to me at davanita marijuana.com [ Post Comment ] Comment #32 posted by Dan B on May 10, 2001 at 19:22:16 PT: According to NIDA: Here are some links to statistics straight from NIDA. Notice the trends for inhalants and heroin in particular when you look at the first link (both have increased steadily since 1975). Note, too, that these are not really use rates, but rates of self-reporting illegal drug use. Again, notice that from 1984 to 1985, overall drug use rates went up. Finally, notice that the use of “Any Illicit Drug” is exactly parallel with use of marijuana/hashish. When cannabis is accounted for, self-reported drug use rates have, with the exception of cocaine (now in the rise once more), remained extremely steady over the past 26 years. Teen Drug Use Trends from 1975-1997http://www.nida.nih.gov/NIDA_Notes/NNVol14N1/Teentrends.htmlFor this next link, pay particular attention to “Monitoring the Future’s” marking trends of “disapproval of marijuana users.” They want to know how well they are spreading their message of hatred toward drug users.Teenage Drug Use Trends since 1995http://www.nida.nih.gov/Infofax/HSYouthtrends.htmlThe next link shows statistics related to drug use during pregnancy. Some interesting facts are revealed by examining these statistics, as well. First, only half of all female drug users are between the ages of 15 and 44. The majority of the remainder are not younger than 15, but older (remember, the average age of an illegal drug overdose victim is 40). What this means is that tracking drug use among children is not an accurate way to study overall drug use trends. After all, when are most people who were not exposed to illegal drugs in high school exposed to illegal drugs? College, that’s where.Second, notice that the number of babies born to mothers who used illegal drugs during pregnancy is greater than the total number of women who used drugs during pregnancy. This is not a typo: more babies than mothers. What this means is that virtually all of the mothers who used illegal drugs during pregnancy were able to carry their babies to term, even if they were carrying multiple babies! Given the recent public admission that so-called “crack babies” are no worse off than babies born to mothers who had never used crack, and given the study in Brazil that found mothers who used cannabis during pregnancy bore healthier babies than mothers who did not use cannabis, does the fact that these mothers used illegal drugs during pregnancy sound like a disturbing trend to you? The one disturbing trend in all of this is the large number of women who used alcohol and nicotine during pregnancy, as these drugs actually have been shown to harm the fetus.Pregnancy and Drug Abuse Trendshttp://www.nida.nih.gov/Infofax/pregnancytrends.htmlThese next two links are quite interesting. First, notice in the first link that “societal costs” of drug use increased every year between 1975 and 1992, and they continue to increase each year as the war on some drugs becomes more draconian. Second, notice the direct admission that “heavy drug use was higher in 1992 than in 1985.” Finally, notice that the bulk of perceived costs to society from “drug abuse” are really the costs to society of continued attempts to incarcerate our way out of drug use in this country. Deaths from overdose, incarceration, forced treatment, illness associated with drug use—all of these are exacerbated by the current war on some drugs policies.Costs to society since 1975http://www.nida.nih.gov/NIDA_Notes/NNVol13N4/Abusecosts.html“Costs to Society” of Illegal Drugs http://www.nida.nih.gov/Infofax/costs.htmlThe next link shows that hospital visits related to illegal drug use have increased every year since 1990 (and likely every year before that during which the drug war has been in full swing). An interesting statistic, given self-reports that drug use supposedly decreased since 1992. Could it be that self-reports of using illegal substances are not accurate representations of real drug use trends? More to the point, if drug use has decreased while incarceration, hospital visits, and overdoses have increased, doesn’t this sound like the war on drugs is having a more detrimental effect on society than the drugs themselves?Hospital Visits and Deaths:http://www.nida.nih.gov/Infofax/hospital.htmlI hope these statistics and accompanying commentary have been useful, and I hope everyone here will feel comfortable using these statistics (the government's own) and arguments when writing letters to editors of major newspapers, congresscritters, and other unsavory types. For more information on the effects of drugs vs. the effects of the drug war, visit the following links:http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=10810http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=22634http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=22579http://amarillonet.com/stories/050601/opi_sagan.shtmlhttp://www.nationalreview.com/murdock/murdock030201.shtmlhttp://www.fff.org/drugwar/0697d.htmhttp://www.fff.org/drugwar/1196a.htm [ Post Comment ] Comment #31 posted by kaptinemo on May 10, 2001 at 18:29:53 PT: Don't worry, FoM Some of us are using different Operating Systems. 4D has a Mac. Right now, I'm using Linux, and the Konqueror browser packaged with it acts just like a Macs' and makes everything shift to the left...like this. Nothing to lose sleep over. [ Post Comment ] Comment #30 posted by Commodore Sloat on May 10, 2001 at 17:22:47 PT Blatant Lie "From the early 1980s until the early 1990s, drug use amongst high school seniors was reduced every year."I don't have the NIDA/DAWN stats in front of me, but this has got to be BS -- the crack cocaine explosion was 1985-6. Anyone have the info handy? This can't be true. I know it's a ridiculous attempt to make the Reagan/Bush (Sr.) drug war look effective, in contrast to the Clinton drug war, but they were always the same war (and in fact the Clinton admin imprisoned more drug users/dealers than Reagan and Bush combined, as I understand it). Again, I don't have this info in front of me but I'm pretty sure it's accurate.... Guess it's time to do some homework. [ Post Comment ] Comment #29 posted by Jeaneous on May 10, 2001 at 16:56:38 PT: figures... nl5x I had the same thought. Son continuing his Father's dream of the "New World Order". I just hope to God that our representatives actually listen to their constituents and do not approve him... yeah right.This is certainly not adding up too well.... Supreme Court places Bush into office, he then got Ashcroft and then the Faith Based Organization in a White House Office. Then the Supreme's come out with their ruling that citizens can be run in for misdameaners. Now we have Asa Hutchinson appointed to DEA and this Walters to ONDCP.Now this press conference. I'm ill. I see that as a medicinal patient, I will be persecuted. I probably will end up getting arrested for my medicine again. Today on the local news they were talking of metering electricity and penalizing overusers. HMM.... think they might catch a few growers that way?? Is this paranoina? I think we are being taken over quietly.I hope all of you are right and that this will not be so bad. But get ready guys, cause I'm gonna need lot's of encouragement. I see the points you raise and they do make sense, but since when have they ever used any sense?As for a Hemptown....well... Land of the Free really ought to cover that. [ Post Comment ] Comment #28 posted by FoM on May 10, 2001 at 16:27:47 PT Thanks dddd Thanks dddd,You clown you! LOL! Oh my I need to laugh today. I'm serious too. Freedom is really in our hearts so I guess we still are free. Our Friends [ Post Comment ] Comment #27 posted by dddd on May 10, 2001 at 15:51:33 PT code? No FoM.....That'sjustmehitting thereturnkeyalot.LoL....................................................................................................................................................dddd [ Post Comment ] Comment #26 posted by nl5x on May 10, 2001 at 15:15:10 PT welcome to hell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! mommy, what does the new world order mean? [ Post Comment ] Comment #25 posted by FoM on May 10, 2001 at 14:28:38 PT dddd I have a small question. I have been noticing comments that hang to the left part of the page on some peoples comments. Is it something that I should email Matt about or are people putting in a code? Thanks just want to know. [ Post Comment ] Comment #24 posted by dddd on May 10, 2001 at 14:21:17 PT Thanx Kap I was born and spent the first 20 years of my life inthe heartlands of Cascadia......I was up there visiting my Dad in February,and everyoneup there is blaming California for this fake power crisis.Thelong and the short of it is that after the shady deregulationdeal,most of Californias power plants were bought up byhuge energy companies from TEXAS!,,,and what do ya know,a month after bush bought the whorehouse,we have a powershortage,and power rates mysteriosly double?California ranksfourth in the nation in energy use efficiency per capita.California is getting BURNED bigtime,and alot of smug peoplein other states think it's because we are bogarts,which isactually true to an extent,,but just wait until the rest of thecountry starts to get f#*ked by the shrub,and the Texas corporatecowboys.The shrub,and his boss cheney will not be too popularwhen gas hits 3 bucks a gallon..........oops,,,sorry to ramble offinto politics.........................dddd. [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by observer on May 10, 2001 at 14:11:33 PT Sasquatch > does Sasquatch self-medicate?I'm not sure about Sasquatch, but I have heard rumours about Skunk Ape !http://www.google.com/search?q=sasquatch+skunk+ape [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by Ethan Russo, MD on May 10, 2001 at 13:22:55 PT: Cascadia Now, Cascadia Tomorrow, Cascadia Forever A brilliantly satirical site, Kap. What is not stated is Cascadia's drug policy? Additionally, does Sasquatch self-medicate? [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by kaptinemo on May 10, 2001 at 12:43:40 PT: Sorry, guys, someone has beat you to it... Remember ECOTOPIA? Then you might like to learn about the fictitious (for now) Republic of Cascadia.Have a look:http://www.zapatopi.net/cascadia.htmlI know, it doesn't have a snowball's chance...but it's a nice dream, aint it? [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by Rambler on May 10, 2001 at 12:25:07 PT nice I'm glad I brightened things up a bit.I almost didnt post that silly comment because I thought everyone would think I was an idiot. [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by meow on May 10, 2001 at 12:17:27 PT How about Ganjastan ?seegreenpanthers.org greenpanthers.org [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by observer on May 10, 2001 at 12:12:58 PT Thematic Analysis The following list of common prohibition propaganda themes is taken from this 1979 NIDA report.http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/History/ticp.html The drug is associated with a hated subgroup of the society or a foreign enemy. " . . . the poor."" some individuals . . . users of illegal drugs ""inmates ""the addicted " The drug is identified as solely responsible for many problems in the culture, i.e., crime, violence, and insanity. "Illegal drugs impose a staggering cost of more than $100 billion every year, principally from lost productivity. ""lost lives, educational and job opportunities unmet, families torn apart, health care costs, school drop-out rates and more""drug use is dangerous "" addiction and crime" The survival of the culture is pictured as being dependent on the prohibition of the drug. "Drug use and addiction would soar; hospitals would be filled with many more drug emergency cases; child abuse would increase; the cost of treatment and social welfare would rise; there would be more drug-related accidents at work and on the road. . .""enforce our borders to stop the flow of drugs into America. ""We will shield our communities from the terrible human toll taken by illegal drugs. And we'll stop illegal drug use and the drug trade from funding threats to democratic institutions throughout our hemisphere. ""the drug problem throughout our nation" The concept of "controlled" usage is destroyed and replaced by a "domino [gateway] theory" of chemical progression. . . . this strategy equates the use and abuse of drugs and implies that it is impossible to use the particular drug or drugs in question without physical, mental, and moral deterioration. "first drug czar . . . against drug abuse . . . Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse . . . dedicated to reducing drug abuse""Drug-Free Communities . . . Californians For Drug-Free Youth""to reduce illegal drug use in America. ""drug use . . . was reduced every year. We had made tremendous strides in cutting drug use"" human tragedy of drug use""Drug use harms people of every economic class, but drug use is doing the most damage to . . ."" the most effective way to reduce the supply of drugs in America is to reduce the demand for drugs in America. ""this administration will focus unprecedented attention on the demand ""drug-free communities""National Institute on Drug Abuse""We also recognize the [political] benefits of coerced abstinence, and so we will support drug courts and drug testing for prisoners, probationers and parolees.""ensure our federal prisons are drug-free, to expand drug testing for probationers and parolees""We must reduce drug use"" reducing drug use, and we will do it again. ""millions of Americans working effectively [$$$] every day to reduce drug use" The drug is associated with the corruption of young children, particularly their sexual corruption. "drugs are destroying more children ""the character of young people. . . . children ""that teens . . . likely to be lured into the world of drugs.""The child . . . using illegal drugs . . . children""protect our children from drug use." Both the user and supplier of the drug are defined as fiends, always in search of new victims; usage of the drug is considered "contagious." . . . Efforts to reduce drug usage are referred to as the "war" on or "battle" against drug abuse. . . . blatant manipulation of the symbols of evil "the federal government is waging an all-out effort""unwavering commitment to stop drug use. ""the most important work to reduce drug use is done in America's living rooms and classrooms, in churches and synagogues and mosques"" over time drugs rob men, women and children of their dignity and of their character. Illegal drugs are the enemies of innocence and ambition and hope. They undermine people's commitment to their family and to their fellow citizens.""when we push back, the drug problem gets smaller""individuals represented here who work [$$$] every day to combat . . ." Policy options are presented as total prohibition or total access. . . .the idea that all usage was sinful and must be stopped"Acceptance of drug use is simply not an option""the only humane and compassionate response to drug use is a moral refusal to accept it. We emphatically disagree with those who favor drug legalization. "" and legalizing drugs would completely undermine the message that drug use is wrong.""We must reduce drug use for one great moral reason""drug use is wrong." Anyone questioning any of the above assumptions is bitterly attacked and characterized as part of the problem that needs to be eliminated. "Drug legalization would be a social catastrophe. ""This fact is beyond question today, even if it is not always beyond denial." [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by Cuzn Buzz on May 10, 2001 at 11:58:44 PT: And Then Again Would you consider the state of Oregano to be a burn?(Apologies to my friends in Eugene) [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by Cuzn Buzz on May 10, 2001 at 11:43:24 PT: How About Don't forget Tokesus and Ludesianna! [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by FoM on May 10, 2001 at 11:26:09 PT How bout How about adding OhighO or oHIGHo!!!!I need to laugh or I'd cry! FreedomToExhale [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by Pontifex on May 10, 2001 at 11:16:55 PT: Budsylvania 6-5-420 Now you're talking, Rambler!"Velcome to Budsylvania. I vant to smoke your bud!" [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by Rambler on May 10, 2001 at 11:01:59 PT A new state,or country I think that it would be nice if all the people who liked beingfree to self medicate,or just cop a buzz,could all get togetherand form a new state,or country.We could call itBudsylvania,,or Drugington, New California, Weed Virginia, Cannabisfornia, Hemplahoma, Potsylvania? [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by Kevin Hebert on May 10, 2001 at 10:51:28 PT: We will win FoM, I also had a lurch in my stomach reading this. I have to admit, deep down inside I had a candle of hope that Bush would nominate Gary Johnson instead, that we had reached the end of the tunnel. But we haven't. Thing will get bad before they get better. They always do.My goal in the next few years (and it may take a couple years, let's be honest with ourselves) is to not get arrested and make sure I am not silenced. If this means I have to change a few lifestyle habits for a while, so be it. I will survive. I know the drug war won't.But the fact is, many of us have not survived the drug war. Many of us have died or been arrested.I agree with Pontifex; this is actually a good sign. I agree that Bush will try to us the drug war to gain public support. And I agree that it is our ABSOLUTE OBLIGATION to be as vocal and visible as possible to voice our complete opposition to this tactic.Believe me, we will win. I know this. It obviously won't happen today, but we have the truth on our side. So we cannot lose. We may have lost a battle today, but we cannot and will not lose this war.A war we did not start.A war we did not want.A war that makes enemies out of friends and brothers and sisters.A war that has imprisoned millions of our brothers and sisters in arms.A war that kills children.A war that places my beloved country on the side of darkness.Oh, we will win, my friends. Not today, but soon. Keep your chins up; the end is near for this tired, hopeless, evil drug war. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by kaptinemo on May 10, 2001 at 10:40:14 PT: Life imitating Art...again Many years ago I read an interesting book called The Devil's Advocate by Taylor Caldwell.The basic idea was that a home-grown fascist dictatorship had gradually slid into contol of the US. We were engaged in wars - some nuclear! - all over the globe to perpetuate the military/industrialist complex. Domestic spies everywhere. The Constitution was an almost forgotten documant not mentioned in public for fear of the 'knock at midnight' and being caused to 'disappear'.But a few patriots were able to insinuate themselves into high places in the governemnt. Their plan was simple: in order to get the populace to revolt, they had to make conditions so bad that a revolution would occur.Knowing that the sheep-like American people would just continue to yawn and scratch themselves at a gradual turning of the screws, they increased the degree of oppression in society to a fever pitch. The 'lords and masters' were overthrown in a near-bloodless coup, and the Constitution was re-instated and defended with even more ferocity to prevent any further repetition of that slide into tyranny.I see something very similar happening with the Walters appointment. The rest of the world is turning it's collective back on the US-led DrugWar. The appointment of such as Hutchinson and Ashcroft and Walters point to the total degradation of the supposed moral 'high ground' previously enjoyed by the US. The mask of moral superiority that the DrugWarriors depended on so much for their justification has finally come off. The naked, snarling face is finally being seen for what it is. Force, not reason or eloquence, will be the measure of this Administration. At the very time the rest of the world is backing away from DrugWar insanity, the US is embracing it ever tighter. In a very perverse example of Norbert Weiner's concept of 'negative feedback', the US is about to go whole hog into 'positive feedback'. With nothing to cause the system to back up and re-assess the situation via negative feedback, the US DrugWar will spin further out of control and reach a breaking point with the average citizen.With, what I fear, will be bloody consequences.Friends, it might be a good idea to invest in some 'Kevlar underwear'..the kind with ballistic plates in it. You might need it before it's all over. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by Pontifex on May 10, 2001 at 10:40:02 PT: This is actually a good sign At first, I was baffled that Bush would choose such an unpopular man to fight an unpopular war. But reading the above, it all starts to make sense. This one line says it all:"I look forward to working with members of the House and the Senate from both political parties to reduce drug use in America."Bush is going to use the Drug War to build political support and win favors. Nothing brings politicians together like the Drug War. It's incredibly expensive, it never ends, and both failure and success can be trumpeted as reasons to increase funding. There are untold billions to be spent, and this is how politicians win support and get/stay elected.Bush's appointment of Walters, a calculated risk, is a sign of how politically weak Bush really is. The Senate is hanging by a thread and the House Republicans are restless.This appointment could blow up in his face, but he's making it anyway. He needs the support of law enforcement, prison guards, DEA bureaucrats and the rest of the vast Prohibition industry.The fact that he'll be sending America's youth to jail and the poorhouse for doing what he did in his youth is less than irrelevant to him.Folks, let's do our part to make Walters' appointment the catastrophe Bush so richly deserves. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by BigBongHits on May 10, 2001 at 10:37:57 PT: this is some bullshit Ok these guys are basically saying, our administration will spend more money on drug fighting tactics that obviously don't work because drug use is increasing. The only managed to keep drug use down for 1 decade and most of the time they were spreading lies. Instead of telling everyone drugs are wrong they should be giving us individual statitics for each drug. The term drugs actually means anything that changes the way our body would function naturally. But anti-drug groups have chosen to generalize all illegal drugs as just drugs so that they can make it seem as if there is only one substance we should be avioding when in reality people can come across any number of drugs throughout their lives. Also the fact that they say drugs mostly effect the poor is bullshit, uh 1. the poor don't have much money to spend on drugs, 2. how would they get money to spend on drugs? stealing possibly. Now I am not saying that all poor people steal, but if you are addiccted badly to something everything sucks without it so some people are willing to do almost anything to get it, 3. Drugs are used by all people rich and famous to homeless. All of the problems they talk about 'lost lives, educational and job opportunities unmet, families torn apart, health care costs, school drop-out rates' All of these are not caused by drugs but rather by prohibition, families are torn apart because parents don't want to see their children go to jail, but the children don't care because they have realised not all drugs are bad. Lost lives yeah compare how many lives are lost by ODing on illegal drugs, then compare it too the death toll of alcohol and cigarettes, it is much smaller, and needless to say there has never been a single death caused directly by marijuana.In conclusion I think what we need to do is get a more accurate look at what each specific drugs inluding alcohol and tobacco harm or help society, then begin to make opinions from there.Remeber, don't always believe wehat you here, do some research and [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by ras james rsifwh on May 10, 2001 at 10:33:54 PT The Seventh Seal of Cannabis Praise the Almighty Jah Rastafari!...for Cannabis Sativa is the Sacred Tree of Life which is presently manifesting as Jah's greatest gift to mankind...Revelation 22: 1&2.The Seventh Seal has been opened. The Gates of Holy Zion are now open for the living to enter "Thy Kingdom Come on Earth..." Relax Brother Rastas for now is the time when the devil shall become Thy footstool.Solomon was Christ. The later foolish jewish kings murdered unarmed followers of God the Mother. These slaughtered followers burned Cannabis to Ashera...The Great Mother. These foolish kings tried to fool the people by saying Solomon had honored false idols. They then wrote and put into the Bible that Solomon was punished when the Almighty gave Solomon's Son only a small section of the Wise King's former empire...not true.If I-man was king of america, I-man, who love my son, would thank the Almighty for giving my beloved son a smaller section of the kingdom like South Dakota...my son and his family would have plenty in life; and would live much more peaceful and happy lives than if my son was king of america.So Ras James say God the Father rewarded his Son, Solomon, for burning the Sacred Herb to The Queen of Heaven. So I and I say The Seventh Seal is now known as the Seal of Cannabis and/or the Seal of Queen Omega and/or the Seal of Solomon.Solomon was the first coming of Christ...Jesus was the second coming...Selassie I manifested as the Father...but is in reality King Alpha and Queen Omega. Judgement Day is now.The Father's Judgement Being "The Grace of the Lord Jesus (His Son) be with the All. Ahmen." Seen? Seen!Lucky for Bush and freinds...even they made I-ternal Redemption...just like everyone else...past..present...and future.Give all Praise and Thanks to Jah Rastafar-I! [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by Cuzn Buzz on May 10, 2001 at 10:29:21 PT: TRIBULATION To some the sound of jackboots on cobblestones is sweet music.To others it is just what is needed to rouse them from their slumber.People are waking up.The antis being the stupid brutes that they are, fail to understand that they have already reached the end of their ropes.The American people had been lulled into a stupor by the platitudes of our "spiritual leaders" , those moral messengers who applaud the destruction of persons and families, and those polished swindlers for whom we are urged to "vote" , as if our "votes" really counted for anything.But that is over with.People are talking. People are listening.As your lights dim, and finaly blink out, or your car sputters to a halt having exhausted the last of the gasoline you could afford to purchase, midway into the week, you begin to have a slightly different outlook.You begin to realize that our "leaders" believe themselves to be our keepers, and our keepers have found our maintainance too dear.This is a class struggle people.Mr. Bush's daughter won't have to worry about being caught with her favorite prohibited consumables as Mr. Bush himself did not.These people know the law does not apply to them....heaven help the poor Patrol Officer who arrests one, or it's child.There is little chance that America will ever be free again, short of another revolution. Our political leadership is composed of only the wealthy and their stooges who are willing to sell out the folks back home.Sometimes events work to draw lines in the sands of time.Those who believe to live free or die must know when it is time to cross the line in the sand in answer to oppression. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by Imprint on May 10, 2001 at 10:25:03 PT: Legalization Well, the only positive thing I could get from this was that Bush was forced to mention the option of legalization. He flatly denied the need but none the less he mentioned it. If the message of legalization weren’t being heard then there wouldn’t have been any mention at all. The voice of reason is getting louder and louder. Hopefully this nomination will not stop our momentum. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by Morgan on May 10, 2001 at 10:19:28 PT It's always darkest before the dawn I see this racheting up of the War on Drugs as a welcome thing. For too long, this war has been conducted in a quiet manner, hardly mentioned in the Media, for the obvious reason that if most people knew what was really going on, the outrage would force the gravy train to a stop. Not something the anti's want. But more and more people are becoming aware, and voicing their outrage. And every action has a direct, and oppisite reaction. The actions taken by Bush Inc. are a direct result of these voices (You). They are being forced out into the open. They are reacting the only way they know how, by cranking up the machine that has always worked so well for them before. But this machine is old and full of leaks and cracks. It'll work fine if run at a steady, quiet speed. But it will explode if run too hard, too fast. And they've just been forced to crank it up. It's only a matter of time before it disintegrates in front of their eyes. Did anyone here really expect these people to suddenly see the light of reason and just give up? This had to happen, and I welcome it as a sign of progress.The road to freedom is a hard, uphill climb, but I think I see the crest.***************************************** [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Robbie on May 10, 2001 at 09:30:27 PT One nation, our nation Right on, Kevin! It's going to get much harder, I think, but you're right. We're doing the right thing and we will prevail.I just hope this ultra-conservatism will be enough to show the American people just how wrong-headed the current (and, unfortunately, soon to pass) social control policy is. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by dddd on May 10, 2001 at 09:29:52 PT Paint it Black You're right Kevin,,we need to keep the faith.Hope is good,butreality can be brutal.When you look at what the bush regime has gotten away with already,it doesnt look good for our cause.He has just jack up the drug war,andcompletly ignored the public.This is gonna be a dark,strange summer.........dddd [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on May 10, 2001 at 09:21:25 PT My 100 Nervous Breakdown Hi Kevin, I don't feel very good today. It takes a lot to make me feel like this. I am not a person who cries but as I listened to President Bush I had to fight back tears. My God what are they thinking? How many more will be locked up in a so called free society before they understand that we aren't for people doing drugs but locking people up if they do is NOT the answer. That really will destroy the person and their family and our society too. FreedomToExhale [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Kevin Hebert on May 10, 2001 at 08:59:37 PT: Here it comes, here it comes... Don't worry. It's just your 19th nervous breakdown.This may look like bad news, but in reality it is good news. The more hardcore an anti they put in that position, the worse the anti position looks. It will be very difficult at first, but as long as we stick to the truth, we cannot lose. We simply cannot. This is a call for reentrenchment and a dedication to getting the facts out. We will prevail. We can beat the Bush-Walter-Ashcroft-DiIulio-Califano drug warriors. I just can't believe that they need to do this. I can't believe that they have to bring in a guy like this. They just don't have what it takes to do the right thing. But that's fine, because we do, and we will. Keep the faith. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: