cannabisnews.com: Supreme Court Will Rule Tuesday Supreme Court Will Rule Tuesday Posted by CN Staff on December 21, 2003 at 07:54:21 PT By Tonda Maccharles, Ottawa Bureau Source: Toronto Star Ottawa -- The country's top court rules Tuesday whether to uphold Parliament's criminal laws against marijuana as constitutional — regardless of Prime Minister Paul Martin's pledge to strike down criminal penalties for possessing small amounts."It could give a whole new meaning to mistletoe," quipped Paul Burstein, a lawyer involved in one of three cases the Supreme Court of Canada is to rule on. The court could uphold the country's 80-year-old ban on possession and trafficking as a proper exercise of Parliament's criminal lawmaking power. The three cases involve very different crimes ranging from having a half-smoked joint to selling pot through a "Harm Reduction Club." The defendants involved hope the court will strike down the law and declare it unfair because it criminalizes an action that produces little or no harm. They argued the law is unconstitutional because its potential penalties — jail and a criminal record — outweigh the harm caused, and violate the Charter guarantees of liberty, security of the person, and principles of fundamental justice. The court's decision "very much does still matter," said Burstein. "Even though (Martin) said he's going to decriminalize, that doesn't make the ruling moot because the ruling may push the line farther than the government was otherwise willing to go."Last week, two days after the court announced its pending ruling, Martin vowed to carry through with legislation, first proposed under Jean Chrétien, to drop criminal penalties against those convicted of possessing small amounts of pot.Burstein says he is "optimistic" the court is on the verge of "something revolutionary." For Burstein, who along with lawyer Alan Young, has long challenged the marijuana law, Tuesday's decision is pivotal."The ruling is going to draw, if it does anything, the minimal line in the sand. If the ruling says you cannot criminalize this activity because it doesn't produce sufficient harm, then the bill (decriminalizing possession of small amounts) is dead-letter; because 10 grams, 15 grams, 30 grams, in other words until you get to trafficking — until you're possessing so much that you're likely to be trafficking it, the Constitution says you have no right to be criminalizing."Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)Author: Tonda Maccharles, Ottawa BureauPublished: December 21, 2003Copyright: 2003 The Toronto Star Contact: lettertoed thestar.com Website: http://www.thestar.com/ Related Articles & Web Site:Cannabis News Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmSupreme Court To Issue Ruling Soon on Pot Law http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17990.shtmlTo Toke or Not To Toke?http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17973.shtmlMarijuana Advocates Get Day in High Courthttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17968.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #43 posted by mayan on December 22, 2003 at 18:37:12 PT FoM & BUDSNAXZ... FoM, I'm hoping to get that DVD for Christmas! I was lucky to have been able to see the Grateful Dead numerous times. How I miss that carnival atmosphere. I'm sure you'll be happy with it! Music can heal. BUDSNAXZ, Rush has a brand new DVD out,"Rush in Rio". It is also available on CD. I recommend it to everyone. Neil is better than ever on the drums and the camera is on him most of the time. They are all better musicians than ever, actually. Peace, y'all! [ Post Comment ] Comment #42 posted by jose melendez on December 22, 2003 at 13:27:37 PT white boys speak out! Below is an opportunity with fantastic timing for Al Gore III to appeal the following decision:from: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n1960/a09.html?397Supreme Court Okays Arrest of All Occupants in Cars" . . . Better a hundred innocent people get hauled off in handcuffs than one drug law violator go free. That is the essence of the Supreme Court's ruling in the case of Maryland v. Pringle, handed down Monday. The Supreme Court held that Baltimore County police acted properly four years ago when they arrested all three occupants of a car after the officers discovered drugs and cash inside and everyone denied owning them. The ruling reversed the decision of Maryland's highest court, which last year threw out the conviction of the one man eventually tried in the case, Jerome Pringle. The Maryland court held that Pringle's arrest was unconstitutional because police had no reason to believe he was individually involved in a crime. "A policy of arresting everyone until somebody confesses is not constitutionally unacceptable," that court held. The Supreme Court disagreed. "We think it an entirely reasonable inference from these facts that any or all three of the occupants had knowledge of, and exercised dominion and control over, the cocaine," Chief Justice William Rehnquist wrote for the court. "Thus a reasonable officer could conclude that there was probable cause to believe Pringle committed the crime of possession of cocaine, either solely or jointly." The justices were faced with the task of applying the notion of probable cause to a situation where either innocent people would be arrested in the search for a guilty party or a guilty person would go free for fear of violating the rights of others. The court held that police may now constitutionally arrest the innocent."- snippedAlso, check out this published letter from:http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n1962/a09.html?397" . . . Once we quit criminalizing responsible adults for using marijuana, you won't have to ask yourself what we need to do about overcrowded prisons. But drug warriors will have to ask themselves what job skills they have other than violating the inalienable and constitutional rights of American citizens. "- snipped Article III, Section 3 defines drug war as treason. Really. [ Post Comment ] Comment #41 posted by FoM on December 22, 2003 at 08:39:59 PT BUDSNAXZ and mayan It sounds like you both like Rush. That's why music is important because different musicians speak differently to the people who listen to them. I love Greendale because it has a message in the album that speaks to me. Long live all different kinds of rock and roll. I actually heard a song on the radio by Ozzie and I thought it was so pretty and I'm not an Ozzie Ozbourne fan. I saw a program on the Science Channel last night about music and it's healing properties. They used the Grateful Dead as the group to explain how music can help heal. We have a DVD ordered called the Closing of Winterland by the Grateful Dead. I never heard them before except on the radio and this might show me why they had such a huge following.Happy Holidays! [ Post Comment ] Comment #40 posted by BUDSNAXZ on December 22, 2003 at 07:22:16 PT mayan and FOM I'd have to agree 2000% with mayan. I got to see RUSH play in Albuquerque and it was the best concert I've ever been to in my life. Santana was second. Their music was perfect. not like some bands that only sound good out of the studio. Geddy Lee was awsome. [ Post Comment ] Comment #39 posted by mayan on December 21, 2003 at 23:25:40 PT FoM... Happy Holidays to you also! I enjoyed the link you posted. It brought back memories of the summer...laying on the lawn and listening to him play stuff that I'd never heard before. It took a lot of courage for him to do what he did because many people were probably expecting the old stuff. I think he knew he had created a gem, though. Not many artists could pull something like that off but Neil Young and Crazy Horse sure did! It's good to know they're coming back around and I will have to check them out again in 2004. Another one of my favorite bands, Rush, just announced that they will also be touring next year! It will be their 30th anniversary tour. If you've never seen em' they are incredible live!Rush's official website: http://www.rush.com/ Rush Interactive Network: http://www.therushinteractive.net/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #38 posted by FoM on December 21, 2003 at 21:02:58 PT mayan I wanted to make sure I wished you a Happy Holiday. We are still waiting to find out when the tickets for Greendale's Theatre Tour 2004 will be available. I've met people who loved Greendale from all over the world. Check out this site. We traded links! German: Where The Devil is Greendale? [ Post Comment ] Comment #37 posted by mayan on December 21, 2003 at 20:35:21 PT "Something Revolutionary" Burstein says he is "optimistic" the court is on the verge of "something revolutionary."I can't help but share Burstein's optimism. I wonder how much money the Moron,Asscrotch & Johnny Pee are waving in front of the Justice's faces. May the Canadian Justices have the strength to say "Go to hell, fascists." The waiting sucks. Here's a great article about Kucinich! Sorry if someone has already posted it here...A Shunned Kucinich Blasts Corporate Media: http://www.berkeleydaily.org/article.cfm?issue=12-19-03&storyID=17954Orange Alert...U.S. Raises Terror Alert, Threat Could Rival 9/11: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=578&ncid=578&e=1&u=/nm/20031222/ts_nm/security_usa_threat_dcThe way out is the way in...9/11 COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED, 9/11 CHAIR ADMITS: http://www.fromthewilderness.com/free/ww3/121703_911_preventable.html9/11 For the Truth - Mariani vs. Bush: http://www.911forthetruth.com/9/11 Prior Knowledge/Government Involvement Archive: http://www.propagandamatrix.com/archiveprior_knowledge [ Post Comment ] Comment #36 posted by FoM on December 21, 2003 at 20:30:56 PT We Can Get It I was looking at the wrong channels. We can get it. Thanks! [ Post Comment ] Comment #35 posted by FoM on December 21, 2003 at 20:16:03 PT EJ I Can't Find It We just looked on our Fox channels and it doesn't appear to be on the satellite. Sometimes we don't get what cable gets. [ Post Comment ] Comment #34 posted by E_Johnson on December 21, 2003 at 20:12:26 PT FoM It said "interview with Willie Nelson" on the blurb. [ Post Comment ] Comment #33 posted by freedom fighter on December 21, 2003 at 20:11:34 PT That's funny GWC Read another tidbit of crazy criminals......A SUV thief down up in North got afraid of what he did, so he approached to the owner of the same SUV and asked him if he would buy it for 50$.The owner said sure, and called the cops!Gee, I wondered where the cops were!:))Apparently, the thief was lucky not to get caught with some demon weed!pazff [ Post Comment ] Comment #32 posted by SystemGoneDown on December 21, 2003 at 20:01:33 PT E J Is Willie going to be on there for the "marijuana debate"? [ Post Comment ] Comment #31 posted by E_Johnson on December 21, 2003 at 19:28:14 PT Willie Nelson on Fox tonight On Sunday Best, at 9pm and midnight ET [ Post Comment ] Comment #30 posted by The GCW on December 21, 2003 at 18:34:00 PT Least competent criminals Least competent criminals James Perry,with four DUI arrests in Florida, feared rejection if he tried to get a driver's license in his new home state of Connecticut and so pretended to be Robert Kowalski (the name of his neighbor in Florida), but a routine computer check revealed "Robert Kowalski" to be a Michigan sex offender, unregistered in Connecticut (Clinton, Conn., September). And Mr. Chance Copp, 15, who was on probation for arson and who feared testing positive for marijuana, submitted the urine of a relative, instead, only to find out later that that urine tested positive for cocaine (Chillicothe, Ohio, November). http://www.dailycamera.com/bdc/variety/article/0,1713,BDC_2531_2518599,00.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #29 posted by Virgil on December 21, 2003 at 17:18:46 PT On changing sentiment The links at DEAwatch had a few things worth posting. One is Joe Citizen's simple LTE saying the drug wars must end. That the drug wars are wrong is already the conclusion of the majority. That is why prohibition will be gone in 5 years. People are now pissed off but they will soon be obsessed and not accept the bullshit of the USG or their media. The other is a judge questioning the pressure from the government to increase what were already long sentences.From http://www.ddtonline.com/articles/2003/12/21/news/letters/letters2.txt - Nation's drug policy is a dangerous shamTo the editor:Americans aren't gonna take it any more?What we're not going to take is the prohibition of certain politically selected substances.You better hope that when that drug task force busts down the door that they've gotten the right address.The list of innocent citizens who have been killed by errant drug raids is long, disheartening and growing each day.What I do in my home is nobody's business but mine as long as I'm not harming anyone else. The drug war is unconstitutional and should have never come to be.It's a shame that it's taken Americans more than 50 years to discover what a misguided and counterproductive policy our drug war is.Our children will look back on the past century and ask, "What the heck were they thinking?"The drug war profits only those doing the prohibiting, namely law enforcement and certain government agencies.My children aren't any safer. Are yours?Drug dealers won't card your child before selling to him or her. At least in a legally regulated environment, we have a means of going after those who violate distribution laws.Under our current unregulated black market environment we've caused a plant such as marijuana to become worth it's weight in gold. Yet we expect that nobody will sell it to the millions of otherwise law-abiding citizens who are demanding it.What a joke. And many Americans are falling for it.This is the first part of an at http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20031221/1010215.asp - When a federal prosecutor asked him to send a violent Olean cocaine dealer to prison for 240 years, Senior District Judge John T. Elfvin thought it was "crazy" and rejected the idea. So Elfvin gave Donald "Ducky" Benjamin, 38, a sentence of 30 years, a prison term that the judge considered to be fair and tough punishment. But now, 20 months later, a federal appeals court has ordered Elfvin to recalculate Benjamin's punishment, paying closer attention to federal sentencing guidelines, and sentence him again. For at least the third time in the past year, the case puts Elfvin at odds with the U.S. Justice Department and the sentencing guidelines that have been criticized as harsh and draconian by many civil rights organizations. "How can you send a man to prison for 240 years? That's terrible. It makes no sense. . . . Obviously, it's crazy," Elfvin said after learning of the decision made by the Second Circuit appeals court in New York City. "When I sentence someone, I look at the guidelines and I look at all the circumstances. In this case, I thought 30 years was a sufficient sentence." In the same ruling, the appeals court directed Elfvin to resentence Benjamin's brother, Neal Benjamin. Elfvin gave him a 20-year prison term, ignoring the sentencing guidelines, which called for 40 years. In recent months, federal judges have been under pressure by U.S. Attorney General John D. Ashcroft to stick more closely to federal sentencing guidelines. Locally, the feisty and independent Elfvin, 86, has come under fire from prosecutors three times recently for departing from the guidelines. [ Post Comment ] Comment #28 posted by The GCW on December 21, 2003 at 16:52:24 PT Here is one that clucks. CN AB: LTE: Marijuana Dangerous To Publichttp://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n1958/a04.html?397Editor, The Bulletin; On behalf of the Canadian public, I call on the Federal and Provincial Governments to take immediate action to protect us from individuals under the influence ( impairment ) of marijuana. In particular the use of medicinal marijuana and illegal use of marijuana is endangering our work sites and our travelling public. There is no current legislation that requires an individual using medicinal marijuana to surrender their driving privileges. There is no legislation that allows the police to test drivers who are consuming marijuana. Employer testing policies are highly contentious and generate strong feeling both for and against. The short and long term effects of marijuana are well documented and are a serious concern. Bill C-45 imposes a legal duty on all those who direct work, including employers, to take reasonable measures to protect employee and public safety. The following information on marijuana is taken from the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal hearing between Salvatore Milazzo and Canadian Human Rights Commission and Autocar Connaisseur Inc. and Motor Coach Canada 2003 CHRT 37 2003/11/06. Quote: The Effects of Cannabis on the Brain. ( 119 ) Dr. Baker and Dr. Chiasson each gave testimony with respect to the effects of cannabis consumption on the human brain, and once again were in substantial agreement on many points. The active ingredient in cannabis is Nine Delta tetrahydrocannabinol or 9-THC. The level of 9-THC in cannabis available in Canada today is significantly higher than in the past, and the drug accordingly that more potent. ( 120 ) Nine Delta tetrahydrocannabinol is released when cannabis is first ingested. The 9-THC takes effect immediately, with the acute phase of intoxication peaking ten to thirty minutes later. Cannabis users generally remain acutely intoxicated for a couple of hours, followed by a period of sub-acute intoxication. This sub-acute intoxication lasts for an additional 12-24 hours. ( 121 ) During the period of acute intoxication, the cannabis user experiences a sense of euphoria or "high". During this phase, cannabis affects the user's memory, cognition, perception and motor activity. This is followed by a period, the user's concentration, memory and reflexes may be affected. The intoxicating effect of cannabis may be enhanced or multiplied, if cannabis is ingested along with another intoxicant such as alcohol. ( 122 ) According to Dr. Chiasson, for chronic cannabis users, the sub-acute or 'hangover' phase of cannabis intoxication is characterized by ongoing neuropsychological dysfunction that can impair the user's ability to drive a motor vehicle. Chronic users of cannabis can require up to 28 days of abstention or 'washout' before their neuropsychological tests results return to normal. Dr. Baker testified that studies have shown impairment of fine motor skills for up to 24 hours, post-consumption, although he indicated that there is some question as to the validity of these studies. ( 123 ) In some cases, the consumption of cannabis can have longer-term effects on the user's ability to function. Chronic cannabis users can go through a period of withdrawal if they stop using the drug. Symptoms of withdrawal include irritability, restlessness, vivid disturbing dreams and poor concentration. These symptoms can persist for one to three weeks. During the withdrawal period, the user's perception, cognitive functioning and motor skills could be sufficiently impaired that the individual should not operate a motor vehicle. ( 124 ) Flashbacks are a second potential long-term effect of chronic cannabis use. Dr. Chiasson testified that in some cases, chronic cannabis users can experience the symptoms of acute cannabis intoxication quite suddenly, without having actually ingested the drug. These recurrences or flashbacks typically occur when the user is tired or under stress. ( 125 ) Dr. Baker and Dr. Chiasson agree that individuals employed in safety sensitive positions - that is, positions where an employee could put his own safety or the safety of others at risk - should not be performing tasks such as driving motor vehicles while their ability to drive is impaired by the use of cannabis. End of quote. While marijuana may have medicinal benefits it is clear that the general public has a right to be protected from a patient who may drive a motor vehicle while under the influence of the medication. We would all benefit if appropriate action were taken to reduce the risk of motor vehicle and or workplace accidents. Alcohol is a legal drug, however we recognize that it does cause impairment and we have stringent laws to protect us. It should be a relatively simple matter to notify the provincial motor vehicle branch when a person is prescribed medical marijuana and have that persons' license suspended until the use of the medication has been completed. Law makers must also urgently address the growing issue of individuals who drive a motor vehicle and smoke ( illegal ) marijuana and or drive after recent use of marijuana. A secondary issue is the use of marijuana at work sites where safety is a major concern. Lives are at risk and we all deserve immediate attention to this serious matter. E.J. ( ED ) SECONDIAK, C.D., CPCT Brooks, AB. [ Post Comment ] Comment #27 posted by FoM on December 21, 2003 at 16:22:23 PT CorvallisEric I'm glad you understood what I said and why. I often add one of my links to an article because I can update them whenever I want. It makes it an easy way to keep informaton that is important more up front I think. You're welcome for comment 9. I really love to talk about our topic but the world issues are so out of control that it can turn into a self limiting discussion and can depress many of us. That's why I like to avoid too much detail of world events. I want to help win this one war and we are on our way and that makes me happy. One little victory is all I need. I can't change the world though. [ Post Comment ] Comment #26 posted by Virgil on December 21, 2003 at 16:18:12 PT Mandate of a new Congress and President In January of 2009 there will be a mandate that calls for the end of prohibition as a means of inflicting harm on the citizenry of this country and intervening in foreign country's affairs as we see with the USG imposed 30-year-old civil war in Colombia.SCD- There is an important article that most people here would have read and would be important in developing a cannabis perspective. Your homework is simple. Bookmark this link and maybe sometime you can read it and maybe plant it in some messageboard- http://www.druglibrary.org/olsen/DPF/whitebread.htmlIf you read it you will understand the references of turning into a bat. Now you say, Virgil is going to repeat himself and reference to the traitorous scum that rule the country. But no, it is to say the unsaid and immediately right the slightest of wrongs. You can test the search feature on the home page for the word- doobidge. It should now produce a result.Last year I gave up calling cannabis, marijuana. I think it is important to grow the culture and enrich the vocabulay by using the word laughing grass. This year I will refrain from MJ and employ LG.I am also in such a lead on $4.20 purchases that the Extremist Party has already acknowledged my winning for the second year. I must be obsessed with Free Cannabis For Everyone. [ Post Comment ] Comment #25 posted by CorvallisEric on December 21, 2003 at 16:06:54 PT FoM Got it, thanks. Now I can check before posting. Also, thanks for comment 9. [ Post Comment ] Comment #24 posted by SystemGoneDown on December 21, 2003 at 16:06:48 PT About marijuana laws... Whats the difference between a 'civil citation' and a 'petty offense'?.......does this give you a criminal record? And also, is there a difference between an ounce of 'regs' and an ounce of 'chronic'?............I know it sounds stupid, but is there harsher penalties for marijuana potency? [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by FoM on December 21, 2003 at 15:59:29 PT CorvallisEric Let me see if I can explain this ok. I don't know how to add or remove links from CNews. The program is complicated and has required Ron Bennett or Matt Elrod to modify even links. I don't like to bother them anymore then I have so I thought this way would work. I made my personal web pages so I know how to modify them. On CNews front page click Freedom To Exhale and then on the top left side you will see Breaking News from Cannabis News. That is the archive link. Everything I post will show up on the Breaking News Link. Also we have archives and you can click on the icon that each article has and it will take you to the related articles in that category as they are posted. WAMM uses our medical marijuana archives on their web site. Does this help?http://www.cannabisnews.com/http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by SystemGoneDown on December 21, 2003 at 15:57:09 PT FoM and others... You say that U.S. prohibtion on pot will end in 2009. Why so specific? Give me details on what might happen at that time. [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by CorvallisEric on December 21, 2003 at 15:45:18 PT FoM Is there a link to that "archive" page on the front page? (Maybe I didn't look hard enough). If the URL doesn't change, I could simply bookmark it, but then few other people would find it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by CorvallisEric on December 21, 2003 at 15:15:49 PT Nuevo Mexican - comment 13 I don't believe one bit in astrology but I like you're idea of hemp bale homes. [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by FoM on December 21, 2003 at 15:14:36 PT CorvallisEric The article from The Observer UK is on this link. It was a very sad story and I didn't want to bump the above article about the court decision so I archived it. Whatever article I post to the front page must stay until I post another article and I thought leaving this one up was the best for today. Here's the link.http://www.cannabisnews.com/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/cnews/newsread.pl?25000 [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by CorvallisEric on December 21, 2003 at 15:05:57 PT Trouble in Christiania Copenhagen's (Denmark) special community. End is nigh for the commune that kept hippie dream alive: http://www.guardian.co.uk/Observer/international/story/0,6903,1111171,00.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by MikeEEEEE on December 21, 2003 at 15:00:21 PT sukoi, subtract a few... Subtract a few years if Bush gets in again. He's not the type that fits into this new age, if anything most of his ideas are backwards. [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by sukoi on December 21, 2003 at 14:35:59 PT Nuevo Mexican Wow! Thanks! The reason that I asked the question is because you based your prediction about the end to prohibition on the planets. I personally think that it will end within the next five years or so simply because of all of the positive things that are happening with regards to cannabis all over the world! I hope that we’re both right! I never knew of all of these positive things until I started reading CNews and the opinions and insight in the comments from people like you. You certainly seem to know your stuff both in regards to cannabis and the planetary alignment thing. I’m impressed! Cheers!!! [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by Virgil on December 21, 2003 at 14:07:03 PT Analysis worthy of a read Some people that read Truthout may know who William Rivers Pitt is. He was a paramedic and then a school teacher. He read what was being said at DU and search things out and went on to write three books all because he was moved to present the view he learned from reading at DU.People have things in the oven. People are still adding ingredients to something they will cook. Marijuana.com has a person besides DrZombie that has written an excellent analysis. Things do not have to be in a paper for people to learn from or shake their head at. I had an epiphany on bookmarks at one time. I have now graduated high school on them and want to go to the next level. I think it was Logos at MJ.com that had previously written a great piece and now we have lilgrasshoppah inspiring people with the stew he has made from his cannabis readings- http://www.marijuana.com/article.php?sid=8192&mode=nested&order=0Stew is soup and we all know we know how the world needs enhanced soup. There will be others that put together a stew. It is up to us to tell them of other people's stew just as I have told you and the people at DU of this fine work from lilgrasshoppah at MJ.com. [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by FoM on December 21, 2003 at 14:02:52 PT Nuevo Mexican And thank you for understanding. I wanted to mention to you that on the Easy Rider DVD they have a detailed interview with Peter Fonda and Dennis Hooper and Karen Black and a few others. That is actually better then seeing the movie again. It was good. [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by Nuevo Mexican on December 21, 2003 at 13:21:27 PT May 3, 2000 was the date that indicated massive change in our lives. On that day, 7 planets aligned in the sign of Mother Earth, Taurus, the sign of love, art, music, food, sensuality, affection, beauty. I'll try to answer your great question Sukoi!We are in a new age, the Age of Aquarius, the sign of equality, peace on earth, and higher consciouness!Taurus is the sign that hates to change, (stubborn like a bull), and the alignment created the need to change more now, than any other time in our planets existence. Read Greg Bradens book, Walking Between the Worlds, he's a gifted Scientist/metaphysician who explains everything in great, easy to understand detail.http://greggbraden.net/attack.php3and daykeeperjournal.com for more mystical insights, with a political/activist viewpoint.What made the Grand Conjunction so historic, was the planets Saturn and Jupiter lining up at the same time as 5 other planets, giving it full strength in its effect. Just look around, is anything the same as it was?The same alignment was in effect when Christ was born (he became a 'christ' at 33 when he passed through the Great Pyramid and became an initiate into the mysteries of the uni-verse. Required for all Christ figures.Read the Aquarian Gospel of Jesus 'the Christ' by Levi, a channeled version of the missing years of the life of Jesus, from 12 to 33, you'll either throw it away, or become totally convinced! I recommend the new bestseller, So this minor conjunction happens once every twenty years, and on a larger time scale, once every 2000 years. That is when Saturn and Jupiter conjunct while several planets join them for a 'tour de force' effect. Thus the title, the Grand Conjuntion!The proof of this is all around, we live on a different planet than we did pre-2000, as bushes stealing of the election (standard procedure anyway, since Kennedys assasination, it was only now rubbed in our face, and inadvertently exposed), and was the marking point for all of this.Christ-like figures are born at these times,(every 2000 years) and Jesus 'the' Christ (for the age of Picses, we get a new 'christ' for every age, except in the age of Aquarius, the age of man, We all become 'christ' and thus, we all get crucified). So you don't have to worry about Jesus coming back and getting nailed again, it will be you and I, mankind who suffers the next crucifixtion, voluntarily, our way of saying, bring em on, (karma, that is).We are ready to pay our karmic debts! The price of 'waking up'!So the end of prohibition is near, the end of our addiction to oil is near, the end of a white male dominated paradym is 'here', and the end to abusing the earth and all its resources is here, as we now have no choice! We've trashed the planet, spread depleted Uranium throughout the middle east, toxic nuclear fuel abounds in our air, soil and food, and plutonium triggered weapons are rampant. The planets have shifted our consciousness to a higher plane, (creating a separation between the ones who 'get it' and those who don't). The haves and have-nots so-to-speak! The rich and poor, The 'them vs. us mentality.we will wake up, take action, embrace our 'mother', teach the un-educated, love one another, and work hard towards re-generating the heaven-like place we reside. If you envisioned a 'heaven' would it be any different from the Earth we live on, with water, food, fuel, medicines, beauty, mysteries, mountains, clouds, sunsets, etc. I think not. For me, this life is what you make it, heaven for me, hell for others. It puts me in hell to know so many don't realize that for them, the Earth really could be Heaven.If we had a cannabis paradym, hemp food, fuel, fiber, hemp-seed oil, paints, hemp bale homes, superior medicines, all toxin-free, and nature friendly, like life as a native American pre-Columbus, that would've been a 'heavenly' existence, at one with the Great Spirit!I think this is heaven for those who can see it, and hell for those whose consciouness hasn't embraced the perfection of the uni-verse that already exists, right in front of our eyes!As our brains have been hi-jacked with commercials, propaganda, un-original thoughts, mind-numbing pharmacueticals, having our spirituality stolen by the church and secretive, power hungry priests and governments.Love replaced by fear.A way of life that tells us constantly how superior we are to all living things, people, animals and plants in particular. The so-called American 'way of life' has doomed the planet to extinction. But change is inevitable, and change we must. So 3 years into the shift, we are waking up, taking note, speaking out, and working hard for peace to rule the planet.The time to assess the changes will be in 2020, when we look back and realize George Bush was just a catalyst for the most massive changes in the world that have ever been recorded, somehow ultimately better off because of him. Much like Satan having volunteered to be the 'fallen angel' that someone was bound to be, Thanks Satan! According to Gregg Braden, Satans job was to last 100,000 years, and his time is up, and so the good/evil paradym is over, served itsVery similiar to documenting the extinction of the dinosaurs, as their flailing about took out whatever was in the vicinity. These guys don't go down without taking everything down with them. Bush is just the tail of the dinosaur that knows its days are numbered. He is just a part of the prophecies! And the Grand Conjuction will continue to bring massive change, as bush is just the bluster that comes before an even bigger storm. Just Natures way of saying 'love is all there is, and all hate must be swept away, by any means neccesary. Thanks for asking!My apologies to you FOM! [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by Virgil on December 21, 2003 at 13:18:33 PT It is all so Orwellian There is a weather program that I run to check the temperature and link to more information. I just turned on the computer and see a code Orange terror alert attatched to it. I am really scared. I have to get the duct tape out and plastic up the windows.Cya if we survive.Cannabis Prohibition- bad. Laughing Grass- good. USG- evil. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by Virgil on December 21, 2003 at 12:06:56 PT Slightly above insignificant If you use dial-up for a connection and try to watch pot-tv, you know how bad it is. There is a program that you can use free for 30 days that has let's me see pot-tv without interruption. Maybe someone can comment on this as it might improve people's viewing of the ruling- http://montanasoft.com/speedtec/download.php?afid=102You can check your download speed at http://us.mcafee.com/root/genericURL_genericLeftNav.asp?genericURL=/root/speedometer/test_0150.asp&genericLeftNav=/en-us/wrapper/catalog_nav.aspThere is a version of Linux that can run off of a CD that does not need to load on a hard drive- http://www.knoppix.net/And, we are ruled by treason. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by sukoi on December 21, 2003 at 11:44:27 PT Hey Nuevo Mexican I've noticed that you are quite into the whole planetary alignment thing. I was just wondering if any of the predictions that you or others have made based on this have come to pass? I'm not knocking it, just curious, that's all! [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by FoM on December 21, 2003 at 11:35:54 PT Nuevo Mexican Please listen to me. We don't need to talk about Saddam Hussein on CNews. There are plenty of boards to talk about him. Let's not go that way here or where do people like me go if I can't handle anything about Saddam Hussein? Should I need to find another board where I won't find information about him? I hope not. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by FoM on December 21, 2003 at 11:30:47 PT Virgil I saw your post about Direct TV but didn't comment. It's terrible news. They will probably take away World Link TV and the News World Channel from Canada. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by Nuevo Mexican on December 21, 2003 at 11:29:08 PT Saddam captured by Kurdish Forces!!!! but gets reported as Americans capture Saddam!Don't read this til tomorrow FOM, I don't want to upset you with my tirades, but I do want to fire up the crew, we've got work to do! I am looking forward to Tuesday though, and these reports on Saddam give me hope that Americans will wake for their phamacuetically-designed stupor!LOL!Read the reports, who do you believe, your U.S. puppet media, or these reports:Revealed: Who Really Found Saddam? by David Pratt Enter one Qusrat Rasul Ali, otherwise known as the lion of Kurdistan. A leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), Rasul Ali was once tortured by Saddam's henchmen, but today is chief of a special forces unit dedicated to hunting down former Ba'athist regime leaders. Rasul Ali's unit had an impressive track record. It was they who last August, working alone, arrested Iraqi vice-president Taha Yassin Ramadan in Mosul, northern Iraq. Barely a month earlier in the al-Falah district of the same town, the PUK is believed to have played a crucial role in the pinpointing and storming of a villa that culminated in the deaths of Saddam's sons Uday and Qusay. http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/1221-02.htmUS Saddam claims being challenged By Paul McGeough Baghdad December 22, 2003Claims that US troops captured Saddam Hussein have been challenged by reports that he was discovered only after Kurdish forces had taken him prisoner.The deposed president was drugged and abandoned ready for the American soldiers to recover him, a British tabloid newspaper reported yesterday.Saddam came into the hands of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) after being betrayed by a member of the al-Jabour tribe, whose daughter had been raped by Saddam's son Uday, leading to a blood feud, reported the Sunday Express, quoting an unnamed senior British military intelligence officer.http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/12/21/1071941609659.htmlWhen will it be reported that three bloodthirty killers, GB, DR, And DC, mistakenly killed by Secret Service: In our dreams! But noooo! Just innocent people, murdered for NO reason, (no wmds folks, this is genocide!) Are the troops arrested, Charged and tried. No, sent home with honors, and staged parades to follow. No, they are 'heroes', just doing their job! The karma we are sowing will be the end of the U.S. as we know it, and it is being done by bushco, with our complicity, as we are not in the streets demanding an end to this murderous regime (bush). March 20th seems like a long way away, but if you are not planning to march in your home town, or in any city that is hosting a march against the war, I don't want to hear you complain. Stand up, speak out, and take action. No excuses, (I don't protest, what good does it do, they just make fun of you on the news, bush will make funny faces and it makes me feel oh so un-american, CRAP!!!)Endorse the protest, and download the flyer!http://www.internationalanswer.org/pdf/march20sf.pdfAshcroft fears international journalists, has them 'detained' (the fix is in, raise the orange alert!)Without notification to foreign media outlets, the immigration and customs people are arresting, detaining, and deporting journalists arriving here without special visas. This is so even when they come from nations whose citizens can stay for up to 90 days without a visa if they are arriving as tourists or on business.http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artikkel?SearchID=7315676733687&Avis=TO&Dato=20031213&Kategori=OPINION02&Lopenr=112130159&Ref=AROpen City Coffee, Tea or Handcuffs? An Australian journalist gets a taste of Department of Homeland Security hospitality by Steven Mikulan But when her Qantas flight from Melbourne, Australia, touched down at LAX around 8 a.m. on Friday, November 14, Smethurst found herself nightmarishly annoyed — by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Smethurst was supposed to continue to New York and on Monday interview singer Olivia Newton-John. Smethurst had honeymooned in Manhattan last yearhttp://www.laweekly.com/ink/04/04/open-mikulan.phpThree Iraqi policemen mistakenly killed by US troopshttp://www.terra.net.lb/wp/Articles/DesktopArticle.aspx?ArticleID=127481&ChannelId=4Do you believe your government is capable of lying to the American people about these important issues?, Axis of Logic http://www.axisoflogic.com/artman/publish/article_4050.shtmlWill Saddam back the P.G. clubhouse?Will more corporate crooks get indicted now that America won't have to devote so much time and resources on catching the wretched despot?Has Larry King stopped to wonder how the Saddam Hussein matter will influence the Michael Jackson and Scott Peterson trials?Will Barry Bonds shatter Hank Aaron's home run record now that Saddam is in prison? Will the Niners and the Raiders pull themselves out from their mediocrity?Can Ben Affleck rebound from his latest disaster?And, oh yeah, how are we going to dispose of all those weapons of mass destruction?http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/montereyherald/news/local/7530004.htmThere is no way joe lieberman is running higher in the polls, the polls are manipulations, and when DJk is lower than Al, joe, and Carol, you know were being hoodwinked. Support for Dennis is massive, just unreported! Who in their right minds would vote for Joe in ANY poll, this should tell you it is all a pack of lies. Kucinich came in second on the moveon.org poll, a poll or thousands of internet users, and none of these polls asks more than a sample of a thousand. Wake up sheeple, you've been had, as all Cannabis news posters already know, and are here to inform you!Lieberman Unbound Willing to try anything to save his candidacy, Joe decides to detonate his own Democratic Party by Harold Meyerson http://www.laweekly.com/ink/04/04/powerlines-meyerson.php [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by Virgil on December 21, 2003 at 11:25:50 PT VitaminT Our USG just gave Rupert Murdoch the go ahead to acquire DirectTV. There was no bigger news this last week than that and the news entertainment industry thought it would get in the way of their thought herding to mention it.So Faux News and NewsCorp are more entrenched in the propaganda efforts of the plutocracy. The decision that is coming in 39 hours could lead to a tourism industry of day trippers. There may well be a laughing grass train leaving New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago everyday at 6PM. Detroit will never be the same.Now does the Charter say that prohibition is Right? Does the Charter say prohibition is Freedom? [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by VitaminT on December 21, 2003 at 10:41:53 PT Heads Up! look for ONDCP ads on FOX DVD's If you buy or rent the Fox DVD, "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" you're paying Fox to deliver the same ONDCP Drug War Propaganda that you've already been FORCED to pay for as an American taxpayer!Hit 'em where it hurts people! [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Sam Adams on December 21, 2003 at 10:36:06 PT The US or the US government? I don't think most Americans will give a hoot if Canada legalizes. Most of the ones that care at all will be overwhelmingly positive.It's all about the rulers here - our masters in Washington, and the local fascists in the states and towns. I think if a confidential survey were taken of cops on the street, they would overwhelmingly support full legalization. If a survey of Patrolmen's union officials, police chiefs and prosecutors were taken, it would be a different story.The federal government is like a big, fat slob sitting on top of a beach ball. He keeps get fatter and fatter, and the ball keeps getting squeezed flatter and flatter. Right now, I think we're entering a 10 or 15 year periods where the federal swine are pigging out at the trough in a state of complete rapture. Soon the beach ball pops and our entire socio-economic system collapses. Canada and Europe haven't dug themselves into a hole. They've kind of scratched at the surface with a trowel a little bit. But with Canada's independent judiciary, they've got a real chance to move in the right direction.We've got 10 times as much violent crime as Canada, and 10 times as many people in prison. We're creating a class of barbarians within our own society - the people in prison and the ones that keep them there. You can only keep the barbarians at the gate for so long. Just ask the high centralized, corrupted Romans how things worked out. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by jose melendez on December 21, 2003 at 10:14:12 PT buy these drugs or prison as policy is the Pitts! Strange how they worded this, I thought Canada's top court rules Tuesday on whether to strike down Parliament's criminal laws against marijuana as unconstitutional!check out:http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20031219/NEWS08/212190372 Criminalize THIS! [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by SystemGoneDown on December 21, 2003 at 09:38:27 PT Sweet Wow, I never knew I would be anticipating news that probobly won't get covered much on tv... God bless the internet...Burstein says he is "optimistic" the court is on the verge of "something revolutionary." That is AWESOME. I agree with whoever says this will put tremendous pressure on the U.S. My guess is that the U.S. will not be extremely unhappy with Canada, but that should tell you something, about Canada. Not only are they being courageous, but it should signify that the overall public take on marijuana is changing in Canada. And Canada is our nieghbor right above us so there's not much public opinion difference between them and us... so I conclude that this is worst news on earth for MProhibitionists in the U.S. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on December 21, 2003 at 09:08:35 PT Just a Comment What a great Christmas present it would be if this really happens! [ Post Comment ] Post Comment