cannabisnews.com: Hemp Festival Aims To Heighten Public Awareness Hemp Festival Aims To Heighten Public Awareness Posted by CN Staff on May 22, 2004 at 08:57:35 PT By David Walsh Source: Chronicle Herald The bucolic community of Aylesford in the heart of the Annapolis Valley is gearing up to stage Atlantic Canada's first-ever hemp festival, a two-day event aimed at raising awareness about the use of medicinal marijuana. Fox Mountain Camping Park is the selected venue for a weekend extravaganza starting July 31 that will include concerts by some of the province's top bands. The non-profit group Maritimers Unite for Medical Marijuana (MUMM) plans to use the festival to highlight its ongoing concerns about the growth, supply and distribution of medicinal marijuana. MUMM chairwoman and mother of four, Debbie Stultz-Giffin has suffered with multiple sclerosis for six years. Five years ago she was deemed unfit to continue full-time work. Only when using marijuana medicinally on a daily basis does she feel like a normal human being, she said. "At present, 400,000 Canadians require medicinal marijuana and 86 per cent of the population is in support of changing existing laws," she said. MUMM isn't impressed with recent marijuana decriminalization measures. A statement issued by the organization says that "all consumers, distributors and growers of medicinal marijuana should be provided with immediate legal amnesty. Compassion clubs should be acknowledged for their experience and expertise in the medical marijuana arena." The organization's two-day festival will feature several guest speakers, renowned musical artists and numerous vendors offering everything from marijuana memorabilia and paraphernalia to on-site chair massage to intuitive readings. Barbecued food will be available both days and a large on-the-spit style pork roast barbecue is planned for Saturday evening. On the entertainment side, headliner The Terry Edmunds Band from Halifax will link up with other groups such as blues, rock and country outfit City Fish, Muddy Creek and the Blue Marble Band. Gary Kilburn, in charge of security, said he'll run a tight ship. "There will be 20 or more trained staff for the duration of the festival. We will conduct regular patrols of the immediate grounds while staying on top of crowd control, stage privacy, etc. There will be zero-tolerance toward the misuse of drugs and alcohol." He reminds festival-goers that the park does not allow glass bottles on the premises. Overnight camping on Saturday is encouraged and the wheelchair-friendly campsite is fully equipped with electrical hook-ups, showers and canteen facilities. Festival tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the gate. To find out more about the festival, go to: chair mumm.caSource: Chronicle Herald (CN NS)Author: David WalshPublished: May 22, 2004Copyright: 2004 The Halifax Herald LimitedContact: letters herald.caWebsite: http://www.herald.ns.ca/Cannabis News Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmCannabisNews -- Canada Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/Canada.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #46 posted by FoM on May 23, 2004 at 22:36:36 PT People in Canada Need Access to Medicinal Cannabis Medical Errors in Canadian Hospitals Lead to 9000 – 24,000 Deaths Every Year May 24, 2004 A new study says that preventable medical errors in Canadian hospitals lead to thousands of deaths every year. Experts say that the totals, when taking into account population size and the numbers of patients in hospitals, are not that different from preventable medical error percentages and subsequent deaths in the USA, Great Britain and New Zealand. Dr. Foster, a Canadian Hospital Director, says that people should be aware of this. Otherwise, the population will get so alarmed that many sick people will stop going to hospital for treatment. The number of deaths would be much greater if people did not go to hospital for treatment. According to this new study, 7.5% of patients in the year 2,000 had an adverse event. An adverse event here means a complication or accidental injury. Out of the 2.5 million people who are admitted into hospital every year in Canada, about 9000 – 24,000 people died as a result of preventable adverse events (medical errors), says the study. The authors of the study went on to say that many of the patients who died were very old and very ill. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/index.php?newsid=8609 [ Post Comment ] Comment #45 posted by Hope on May 23, 2004 at 19:51:24 PT global_warming Comment #12Thank you very much. I am glad you are happy. You are very kind. You said also, “Hope, I believe, Jesus, was the biggest man I ever read about, it is my prayer and vision, to, as they say, "belly up to the bar", to not deny the cocks crow, to walk into Gods universe.”That’s wonderful, GW, and Peace to you, too. [ Post Comment ] Comment #44 posted by FoM on May 23, 2004 at 19:47:18 PT Hope I know what you mean and understand. Even Paul said we look through a glass darkly. None of us really know much when you think about it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #43 posted by Hope on May 23, 2004 at 19:42:44 PT FoM I don't understand it all either. In fact, I understand very little...and I might be wrong about that. [ Post Comment ] Comment #42 posted by Hope on May 23, 2004 at 19:26:06 PT E_Johnson You are right. I realize the people Paul was warning Timothy about were alive and kicking at the time. I kind of see the descriptions of the people in those more ancient days as very good and interesting “character studies”, that seem to be rather ageless. There was also great discussion and argument at the time as to whether or not it was wrong to eat meat that had been sacrificed to idols. These sacrifices often found their way to the local market as reduced price meat. People wondered.Basically, Paul’s advice to Timothy, as I recall, postulates that it was ok to buy and eat the meat, because, “we know an idol is nothing” On the other hand, he advises Timothy not to eat the meat sacrificed to idols in the presence of someone with a weaker conscience than his, someone who was afraid it was wrong. They hadn’t found “God’s peace” concerning the matter. They’d be all flicked out and upset and NOT experiencing the “joy of the Lord”, or realize the “Kingdom of God”. In love, it was best to not cause people any grief that you could avoid. I think this is what Paul meant and it’s still good advice today.Paul did get so upset over the converted Jewish Christians who wanted to carry over the rules and Laws of Judaism into their new Christian “cult”, that he wrote in anger about those who wanted to require circumcision of converted Gentiles, "I wish they would go all the way and emasculate themselves!” There is still a lot of argument to this day among Christians as to whether the epistles of Paul are “God inspired”. [ Post Comment ] Comment #41 posted by FoM on May 23, 2004 at 17:38:28 PT And One More Thing I have mentioned before that I went to a detox hospital on my own years ago. I was only there three days. I was so very sick but I was determined that someday what I was going thru would be helpful if I shared it. There was a man who had gotten hit over the head in a bar room brawl and he was taken to the hospital. He had been in this position before. After they determined that his injury wasn't life threatening that sent him to the place where I was detoxing. He had been there for 30 days but other people from the half way house told me the story. He couldn't communicate very well and when I talked to him I realized he was mentally ill. I heard mumbling in the hall way the second night I was there and left my room to see what was going on. It was the week before Christmas and cold and snowing out. The other people who were there were standing around this man and saying goodbye. It was late at night. He had a paper bag with all he owned and we watched as he left and I went to the window and watched him until he was out of site. They made that sick man leave in the middle of a cold, snowy night with no where to go because his time was up. I was so upset and to this day it gets me very angry when I recall it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #40 posted by FoM on May 23, 2004 at 17:24:03 PT One More Comment about Prison We don't have good mental health care anymore. I remember when they decided that mental illness was a sin and it could be fixed by getting some religion. I thought what! I watched as they closed this huge mental health hospital back in Pa. and I wondered where the people would go that were sick. They often are the ones that get in trouble and go to jail. Insurance companies didn't want to pay for mental illness and the sin issue was a way out for them in my opinion. [ Post Comment ] Comment #39 posted by FoM on May 23, 2004 at 17:08:30 PT Me Too EJ I am very upset about the prison abuse. I hope that the connection is made between what is happening in Iraq and what happens in our prison system. I have watched a show on Animal Planet called Cell Dogs. It's a show that puts dogs that would be destroyed otherwise in the hands of prisoners and they train them to be good pets or help for handicapped people. It's a good thing. When I watch the show I think about the men and women that are training a dog. Some of them wouldn't make it on the outside and they have even said that about themselves. Some people can't cope and prison gives them security. My sister ( retired police woman) said every winter they had the same people back in jail for some minor offense because it was too cold to be on the streets. We have a huge humanitarian problem and we need to fix it if we can. I really understand how you feel. Some people are in for drug offenses but some for murder or armed robbery. Drug offenders aren't murderers and society needs to know the difference. [ Post Comment ] Comment #38 posted by afterburner on May 23, 2004 at 16:38:50 PT A Cold Wind Is Blowing from the North Martin calls vote for June 28 May. 23, 2004. 05:06 PM OTTAWA - Prime Minister Paul Martin called a federal election today for June 28, and started off his campaign by portraying Conservative Leader Stephen Harper as a right-wing ideologue with dark designs for health care and social programs. In turn, Harper challenged voters to oust a corrupt government. [Full Story] http://tinyurl.com/38mx2 May 20, 2004. 02:58 PM 2004 election straw poll [Toronto Star] http://tinyurl.com/336f8 Election straw pollIf the federal election were being held today, which of the following parties would get your vote?[Current Results]Conservative 183 41% [Want to keep cannabis prohibition status quo]Green 27 6% [Legalize, regulate and tax marijuana production.]Liberal 101 22% [Responsible for phony 'decrim' bill] New Democratic 119 26% [Favor legalization of personal use and cannabis cafes] Other 12 2% [May include Marijuana Party of Canada: Immediately remove all criminal sanctions related to cannabis and it’s derivatives.]Voices: Federal election http://tinyurl.com/ypt66 [ Post Comment ] Comment #37 posted by E_Johnson on May 23, 2004 at 16:00:10 PT This prisoner abuse thing has me all upset The drug war feels like a more urgent thing when I think of everyone in prison. I guess for people who don't think of them as human beings, or think it's the drugs that we actually incarcerate, not the people, it's an issue that could just as well wait another 20 years for political resolution.I can't continue be part of a prison abusing political party. It's beyond what I can stand morally and emotionally. [ Post Comment ] Comment #36 posted by Robbie on May 23, 2004 at 14:28:59 PT EJ...I've said this before and I was chided for not being sufficiently anti-Bush, though I know that however bad Republicans may be on drug-law reform, the Democrats will be nearly in lockstep on this issue.Moore said (at some point before endorsing Clark) that he thought that a "left" view that he disagreed with was that drugs are probably bad for you, or some such. Probably? Maybe? What a wet sack of dung! And while Moore regularly attacks drug company priorities, he said nothing of the bad legal drugs.I'll give Moore credit for being the only one to push issues that most pols don't want to discuss, but I don't think he'll be as vociferous in his attacks on Democrats for their continued pandering. Not until, of course, he's burned by them. Then maybe we'll see some criticism.Maybe. [ Post Comment ] Comment #35 posted by afterburner on May 23, 2004 at 13:26:16 PT Cpl. Stoner -- I Kid You Not. Your Tax $ at Work CN BC: Police Resources Can't Keep Up With Grow Ops by Tom Barnes, (21 May 2004) Maple Ridge Times British Columbia http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n762/a01.html?176 ' The 10 grow ops dismantled over the last two weeks, had the local drug squad running at a fever pitch and required the help of other detachments, and had officers working over-time hours. ' "Unfortunately ( busting grow ops ) is extremely costly," Cpl. Stoner said, "and very time consuming and therefore we cannot do this volume on a regular basis." ' For example, gathering evidence and writing search warrants for a single grow op can take two officers between 20 and 60 hours. After the home is busted, six officers spend an average of five hours in the home. ' Processing evidence, suspects and reporting to the courts can take another 40 hours. 'Leave it to the government and law enforcement to find another way to waste 'tons' of money instead to the obvious Legalize, Regulate, and TAX, which would bring more money into the public coffers. [ Post Comment ] Comment #34 posted by FoM on May 23, 2004 at 10:33:22 PT I Understand Now I know Michael Moore has done a good thing trying to help defeat Bush. As far as drug policy goes I don't think he is geared that way. That doesn't mean that he doesn't care but what is important to him is what he is doing. I know Kerry might not be much better then Bush but I just can't forgive Bush for this war. Too many have died. If Kerry wins and doesn't end this war then the blood will be on his hands. [ Post Comment ] Comment #33 posted by E_Johnson on May 23, 2004 at 10:18:40 PT It doesn't matter how he feels personally FoM This is what I keep hearing from Democrats with politics like Moore's:Yes we agree some drug reform is needed but it's not an important issue.I have been hearing that since the Drug War first began! I am so tired of hearing it because I know exactly what it means.It means the minute one of their "important" issues comes up, they will bargain with the Republicans by getting tough on drugs to get the votes they need in Congress for their pet issue.Clinton did this over and over again.Kerry is going to do it too. And then the people in the Hollywood left who say we need some drug reform will say, well -- we need it later.As in -- see you later. Don't call us, we'll call you.I'm just hoping it doesn't end up like that but the signs are there. It's nice and fun all being on the same side against Bush but if they win we'll be on opposite sides again and be hurt all over again with a new President.I just don't want to set myself up for disappointment by welcoming into my heart the anti-Bush bandwagon. Kerry is gearing up his law enforcement support now and that's a big hand getting ready to smack us down and where will Michael Moore be then when they do that?Will he make a movie attacking Kerry for beating on the potheads? I think not. [ Post Comment ] Comment #32 posted by FoM on May 23, 2004 at 09:57:43 PT EJ I Don't Understand I don't think Michael Moore ever said how he feels about marijuana but I could be wrong. [ Post Comment ] Comment #31 posted by E_Johnson on May 23, 2004 at 09:36:12 PT This is what I fear Kerry gets elected and everyone in the Hollywood elite like Moore who is now fighting Bush will just ignore whatever nasty things Kerry does to pound the hell out of this community like Bush did.They all kissed CLinton's hand when it was his turn to beat on the potheads. They will kiss Kerry's hand when his turn comes too. The future is hard for us no matter what. [ Post Comment ] Comment #30 posted by FoM on May 23, 2004 at 09:26:55 PT NPR Radio on Michael Moore's Award For those who are interested here's the link!http://www.npr.org/features/feature.php?wfId=1906893 [ Post Comment ] Comment #29 posted by E_Johnson on May 23, 2004 at 07:48:13 PT I do not trust Michael Moore sorry I do not trust anyone from the Hollywood left. They mainly think the drug reform movement is a self indulgent cause having nothing to do with real social justice.Is he ready to join to board of NORML or be an MPP VIP?Fat chance! That would hurt his public image and and his fame and power and he knows it and his dedication to social justice stops right there.I don't trust anyone just because they make a big noise about Bush.Howard Dean made big noise about Bush and he wanted us all locked in a cage, too. [ Post Comment ] Comment #28 posted by billos on May 23, 2004 at 03:10:06 PT: MOORE will be considered............. The Anti-Bush! And yes, FoM, we need many more like him....... [ Post Comment ] Comment #27 posted by FoM on May 22, 2004 at 23:17:43 PT One More Comment Michael Moore did a great job with his acceptance speech. We need more Michael Moores in the world. [ Post Comment ] Comment #26 posted by FoM on May 22, 2004 at 22:43:27 PT BGreen This is so different watching Cannes Film Festival's closing ceremonies. They are saying no Bush. I don't like Joe Scarborough because he likes himself too much. I mind people with extreme egos. I won't even mention O'Reilly! I really like Chris Matthews Ha! LOL! [ Post Comment ] Comment #25 posted by BGreen on May 22, 2004 at 22:36:56 PT I Don't Like Scarborough Country Either It's on right before Hardball with Chris Matthews. Ha!I turned the channel a little early.I'm really sick of American elitism. The French bashing has done nothing but further alienate the rest of the world.France is not alone in the world. France is a member of the European Union, along with 24 other countries *including* Great Britain. Great Britain has a legal obligation to protect France but has none to protect the US.Michael Moore isn't guilty of treason and the French are good people.The Reverend Bud Green [ Post Comment ] Comment #24 posted by FoM on May 22, 2004 at 22:18:36 PT BGreen I really don't like Scarborough. I always changed the channel when he's on. He really doesn't fit well on MSNBC. I really appreciate Michael Moore. He is passionate but gentle. He has that nice smile that says that he is content and at peace with himself but boy can he make a point! I'm watching the closing ceremony on IFC right now. Our world truly is bitter sweet these days. [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by E_Johnson on May 22, 2004 at 21:53:52 PT There's interpretation and there's history People can choose to interpret the Bible any way they want, but the historical events the authors experienced when they wrote those things are well known. The historical events surrounding the debates concerning food and marriage are the events of the religion moving from only Jewish followers to a widening base of Gentile followers who did not feel the same obligation to follow Jewish dietary restrictions or religious traditions as did the Jews who founded the Messianic cult to begin with.That's why they argued about food and marriage and who was a real follower of the Messiah and who worshipped the true God.Suddenly all of these non Jews are coming on board in droves and what are people going to do about that? They want to worship this Jewish Messiah but they are not Jewish, they don't know Passover, they don't know the dietary laws, they are different.There was a big confusion over who and what this new religion was. But the confusion was never really cleared up because the religion just keeps changing and people keep reading new things into the same old words. [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by BGreen on May 22, 2004 at 21:43:29 PT FoM, Can You Believe This Idiocy? I was watching Scarborough Country with Joe Scarborough last Monday and I heard this particular interview.I like Michael Moore. He's just a fatter, richer Reverend Bud Green.The Reverend Bud Green**********************************************************SCARBOROUGH: And let me begin with you, Jack Burkman.Obviously, Michael Moore has been very vocal. This is what he said over the weekend. And I want to read it for you—quote—“I‘m the most patriotic American who believes the principles of his country. My job is to be an American and try to turn things around.”But just a few weeks ago, this self-described patriot said—quote—“I oppose the U.N. or anybody else risking their lives of their citizens to extract us from this debacle. The majority of Americans supported this war once it began and sadly that majority must now sacrifice their children until enough blood has been let that maybe, just maybe, God and the Iraqi people will forgive us in the end.”It appears—it doesn‘t appear. It seems that Michael Moore is saying more Americans need to die. Is this guy a patriot? JACK BURKMAN, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: It‘s sad, Joe. Certainly, he‘s a silly buffoon. He‘s not a patriot. But let me raise the stakes a little bit tonight with Michael Moore. Let‘s use the T-word. This is treason. Michael Moore is stepping over the line. Yes, First Amendment, say what you want. We all cherish it, sure. But he is now, through this film and his other statements, encouraging Baathists and other rebels to rise up and fire on American troops. And I think that‘s actionable. A lot of people might find that to be a radical statement, but, if that‘s not treason, what is? I think this is a very serious issue. How is that different from providing surface-to-air missiles to the Baathists? The First Amendment is not a panacea. Yes, it is‘s broad. It should be broad. He can criticize the administration. He can denounce the war. He can denounce the U.S. Army. He can do anything he wants. But when you cross that line of encouraging foreign troops to fire on U.S. soldiers, I think the Justice Department should look seriously into treason. And I‘ll say something else to the French at Cannes. If they want to stand up and applaud this bum, if they think this is great, the French should remember this. God forbid if Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda ever decide to go into Paris and knock over the Eiffel Tower or the Elysee Palace or anything else, and God forbid that should happen, but if it does, remember this. Only the United States of America and only American armed forces can defend you, and if you continue to denounce America, even American benevolence, even American graciousness, which, as you know, as you saw in the last century, is almost boundless, even that will run out and you will have no one and no way to defend yourselves. Transcript: MSNBC Scarborough Country, May 17, 2004 [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by breeze on May 22, 2004 at 21:33:38 PT E_Johnson- I agree interpretation of the bible is up to the reader. If you would please follow this link- you will find out just "how" radical interpretation can be.http://www.postfun.com/pfp/NC-17Bible.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by FoM on May 22, 2004 at 20:46:12 PT Heads Up: On Closing Ceremonies of Cannes Cannes Closing Ceremonies will be on IFC Channel 550 at 12:30 AM on Direct TV if anyone is interested in checking it out. I don't know if it is on cable though.http://michaelmoore.com/http://www.festival-cannes.fr/index.php?langue=6002 [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by FoM on May 22, 2004 at 20:08:52 PT I'm Happy for Michael Moore Michael Moore, Red-Hot and Golden: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A48715-2004May22.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by FoM on May 22, 2004 at 19:28:13 PT Off Topic: NYT: Michael Moore Article Michael Moore's Candid CameraAuthor: Frank Rich Published: May 23, 2004But why should we hear about body bags, and deaths, and how many, what day it's gonna happen, and how many this or what do you suppose? Or, I mean, it's, it's not relevant. So why should I waste my beautiful mind on something like that? And watch him suffer."— Barbara Bush on "Good Morning America," March 18, 2003She needn't have worried. Her son wasn't suffering. In one of the several pieces of startling video exhibited for the first time in Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11," we catch a candid glimpse of President Bush some 36 hours after his mother's breakfast TV interview — minutes before he makes his own prime-time TV address to take the nation to war in Iraq. He is sitting at his desk in the Oval Office. A makeup woman is doing his face. And Mr. Bush is having a high old time. He darts his eyes about and grins, as if he were playing a peek-a-boo game with someone just off-camera. He could be a teenager goofing with his buds to relieve the passing tedium of a haircut. "In your wildest dreams you couldn't imagine Franklin Roosevelt behaving this way 30 seconds before declaring war, with grave decisions and their consequences at stake," said Mr. Moore in an interview before his new documentary's premiere at Cannes last Monday. "But that may be giving him credit for thinking that the decisions were grave." As we spoke, the consequences of those decisions kept coming. The premiere of "Fahrenheit 9/11" took place as news spread of the assassination of a widely admired post-Saddam Iraqi leader, Ezzedine Salim, blown up by a suicide bomber just a hundred yards from the entrance to America's "safe" headquarters, the Green Zone, in Baghdad."Fahrenheit 9/11" will arrive soon enough at your local cineplex — there's lots of money to be made — so discount much of the squabbling en route. Disney hasn't succeeded in censoring Mr. Moore so much as in enhancing his stature as a master provocateur and self-promoter. And the White House, which likewise hasn't a prayer of stopping this film, may yet fan the p.r. flames. "It's so outrageously false, it's not even worth comment," was last week's blustery opening salvo by Dan Bartlett, the White House communications director. New York's Daily News reported that Republican officials might even try to use the Federal Election Commission to shut the film down. That would be the best thing to happen to Michael Moore since Charlton Heston granted him an interview.Whatever you think of Mr. Moore, there's no question he's detonating dynamite here. From a variety of sources — foreign journalists and broadcasters (like Britain's Channel Four), freelancers and sympathetic American TV workers who slipped him illicit video — he supplies war-time pictures that have been largely shielded from our view. Instead of recycling images of the planes hitting the World Trade Center on 9/11 once again, Mr. Moore can revel in extended new close-ups of the president continuing to read "My Pet Goat" to elementary school students in Florida for nearly seven long minutes after learning of the attack. Just when Abu Ghraib and the savage beheading of Nicholas Berg make us think we've seen it all, here is yet another major escalation in the nation-jolting images that have become the battleground for the war about the war."Fahrenheit 9/11" is not the movie Moore watchers, fans or foes, were expecting. (If it were, the foes would find it easier to ignore.) When he first announced this project last year after his boorish Oscar-night diatribe against Mr. Bush, he described it as an exposé of the connections between the Bush and bin Laden dynasties. But that story has been so strenuously told elsewhere — most notably in Craig Unger's best seller, "House of Bush, House of Saud" — that it's no longer news. Mr. Moore settles for a brisk recap in the first of his film's two hours. And, predictably, he stirs it into an over-the-top, at times tendentious replay of a Bush hater's greatest hits: Katherine Harris, the Supreme Court, Harken Energy, AWOL in Alabama, the Carlyle Group, Halliburton, the lazy Crawford vacation of August 2001, the Patriot Act. But then the movie veers off in another direction entirely. Mr. Moore takes the same hairpin turn the country has over the past 14 months and crash-lands into the gripping story that is unfolding in real time right now.Wasn't it just weeks ago that we were debating whether we should see the coffins of the American dead and whether Ted Koppel should read their names on "Nightline"? In "Fahrenheit 9/11," we see the actual dying, of American troops and Iraqi civilians alike, with all the ripped flesh and spilled guts that the violence of war entails. (If Steven Spielberg can simulate World War II carnage in "Saving Private Ryan," it's hard to argue that Mr. Moore should shy away from the reality in a present-day war.) We also see some of the 4,000-plus American casualties: those troops hidden away in clinics at Walter Reed and at Blanchfield Army Community Hospital in Fort Campbell, Ky., where they try to cope with nerve damage and multiple severed limbs. They are not silent. They talk about their pain and their morphine, and they talk about betrayal. "I was a Republican for quite a few years," one soldier says with an almost innocent air of bafflement, "and for some reason they conduct business in a very dishonest way."Of course, Mr. Moore is being selective in what he chooses to include in his movie; he's a polemicist, not a journalist. But he implicitly raises the issue that much of what we've seen elsewhere during this war, often under the label of "news," has been just as subjectively edited. Perhaps the most damning sequence in "Fahrenheit 9/11" is the one showing American troops as they ridicule hooded detainees in a holding pen near Samara, Iraq, in December 2003. A male soldier touches the erection of a prisoner lying on a stretcher underneath a blanket, an intimation of the sexual humiliations that were happening at Abu Ghraib at that same time. Besides adding further corroboration to Seymour Hersh's report that the top command has sanctioned a culture of abuse not confined to a single prison or a single company or seven guards, this video raises another question: why didn't we see any of this on American TV before "60 Minutes II"?Don Van Natta Jr. of The New York Times reported in March 2003 that we were using hooding and other inhumane techniques at C.I.A. interrogation centers in Afghanistan and elsewhere. CNN reported on Jan. 20, after the Army quietly announced its criminal investigation into prison abuses, that "U.S. soldiers reportedly posed for photographs with partially unclothed Iraqi prisoners." And there the matter stood for months, even though, as we know now, soldiers' relatives with knowledge of these incidents were repeatedly trying to alert Congress and news organizations to the full panorama of the story.Mr. Moore says he obtained his video from an independent foreign journalist embedded with the Americans. "We've had this footage in our possession for two months," he says. "I saw it before any of the Abu Ghraib news broke. I think it's pretty embarrassing that a guy like me with a high school education and with no training in journalism can do this. What the hell is going on here? It's pathetic."We already know that politicians in denial will dismiss the abuse sequence in Mr. Moore's film as mere partisanship. Someone will surely echo Senator James Inhofe's Abu Ghraib complaint that "humanitarian do-gooders" looking for human rights violations are maligning "our troops, our heroes" as they continue to fight and die. But Senator Inhofe and his colleagues might ask how much they are honoring soldiers who are overextended, undermanned and bereft of a coherent plan in Iraq. Last weekend The Los Angeles Times reported that for the first time three Army divisions, more than a third of its combat troops, are so depleted of equipment and skills that they are classified "unfit to fight." In contrast to Washington's neglect, much of "Fahrenheit 9/11" turns out to be a patriotic celebration of the heroic American troops who have been fighting and dying under these and other deplorable conditions since President Bush's declaration of war.In particular, the movie's second hour is carried by the wrenching story of Lila Lipscomb, a flag-waving, self-described "conservative Democrat" from Mr. Moore's hometown of Flint, Mich., whose son, Sgt. Michael Pedersen, was killed in Iraq. We watch Mrs. Lipscomb, who by her own account "always hated" antiwar protesters, come undone with grief and rage. As her extended family gathers around her in the living room, she clutches her son's last letter home and reads it aloud, her shaking voice and hand contrasting with his precise handwriting on lined notebook paper. A good son, Sergeant Pedersen thanks his mother for sending "the bible and books and candy," but not before writing of the president: "He got us out here for nothing whatsoever. I am so furious right now, Mama."By this point, Mr. Moore's jokes, some of them sub-par retreads of Jon Stewart's riffs about the coalition of the willing, have vanished from "Fahrenheit 9/11." So, pretty much, has Michael Moore himself. He told me that Harvey Weinstein of Miramax had wanted him to insert more of himself into the film — "you're the star they're coming to see" — but for once he exercised self-control, getting out of the way of a story that is bigger than he is. "It doesn't need me running around with my exclamation points," he said. He can't resist underlining one moral at the end, but by then the audience, crushed by the needlessness of Mrs. Lipscomb's loss, is ready to listen. Speaking of America's volunteer army, Mr. Moore concludes: "They serve so that we don't have to. They offer to give up their lives so that we can be free. It is, remarkably, their gift to us. And all they ask for in return is that we never send them into harm's way unless it is absolutely necessary. Will they ever trust us again?""Fahrenheit 9/11" doesn't push any Vietnam analogies, but you may find one in a montage at the start, in which a number of administration luminaries (Cheney, Rice, Ashcroft, Powell) in addition to the president are seen being made up for TV appearances. It's reminiscent of Richard Avedon's photographic portrait of the Mission Council, the American diplomats and military figures running the war in Saigon in 1971. But at least those subjects were dignified. In Mr. Moore's candid-camera portraits, a particularly unappetizing spectacle is provided by Paul Wolfowitz, the architect of both the administration's Iraqi fixation and its doctrine of "preventive" war. We watch him stick his comb in his mouth until it is wet with spit, after which he runs it through his hair. This is not the image we usually see of the deputy defense secretary, who has been ritualistically presented in the press as the most refined of intellectuals — a guy with, as Barbara Bush would have it, a beautiful mind.Like Mrs. Bush, Mr. Wolfowitz hasn't let that mind be overly sullied by body bags and such — to the point where he underestimated the number of American deaths in Iraq by more than 200 in public last month. No one would ever accuse Michael Moore of having a beautiful mind. Subtleties and fine distinctions are not his thing. That matters very little, it turns out, when you have a story this ugly and this powerful to tell. Copyright: 2004 The New York Timeshttp://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/23/arts/23RICH.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by billos on May 22, 2004 at 18:52:53 PT: YES ! WAY TO GO MICHAEL MOORE BUT........ Look at one of many ramifications to come.............."Disney Blocks Distribution of Film Critical of Bush"THIS IS CENSORSHIP..........It's here folks, right in front of us, right now, no if ands or buts.If this isn't halted NOW, it's only the beginning.THIS IS IT !We have had enough............ [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by E_Johnson on May 22, 2004 at 15:58:59 PT Ooops -- try again BUSH INJURED TRYING TO INCREASE CANNABINOIDS CRAWFORD, Texas - President Bush suffered cuts and bruises early Saturday afternoon when he fell while mountain biking on his ranch, White House spokesman Trent Duffy said.Bush was on the 16th mile of a 17-mile ride when he fell, Duffy said. He was riding with a military aide, members of the Secret Service and his personal physician, Dr. Richard Tubb. "He had minor abrasions and scratches on his chin, upper lip, nose, right hand and both knees," Duffy said. "Dr. Tubb, who was with him, cleaned his scratches, said he was fine. The Secret Service offered to drive him back to the house. He declined and finished his ride." [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by E_Johnson on May 22, 2004 at 15:55:05 PT Bush injured trying to increase cannabinoids He's chasing that exercise high. Just hand the man some reefer! Sheesh, what is the Secret Service for, if not for service in secret?http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/wire/ats-ap_top13may22,1,7216218.story [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by global_warming on May 22, 2004 at 13:49:06 PT Hope I am so happy that you have not departed, for my constant dream that awakens me, has assured me that the fruits of man, shall carry us to God."The bucolic community of Aylesford in the heart of the Annapolis Valley is gearing up to stage Atlantic Canada's first-ever hemp festival, a two-day event aimed at raising awareness about the use of medicinal marijuana.""Bucolic" reminds me of some kind of "depression", some "chemical" imbalence, exploited by "pork avenue", yet, the children die, the bombs never end, the tears never dry, the people of this Aylesford, are not different fron any town or city, the arrested behavior is symptom of the ADD treatments, the party line, the new religion, there is no god, this world is adrift, without any spiritual direction, as Timothy understood, the world, the people, can easily be misled.All the marijuana in this world cannot carry the disgrace that we have to carry, all the religions cannot carry this terrible burden, one man, took upon his frail body such a burden.Hope, I believe, Jesus, was the biggest man I ever read about, it is my prayer and vision, to, as they say, "belly up to the bar", to not deny the cocks crow, to walk into Gods universe.Peace -gw [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by FoM on May 22, 2004 at 12:21:48 PT Way To Go Michael Moore! Michael Moore Wins Palme d'Or Saturday, May 22, 2004 CANNES, France — American filmmaker Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11," a scathing indictment of White House actions after the Sept. 11 attacks, won the top prize Saturday at the Cannes Film Festival."Fahrenheit 9/11" was the first documentary to win Cannes' prestigious Palme d'Or since Jacques Cousteau's "The Silent World" in 1956. "What have you done? I'm completely overwhelmed by this. Merci," Moore said after getting a standing ovation from the Cannes crowd. Complete Article: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,120671,00.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by FoM on May 22, 2004 at 12:13:03 PT EJ and Hope I don't understand it all. I look at issues way differently then most people. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by Hope on May 22, 2004 at 11:53:26 PT LaHaye and fellows These guys might more accurately be labeled, I would think, "Entertainers", than "Prophets" or even "Teachers" or “Leaders”. It's sad that some people really seem to want human “leaders” and to be led through everyday of their lives and not have to think too much, themselves. For sure, these are some of the guys that will fulfill their desire, for a price. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by E_Johnson on May 22, 2004 at 11:52:00 PT Maybe all arguments are prophecies Maybe the argument between Christians that we see only one side of in the Bible is still taking place. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by E_Johnson on May 22, 2004 at 11:48:01 PT Hope that was an argument not a prophecy That letter was really about whether Gentiles who joined the Jewish Messiah cult called Christianity should be made to follow the dietary restrictions of Jews who founded the cult. Those laws forbid pork and shellfish and meat cooked in milk and a lot of things that Roman Gentiles thought natural good food that everyone should eat.That was an argument taking place between Christians. We can't see that in the Bible because the Bible was edited to only keep the side that won those debates.That's why there is a lot of references to false Christs and Christians, because in the first 400 years after the death of that dude, people in the Christ cult argued ferociously with each other over which group of Christians were the real Christians.People interpret stuff pretty wildly in the Bible, far differently from how it was meant to be interpreted way way way way back when it was written, when the politics and disputes within the Church weere very different from what they are now. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by FoM on May 22, 2004 at 11:27:11 PT Hope We are in a very serious war. A war that could change the world forever. We need to understand why this is happening and I agree with you about trying to find answers. These are perilous times. Did you see the cover of Newweek Magazine this week I think it is. They were on Debra Norville last night.http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4988269/site/newsweek/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by Hope on May 22, 2004 at 11:20:08 PT Off topic? You all know...or most of you do, I'm sure, if you've ever read any of my posts, that I am fascinated by openhearted, open-minded Bible study.This afternoon, my attention has been caught...again...by certain scriptures. Off topic to a festival celebrating the cannabis plant? Powerful people who are liars and hypocritical and wear robes of Godliness off topic here?. I’m not saying this is profound or pertains to anyone. It is interesting to consider the words in this best selling piece of literature.First letter from Paul to Timothy. Fourth Chapter.1 Timothy 4Instructions to Timothy 1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on May 22, 2004 at 10:36:18 PT Thanks afterburner Maybe in time they will have a little web site. It's really nice when organizations have web sites. It gives us a personal connection with the group. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by afterburner on May 22, 2004 at 10:31:39 PT Closest I Could Find So Far, In List but No Link CCC: Participating Organizations http://cannabiscoalition.ca/orgs.htm [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on May 22, 2004 at 09:57:33 PT afterburner Does Maritimers Unite for Medical Marijuana have a web site? I looked for one but couldn't find one unless I missed it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by afterburner on May 22, 2004 at 09:53:26 PT Health Canada Allows Only about 700 Out of 400,000 "At present, 400,000 Canadians require medicinal marijuana and 86 per cent of the population is in support of changing existing laws," [Debbie Stultz-Giffin] said."Canada's 700 or so legal users" --Medical Marijuana: How To Acquire and Distribute March 30, 2004 http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/18/thread18562.shtmlWake up, Health Canada, stop obstructing medical need. "all consumers, distributors and growers of medicinal marijuana should be provided with immediate legal amnesty. Compassion clubs should be acknowledged for their experience and expertise in the medical marijuana arena." --Maritimers Unite for Medical Marijuana (MUMM) [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on May 22, 2004 at 09:48:16 PT Have a Nice Weekend! Well it's Saturday and MSNBC is showing Headliners & Legends. I guess all is alright with the world on weekends. The last few days it has been raining so much that we thought we might need to build an Ark. Today the sun is out and we have a lot of mowing to do. We turned on music ( Steve Earle ) and it sure takes the edge off to take a break from what is happening in the world. I hope the weather is nice where you all live today. I'll keep looking for news but so far there isn't much happening. Have a great weekend everyone! [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on May 22, 2004 at 09:19:41 PT NYT: A Nice Tourism Article About Vancouver In VancouverPublished: May 23, 2004 A trip to Vancouver, a sparkling city of glass and steel edged with snowcapped mountains, blends international chic with rugged Pacific Northwest grandeur. You won't feel out of place dressed to the nines, nibbling haute cuisine, but the region's jaw-dropping topography adds an earthy undertone. Bustling high style is tempered by courtesy and reserve. Driving in Vancouver can be frenetic and exasperating, but no one honks.Complete Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/23/travel/23wdvanc.html [ Post Comment ] Post Comment