cannabisnews.com: Cellucci Blowing Smoke on Marijuana Cellucci Blowing Smoke on Marijuana Posted by CN Staff on November 15, 2004 at 21:57:08 PT Editorial Source: Toronto Star On most issues affecting the U.S. and Canada, Paul Cellucci is a model of common sense. Despite our differences over things like same-sex marriage and lumber, he says, what sets us apart is only that "Canada is a little more liberal than the United States; the United States is a little more conservative."But turn to the subject of marijuana, and the outgoing U.S. ambassador loses his logical composure. He also comes perilously close to interfering in the way we conduct our domestic affairs. "Why, when we're trying to take pressure off the border, would Canada pass a law that would put pressure on the border?" Cellucci asked last week.Translation: If we persist in making possession of a minuscule amount of pot no longer a crime, Canadian tourists and exporters are going to face even longer delays at the border.The ambassador predicts U.S. border authorities will be stopping more vehicles, especially if they're being driven by young people — young people, apparently, are automatically suspected of drug-smuggling.His excellency points out that U.S. customs, immigration and security officials already have their hands full at border crossings trying to keep prospective terrorists out.In that case, why would they divert all this extra attention suddenly to the already thriving cross-border trade in marijuana?Just because Parliament has decided treating kids like criminals for passing around a joint at a party doesn't really do much to stop drug trafficking either here or in the U.S.There's an element of kettle as well as pot to all of this. About a dozen U.S. states, including California and New York, have removed criminal sanctions from marijuana possession and there's little evidence of border slowdowns between those that have and those that haven't.Under our proposed law, criminal sanctions would still apply for anyone caught with more than 15 grams of pot. In most U.S. states that have adopted some measure of decriminalization, people are still be able to get off with fines for having up to 28.35 grams. Besides New York and Ohio, other states bordering Canada that have eased pot laws more than we're about to do include Minnesota, Maine and Alaska where the lowest penalties are imposed for possession of up to 226 grams. It's a wonder we haven't put delays on Americans at our borders to keep the potheads out — but, of course, we don't have the resources.In the land of the free, U.S. presidents can't bully the states into their own conservative agendas.That's what makes the attempts of a U.S. ambassador to bully a bordering nation out of its more liberal policies so much more outrageous.Kindly butt out, Mr. Ambassador.This is an edited excerpt of an editorial from the Times Colonist, Victoria, B.C. Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)Published: November 15, 2004Copyright: 2004 The Toronto Star Contact: lettertoed thestar.com Website: http://www.thestar.com/ Related Articles & Web Site:Cannabis News Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmCellucci Assails Pot Lawhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19795.shtmlLet's Remember Prohibition and Legalize http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19755.shtmlCannabisNews -- Canada Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/Canada.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #18 posted by FoM on November 16, 2004 at 19:22:00 PT News Article from CTV.ca U.S. Debuts Strict New Border Screening MeasuresCTV.ca News StaffNovember 15 2004 Getting into the United States from Canada has just become more difficult for anyone who is not a Canadian or American citizen.Landed immigrants, or anyone who was not born in the United States or Canada, will be fingerprinted, photographed and undergo detailed computer checks before crossing the border to the U.S. Anyone who refuses to be photographed or fingerprinted will be denied entry and sent back."Like any country, the U.S. has the right to make its own rules regarding admissibility and visitors to the United States must comply with those rules," Foreign Affairs Canada spokesperson Rodney Moore told CTV.ca."Permanent residents, while of course being a part of Canadian society, remain citizens of other countries."Moore explains the United States will not be singling out people because of their birthplaces. Rather, citizenship will be the determining factor.The Homeland Security Department's new technology was implemented at three U.S. land crossings, including one at a Canadian border city on Monday. They include gateways at Laredo, Texas; Douglas, Ariz.; and Port Huron, Mich. which borders on Sarnia, Ont.Reporting from the checkpoint in Sarnia, CTV's Lisa LaFlamme found travellers frustrated, but resigned to the new security regulations."I think it's an invasion of privacy," American John Weier said, adding that he nevertheless thinks, "it's a good idea.""I don't care if its fingerprinting, searching, lineups and waiting -- it's either that or 3,000 more dead people," U.S. resident Darlene Thomas added.A visitor from India seemed to agree, telling LaFlamme he was not put out by the "secondary security" screening."(They asked me) where I'm coming from, where I'm going to, what I do," he said, explaining that he was then fingerprinted and photographed. "And then a brief interview about previous visits to the U.S. That's it."Of the approximately 5,500 trucks and cars that cross the border at Sarnia everyday, an average of 100 people are expected to be subjected to the digital scan.Pilot programThe United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology program, or US-VISIT, has been in place at 115 U.S. airports and 14 seaports since Jan. 5, 2004.But officials are looking for glitches before the technology is enforced at 50 of the nation's busiest land crossings -- 17 of which are on the Canadian-American border -- by the end of the year. And by the end of 2005, the technology will be used at all 165 land border crossings.The process of scanning someone's two index fingers and taking a digital photograph takes about 15 seconds, Kimberley Weissman, spokesperson with the Department of Homeland Security, US-VISIT program told CTV.caThis information will be captured during someone's entry into the United States. But over the next year, it will also be implemented on someone's departure.The United States has seen increased border safety measures since Congress passed extra security requirements in response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.This technology enables border officials to compare photos and digital finger-scans to terrorist and criminal watch lists. Information collected in this database may be used for law enforcement purposes, but only on a need-to-know basis, Weissman says.Homeland Security is spending $340 million US on inkless fingerprinting machines, digital cameras and computer equipment. Another $340 million US will be spent in 2005.The department will store this information indefinitely in a database, but officials promise restricted use to allay privacy concerns. Politicians and business leaders fought the system at first, fearing slowed traffic and a negative impact on local business. But Border Trade Alliance President Maria Luisa O'Connell told The Associated Press she is optimistic."From what I have seen and what I have heard in our conversations with Homeland Security, what they're looking to do at this first stage seems to be OK," she said. "We don't believe that it's going to cause more backups or lines." "Anything that helps them identify who people are helps us," said Thomas Hutka, city manager of Port Huron, Mich.Mexican citizens who hold Border Crossing Cards, or laser visas, will not be subject to printing and photographing.These cards allow Mexicans to enter the U.S. for short visits restricting them to travel 25 miles or less from the Texas, California and New Mexico borders; and 75 miles in Arizona.When she was asked whether Canada plans to adopts its own version of the digital registration process, Immigration Minister Judy Sgro balked, telling reporters Ottawa has no plans to follow Washington on this issue.We are a sovereign country, Sgro said, with the power to make our own laws and decisions.Prepared with files from CTV's Lisa LaFlamme and The Associated Press Copyright: 2004 Bell Globemedia Inc. http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1100517553858_3/?hub=Canada [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by FoM on November 16, 2004 at 17:48:14 PT mayan I think it's Tuesday! LOL! I couldn't resist. We are watching VH1 Classic this hour. They are playing Neil's new Greatest Hits CD. They are showing different video clips of him and it has eased my mind a little.http://www.neilyoung.com/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by mayan on November 16, 2004 at 17:43:27 PT more The Perfect Election Day Crime: http://www.ilcaonline.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1012&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0 [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by mayan on November 16, 2004 at 17:35:11 PT Here's One... Here's the latest I can find. Not much new info but I'll keep looking.Cobb campaign announces Ohio recount progress: http://www.times-standard.com/Stories/0,1413,127~2896~2538412,00.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by mayan on November 16, 2004 at 17:29:29 PT FoM,GCW... What day is it? Sorry, just woke up...didn't get much sleep over the weekend! I'll see what I can find about Ohio but in the meantime, wouldn't it be nice if Bush was indicted for war crimes when he travels to Canada later this year? I know it's a slim chance but wouldn't that be something?When U.S. President George W. Bush arrives in Ottawa — probably later this year — should he be welcomed? Or should he be charged with war crimes?It's an interesting question. On the face of it, Bush seems a perfect candidate for prosecution under Canada's Crimes against Humanity and War Crimes Act...Should Canada indict Bush? http://tinyurl.com/3wr62 [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by siege on November 16, 2004 at 11:30:39 PT Comment #9 The Dept. Agriculture has been trying to get you to turn your [[Home stead Seeds]] for 2 years for there new ones a fue have dun it and replanted and come with nothing from them, and have asks poeple for the old seeds to get started again the food from the old seed taste better then the new ones, but not as perty.. the way it is going they will come out and take them before long so you have to buy them every year. some of the old corn we save but buy the new sweet corn yearly. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by FoM on November 16, 2004 at 11:15:29 PT Potpal Thank You! http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread19829.shtml [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by FoM on November 16, 2004 at 10:54:17 PT Just a Comment I would like to know about Ohio too. There just isn't any news so far today but I'll keep looking. I also will let you all know when I am going to be off line when my new computer arrives. We have to install a new satellite modem plus I'm sure it won't go smoothly because it never has for me in the past. My motto prepare for the worst and be happy if it goes easily. I love computers but they also drive me crazy! LOL! [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by potpal on November 16, 2004 at 10:50:43 PT hemp for victory http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3704878.stm [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by The GCW on November 16, 2004 at 10:49:45 PT mayan, What about Ohio? PLUS farming in Iraq? Is there any more news about that recount in Ohio?420INOHIONew from GRAIN 15 October 2004 World Food Day: Iraqi farmers aren't celebrating NEWS RELEASE For immediate release http://www.grain.org/nfg/?id=253 When the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) celebrates biodiversity on World Food Day on October 16, Iraqi farmers will be mourning its loss. A new report [1] by GRAIN and Focus on the Global South has found that new legislation in Iraq has been carefully put in place by the US that prevents farmers from saving their seeds and effectively hands over the seed market to transnational corporations. This is a disastrous turn of events for Iraqi farmers, biodiversity and the country's food security. While political sovereignty remains an illusion, food sovereignty for the Iraqi people has been made near impossible by these new regulations. "The US has been imposing patents on life around the world through trade deals. In this case, they invaded the country first, then imposed their patents. This is both immoral and unacceptable", said Shalini Bhutani, one of the report's authors. The new law in question [2] heralds the entry into Iraqi law of patents on life forms - this first one affecting plants and seeds. This law fits in neatly into the US vision of Iraqi agriculture in the future - that of an industrial agricultural system dependent on large corporations providing inputs and seeds. In 2002, FAO estimated that 97 percent of Iraqi farmers used saved seed from their own stocks from last year's harvest or purchased from local markets. When the new law - on plant variety protection (PVP) - is put into effect, seed saving will be illegal and the market will only offer proprietary "PVP-protected" planting material "invented" by transnational agribusiness corporations. The new law totally ignores all the contributions Iraqi farmers have made to development of important crops like wheat, barley, date and pulses. Its consequences are the loss of farmers' freedoms and a grave threat to food sovereignty in Iraq. In this way, the US has declared a new war against the Iraqi farmer. "If the FAO is celebrating 'Biodiversity for Food Security' this year, it needs to demonstrate some real commitment", says Henk Hobbelink of GRAIN, pointing out that the FAO has recently been cosying up with industry and offering support for genetic engineering [3]. "Most importantly, the FAO must recognise that biodiversity-rich farming and industry-led agriculture are worlds apart, and that industrial agriculture is one of the leading causes of the catastrophic decline in agricultural biodiversity that we have witnessed in recent decades. The FAO cannot hope to embrace biodiversity while holding industry's hand", he added. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: cont.(also seen at: http://www.thc-ministry.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3011) [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by FoM on November 16, 2004 at 10:15:59 PT ekim I'm not sure what happened to him. I'm not sure what HoneyBud is doing either. Boy has it been a long time since I met her. I think it was in 97. It makes me tired just thinking of how long it's been. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by ekim on November 16, 2004 at 09:54:15 PT what has become of Julius Hecklen FoM do you remember the Professor Hecklen from PA I think. he use to have smoke ins on a corner leading to the campus. as I recall he did not get pinched. he had a web site and started to get quite a following. then nothing. I tried to run a search but found nothing. It would be nice if Jon could talk to Professor Hecklen ( sic) http://www.leap.cc/events [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on November 16, 2004 at 08:57:28 PT Action Alert from The Drug Policy Alliance ACTION ALERT: Keep the Government Out of Your Medicine ChestNovember 16, 2004The United States Attorney General could soon have the power to look in your medicine cabinet and prosecute you (along with your doctor) if he doesn't like what he sees. The Justice Department has already chipped away at more than 20 years of privacy standards by arresting AIDS and cancer patients who use medical marijuana. Act today to make sure you're not next.It's not as far-fetched as it sounds. In early October, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation (H.R. 3015) to fund databases to track what prescription drugs Americans are taking. This information would then be shared among states, as well as with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies -- all without your knowledge or consent. If this law is enacted, the government will have all it needs to snoop into your personal medical records. http://www.drugpolicy.org/news/11_16_04pain.cfm [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by CorvallisEric on November 16, 2004 at 07:43:23 PT afterburner Does that means zero tolerance for alcohol? -- I'll eat my hat if it does. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by afterburner on November 16, 2004 at 06:18:01 PT from mayan's link "The Canadian Forces has a zero tolerance policy towards drug consumption in its ranks." --Canuck bases are loadedIs that right? Does that means zero tolerance for alcohol? I would be greatly surprised! [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by mayan on November 16, 2004 at 04:56:32 PT semi-related Canada may not be a safe haven for those wishing to evade the coming draft or simply be free. Let's hope Canada doesn't join forces with the most criminal regime in American history...Deadline looms on continental defence project - Martin government faces dilemma over proposal to join forces with U.S. military: http://tinyurl.com/5qzxl [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by mayan on November 16, 2004 at 04:03:03 PT Hands Full? His excellency points out that U.S. customs, immigration and security officials already have their hands full at border crossings trying to keep prospective terrorists out.In that case, why would they divert all this extra attention suddenly to the already thriving cross-border trade in marijuana?Never mind the terrorists. Gotta' go after them damned potheads! Actually, the terrorists are in the government!Sorry if these have been posted...Support for relaxing marijuana laws - Measures pass easily in 3 area districts: http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2004/11/14/support_for_relaxing_marijuana_laws/Safe medical marijuana: http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/bfpnews/editorial/1000h.htmElection victories signal pot-policy reform: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/11/15/EDG9A9QM231.DTLCanuck bases are loaded - MORE SOLDIERS TURNING TO POT, REPORTS SUGGEST: http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/TorontoSun/News/2004/11/14/713766.htmlThe way out is the way in...WTC Construction Manager: Towers Were Designed to Take Numerous Plane Crashes http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/november2004/141104designedtotake.htmSkyscraper Safety Campaign Calls for Public NIST Hearings on WTC Collapses: http://www.911citizenswatch.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=420&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0UL Executive Speaks Out On WTC Study: http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/archive/scoop/stories/30/9e/200411151433.ac126b7c.htmlNew Book on Eve of National Book Awards Shreds Credibility of Kean/Zelikow Report: http://www.911citizenswatch.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=423&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0 [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on November 15, 2004 at 22:31:54 PT Thursday On The Daily Show Pitt Student Gets Daily Show Spot By Patrick Yoest, Senior Staff WriterNovember 16, 2004A crew from the "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" brought its unique brand of investigative reporting to Pitt's campus Friday, interviewing students affected by the bizarre petition scam that altered voter registrations. Producers from the satirical Comedy Central program contacted students last Wednesday, and correspondents Stephen Colbert and Ed Helms arrived last Friday to film a segment in the William Pitt Union. Matt Polidoro, a Daily Show producer, said the segment is tentatively set to air Thursday night. Canvassers in September circulated what students believed were petitions supporting the legalization of medicinal marijuana or, in fewer cases, petitions advocating lower auto insurance rates for students or harsher penalties for sex offenders. Many students signed the petitions, only to learn later that they had actually signed voter registration forms that changed their party affiliations to Republican. If students used different addresses for the new voter registrations than on earlier voter registrations, their polling places changed as well. The Daily Show correspondents interviewed students scammed by the canvassers, but Polidoro declined to divulge their names. According to an e-mail from Polidoro, the show sought to interview officers from the College Democrats and College Republicans. Polidoro noted that College Republicans "basically suggested that the College Democrats might have been behind this," referring to the petition scam. Bill Bradley, second vice president for the College Republicans, responded immediately to Polidoro's e-mail query to the College Republicans. "I was gung-ho about it," Bradley said. "I hadn't really talked to anyone else [in the College Republicans] about it." Bradley does not impute John Kerry's presidential campaign or the College Democrats organization in the petition scam, but he does not think Republicans scammed voters, either. "I would guess it would not be a formal organization, but a group of anti-Bush voters or Democrats that orchestrated this plot," Bradley said. "It was a way to get negative press for the Republicans." The Daily Show, according to Bradley, plans to poke fun at "the absurdity of the Republican Party being associated with the marijuana lobby." Bradley described a scene in the Daily Show's filming reminiscent of Austin Powers, with Bradley and Helms striking psychedelic poses on a William Pitt Union staircase. "I think they tend to have a little bit of fun with everybody," Bradley said. "I understand the show. I was familiar with what I was getting myself into." Both Bradley and College Republicans President Aaron Debruin agreed to an interview with The Daily Show, but producers used only Bradley for the segment. Kelly Tippet, a paralegal at the Allegheny County District Attorney's office and president of Pitt's branch of Everybody Vote, rejected Bradley's assertion that Democrats might have circulated phony petitions. "In no way was it a Democratic scheme or an anti-Bush scheme," Tippet said. "All it did was disenfranchise Kerry voters." Tippet added that the District Attorney's office continues to investigate students' complaints about the canvassers, but she could not say whether the office had discovered any new information. Copyright: 2004 The Pitt Newshttp://www.pittnews.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/11/16/419975c7d5f77 [ Post Comment ] Post Comment