cannabisnews.com: Lawmakers Continue To Push Drug Bill Lawmakers Continue To Push Drug Bill Posted by CN Staff on May 09, 2006 at 06:15:06 PT By Ioan Grillo, Associated Press Source: Associated Press Mexico City -- Mexican lawmakers pledged Monday to keep pushing for a drug decriminalization bill criticized by the United States, and said they could override President Vicente Fox's veto of the measure.Fox sent the proposal, which would drop criminal charges for possession of small amounts of marijuana, cocaine and heroin, back to Congress last week with suggestions for changes after U.S. authorities warned it could result in ''drug tourism'' to Mexico. But Congressional leader Rep. Eliana García said Congress, which approved the bill last month, would only be open to clarifying the law, not changing its spirit.''If the changes [suggested by Fox] are in spirit of the bill, they are welcome,'' García, of the leftist Democratic Revolution Party, said at a news conference. ''But if they scrap the work we have done during one and a half years, we will have no problem in getting the vote of two-thirds'' needed for an override in the lower house.''The international policy to combat drugs has failed because it has focused on repression and not prevention,'' García said.Despite its approval by both of Mexico's houses of Congress, Fox on Wednesday sent the bill back to lawmakers to ask for corrections ``to make it absolutely clear in our country, the possession of drugs and their consumption are, and will continue to be, a criminal offense.''The move followed pressure from U.S. officials who feared the law's effect on the anti-drug fight and on young Americans traveling to Mexico.García said lawmakers still hope to persuade Fox to sign the bill; overriding the veto would require a two-thirds majority in both the Senate and the lower house.Legislators from all major parties, including Fox's own conservative National Action Party, have voiced support for the proposal, which they say would allow police to focus on going after the big drug dealers and traffickers rather than wasting time prosecuting small-time users.The new bill would also empower state and local police -- not just federal officers -- to hunt down dealers, stiffen some penalties and close loopholes that dealers had long used to escape prosecution.''It's a reform to combat drug dealing. That is the principal objective,'' said Rep. Claudia Ruíz Massieu of the Institutional Revolutionary Party, which has the largest block in both houses.However, some legislators have said that Congress may have made a mistake by including a decriminalization of small amounts for all ''consumers,'' instead of just known addicts or first-time offenders, groups that qualify for leniency under current laws.The new bill would eliminate criminal penalties against anybody, addict or not, found in possession of up to 25 milligrams of heroin, 5 grams of marijuana (about one-fifth of an ounce, or about four joints) or 0.5 grams of cocaine -- the equivalent of about four ``lines.''The legislation was drawn up with contributions from several government agencies including the health and public safety departments.García said it was worrying to see Fox bow to U.S. pressure on the bill. ''We have to solve this problem that is affecting many sections of our society,'' she said.Note: Despite the U.S. government's fear that 'drug tourism' could result, lawmakers in Mexico continue to push for a drug decriminalization bill.Source: Associated Press (Wire)Author: Ioan Grillo, Associated Press Published: May 9, 2006Copyright: 2006 Associated Press Related Articles: Mexico President Seeks Review of Drug Law http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21815.shtmlLegalizing Drug Use in Mexico Called 'Reckless'http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21813.shtmlMexico's Fox To OK Drug Decriminalization Lawhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21808.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #74 posted by FoM on May 23, 2006 at 10:02:13 PT Paul I don't know where we are headed as far as reforming the laws because of the intensity of what is going on now with the war in Iraq and everything else. News of any worth is almost non existent but it could be the time of year. I don't know what the organizations are planning or anything but right now it is up to them. If we can get democrats in power this fall and get a good democrat as president in 08 we might win this one. As long as people support republicans we won't see any change. That's the conclusion I have come to after doing CNews for so many years now. Good luck to you and be careful. [ Post Comment ] Comment #73 posted by paulpeterson on May 23, 2006 at 09:50:23 PT Fom re: #28 When I was in the Chicago FBI office last week asking for the guy to check if there were any warrants out for me, he asked me what I was expecting him to find. I told him that since I was a MM advocate and have a current decrim bill pending with the county board, the locals might have cooked up a "distribution" warrant or something, even though I have none of this stuff in my system at this time.He responded that "I won't hold your advocacy of change against you" and told me he would write up a charge for me about the false filing of police reports by the locals.Even though this guy is a low level employee, at least it looks like a "sea change" from when I first tried to enlist their assistance in 2001.Maybe the cracks that are forming in the wall of prohibition are widening a bit, eh?paul peterson, behind enemy lines in Iowa. [ Post Comment ] Comment #72 posted by Critto on May 21, 2006 at 17:18:13 PT Go on, Mexico!!! "Mexico City -- Mexican lawmakers pledged Monday to keep pushing for a drug decriminalization bill criticized by the United States, and said they could override President Vicente Fox's veto of the measure."THREE CHEERS for the Mexican lawmakers!!! Go on, Ladies and Gentlemen!!! Override the veto of the president, replace prohibition with harm reduction. Viva Mexico, Viva Libertad!!!Critto LIBERTARYZM=LIBERTARIANISM [ Post Comment ] Comment #71 posted by afterburner on May 11, 2006 at 08:28:08 PT Another View from Texas among 1st Prohib States US TX: Column: Mexico Retreats From The Threshold Of A Fortune http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n590/a01.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #70 posted by rchandar on May 10, 2006 at 18:02:04 PT: Taylor121 ...come on, it's an old American grudge. There may be some seriousness to the fact that Iran sponsors terrorist networks, but Americans will mostly warm up to that old "Ayatollah Assaholah" grudge they've carried around. No American likes to be reminded of a country that threw out our people and knocked off a government friendly to the US.... [ Post Comment ] Comment #69 posted by FoM on May 10, 2006 at 09:32:55 PT Whig That was funny. Thanks. [ Post Comment ] Comment #68 posted by whig on May 10, 2006 at 09:14:26 PT Pic http://derenegade.blogspot.com/2006/05/nuff-said.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #67 posted by FoM on May 10, 2006 at 09:10:14 PT Whig Hopefully that means he won't stand a chance with his endorsement. [ Post Comment ] Comment #66 posted by whig on May 10, 2006 at 08:57:38 PT FoM Off-topic, but disturbing.http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060510/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_brother [ Post Comment ] Comment #65 posted by FoM on May 10, 2006 at 08:20:31 PT Whig I agree with you too. [ Post Comment ] Comment #64 posted by whig on May 10, 2006 at 08:09:56 PT FoM I agree with you, but here's what I think also. Nuclear power is technology that every country will one day have. It's just a matter of time, because it's only scientific knowledge and you cannot put the genie back in the bottle. Also people have long memories, so if the United States were to bomb Iran to prevent them from having nuclear power they will one day have nuclear weapons anyhow, and even if it's twenty years instead of ten, they will remember, just like they still remember the United States deposing their government and installing the Shah 50 years ago. And other countries will remember too and if we strike first then some other country will think they'd better strike the US before it bombs them.This whole thing makes us less safe, and it is driving up the price of oil right now and that is a large part of the reason you are paying so much at the pump today. When people think there's going to be a war and the oil will be cut off they start bidding the price up and gas could go to $5 a gallon if this keeps up. Maybe at least that has two good effects, it keeps this administration unpopular and ends up ironically making war less saleable thus solving the problem. Also it encourages alternative fuel sources. But people are being squeezed and it's not very happy and there's still a risk that these crazy idiots will manage to start a nuclear war if the military doesn't refuse to obey orders and the administration doesn't get impeached. [ Post Comment ] Comment #63 posted by FoM on May 10, 2006 at 08:08:31 PT Eco Thank you for the link. [ Post Comment ] Comment #62 posted by eco-man on May 10, 2006 at 07:57:08 PT Full text of Ahmadinejad's letter to Bush Check this out: http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Ahmadinejad%27s_2006_letter_to_BushIt is one of the few places currently online with the full English text of the May 8, 2006 letter from Iran's president to Bush. Very enlightening. Maybe if we apologized for overthrowing Iran's democracy in 1953 and installing a brutal Shah of Iran, then we might all be able to negotiate a more peaceful world.But Bush still prefers to push people around, like the wimpy leaders of Mexico and Canada.Americans end up being part of the proxy armies of the oil companies, and also the pharmaceutical companies promoting drug wars in Colombia, etc.. And the "onward Christian soldiers" army of Pat Robertson in the Middle East. [ Post Comment ] Comment #61 posted by FoM on May 10, 2006 at 07:32:08 PT Eco You said what I believe too. Israel can defend itself. If Iran nukes Israel they will all die too. No one wins. [ Post Comment ] Comment #60 posted by mayan on May 10, 2006 at 04:46:34 PT THE REAL REASONS It's not about nukes, as Pakistan has them and they are the biggest terrorist nation in the world. If you want to know what's going on in the Middle East just do some research on PNAC or read Zbigniew Brzezinski's book, 'The Grand Chessboard'. The neo-cons wrote down their blueprints for everyone to see but they know that most Americans don't read about geo-politics.The Real Reasons Why Iran is the Next Target: The Emerging Euro-denominated International Oil Marker: http://www.globalresearch.ca/articles/CLA410A.htmlA War in the Planning for Four Years - HOW STUPID DO THEY THINK WE ARE? http://www.fromthewilderness.com/free/ww3/zbig.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #59 posted by eco-man on May 10, 2006 at 02:17:20 PT Bush puppets are despised worldwide. Mexico's president is now seen as just another Bush puppet ... just like the Prime Minister of Canada.From the left-side column on most of my web pages:"Moderates in Israel and Palestine could accept each other's right to exist. Or we could accept the self-fulfilling Armageddonist prophecies of fundamentalist meddlers from the USA and Iran. People in the Middle East do not want to be manipulated by morons like Bush."We all could negotiate person to person with individual Iranians. Since the leaders of the USA and Iran are both fundamentalist wackos.Or we Americans could just leave the Middle East completely as continental Europeans have pretty much done. They are no longer getting bombed. WHY are we in the Middle East anyway? I don't want to spill any more American blood there for oil or religion. NO BLOOD FOR OIL. Israel has nukes and can defend itself. The US should stop supporting Israel with billions of dollars a year. WHY? To self-fullfill some wacko fundamentalist Armageddonist prophecies? Israel could end the tension in the region by negotiating. They don't negotiate because they think we Americans will continue to give them our blood and our billions of dollars.The people in the Middle East will continue to sell their oil to us if we leave. Why wouldn't they? Their goal is to get us out of their lives. Just like the Mexicans now want us Americans out of their lives. [ Post Comment ] Comment #58 posted by whig on May 09, 2006 at 21:54:30 PT OT:Brazil Brazil is enriching too. Not much media play, but there it is...http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/may2006/2006-05-08-04.asp [ Post Comment ] Comment #57 posted by FoM on May 09, 2006 at 21:21:21 PT Taylor121 There is no easy answer. Unfortunately there might not be any good answer. What I do is Pray for Peace. I hope that wisdom makes the next decision about war. [ Post Comment ] Comment #56 posted by Taylor121 on May 09, 2006 at 21:15:24 PT It's tough It's such a serious issue, I wish we had a different Admin handling it. I think the world has a sour taste in its mouth from our current Admin. Heck, I think America has a sour taste in its mouth. Bush is at his lowest mark yet.I wish there was an easy solution to these problems, but I don't see it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #55 posted by FoM on May 09, 2006 at 21:11:34 PT Taylor121 It is about Israel. No matter how we look at it this is an ancient religious war between Muslims and Jews and The Holy Land. They want us out of their HOLY LAND. This is very serious. [ Post Comment ] Comment #54 posted by Taylor121 on May 09, 2006 at 21:06:56 PT North Korea I don't have all the answers, I just know the regime in NK is a terrible one and I think it can be solved through diplomacy. I hope the Iran situation can be solved through diplomacy as well, but let's look at it objectively. With Iraq, they denied they had WMDS. With North Korea, they have nuclear weapons. With Iran, they are enriching and are a step away from nuclear weapons. Their weapons in Iran can reach Israel. Bombing are terrible, but nuclear weapons hitting Israel and killing thousands of people is worse. I hope it can all be solved with diplomatic pressure, but I have zero faith that Iran is not out to cause harm to other nations :( [ Post Comment ] Comment #53 posted by John Tyler on May 09, 2006 at 21:04:19 PT This may turn around yet. It is amazing to see the Bushies turn around El Presidente Fox so easily. I was impressed by it. However, I don’t think it will turn out like they planned. The Mex. legislature now sees Fox as a Bush puppet and might over rides his suggested changes anyway just to spite them both. [ Post Comment ] Comment #52 posted by FoM on May 09, 2006 at 21:02:07 PT Taylor121 What about North Korea? I don't want to see more innocent people killed by more bombings. If this isn't reasoned out this could be the end of the world as we know it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #51 posted by Taylor121 on May 09, 2006 at 20:53:08 PT Iran issue I'm not a big Bush fan, but don't be so quick to judge our actions against Iran. Iran is not Iraq. In fact, Iran is not a secular government at all. If you think we have it bad here, it's nothing compared to what they have over there.The motives that the Iranian government has could be said to be fanatical and dangerous. I know our Admin lies about marijuana and drugs and many other things, but I also recognize Iran represents a very serious issue, far more serious than Iraq. They are mixing uranium there unlike Iraq, and the leader of Iran has motivations that have to do with their religious prophecies. Just be wary and realize this isn't Iraq, we have the Europeans worried about the Iran situation this time, and they don't side with the U.S. on everything. [ Post Comment ] Comment #50 posted by Hope on May 09, 2006 at 20:33:24 PT Is Diplomacy a thing of the past? I finished reading that piece by the President of Iran. He's farther right than our right wing and sees them as liberals!Ooooh... [ Post Comment ] Comment #49 posted by FoM on May 09, 2006 at 19:34:46 PT Hope I was taught in church to look at a one world order as something not to want and we seem to be making it happen. [ Post Comment ] Comment #48 posted by FoM on May 09, 2006 at 19:25:55 PT How I See It I look at the crisis in the middle east as a multi-faceted issue. Our country has it's motives but when you think about Iran and Iraq as the birthplace of civilization like I do you realize how young and immature we are as a country and it is way more then meets most politicians eyes. This is the battle of civilizations. I am not crazy but I do believe it is about the Dome of The Rock and which temple should be there. It is a religious struggle and how can anyone solve that dispute? I can't figure out how. [ Post Comment ] Comment #47 posted by Hope on May 09, 2006 at 19:12:22 PT "Agree with your adversary quickly"... I doubt that's something Bush and company are looking to do in any way, shape, form, or fashion. [ Post Comment ] Comment #46 posted by Hope on May 09, 2006 at 19:10:33 PT They are saying "Lead".... but it sounds like "Run" and "Rule", and "Control" and "Own", and other not so pleasant stuff, to me. [ Post Comment ] Comment #45 posted by Hope on May 09, 2006 at 19:08:49 PT PNAC I think I see. They are the "One World Government" guys.They want to run the world. [ Post Comment ] Comment #44 posted by whig on May 09, 2006 at 19:06:42 PT Hope Make friends with thine adverse party quickly, whilst thou art in the way with him [ Post Comment ] Comment #43 posted by Hope on May 09, 2006 at 19:05:06 PT Comment 40 Whig! That's wonderful! [ Post Comment ] Comment #42 posted by Hope on May 09, 2006 at 19:03:54 PT Haven't had time to read all of the article about President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's letter to Bush. So far (I'm just on the first page) it looks like there is considerable wisdom there on Abhadinejad's part. It's spiritual things Ahmadinejad speaks of and our so called "Christian" government right wing leaders, apparently, refuse and reject it. What if it is sincere? Why couldn't it be sincere?"Blessed is the peace maker". Never pass up a chance for that blessing, if possible. Sometimes it's impossible and hopeless to quiet the angry and offended and greedy and spiteful. Sometimes it's impossible to save those from tragedy that we would love to save.A dialogue, though, is not impossible and it might bear good fruit. It might and it might not. But it might. Words are cheap. Our leader should converse with him. We all need to see what he is. Let Bush answer the man. He must be answered out of respect. Manners, if you will. We should respect each other. They, the people who would not entertain even the idea of a dialogue between Bush and Ahmadinejad, seem to be a bunch of fearful, coward, bully boys who love the fruits of war.This is not a case where you would have to actually trust the man to have a dialogue with him. A dialogue with him seems to me to be a worthwhile thing to seek.Bush claims a spiritual relationship with Christ. He has advisors. Let's hear an intelligent answer to what the Iranian President, Ahmadinejad, had to say.How arrogant is not addressing his apparent concerns?I had a Muslim acquaintance who believed that Jesus was a real man and a great philosopher. They don't see him as "Christ" or "God in a robe of flesh" or "The Word" or "The Son" or "The Savior" or anything other than a great philosopher and teacher. But he is respected in the Muslim world, I believe, for his philosophy...which is beautiful, as well as simple, and, I believe, true. Beautiful, indeed. Anyone can see that. [ Post Comment ] Comment #41 posted by FoM on May 09, 2006 at 19:02:10 PT whig That's great! [ Post Comment ] Comment #40 posted by whig on May 09, 2006 at 18:58:48 PT OT: Doing a little dance... We put our place on the market today, and it sold already! [ Post Comment ] Comment #39 posted by whig on May 09, 2006 at 18:57:27 PT PNAC These are the guys at the center of the Bush administration, the neoconservatives, who wrote before 9/11 that we needed a new Pearl Harbor. [ Post Comment ] Comment #38 posted by FoM on May 09, 2006 at 18:40:32 PT Hope I didn't know either but I did a search and came up with this.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_for_the_New_American_Century [ Post Comment ] Comment #37 posted by Hope on May 09, 2006 at 18:35:02 PT I haven't figured out what this means... PNAC [ Post Comment ] Comment #36 posted by whig on May 09, 2006 at 18:29:23 PT FoM It's common on some blogs to take a really long column or article (or in this case, a letter) and distill it down the bare essence of the point. Shorter "So-and-so" (the original writer) is what you usually say when you're doing that.Ahmedinejad is calling Bush a hypocrite. And so far as that point goes, he's absolutely right. [ Post Comment ] Comment #35 posted by FoM on May 09, 2006 at 17:10:26 PT Mayan I figured out what WWJD means. Well duh. [ Post Comment ] Comment #34 posted by FoM on May 09, 2006 at 17:02:52 PT mayan I hope they can help them up in Canada. [ Post Comment ] Comment #33 posted by mayan on May 09, 2006 at 17:01:55 PT FoM I doubt if Bush was even able to read the letter. He is shielded by his handlers and likely only knows what they want him to know.WWJD? I doubt if he'd subscribe to the PNAC agenda but the neo-cons don't care about that. They have put all of their eggs in the PNAC basket and will attempt to take down anyone who gets in their way. [ Post Comment ] Comment #32 posted by mayan on May 09, 2006 at 16:55:24 PT FoM From the article you posted in comment #28..."Jerry Cameron, a former policeman, FBI agent and self-proclaimed “drug warrior,” says the war on drugs in the United States should serve as an example to the rest of the world how not to deal with drug problems."I did a search and I knew this guy had to be with LEAP! When the mainstream media starts printing the credentials and quotes of LEAP memebers then the cracks in the wall are certainly getting wider! If Mexico goes ahead with it's decrim then huge chunks will begin falling from the wall! Yeah, that old wall of prohibition is looking pretty weak right now.Jerry Cameron: http://www.leap.cc/speakers/cameron.htm [ Post Comment ] Comment #31 posted by FoM on May 09, 2006 at 16:50:47 PT Whig You lost me on that one but I am a little dense today. Well more then just today! LOL!Seriously Bush is being told to deal with his God. That is truly incredible. What a time we live in. [ Post Comment ] Comment #30 posted by whig on May 09, 2006 at 16:47:05 PT FoM Shorter Ahmadinejad - Dear George,WWJD?Love,Mahmoud [ Post Comment ] Comment #29 posted by FoM on May 09, 2006 at 16:45:56 PT Off Topic But Interesting Letter Shows Iran's President Seeking Bond http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/09/AR2006050901215.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #28 posted by FoM on May 09, 2006 at 16:20:18 PT News Article from The Canadian Press Canada Warned Against U.S.-Style Drug Crackdown***May 9, 2006Ottawa — Drug-policy experts warn of overcrowded jails and serious offenders left on the streets if Ottawa adopts a U.S.-style crackdown on drugs.As the Conservative government of Stephen Harper attempts to pass tough-on-crime legislation, U.S. lawmakers and enforcers are urging Canada not to make the same mistakes made south of the border.Jerry Cameron, a former policeman, FBI agent and self-proclaimed “drug warrior,” says the war on drugs in the United States should serve as an example to the rest of the world how not to deal with drug problems.Mr. Cameron said U.S. prisons are filled with non-violent offenders, leaving no space for more serious criminals, including rapists and murderers.Justice Minister Vic Toews introduced two bills last week that would toughen sentencing for serious crimes and create mandatory minimum sentences.Mr. Cameron warned that such sentences south of the border have clogged the courts, filled prisons and left hardened criminals on the loose because the justice system could not cope.Copyright: 2006 Canadian Presshttp://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060509.wdrugs0509/BNStory/National/home [ Post Comment ] Comment #27 posted by OverwhelmSam on May 09, 2006 at 15:57:31 PT Great News! Hey states! Jump on the legalize band wagon. If Mexico decriminalizes by overriding the President's veto, America will have to decriminalize. Bet the DEA didn't think about that before they flew down there over the weekend. Thank Mexico for showing some leadership, too bad we have to deal with the losers in our government. [ Post Comment ] Comment #26 posted by FoM on May 09, 2006 at 15:25:00 PT Toker00 I don't know him except from family gatherings now and then. I don't think he is doing very well. He was sent to a bad place in Ohio for juvenile offenders. He is withdrawn from what I have heard and quiet but angry. [ Post Comment ] Comment #25 posted by Toker00 on May 09, 2006 at 15:12:26 PT What are we saving the children FROM again? * 98% of people arrested in "Drug-Free School Zones" weren't selling drugs to children. * 95% of all sales aren't near any schools, and most of those arrested didn't even know they were in a so-called school zone * 97% of all people arrested in "Drug-Free Zones" aren't white.And why do the Drug Law Reformers always point to Racism when they discuss the Bogus War on Some Drugs? Because it is so damn OBVIOUS, that's why.Toke. [ Post Comment ] Comment #24 posted by Toker00 on May 09, 2006 at 14:46:57 PT OMG, FoM YOU are kin to a convicted POT SMOKER??? Oh, the disgrace, the ruin, the stigma!! How did you ever get over the terrible, terrible shame??HA! You should be proud of your great-nephew. He learned the hard way, that Cannabis Prohibition Sucks. He looks like a good guy. Is he okay after his ordeal?Wage peace on war. END CANNABIS PROHIBITION NOW! [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by JR Bob Dobbs on May 09, 2006 at 14:16:23 PT Re: Comment #5 Isn't it ironic that the Mexican government is basically doing what we had hoped the Canadian government had the huevos to do when the US started meddling up there in similar affairs a couple years ago - telling the US "What part of 'sovereign foreign nation' don't you understand?" [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by whig on May 09, 2006 at 13:04:50 PT Or maybe... ...they meant pounds in currency? [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by whig on May 09, 2006 at 12:54:47 PT 2,000 plants... ...does not produce millions of pounds. [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by global_warming on May 09, 2006 at 12:02:22 PT some lyrics Red Rubber Ball Lyrics Artist(Band):Simon and Garfunkel Review The Song (2) Print the LyricsRed Rubber Ball LyricsI should have known you'd bid me farewell. There's a lesson to be learned from this and I've learned it very well.Now I know you're not the only starfish in the sea. If I never hear your name again it's all the same to me.And I think it's gonna be all right. Yeah, the worst is over now, The morning sun is shining like a Red Rubber Ball.You never cared for secrets I'd confide. For you I'm just an ornament, Something for your pride.Always running, never caring, That's the life you live. Stolen minutes of your time were all you had to give.And I think it's gonna be all right. Yeah, the worst is over now, The morning sun is shining like a Red Rubber Ball.The story's in the past with nothing to recall. I've got my life to live and I don't need you at allThe roller coaster ride we took is nearly at an end. I bought my ticket with my tears, that's all I'm gonna spend.And I think it's gonna be all right. Yeah, the worst is over now, The morning sun is shining like a Red Rubber Ball. [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by global_warming on May 09, 2006 at 11:56:08 PT so sorry so sorry.. [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by global_warming on May 09, 2006 at 11:48:20 PT This Can Be A Better World, [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by global_warming on May 09, 2006 at 11:45:51 PT it is a 'Pity that in our most inner,'we can assemle and gather,before our testaments, and labors, [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by global_warming on May 09, 2006 at 11:33:33 PT re: both links It is a 'pity,that too many have been arrested,for using Cannabis, [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by FoM on May 09, 2006 at 11:10:35 PT global_warming Both links worked for me. [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by global_warming on May 09, 2006 at 11:09:37 PT I say Legalise Without any Mexican Congress. [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by observer on May 09, 2006 at 11:03:39 PT ''Push Drug'' Lawmakers Continue To Push Drug BillHow many tiems have we seen this in a headline? When penalties are reduced in any way, it is described as "legalize" (as if a toddler could buy it from a gum-ball machine), or as an effort to push drugs, exactly as we see in this headline. Drug War Propaganda (book) [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by global_warming on May 09, 2006 at 11:02:33 PT so much about those tiny url's they are not working, for Cannabis Freedom. the money [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by rchandar on May 09, 2006 at 10:21:23 PT: besides, kapitenemo... Latin American governments and policy think tanks have been repeatedly critical of the US led Drug War, and OAS even condemned the US's "certification" program on which depends the approval of foreign aid.--rchandar [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by global_warming on May 09, 2006 at 10:16:45 PT some body is going to be pissed off, what happend?http://tinyurl.com/ndpl8Police uncover multi-million pound cannabis farm.Police have not yet made any arrests in connection with the seizure.Imagine all those benign plants, and such a large operation, you have to wonder, there was a bit of good change in this operation, some one is going to be pissed off.. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by FoM on May 09, 2006 at 09:34:34 PT Toker00 Good video. Thanks! That happened to my great nephew. He was only 16 years old and had to serve 6 months and it wasn't even for selling just sharing a little with a friend and someone told a teacher in his school. He was in a drug free zone. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by FoM on May 09, 2006 at 09:28:49 PT Trailer For New Movie: True High http://www.truehigh.com/http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5536906196420466331&q=marijuana [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by Toker00 on May 09, 2006 at 09:23:25 PT DPA video. This is a really good video.http://www.drugpolicy.org/news/050506greatbarringtonflash.cfmEnjoy.Wage peace on war. END CANNABIS PROHIBITION NOW! [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by dongenero on May 09, 2006 at 08:43:28 PT Hope I like your descriptive metaphors. Great statement! [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by kaptinemo on May 09, 2006 at 08:41:58 PT: "Take THAT, gringos!" At its core, the response is precisely that...and in this respect, deserved. The US openly interfered with the ability of the Mexican legislature, acting at the direction of its own people, to determine his or her own destiny. What did the White House think the reaction would be? Especially with anti-immigration feeling in the US being shown on Hispanic TV stations throughout Central and South America? A prediction: to spite the US government in the one way it will really hurt, the bill will become law. Washington knows it can't close the border crossings, as it doesn't make much difference anyway; there's simply not enough manpower, either in Border Patrol hands or the National Guard, to mobilize sufficient numbers of troops to make it feasible. Economic retaliation isn't feasible, either; how many of those small (and not so small) American business people, mainly Republican in political affiliation, can afford to have their supplies of raw materials and finished goods disrupted, since very, very few of them have enough of either to cover their orders for more than three days? It's the same scenario with threatening to close the Canadian border, but much worse...for the US. And China, just as it is doing in Canada, is busy buying up as much as it can of the Mex industrial capacity. Trying tit for tat won't work, as there are too many potential customers for Mexico to worry about possible revenue losses.Globalism, which those in power wax so lyrical about, since it fattens their wallets and purses, is about to show its vulnerabilities. The immigration problem is one; the illicit drug trade and Mexico's answer to it is another... [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on May 09, 2006 at 08:27:33 PT Hope Welcome back! [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Hope on May 09, 2006 at 08:24:17 PT Mexico and the Prohibitionists When I first heard the news out of Mexico...I was thankful, but had my doubts that any thing good, specifically, less persecution, would happen in actuality. It's a good stirring of muddy waters though. It was likely a move forward...which was blocked, of course, by the fat and happy prohibitionists. Oh well. We are patience itself. We will prod and poke and force that huge, vicious, repulsive, money and blood sucking, fat old prohibition pig, that feeds off the sorrow and grief it causes others, up the kill chute and off to oblivion. It does squeal hideously loud and it is truly dangerous...but we'll get it out of the living rooms and bedrooms of citizen's homes, sooner or later. There's no giving up. We can't. We have to bring it's rampages to an end. The Prohibition Pig consumes people. Men, women, and children. It's days may yet be a few or a lot...but somewhere, somehow, it's days are numbered. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on May 09, 2006 at 08:01:12 PT Just a Note I guess there isn't any news worth posting again today. I'll keep looking though. I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful spring weather. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on May 09, 2006 at 07:30:04 PT National Center for Policy Analysis THE SUPREME COURT AND THE PURPOSES OF MEDICINEDaily Policy DigestHEALTH ISSUES Tuesday, May 09, 2006 The U.S. Supreme Court increasingly complies with the medical profession's understanding of the use of medicine, says Gregg Bloche of Georgetown University, concerning interpretations of legal terms, self-regulation of poor physicians and the safeguarding of patients' rights and interests.For example:The Court's response to the Bush administration's attempt to thwart assisted suicide in the only state that allows it concluded the medical profession must determine medicine's boundaries within the framework of state laws. In other cases, the justices extended such deference to individual doctors. Indeed, the right affirmed in Roe v. Wade was not a woman's right to abortion itself, but rather her right to her doctor's unfettered medical judgment regarding pregnancy termination. The Court held that a hospital's disclosure to law-enforcement authorities of the results of patients' drug tests constitutes an unreasonable search under the Fourth Amendment (Ferguson v. City of Charleston). The Court relied on the contention of several medical groups that such results should be confidential.The medical profession lacks full authority in determining its own social role, says Bloche. For example:The Court ruled last year, in Gonzales v. Raich, that Congress's regulatory power over interstate commerce permits it to bar therapeutic use of marijuana, even if state law allows such uses and clinical judgment supports such uses. Limits exist on abortion, therapeutic cloning and technologies enhancing physical and mental performance as well. Source: Gregg Bloche, "The Supreme Court and the Purposes of Medicine," New England Journal of Medicine, March 9, 2006.For text (subscription required):http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/354/10/993For more on Health:http://www.ncpa.org/iss/hea/Copyright: 2006 National Center for Policy Analysishttp://www.ncpa.org/newdpd/dpdarticle.php?article_id=3305 [ Post Comment ] Post Comment