cannabisnews.com: Denver DEA Rep: Don't Legalize It Denver DEA Rep: Don't Legalize It Posted by CN Staff on August 27, 2006 at 09:43:05 PT By Ryan Morgan, Camera Staff Writer Source: Daily Camera Colorado -- The Drug Enforcement Agency is stepping into the political fray to oppose a statewide ballot issue that would legalize possession of small amounts of marijuana. In an e-mail to political campaign professionals, an agent named Michael Moore asks for help finding a campaign manager to defeat the measure, which voters will consider in November. If passed, it would allow people 21 and older to have up to 1 ounce of marijuana. In the e-mail, which was sent from a U.S. Department of Justice account, Moore also writes that the group has $10,000 to launch the campaign. He asks those interested in helping to call him at his DEA office. That has members of Safer Colorado, the group supporting the marijuana legalization measure, crying foul. The government has no business spending the public's money on politics, they said. Steve Fox, the group's executive director, said members of the executive branch, including the DEA, should leave law-making to legislators. "Taxpayer money should not be going toward the executive branch advocating one side or another," Fox said. "It's a wholly inappropriate use of taxpayer money." Jeff Sweetin, the special agent in charge of the Denver office of the DEA, said voters have every right to change the laws. And the law allows his agency to get involved in that process to tell voters why they shouldn't decriminalize pot. "My mantra has been, 'If Americans use the democratic process to make change, we're in favor of that,'" he said. "We're in favor of the democratic process. But as a caveat, we're in favor of it working based on all the facts." Sweetin said the $10,000 the committee has to spend came from private donations, including some from agents' own accounts. He said the DEA isn't trying to "protect Coloradans from themselves" but that the agency is the expert when it comes to drugs. "The American taxpayer does have a right to have the people they've paid to become experts in this business tell them what this is going to do," he said. "They should benefit from this expertise." That argument threatens states' rights to make their own laws, says Safer's Fox. "By this logic, federal funds could be used by the executive branch without limitation to campaign for or against state ballot initiatives," he said. "Our federalist system is based on the notion that states can establish their own laws without federal interference. The DEA ... is thumbing its nose at the citizens of Colorado and the U.S. Constitution." State and federal law take different approaches to whether government employees should be allowed to mix work and politics. Colorado law prohibits state employees from advocating for or against any political issue while on the job, and also bars those employees from using government resources — including phone and e-mail accounts — for any kind of political advocacy. But federal law — which governs what DEA agents can do — is different. The Hatch Act, passed in 1939 and amended in 1993, governs most political speech. Passed in the wake of patronage scandals in which the party in power would use government money and staff to campaign against the opposition, the law is mostly aimed at partisan political activity, said Ken Bickers, a University of Colorado political science professor. While the act's prohibitions against on-the-job partisan politicking are strict, for the most part it allows federal employees to take part in non-partisan politics. And it's mostly silent on non-partisan ballot measures. "I'm not sure that this doesn't slide through the cracks in the Hatch Act," Bickers said. "The Hatch Act isn't about political activity — it's about partisan political activity. Since this is a ballot initiative, and there's no party affiliation attached to it, that part of the Hatch Act probably wouldn't be violated." An official from the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, the federal agency charged with investigating violations of the act, said in a statement last week that the DEA hasn't run afoul of Hatch. Note: Agent seeks support to fight proposed legislation.Newshawk: Global_WarmingSource: Daily Camera (Boulder, CO)Author: Ryan Morgan, Camera Staff WriterPublished: August 27, 2006Copyright: 2006 The Daily CameraWebsite: http://www.dailycamera.com/Contact: openforum dailycamera.comRelated Articles & Web Site:Safer Choicehttp://www.saferchoice.org/ Legalizing Pot Would Hurt Kids, and Here's Whyhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22106.shtmlColorado Voters To Consider MJ Legalizationhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22097.shtmlMarijuana Amendment Will Be On Ballothttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22079.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #104 posted by FoM on August 29, 2006 at 10:09:14 PT Hope It really is something.All I can think of is: Isn't that special! LOL! [ Post Comment ] Comment #103 posted by Hope on August 29, 2006 at 09:49:39 PT Church Ladies Rock! [ Post Comment ] Comment #102 posted by Hope on August 29, 2006 at 09:49:08 PT Sometimes I think that it's just so neat and ironic that a couple of old Sunday School teachers like you and I are even here, much less running the place, as you do, and being a greeter...as I try to be.God works in mysterious ways. [ Post Comment ] Comment #101 posted by FoM on August 29, 2006 at 08:50:08 PT Hope It's hard being hostesses isn't it? LOL! [ Post Comment ] Comment #100 posted by Hope on August 29, 2006 at 08:46:08 PT Skillet That's so true. If there is anyone else who just came out of the shadows and we didn't formally welcome them...please know that you are welcome. Every person counts. Don't just stand by and watch us get hanged...hang with us!:0) [ Post Comment ] Comment #99 posted by FoM on August 29, 2006 at 08:23:56 PT Skillet I sometimes have my head in too many places and don't say hello or welcome. Thank you for the nice words about CNews. Yesterday I was in a very angry mood but I'm over it today. I get really upset when I read some of the articles I post and I do my best to keep my mouth closed but yesterday I didn't do that very well. [ Post Comment ] Comment #98 posted by Skillet on August 29, 2006 at 08:15:45 PT: hope Thanks for the welcome. I have been lurking at this site for several years. FoM has provided such a great resource of info here! Some times I just have to say what I am thinking. [ Post Comment ] Comment #97 posted by OverwhelmSam on August 29, 2006 at 03:35:41 PT Just Like Chicken Little The DEA's job is to convince everyone that the sky is falling. It's too bad that most people know marijuana is about as harmful as a cup of coffee. The DEA knows that if marijuana is legal, the quantity of remaining illegal drugs does not justify the existence of the DEA. Health professionals can better handle the remaining people with addictions to truly dangerous drugs. [ Post Comment ] Comment #96 posted by Hope on August 28, 2006 at 20:21:46 PT An exterminater knows a lot about bugs... but he's usually not an entomologist. [ Post Comment ] Comment #95 posted by Hope on August 28, 2006 at 20:20:00 PT their "business" I think he's implying that he's more than an enforcer, that he's actually an expert on the subject of drugs and cannabis.He sees himself as one, I'm sure. But I don't accept that. I do accept that he's an expert in busting people. [ Post Comment ] Comment #94 posted by Hope on August 28, 2006 at 20:18:16 PT Skillet Welcome to C-News.I don't recall meeting you before today. We seem to have more people all the time and I sometimes forget to greet them.Again...you sure are welcome. We're happy to have you. [ Post Comment ] Comment #93 posted by Skillet on August 28, 2006 at 19:35:04 PT: "business" "The American taxpayer does have a right to have the people they've paid to become experts in this business tell them what this is going to do," I think is referring to the multi-billion dollar law enforcement business..... [ Post Comment ] Comment #92 posted by Hope on August 28, 2006 at 18:06:08 PT Dangerous criminals... of course the DEA agents all tell themselves that everyone they arrest is a dangerous criminal. I disagree. Some are killers, no doubt, that need to be contained...but many aren't. Very many. [ Post Comment ] Comment #91 posted by Hope on August 28, 2006 at 18:03:04 PT Good Work, Freewilks That's a odd choice of a "mantra", Sweetin has there."'If Americans use the democratic process to make change, we're in favor of that,'"I can just imagine him repeating that to himself over and over again. But there's more...it's a mantra with a "caveat". A new sort of mantra...with a caveat?The caveat? "..we're in favor of it working based on all the facts."That, of course, would be the "facts" according to Sweetin...or the DEA. DEA,for a fact, stands for Drug Enforcement Agency...not Drug Expert Agency.They are a law enforcement agency. They make their living putting people in jails and prisons and keeping the jails and prisons full of nonviolent offenders to benefit the people who have shares in prisons for profit. [ Post Comment ] Comment #90 posted by freewillks on August 28, 2006 at 17:05:23 PT Fact; Mr sweetin has done this before! http://www.thenation.com/doc/20030630/forbes http://www.thenation.com/doc/20030630/forbes [ Post Comment ] Comment #89 posted by freewillks on August 28, 2006 at 16:47:26 PT Jeff Sweetin, special agent in charge Denver "My mantra has been, 'If Americans use the democratic process to make change, we're in favor of that,'" he said. "We're in favor of the democratic process. But as a caveat, we're in favor of it working based on all the facts." Mr Sweetin how do you sleep at night. Facts..FACTS... The fact that you get paid to uphold lies is a fact. Fact; the DEA IS and HAS used covert ops to disrupt the democratic process in countless countries around the globe when they did not agree with you. So foregive me, Mr Sweetin, when I do not trust your involvement here. If we where only talking about Facts we would not be debating this now. Mr sweetin may I offer the for your soul...MAT 15:10 Then he called the crowd to him and said, 1 “Listen and understand. 15:11 What defiles a person is not what goes into the mouth; it is what 2 comes out of the mouth that defiles a person.” 15:12 Then the disciples came to him and said, “Do you know that when the Pharisees 3 heard this saying they were offended?” 15:13 And he replied, 4 “Every plant that my heavenly Father did not plant will be uprooted. 15:14 Leave them! They are blind guides. 5 If someone who is blind leads another who is blind, 6 both will fall into a pit.” 15:15 But Peter 7 said to him, “Explain this parable to us.” 15:16 Jesus 8 said, “Even after all this, are you still so foolish? 15:17 Don’t you understand that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach and then passes out into the sewer? 9 15:18 But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these things defile a person. 15:19 For out of the heart come evil ideas, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 15:20 These are the things that defile a person; it is not eating with unwashed hands that defiles a person.” [ Post Comment ] Comment #88 posted by whig on August 28, 2006 at 16:31:13 PT OMG One of the Libertarians said the other declared LP Presidential candidate is this guy:http://www.dougstanhope.com/too_ugly.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #87 posted by FoM on August 28, 2006 at 16:18:13 PT Whig That's really nice of you. We don't have any Libertarians around here. Heck most people just don't vote. [ Post Comment ] Comment #86 posted by whig on August 28, 2006 at 16:14:27 PT Kubby I endorsed him to my friends in the Libertarian Party of Pittsburgh.I hope he gets as much exposure nationally as he could possibly want. [ Post Comment ] Comment #85 posted by global_warming on August 28, 2006 at 15:57:47 PT re: Like we don't already know The interest of the many has been shapedTo buy and consume hot pocketsFast cars and good looking bank accountsThey are so hip and so hotDo not waste your spiritual time praying for thier eternal and lost souls, Cannabis has given your mind and soul the connection to the Eternal Universe, and the the blood of the Christ, that spilled from that human cross, Fare Well [ Post Comment ] Comment #84 posted by Hope on August 28, 2006 at 15:36:10 PT Why didn't he just reveal all he knows right now because of all his expertise in this "business"?"The American taxpayer does have a right to have the people they've paid to become experts in this business tell them what this is going to do," he said. "They should benefit from this expertise."Why is he holding back? Did I miss something? If we have the "right" to have them tell us "what this is going to do", why didn't he tell us?Do we have to pay him more so that he'll tell us? (Like we don't already know it's going to be another load of sick data DEA propaganda) [ Post Comment ] Comment #83 posted by global_warming on August 28, 2006 at 15:31:41 PT re: We are stuck. Stuck with Prohibition,Stuck with gangs and money hungry politicians,it is time, to dress our wounds,it is time to bring the American PeopleTo Justice, Decency and the Higher Spiritual Destiny,HallelujahI know this word, this sound is offensive to some of you, Consider this alternate world view,When the Judge hammers his verdictIn your secular visionYou will find yourself in a cageThat cage is either made of steel Or the fine threads of your Eternal ExistenceHail the WorldFor every one of usHas been witnessThere is a wayThat usurps every law of mankindDisgraces every system and governmentHope you can findThe Glory PathThat Path of Eternal GraceThat Path that has Illuminated All of OR HistoryOur Legacy [ Post Comment ] Comment #82 posted by FoM on August 28, 2006 at 15:07:19 PT global_warming That's good. Square one is where we are it seems sometimes. California is way ahead of the rest of the nation and I am happy for them but we need help in almost all the other states. The older I get and the longer I have been doing CNews the more I see the same things over and over again. We are stuck. [ Post Comment ] Comment #81 posted by global_warming on August 28, 2006 at 14:56:32 PT Ok, Lets start from square one DEA Rep: Don't Legalize It.Why?I know, somebody is thinking, there is a reason it is illegal.Why?I hope this forum is open, you have until post 423 to make your point, yes Louie you are welcome here, as is Mr. Moore DEA Agent, I would love to hear a reasonable and sane discussion why cannabis is so hotly debated in the this newsgroup, here is your chance to weigh in, pro or con, do you have brain cancer, do you drive a new SUV, are you a lawyer, are you in prison, are you dieing from AIDS, have you lost all faith in the common man? [ Post Comment ] Comment #80 posted by FoM on August 28, 2006 at 13:27:33 PT Hope I did read that. If he wants to do it he should go for it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #79 posted by Hope on August 28, 2006 at 13:16:56 PT At the Kubby Chronicles... http://www.kubby.com/index.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #78 posted by Hope on August 28, 2006 at 13:14:40 PT Kubby is going to try for the Libertarian Presidential candidate nominee. [ Post Comment ] Comment #77 posted by FoM on August 28, 2006 at 13:10:44 PT Skillet They could do that but what has happened to us in the last 5 years has told me that it can't get much worse then what they have done to people in California. If they hadn't pushed against MMJ like they have then my opinion wouldn't be as strong as it is now. I watch what they do and that's how I form my opinion. [ Post Comment ] Comment #76 posted by Skillet on August 28, 2006 at 12:56:36 PT: FoM If history is any indication, the Demorats will increase drug war spending 2X, to save the minorities, poor and children. [ Post Comment ] Comment #75 posted by Hope on August 28, 2006 at 12:56:35 PT The FDA's Marijuana Problem http://www.tcsdaily.com/article.aspx?id=081806D [ Post Comment ] Comment #74 posted by Hope on August 28, 2006 at 12:22:58 PT Governemt web sites... I don't like to go to them. It's like stepping in something vile. [ Post Comment ] Comment #73 posted by Hope on August 28, 2006 at 12:22:01 PT I'm getting this much.... Data Quality Act means we can complain when the "data" presented isn't worth anything or worse is lies and misrepresentations...and in the case of the ONDCP that "Data" is a bunch of lies and made up stuff.So we have a right to complain or sue because of that act? We don't have to stand by while they spread "manure" to fertilize their garden of cunning plans to keep the citizens in the dark and well hypnotized by propaganda to suit their purposes. [ Post Comment ] Comment #72 posted by whig on August 28, 2006 at 11:47:43 PT Tom & Jerry to Just Say No http://liftwhileclimbing.wordpress.com/2006/08/28/tom-jerry-to-just-say-no/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #71 posted by FoM on August 28, 2006 at 11:29:43 PT Hope I tried the link and it didn't load for me either. [ Post Comment ] Comment #70 posted by Hope on August 28, 2006 at 11:20:32 PT Aolbites I couldn't get http://www.lifepointinc.com/ to load. [ Post Comment ] Comment #69 posted by FoM on August 28, 2006 at 11:10:00 PT Whig Thank you. I just shook me head when I heard that Kenneth Starr was going to do this. He looks under rocks for dirt is how I think of him. His self righteousness shines thru clear. [ Post Comment ] Comment #68 posted by whig on August 28, 2006 at 11:05:06 PT FoM #61 I put an update to the blog post and linked back to the old CNews article you referred me to. [ Post Comment ] Comment #67 posted by Hope on August 28, 2006 at 11:02:41 PT Thank you, Pete. I'm so thankful for the legally savvy amongst us. So thankful! [ Post Comment ] Comment #66 posted by FoM on August 28, 2006 at 11:02:22 PT freewillks I thought of one more thing I wanted to say. If the war on just medical marijuana stopped the funds would shrink and the drug war would slowly fade away. The money is in chasing marijuana not hard drugs. There are so many people all around the world, from different religions, cultures and ages that enjoy marijuana. There are not many hard drug users to warrant a fight with lots of money if the laws are changed on cannabis. [ Post Comment ] Comment #65 posted by Hope on August 28, 2006 at 11:01:17 PT Aolbites I still don't understand it ...and it's the third or fourth time I've tried to. Can you boil it down to layman's terms or not too smart layman's terms? Sorry for being so ignorant. [ Post Comment ] Comment #64 posted by Pete Guither on August 28, 2006 at 10:54:36 PT: Data Quality Complaints Regarding the data quality complaint suggestions listed below. A number of us HAVE looked into this. It's not always as easy as it appears. I'm currently working on a Data Quality Act correction for a SAMHSA page http://www.drugwarrant.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=302 and would welcome any assistance.As far as the ONDCP is concerned, they tend to keep their web pages filled with only things that they can reasonably attribute to someone else (leaving them an out). Additionally, there are all sorts of exceptions to material that is subject to review, such as:"information" does not include:"(a) opinions or policy...(b) information originated by, and attributed to, non-ONDCP sources...(f) statements of Administration policy... (g) testimony or comments of ONDCP officials before courts, administrative bodies, Congress, or the media; " [ Post Comment ] Comment #63 posted by ekim on August 28, 2006 at 10:52:35 PT will be on c-span tuesday 29 dir tv ch 350 -9or930 http://nedlamont.com/events [ Post Comment ] Comment #62 posted by Hope on August 28, 2006 at 10:41:53 PT Whig comment 59 That makes me furious! [ Post Comment ] Comment #61 posted by FoM on August 28, 2006 at 10:30:38 PT Whig It really is something that Kenneth Starr is doing this. http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21841.shtml [ Post Comment ] Comment #60 posted by Hope on August 28, 2006 at 10:26:13 PT Aolbites Your comment is very interesting to me. When I read it, I hoped all the people connected with those organizations considered what you were posting. I was going to post to your comment and include the comment that AOL sure does bite, doesn't it? At about twenty dollars a nip, too. I don't know enough about the legal stuff you posted to comment even half way intelligently about it...but I hoped someone did or at the very least that those connected with those organizations would notice it. Sometimes I don't post to something so that it won't get lost in a string of comments. I thought about that with your most recent post. Someone who could do some of that stuff needed to see it. There was a time I tried to say something to nearly every, if not every post that someone made because I know how you feel about no one responding to a post or being the last poster in a thread. It used to bother me a lot when it happened to me. I complained about it, too. You might not remember. So I tried to answer nearly every post I could, because I know how you feel. But after a while I stopped doing it because I think they cut back the bandwidth because of me!Sometimes I see a post and I think, is that something I can answer or is that a statement or is that a question for someone other than myself? Sometimes I have to read a post over quite a few times before I feel I can ask a question about it or understand it. After a while of commenting on nearly every post...I began to think my Pollyannaishness was shining quite a bit more brightly than the people here might appreciate...as well as wondering if I was a bandwidth hog.Your post was VERY worth while...as alas, most of mine, surely aren't. It was smart and addressing a point that needs to be addressed. I'm sure it wasn't ignored. I didn't ignore it...and I hoped the people that could act on your information had seen it. Problem is...when it's not responded to...it's very easy to imagine it was ignored.Sometimes I run up against a blank wall when it comes to posting to a comment that I really liked and that was the case with your most recent post.Back when I complained about the fact that it seemed to me that no one ever responded to my thoughts and that it always seemed I was the last post in every thread, I think it was BGreen that said maybe there was nothing more to say after I had made a point. Lol! I doubt that. I often think someone doesn't respond to a most of mine because they don't want to get me started on one of my rants.I don't know...but I know it's not because we're ignoring you. It's my thought that we need everybody, very muchly including you. Please don't take offense and slam the door on us, old friend. I'm sorry. I can see why you would think what you're thinking...but I don't think that's the way it really is, at all.Sometimes, in my case, also, Pollyanna just isn't up to it today. I get low and the best I can manage is lurking.Sorry. [ Post Comment ] Comment #59 posted by whig on August 28, 2006 at 10:20:46 PT Students suspended for pro-cannabis speech Ninth circuit has already ruled for students. Ken Starr is representing the school district to the supreme court, free of charge.http://cannablog.wordpress.com/2006/08/28/bong-hits-4-jesus/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #58 posted by FoM on August 28, 2006 at 09:59:53 PT freewillks I don't know about the drug war but it could be true. I just want Democrats in because they are mostly against the war in Iraq which I just can't stand and have voted for medical marijuana. I'm not hoping for more then that. I have lowered expectation. [ Post Comment ] Comment #57 posted by freewillks on August 28, 2006 at 09:15:53 PT FOM #55 Dems attacking repubs for cutting drug war funds... Dems want to spend more in the war on drugs. [ Post Comment ] Comment #56 posted by mai_bong_city on August 28, 2006 at 08:41:31 PT g_w re: #6 anywhere my feet (or car) can carry me, g, to be free.and of course. it's a huge loft space.:) [ Post Comment ] Comment #55 posted by FoM on August 28, 2006 at 08:06:04 PT Dankhank I don't want you or anyone to feel that you aren't appreciated. What I think is the problem we all are on different wavelengths as far as how to change the laws that oppress us. I doubt I will rest until we get Republicans out of power and Democrats in power. I am so tired of stuffed shirt right leaning people in control. We can hope, wish and pray but until we change who controls us we can't change anything I believe. [ Post Comment ] Comment #54 posted by FoM on August 28, 2006 at 07:35:36 PT aolbites I really am sorry you feel that way. I am not into a lot of research because I just want to change the bad law. It isn't what you are posting but my head is in a different mind set. That's really all. For me I am just really tired of the governments spin. [ Post Comment ] Comment #53 posted by Dankhank on August 28, 2006 at 07:30:08 PT: aolbites Sorry you feel underappreciated, I feel that way sometimes, too, but am sure that isn't the case.I like your idea about the Cannabis Research Library. It's a fantastic resource that should be shared.I have the Library on a CD-ROM and regularly send it anywhere I feel it's needed.I'll send one to anyone who wants one and many who don't expect it. I recently sent one to the Denver Post. Can't tell if they looked at it, yet, though in fairness, the latest vote is beyond medicine.Thanks for the info on the "DQA" ... for a long time I focused on the medical, I think I will expand to the legal angle for a while and see how it works ... [ Post Comment ] Comment #52 posted by Toker00 on August 28, 2006 at 05:37:59 PT OT Just trying to understand. Eden was not like present day earth. Adam and Eve were not like we are today. Eden was God's Showroom. Everything in Eden was perfect, and the only imperfections were the ones we would bring on ourselves by disobeying God. He created our bodies, complete with DNA road maps to carry us on our Earthly journey he would cast us into. He created our brains to absorb the knowledge he knew we would choose to pick from the Tree of Knowledge. He created a cannabinoid system for us to absorb the Tree of LIFE which heals the damage caused by Knowledge. Now, the other creatures in Eden did NOT eat from the Tree of Knowledge, nor were they pre-destined to. But God did say that the Green Herbs were for ALL the creatures of the earth, not just us. Don't other creatures have cannabinoid systems, which heal and give shiny coats to those who eat cannabis seeds? But they don't have an ability to absorb knowledge. Try teaching a dog Algebra. By man prohibiting cannabis in the wild, have we caused animals to become sick and diseased? As God has caused us to toil, have we caused the animals to toil as well? God did not prohibit The Tree of Life. Indeed, he intended it be a part of us as long as we are affected by the Tree of Knowledge, which he DID prhibit. The people who use knowledge to create Evil against their brother by prohibiting that which God didn't, and hiding behind that which he did prohibit, are the Prohibians. This is why God loathed knowledge. He KNEW it would be used for EVIL. But he provided a plant to heal that evil. CANNABIS! Thank you God, for Cannabis.Wage peace on war. END CANNABIS PROHIBITION NOW! [ Post Comment ] Comment #51 posted by aolbites on August 28, 2006 at 05:24:17 PT btw f.y.i:i am not aolbites at gmail or many of the other aolbites that show up on google .. unless they posted here.. [ Post Comment ] Comment #50 posted by aolbites on August 28, 2006 at 05:15:12 PT really.. ya know whatever.. so americans for safe acces filed a complaint.. well whatever.there are so so so many f'n lies out there .. why doesn't anyone else file?every damm speach the ondcp make is a damm lie. NO onE has apparently called them out on those... ah fk it whatever.l8r [ Post Comment ] Comment #49 posted by aolbites on August 28, 2006 at 05:09:23 PT ^$# ya know every time i make a comment here it seems that its totaly ignored.. WTF?is it just cause years ago i posted about a saliva testing machine that seemed like a problem to me?so it didn't pan out and go into production ... http://www.lifepointinc.com but really WTF?Why the hell does everyone here seem to dissmiss any relvent facts that i post?FAct: there have been NO data quality act complaints. [acording to the page i posted]all i ask is why?no response from anyone.every time i try and raise a relevent point its either ignorred or is the last post in the thread.... why the hell do i even bother paying attention to this sh!^.i really don't know if i should even keep this up... i'm so tired of being ignored... esp by y'all .. ah forget it i'm outta here.later all ... [ Post Comment ] Comment #48 posted by kaptinemo on August 28, 2006 at 04:12:50 PT: Americans for Safe Acess has already filed a suit...as of October of last year. See "Data Quality Lawsuit Over Medical Marijuana Targets HHS" http://bbsnews.net/article.php/20051027014205545The problem, as always, has been that the government is in the hands of those who, if they are not outright criminals, are accessories to that criminality. They know what will happen in a courtroom if resources like the CRL are brought into that courtroom and entered as evidence. In the time it takes to do so, the rationale behind cannabis prohibition would be destroyed. An entire bureaucracy would be rendered obsolete. Tens of thousands of bloodsucking, Constitution-trampling 'public servants' would face the prospect of losing their jobs. And let us not forget that goverments around the world use the proceeds from illicit drug money laundering to fund all manner of dirty deeds. That alone ensures that there is enormous pressure upon HHS not to comply, as is evident from their past foot-dragging.But if this ever winds up on, say, Court TV, the game will well and truly be over. Let the public see the lies and the obfuscation at work, and they'll be as righteously p****d as any of us here have been for years.I keep saying this: a trial of this sort would become the 21st century equivalent of the 1920's Scopes Trial which led to the teaching of the theory of evolution in public schools. It's that fundamentally earthshaking, for it challenges government suzerainty directly. It would show that government has known for years that cannabis has medicinal qualities. And that government has done everything in its power to prevent the public from knowing this. A government that does that to its' own people...well, history is replete with examples of what happens when the people become aware of it...and take matters into their own hands to rectify it.Karma delayed is karma magnified...and I wouldn't want that magnified karma landing on my head, if I were them. [ Post Comment ] Comment #47 posted by global_warming on August 28, 2006 at 02:18:57 PT Nevada The Conservative War on the War on Drugs The movement to legalize pot may take off with red wings —By Suzanne Lindgren, Utne.comhttp://tinyurl.com/z3l4t...According to Abramsky, among the most enthusiastic supporters of the measure are conservatives. Many of them are tired of seeing resources wasted in a failed war on drugs, others are simply wary of overbearing government and law enforcement agencies. Bill Piper, director of national affairs for the reform-minded Drug Policy Alliance, explains: "At its core, conservatism is supposed to be about free markets, the rule of law, and smaller government -- and you can't have any of those when you have a massive war on drugs."... [ Post Comment ] Comment #46 posted by afterburner on August 27, 2006 at 23:29:58 PT: mai_bong_city #5 I have a house in Canada. RSVP [ Post Comment ] Comment #45 posted by BGreen on August 27, 2006 at 23:24:34 PT Yeah, I've "benefited" from the DEA enough Permission to try something else, SIR?!Permission granted to me by me.The Reverend Bud Green [ Post Comment ] Comment #44 posted by whig on August 27, 2006 at 23:06:20 PT Wayne Righteous. [ Post Comment ] Comment #43 posted by Wayne on August 27, 2006 at 23:02:38 PT they don't know drugs...only DEAth and destruction "The American taxpayer does have a right to have the people they've paid to become experts in this business tell them what this is going to do," he said.--I would pay real money to get that in writing. Indeed, sir, the American taxpayer deserves to get every dollar's worth from it's government. Tell me, what IS it going to do? And DON'T LIE!!"We're in favor of the democratic process. But as a caveat, we're in favor of it working based on all the facts."--Nope, no deal. You can't have it both ways. The democratic process doesn't have that caveat built into it. And besides, the ORIGINAL prohibition legislation wasn't even based on facts. Nope, in democracy, the decision belongs to the people...period. To quote your boss, you're either with us or against us."They should benefit from this expertise."--Is this the same expertise that botches drug raids and kills hundreds of innocent Americans? I think I'll take my chances without, thanks anyway...To the DEA I say this: You have enjoyed WAY more than your fair share of breathing room in this society. And your days of being the judge, jury, and executioner will soon be overwith. [ Post Comment ] Comment #42 posted by afterburner on August 27, 2006 at 22:50:39 PT Undercover Turnabout Infiltrating legalization and pro-cannabis groups is a favorite government tactic. Anyone want to "help" the DEA?"In the e-mail, which was sent from a U.S. Department of Justice account, [a Drug Enforcement Agency agent named Michael] Moore also writes that the group has $10,000 to launch the campaign. He asks those interested in helping to call him at his DEA office." [ Post Comment ] Comment #41 posted by aolbites on August 27, 2006 at 20:10:09 PT Where are our groups? NORML, SSDP, MAPS, SAFER, ACLU, LEAP?And all the rest? why don't they file? [ Post Comment ] Comment #40 posted by aolbites on August 27, 2006 at 20:02:58 PT Note: Pay attention to section C there ... don't forget everyone here should complain about the various LIES posted on many of the DEA/ONDCP web pages ..http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/inforeg/agency_info_quality_links.htmlhttp://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/about/quality_guidelines/index.htmlhttp://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/about/quality_guidelines/index_b.html#sect2!!!!!!!!!!!!!WE Must Fix This!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/about/quality_guidelines/significant.htmlThey say they have not had a single complaint!!!!"Significant Corrections MadeAt this time, ONDCP has received no information quality correction requests; however, ONDCP will update this page if it receives any requests. "!!!!!!!!!!!!!WE Must Fix This!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!------------ then once they try to keep on LIEING - you gotta refile WITHIN 30 DAYS of their response ... ------------Section III. Procedures for Requesting Reconsideration 1. The following procedures are available to an affected person who has filed a covered request for correction of public information in accordance with Section II, above; who received notice from the ONDCP Chief-of-Staff of ONDCP's determination; and who believes that the ONDCP did not take appropriate corrective action. Requests determined by ONDCP to be not covered by the guidelines and requests determined to be frivolous will not be reconsidered under these provisions. These procedures apply to information disseminated by ONDCP on or after October 1, 2002, regardless of when the information was first disseminated. 2. To request reconsideration, persons should clearly indicate that the communication is a "Request for Reconsideration;" should reference the ONDCP Information Quality Guidelines; and should include a copy of the request for correction previously submitted to ONDCP and ONDCP's response. Resubmission should be made to the ONDCP Chief-of-Staff by mail using the contact information in Section II, paragraph 1, above. Requests for Reconsideration must be submitted within thirty (30) days of the date of ONDCP's notification to the requester of the disposition of the underlying request for correction. 3. ONDCP's Chief-of-Staff or a delegee thereof will consider the request for reconsideration, applying the standards and procedures set out in Section II, above and will make a determination regarding the request. In most cases, the requestor will be notified of the determination and, if appropriate, the corrective action to be taken, within 60 days. If the request for reconsideration requires more than 60 days, ONDCP will inform the requestor of the extension, providing its reasons for the extension and an estimated decision date. ONDCP will give reasonable notice to affected persons of any corrections made. [ Post Comment ] Comment #39 posted by aolbites on August 27, 2006 at 19:44:12 PT Text of the Act Text of the Act(a) In General -- The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall, by not later than September 30, 2001, and with public and Federal agency involvement, issue guidelines under sections 3504(d)(1) and 3516 of title 44, United States Code, that provide policy and procedural guidance to Federal agencies for ensuring and maximizing the quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of information (including statistical information) disseminated by Federal agencies in fulfillment of the purposes and provisions of chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code, commonly referred to as the Paperwork Reduction Act.(b) Content of Guidelines. The guidelines under subsection (a) shall (1) apply to the sharing by Federal agencies of, and access to, information disseminated by Federal agencies; and(2) require that each Federal agency to which the guidelines apply (A) issue guidelines ensuring and maximizing the quality, objectivity, utility and integrity of information (including statistical information) disseminated by the agency, by not later than 1 year after the date of issuance of the guidelines under subsection (a);(B) establish administrative mechanisms allowing affected persons to seek and obtain correction of information maintained and disseminated by the agency that does not comply, with the guidelines issued under subsection (a); and(C) report periodically to the Director (i) the number and nature of complaints received by the agency regarding the accuracy of information disseminated by the agency; and(ii) how such complaints were handled by the agency. Data Quality Act [ Post Comment ] Comment #38 posted by The GCW on August 27, 2006 at 19:11:23 PT US: Anti-Drug Ads a Waste, Auditors Say US: Anti-Drug Ads a Waste, Auditors Sayhttp://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n1133/a03.html?397Pubdate: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 Source: Capital Times, The (WI)Note: The GAO report is available as a 72 page .pdf file at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d06818.pdf or at http://www.csdp.org/research/d06818.pdf-0-ANTI-DRUG ADS A WASTE, AUDITORS SAY The government's anti-drug ad campaign has not been proved to deter children from using drugs, and lawmakers should consider reducing funding for the $1.2 billion program, congressional auditors said Friday. Cont.... John Walters, director of the office, said the study was ill-suited to judge the effect of an ad campaign. The findings also have limited relevance because they are more than two years old, he said in a written response to the GAO's findings. Cont.0-0(More than 2 years old? According to the Walters way of thinking, that translates to cannabis being about 2-5% more powerful than 2 years ago, since it keeps increasing.)Walters,Book Your flight.999*** Remember when Colorado saw its leaders dirty work to keep the medical marijuana issue off the ballot? Victoria Buckley et al... ( http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v98/n794/a11.html?254016 )She cheated, said no go, died, got caught dead handed with hidden uncounted petitions in Her desk...( http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v99/n1037/a02.html?254017 )It would have been Amendment 19... She denied it and it automatically went to the next election; & even better!!!It became Amendment 20;Known as vote 4 - 20.420During that time, Colorado's Governor Bill Owens said of Amendment (4)20; "NOT ON MY WATCH." ( http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n1515/a01.html?254015 )It happened on His watch.Colorado has the correct time.That time is now.123The government has tried to screw the people of Colorado before and are expected to do the same dirty dances.Now Colorado citizens have the advantage of knowing the government is very low and discredited.Now Colorado has the advantage of study after study discreding their spew; just like the one above.There is no end to how much We can discredit them, today. [ Post Comment ] Comment #37 posted by FoM on August 27, 2006 at 18:25:12 PT Dankhank Thanks Dankhank. I posted an article about South Dakota but maybe it didn't have all the details. Here's the one I posted. South Dakota Medi-Pot Supporters Push Forward: http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22096.shtml [ Post Comment ] Comment #36 posted by freewillks on August 27, 2006 at 18:02:10 PT Tvert vs DEA debate? The Feds have tried to aviod a public debate for years, now they must stand up to public scrutiny and defend thier lies. Maybe we could see Karen Tandy debate Mason Tvert on the merrits of cannabis. Bring Walters out to colorado and have him debate Ed Rosenthal about how strong todays weed is. This is our chance to Expose the lies in a very public way. Bring it on. [ Post Comment ] Comment #35 posted by kaptinemo on August 27, 2006 at 17:59:13 PT: ONLY ten thousand? (gut shaking laughter) Another desperate move: trying to buy the services of what amounts to mercs. That's 'mercenaries', folks. In this case, hired PR guns. I am really shaking with laughter as I write this. 10K. Is that all they have to spend? C'mon now! Where's their conviction! Where's their fire in the belly? Where's their spirit? Aren't "the chil-drunnn!, the chil-drunn!' of Colorado worth more than a measely ten thousand? Why not ten million? 20 million? Fifty million? After all, the ONDCP has spent 1 BILLION DOLLARS on the little tykes, trying to stuff their supposedly empty heads with propaganda...all for nought. BTW, I assure you they aren't emptyheaded, guys, they aren't 'tabula rasas' (empty slates) you can write nonsense on, they see right through this crap and they don't apopreciate your thinking of them like that, they really don't. That's why you failed...and wasted money that could have been better spent.So...what's wrong, DEA? Aren't the kiddies worth more? Trying to cheap out on them? Or is this proof that what I and others have been saying for so long finally becoming evident: the financial well is running dry? Have to reach into the back pockets and count the spare change? Have to look under the sofa cushions and the car seats? Raid little Johnny's piggy-bank? Check the gutters and steal from public water fountains? Scrape, scrape, scrape...oooooh! Found another nickel!(Still laughing) (Shaking head) Ten thousand. It might buy you something that some kid in 10th grade might make...and that kid knows the score. He'll take your money...and 'take' you, too. He can't do any worse than all that high priced help your hired for a billion. Suck-ers! [ Post Comment ] Comment #34 posted by Hope on August 27, 2006 at 17:36:21 PT That's good news, Dankhank. Thanks. [ Post Comment ] Comment #33 posted by Dankhank on August 27, 2006 at 17:22:29 PT did this drop below the radar? or did I just miss it ....Great news! On Friday, a judge rejected the South Dakota attorney general's inaccurate and biased summary of the medical marijuana initiative that will be on the South Dakota ballot this November -- and chastised him for his bias.Judge Max Gors disagreed with Attorney General Larry Long on almost every point and ruled that Long's summary "conjures up images of dope dealers preying on children ... and is an impermissible attempt to advocate against the ballot issue."The judge ordered Long to rewrite the ballot summary -- which will appear on the ballot and in voter guides -- to make it objective.Would you please help the South Dakota activists pass this initiative on November 7 by visiting http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?ID=M719124397864938233445865&af=y to make a donation to their work today? Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated.South Dakotans for Medical Marijuana and medical marijuana patient Valerie Hannah sued after Long issued a ballot summary that, among other things, raised the specter of children using marijuana and claimed that "physicians who provide written certifications may be subject to losing their federal license to dispense prescription drugs." This is flat wrong, in addition to being biased: A federal court of appeals has ruled that physicians cannot be prosecuted or have their licenses stripped from them just for recommending the medical use of marijuana.In rejecting Long's summary, the judge noted that -- by the attorney general's reasoning -- he could describe the nitiative as "an act to legalize the demon weed and allow drug-crazed adults and children to run rampant" or "an act to unleash reefer madness on South Dakota.""The whole impression leads one to believe that the attorney general wants voters to reject the initiative," wrote Judge Gors. "The attorney general should confine his politicking to the stump and leave his bias out of the ballot statement that is supposed to be objective."The ruling is a victory for medical marijuana patients and the voters of South Dakota. Now, with only 71 days remaining until Election Day, would you please help deliver an even bigger victory by visiting http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?ID=M719124397864938233445865&af=y to donate to the campaign today?A win on November 7 would make South Dakota the 12th medical marijuana state in the country. Thank you in advance for anything you can do to help.Sincerely,Rob Kampia Executive Director Marijuana Policy Project Washington, D.C.P.S. As I've mentioned in previous alerts, a major philanthropist has committed to match the first $3.5 million that MPP can raise from the rest of the planet in 2006. This means that your donation today will be doubled.P.P.S. If you've decided you don't want to donate anything today -- and you're also sure you don't want to donate any money during the remainder of this year -- you can opt out of receiving fundraising mentions in the e-mail alerts I send you by visiting http://www.mpp.org/2006optoutpreference at your convenience.======================================================================The Marijuana Policy Project hopes that each of the 101,000 subscribers on our national e-mail list will make at least one financial donation to MPP's work in 2006. Please visit http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?ID=M719124397864938233445865&af=y to donate now.MPP will be able to tackle all of the projects in its 2006 strategic plan -- http://www.mpp.org/2006plan -- if you and other allies are generous enough to fund our work.====================================================================== You are receiving this e-mail because you subscribed to MPP's e-mail alerts. To contact MPP, please visit http://www.mpp.org/contact or reply to this e-mail. Our mailing address is MPP, P.O. Box 77492, Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C. 20013. [ Post Comment ] Comment #32 posted by OverwhelmSam on August 27, 2006 at 16:48:40 PT If It Weren't For The DEA Marijuana would already be legal for adults. So much for Democracy. [ Post Comment ] Comment #31 posted by The GCW on August 27, 2006 at 16:21:31 PT Will the DEA be forced to testify in court? We know this is coming.Everything You say can and will be used against You in a court of law.Forcing the DEA to testify in court should scare the farce right out of them! [ Post Comment ] Comment #30 posted by aolbites on August 27, 2006 at 15:46:44 PT The answer is simple. Sue them. "In 2000, Congress passed what is known as the Data Quality Act to help ensure that regulations are based on solid science. The two-paragraph Data Quality Act wasn't written by a member of Congress, but by James J. Tozzi, and included in a longer appropriations bill. Now Tozzi, who is founder of the Center for Regulatory Effectiveness, is suing the government because the FDA's marijuana ruling has ignored data showing that marijuana is helpful to some patients."throw the studies and the cannabis reaserch library at the judge ... along with the lies and Make the judge reconcile the two.the CRL NEEDS to be introduced as evidence to get it on record so they can't ignore the Truth. Cannabis Research Library [ Post Comment ] Comment #29 posted by Hope on August 27, 2006 at 15:23:32 PT Repeat..sans the error...that didn't kill anyone. It's EVERY WHERE!It's in every State in the Union! It's in every country on Earth! It's floating in the water, somewhere, and it's in the sky, somewhere, and it's on the ground in a lot of places. It's every where!It doesn't kill a soul...or a body.Illegality...Prohibition does. [ Post Comment ] Comment #28 posted by Hope on August 27, 2006 at 15:19:34 PT Prohibition has got to be lifted. These advances in decriminalization look good in that they may prevent someone from being killed, imprisoned, or raped because of the laws...but we are still in the mess of not having a legal source. The illegality gives power to the cartels and the underworld. It's the illegality that does it. It's not some kind of heinous otherworldly power in the substance that does it....it's the illegality of it. The illegality, or prohibition, makes it horrendously profitable....and being illegal...horrendously dangerous....and that costs a lot. Back in the seventies you could buy an ounce, a heavy ounce...a potter's ounce, a lid, for ten dollars. Today it can run in to the hundreds of dollars. That's the cost of the risk in it...because of prohibition. It's not the cost of the product. It's the cost of the risk.I guess things are going to have to get a whole lot meaner and a whole lot rougher before our "leaders" come to their senses.And like was said earlier in this thread...legality isn't going to cause a huge increase in who is doing it. People are already doing it and the ones who don't, aren't likely to all of a sudden decide they are. Those who find it repelling will still find it repelling.It's EVERY WHERE! It's in every State in the Union! It's in every country in on Earth! It's floating in the water, somewhere, and it's in the sky, somewhere, and it's on the ground in a lot of places. It's every where!It doesn't kill a soul...or a body. Illegality...Prohibition does. [ Post Comment ] Comment #27 posted by Hope on August 27, 2006 at 14:57:45 PT I guess I'm going to start proof reading again. Too much to do. Too much going on. Too many errors. At least my "errors" don't kill anyone, unlike the DEA's. Too much excitement. Too many powers. Too much arrogance. Too much killing. Too many errors.I was wrong about fourteen yearl old Ashley Villareal. She was murdered in San Antonio, not Houston.Ashley Villareal14 years old San Antonio, Texas February, 2003 Ashley went outside at night with a family friend to move their freshly washed car under shelter. DEA agents, interested in her father, were staking out the house, and believing that her father was driving, shot and killed Ashley. The agents did not have a warrant for her father. http://blogs.salon.com/0002762/stories/2003/08/17/drugWarVictims.htmlYou can search the net for newspapers stories...and there were plenty of them last time I checked...or read this condensation of reports, news and interviews athttp://www.cannabisculture.com/articles/2998.htmlAshley was precious. Getting another bust on the books wasn't. [ Post Comment ] Comment #26 posted by boballen131313 on August 27, 2006 at 14:33:10 PT: TIME TO CLOSE DOWN THE DEA Experts on drugs? These bureaucratic morons aren't competant at law enforcement and now they are claiming to be drug experts!?? Another arm of the infamous Bush government claiming expertise at any endeavour seems outlandish! Karen Tandy's DEA makes FEMA look good. When it comes to pure incompetance with a self righteous know whats good for you attitude, DEA is the Enron of the drug war. We need to hold some serious congressional investigations and then close that whole cancerous tumour of government down! So let's upturn this stinking barrel of vipers when we take back our goverment from the infidels residing in the whitehouse. VOTE! [ Post Comment ] Comment #25 posted by SystemGoneDown on August 27, 2006 at 14:32:54 PT Death to the U.S. government!... The DEA first. This beauracracy is trying to deter the legalization movement simply for budget increases. NOTHING MORE THAN THAT!!!! You think they're stopping it because they feel less people will smoke pot if they were to step in? Hell no. Legal or legal, its a friggen joke. It will have no difference in the total population of pot smokers in Colorado, or the entire U.S. It's a fricken circus man. This stupid fight to legalize a plant. The hole thing is a big spectacle for the division of America. The prohibitionists vs the legalizer. Back to the same damn fight. [ Post Comment ] Comment #24 posted by Dankhank on August 27, 2006 at 14:08:00 PT interesting ... I would like to believe the good Doctor partook. He certainly was an open-minded man, generally, so would not be afraid of it.I used to read a lot of stuff about Science fiction conventions and the crazy amazing things that went on, curiously, no mention of the bud. Can understand why, I suppose, but I know there must have been a lot of sparkin' going on there ... [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by whig on August 27, 2006 at 14:00:07 PT Dankhank I think Asimov really was documenting this. He put it in a science fictional context, but he was literally writing after having read the Decline and Fall of Rome. He was explaining Empire (Rome) replaced by Foundation (Church) and Second Foundation in two thousand years (now).I believe that Asimov used cannabis and was inspired to write this. [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by Dankhank on August 27, 2006 at 13:53:57 PT yes, i did ... Whig ...I did catch that reference ... a good one ...OK ... got it ... will comply ... 4:20 approaching ... [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by FoM on August 27, 2006 at 13:43:44 PT Hope I think because the program might not handle this in the subject line: " " " " I didn't know how to show you any other way. [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by whig on August 27, 2006 at 13:42:12 PT Dankhank If you are familiar with Asimov then I think you should understand my metaphor that I used the other day.We are the Second Church of Christ.Remember Foundation, and how there was a Second Foundation that was created actually at the very beginning, but was meant to stay hidden until a later time thousands of years in the future? Remember Psychohistory?We did that. We did it two thousand years ago. We built the Foundation (the Church) and the Second Foundation (the Church that keeps the sacrament of Cannabis).Talk about an organized and focused effort!Want a quick phrase that sums it up? Smoke pot!:) [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by Hope on August 27, 2006 at 13:40:39 PT "...this business"? "...experts in this business tell them what this is going to do..."I can tell them what it's going to do. Doesn't take any kind of genius or expert. It's going to mean less DEA agents with power in Colorado. It's going to mean less DEA agents with jobs in Colorado. And it might have a domino effect.Experts in Marijuana? I've never seen any indication of that whatsoever.They might as well admit it. What they're experts at his busting people. Of course, being "experts" in their "business" of prohibition...might really get miffed and start bearing down on Colorado even more harshly.Don't know why the format dropped my "a" in the last title section...but it did.(Guess I didn't get an A in marijuana, either.)Nevertheless...what the DEA is expert in is prohibition and it's continuation of it and killing innocent fourteen year old girls in Houston and getting away with it.Dr. Russo is an expert on marijuana....but the DEA isn't. [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by Hope on August 27, 2006 at 13:35:51 PT Experts in Prohibition aren't Experts on Marijuana "...experts in this business tell them what this is going to do..."I can tell them what it's going to do. Doesn't take any kind of genius or expert. It's going to mean less DEA agents with power in Colorado. It's going to mean less DEA agents with jobs in Colorado. And it might have a domino effect.Experts in Marijuana? I've never seen any indication of that whatsoever.They might as well admit it. What they're experts at his busting people. [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by Dankhank on August 27, 2006 at 13:30:15 PT political speech? Whig ...While I tend to agree about the rhetoric of war, I can't help but ask ...What IS the religious metaphor for organized, focused, untiring activity seeking to alter knowledge and behavior on a large scale?Love?If I took the answer out of your mouth ... sorry ...I wonder, though ...Have you seen the slate feature, "Blogging The Bible?"http://www.slate.com/id/2148437/?nav=fixIt's pretty interesting to one who hasn't read much of the bible, likely never will and wants to read a "Book Report," or "Cliff's Notes on the book.Issac Asimov wrote an annotated old testament and new testament. I never saw one for sale, but I still look ...from wikepedia ...He published Asimov's Guide to the Bible in two volumes—covering the Old Testament in 1967 and the New Testament in 1969—and then combined them into one 1300-page volume in 1981. Replete with maps and tables, the guide goes through the books of the Bible in order, explaining the history of each one and the political influences that affected it, as well as biographical information about the important characters.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_AsimovAnyway ... the bible is replete with armies martial ideas in favor of God ... etc ...How 'bout it ...? [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by Hope on August 27, 2006 at 13:26:43 PT DEA is "expert" on prohibition...NOT marijuan "The American taxpayer does have a right to have the people they've paid to become experts in this business tell them what this is going to do," he said. "They should benefit from this expertise." [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by charmed quark on August 27, 2006 at 13:23:06 PT Sure, they support the politcal process "Jeff Sweetin, the special agent in charge of the Denver office of the DEA, said voters have every right to change the laws"This is truely what they don't want.If every state in the union allowed public referendums, pretty much every state in the union would allow medical cannabis. I'm sure the DEA is very glad this isn't the case.The above statement reminds me of the state and local police in California who said they were only enforcing the law against medical pot and if people didn't like it they should change the law.Well, the people DID change the law and the police are STILL opposing it. In many localities they are still having to be forced to accept the law.I'm sure the DEA has a similar attitude, except they have the resources to try to make sure the law is never changed. [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by whig on August 27, 2006 at 12:18:11 PT lombar I've chosen to use a religious metaphor rather than a political metaphor. Truthfully you could use either or both, but the one leads to peaceful conversion and the other to war. When you use terms like "cannabis army" or "time to get militant" even though you mean to be entirely peaceful, you are using a violent metaphor. [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by lombar on August 27, 2006 at 12:09:58 PT Both ...our political systems. Still coercion based, all stick, no carrot. The USA government ignores the law(constitution) and the Canada government can't agree on what the law says... [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by lombar on August 27, 2006 at 12:02:18 PT Cannabis prohibition ..exposes our system as a fraud. Who is being 'represented' by cannabis prohibition? Who spreads misinformation to maintain a WAR? If it takes 80 years to undo a simple injustice like cannabis prohibition, how can we ever tackle the really big problems?I was thinking of a website idea "army of light", or "cannabis army". I remember a site a few years back that was called 'cyberarmy' and members would gain virtual rank by doing real tasks. I was thinking that something similar could be setup with activist ideas being promulgated to the membership and creating an interaction between the site and doing *legal* acivist stuff. In order to organize and consolidate the forces of 'good' and really stick it to the manipulators.It is just a sketch of an idea right now. Time to get militant and take to the streets in a peaceful manner of course... Larry Campbell Hands Randy White His Posterior [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by global_warming on August 27, 2006 at 11:53:22 PT God Bless Mason Tvert and all of Colorado. And All the good people here and NowForever and Ever [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by Max Flowers on August 27, 2006 at 11:50:48 PT Never mind The answer is in the article itself. I hadn't read it all the way through before posting. Gotta watch that. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by Max Flowers on August 27, 2006 at 11:48:03 PT Any lawyers in the house? Isn't that illegal, for a federal agency to try to influence or change the result of voting in a state initiative? [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by global_warming on August 27, 2006 at 11:41:17 PT I was wondering when it would start November is just around the corner, DEA agent Michael Moore is very concerned, not only as a citizen, his job is on the line, he will spend 10 times 10,000 to insure that his job, remains intact. Oh if it were truly about our children, but it is not about children, it is about grown up people, who do not want government especially big and bloated government interfering in their lives.If it were about children, then why is the sick and dieing being aressted?Do you have a terminal brain tumor?Do you have cancer?Are you dieing?Why is DEA agent Michael Moore so interested in you?You are not a child, you are an adult, and you can change a bad law.God Bless Mason Tvert and all of Colorado.Sing so that We the People can Sing with you...Go for it.. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by BGreen on August 27, 2006 at 11:00:10 PT It's obvious that the DEAth agents are scared Only the threat of having to fight REAL criminals could make them resort to such desperate tactics. That puts a smile on my face. :-)I guess they MIGHT be qualified to pick up dog poop, although dog catcher is definitely beyond their capabilities.The Reverend Bud Green [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by global_warming on August 27, 2006 at 10:59:28 PT where are you going mbc On this planet?Prepare a place in your soul,For that gentle man, [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by mai_bong_city on August 27, 2006 at 10:45:19 PT laws change but situations stay the same or worse, often - i've seen. sickening war. if any would seriously consider shared housing in the netherlands or canada ....i just gotta' get outta' here. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by lombar on August 27, 2006 at 10:35:28 PT democracy or despotism When the government uses the peoples money to oppose the peoples will there is no greater conflict of interest.But as a caveat, we're in favor of it working based on all the facts.Time has proven that the DEA is the last place to get 'facts' about any drugs. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by global_warming on August 27, 2006 at 10:15:15 PT I was wondering when it would start November is just around the corner, DEA agent Michael Moore is very concerned, not only as a citizen, his job is on the line, he will spend 10 times 10,000 to insure that his job, remains intact. Oh if it were truly about our children, but it is not about children, it is about grown up people, who do not want government especially big and bloated government interfering in their lives.If it were about children, then why is the sick and dieing being arressted?Do you have a terminal brain tumor?Do you have cancer?Are you dieing?Why is DEA agent Michael Moore so interested in you?You are not a child, you are an adult, and you can change a bad law.God Bless Mason Tvert and all of Colorado.Sing so that We the People can Sing with you...Go for it.. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Happyplant on August 27, 2006 at 10:11:21 PT come on... Sweetin said the $10,000 the committee has to spend came from private donations, including some from agents' own accounts. He said the DEA isn't trying to "protect Coloradans from themselves" but that the agency is the expert when it comes to drugs. If they are experts, then let the truth be told. Not a bunch of lies that prohibitionist's want the general public to believe. The DEA must be quite scared this will pass. Why else would they stick their noses where it doesn't belong. This could be their downfall though. Too many people know the truth about MJ and if the DEA keeps spreading their pack of lies, they will lose all credibility. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on August 27, 2006 at 09:51:52 PT How Can We Ever Change a Bad Law? When people financially benefit from the law staying on the books how can we fix it? I guess a Democracy is just a cardboard word. I am not talking about children but only for responsible adults. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment