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Whites Smoke Pot, But Blacks Are Arrested
Posted by CN Staff on December 22, 2009 at 20:05:16 PT
By Jim Dwyer
Source: New York Times
New York -- Outside a music club on Greenwich Street in SoHo, the bouncers smoke joints as they check in the arriving customers. A young graphic artist routinely strolls through Chelsea, joint in hand. And when a publicist calls her supplier to order pot, she uses code words — a studio, a one- or two-bedroom — to signal how much she wants.New York City is now entering its 10th year of pouring tens of millions of dollars into arresting people for the lowest-level misdemeanor marijuana cases.
But the SoHo bouncers and the Chelsea graphic artist don’t have much to worry about, at least from the police: they are white. Even though surveys show they are part of the demographic group that makes the heaviest use of pot, white people in New York are the least likely to be arrested for it.Last year, black New Yorkers were seven times more likely than whites to be arrested for marijuana possession and no more serious crime. Latinos were four times more likely.In 2001, during his first campaign for mayor, Michael R. Bloomberg was asked by New York magazine if he had ever used marijuana. “You bet I did,” he replied. “And I enjoyed it.”Like most white New Yorkers, he stood almost no chance of being locked up for his pot use, then being handcuffed, fingerprinted and spending a night in Central Booking.Mr. Bloomberg may have been the first major city candidate to acknowledge using pot, but as mayor he has led a sweeping expansion of arrests, according to a recent study by Harry G. Levine, a sociology professor at Queens College.During Mr. Bloomberg’s first two terms in office, the lowest-level marijuana arrests were up, on average, by 50 percent over when his predecessor, Rudolph Giuliani, was in office. Last year, Professor Levine said, the city made 40,300 such arrests — about 12 percent of arrests for all crimes. Of these, 87 percent were of blacks or Latinos.In 2008, the police made more pot arrests “than in the 12 years of Mayor Koch, plus the four years of Mayor Dinkins, plus the first two years of Mayor Giuliani,” Mr. Levine wrote. “In other words, in one year, 2008, Bloomberg made more pot arrests than in 18 years of Koch, Dinkins and Giuliani combined.”The mayor’s office said on Tuesday that it could not estimate the cost of such arrests. Mr. Levine, drawing on studies done in other cities, estimated that they could range from $53 million to $88 million annually.Whatever the precise costs, are all these marijuana arrests — wildly disproportionate in their racial impact, and consuming the energy of thousands of police officers, the courts, prosecutors and defense lawyers — truly helping the city?Mr. Bloomberg’s chief criminal justice aide, John Feinblatt, declined to discuss the city’s approach to marijuana arrests, or the findings of the study. But through a spokesman, he issued a statement maintaining the pot arrests have helped drive down violent crime.“Marijuana arrests — which rarely lead to jail — are concentrated in neighborhoods with the highest concentrations of violent crime because that’s where the police focus their attention in order to reduce victimization,” Mr. Feinblatt said. “This continued focus on low-level offending has been part of the city’s effective crime-reduction strategy, which has resulted in a 35 percent decrease in crime since 2001."In effect, Mr. Feinblatt was arguing a variation on the “broken-windows” theory of crime-fighting — that cracking down on symptoms of public disorder helps head off more serious problems.Mr. Levine argues that such arrests drain resources needed for dealing with serious threats.The possession of less than an ounce of marijuana was decriminalized by the State Legislature in 1977, reduced to a violation, the equivalent of a traffic ticket. “Burning” it or having it “open to public view” is a misdemeanor.The handful of white pot smokers who do get arrested can be found in court on Mondays and Tuesdays, when they must answer tickets typically issued for smoking pot in a park. The rest of the week is taken up with blacks and Latinos, who are more likely to have spent a night in jail before court, said Edward McCarthy, a lawyer for the Legal Aid Society.“Some of the police officers, who are at the start of their careers, are apologetic when they make these arrests,” Mr. McCarthy said. “They say, ‘if my lieutenant or sergeant weren’t here, I’d let you go.’ ”Newshawk: Sam AdamsSource: New York Times (NY)Author: Jim DwyerPublished: December 23, 2009Copyright: 2009 The New York Times CompanyContact: letters nytimes.comWebsite: http://www.nytimes.com/URL: http://drugsense.org/url/Fj1RCJelCannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml
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Comment #77 posted by Had Enough on December 28, 2009 at 19:47:56 PT
greenmed
Thanks for the tune...that guitar player is pretty good...kinda reminds me of the guitar player we had...
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Comment #76 posted by FoM on December 27, 2009 at 16:26:56 PT
Whites Smoke Pot, But Only Blacks Get Arrested
By National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. By Allen St. Pierre, NORML Executive DirectorURL: http://www.opposingviews.com/articles/opinion-whites-smoke-pot-but-only-blacks-get-arrested-r-1261953175
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Comment #75 posted by FoM on December 27, 2009 at 05:22:40 PT
greenmed
Thank you for the link. It's really nice to see you and I hope all is well.
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Comment #74 posted by greenmed on December 26, 2009 at 20:05:06 PT
Tunes...
FoM and Had Enough, thank you for your video links. Here's a tune that could be considered in the spirit of the season (there are tiny lights)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFWVX_5DVy4Daniel Lanois - The Maker
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Comment #73 posted by FoM on December 26, 2009 at 18:22:29 PT
BGreen
Thank you for complimenting us. I really appreciate it.
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Comment #72 posted by FoM on December 26, 2009 at 18:16:17 PT
Had Enough
That was Sir Mick Jagger singing along with Sir Paul McCartney and the boys. Very cool.
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Comment #71 posted by FoM on December 26, 2009 at 18:10:12 PT
Had Enough
Thank you. I miss not hearing Neil but he is probably taking a much needed break. Music that says something is the music I enjoy. Music that brings us together is wonderful. I might forget many things but not music that can accomplish that.
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Comment #70 posted by Had Enough on December 26, 2009 at 17:43:55 PT
Tunes...
Thanks for the tune FoM...Excellent choice for one of the many ‘one tune that could save the world’, for there are many, very many more...While choosing a tune for my last post...Youngbloods & Jackie DeShannon were the final two choices...well...now...they both got put up...Thank you...Sacred music...spirit music...music with ’the message’Another....The Beatles-All You Need Is Lovehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzJ2NKp23WU2:38 into the tune...I believe that is Mick Jagger is shown in the audience.
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Comment #69 posted by BGreen on December 26, 2009 at 17:28:40 PT
museman - Are you crazy?
Give away your musical instruments?Just in case you ever lose your mind like that again, let me send you my shipping address!Just kidding.We all need somebody like FoM or Hope or Granny to bring us back to earth from time to time. These women, in my humble opinion, are the equalizing factor that makes CNews the great place it is and, in the same manner, they make CNews different than all the others.There are plenty of places where testosterone is unleashed upon each other with voracity. That makes me uncomfortable but I'm also inclined to get caught up in the fray.This activity makes most of the women in our family very uncomfortable and they're the beautiful presence that helps keep us focused and civil. It's important that we recognize this and prevent our ladies from becoming like us men.There's not a single one of our ladies who have anything to apologize for or has anything to feel guilty about. You are what makes us the greatest website around.The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #68 posted by mrbingbang on December 26, 2009 at 16:58:06 PT:
museman
That's a mouth full - I'll give you a wow for that. You know, my brother and I can't email. We are close and have a lot of history, but it just doesn't translate. It's a challenge to be clear and efficient with written exchanges. You were right when you said you can't see someone's face, or look into their eyes.You are building momentum. Momentum IS building! We need to have courage. You know - the darkest hour, and all that. Something is dying. And it may get ugly - but it will expire. And you know what? I think most of us, maybe ALL of us, are going to be OK.2012 represents a great opportunity to engage the Cycle of Death and Renewal. Call me a kook, but I'm holding out for the blossoming of the Christ Consciousness in humankind! Yes, perilously close to carrying a placard that reads Repent! The End is near! ;- ) It may require some receptivity - but I think it's possible. Swim on Big Fish!
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Comment #67 posted by FoM on December 26, 2009 at 14:57:57 PT
museman
You really are loved here. I knew you were upset but I know you are a wonderful person and you needed to vent. We all need to vent sometimes.
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Comment #66 posted by museman on December 26, 2009 at 14:29:07 PT
thank you
All of you for letting me vent.Hope, you are a very astute, sharp woman- and I mean sharp as in quick minded. To be honest your comment that you referred to did in fact tweak my emotion to a point where i arrived at the dilemna I was speaking of, and made me quite unsure so I just 'backed off' like your reply suggested. However its not as simple as being 'insulted' or offended by yours or someone elses words- (though it hurts more when it comes from a place you thought was 'friendly' and in agreement) it also concerns my own personal sruggle with techno-balance.Yesterday, my kids treated me to an experience. I was expecting entertainment, and got moved into awe and surprise. It was a 3D movie called "Avatar" that was literally an experience. I've seen 3D, but this was simply and incredibly wonderful. The story itself, bundled with the technology that made the movie, is deeply ironic, in that the message is distinctly a warnng to us that we have strayed too far from our natural roots, replacing the intricate weave and balance of organic systems with the inflexible, contrived mechanical technologies -like the one that created the movie!-The experience was similar in its effect, to a short trip on LSD or mushrooms. Until now I had not though it possible to simulate the organic in a virtual medium to such an elaborate and sensory convincing manner. I am impressed and vexed at the same time. This ironic conflict of interests kind of relates to my 'conundrum' as Bgreen called it.For years I have used the technology with the understanding that it is a temporary placeholder for the real thing -organic, natural technologies extending to the core of our being, and out to the farthest reaches of the universe. It was understood by me that the technologies, though essentially backwards, and in error, are providing a necessary imaging process for the collective mind that will (and has) enable us to percieve the original templates of organic tech, in comparison to the inferior copies handed to us as 'progress' and 'new.'I once smashed my guitar -related to this perception- and tried to give away all my musical instruments, but time and circumstance taught me that we are to use the tools in hand to accomplish our works, and if the machine must be dismantled, then the process goes much faster and cleaner if you use a screwdriver (created by the technology of the machine) than if you just use a rock to bash it into rubble.As I have percieved a significant rise in human consciousness in the past decade or so (and please nobody tell me that it was 'my' consciousness that somehow evolved into new abilities of perception, no, most of my consciousness has been here all along waiting for my brethren to join, or catch up.) I have mistakenly believed (as I often have done in the past) that because it is obvous and clear to me, it should be that way to everyone else.The disparity and disctinction between Organic consciousness, and 'techno-logic' is becoming fuzzy and less discernable, as if the techno-goal is to replace all organic tech with the contrived and controlled.On the one hand, using the internet to network our thoughts and ideas on a global level has increased our collective abilities to percieve the idea of global consiousness, it also increases the dependency on such technologies. What I experienced yesterday was wonderful but it is also, in retrospect, a bit frightening. If I, who approach many things with a skeptical and cynical 'show me' attitude, can be so easily, and profoundly moved by a friggin movie, just imagine what can be done with the easily swayed minds of the masses? Can you spell PROPAGANDA? 3D MIND F--K?So, I have an internal struggle going on right now with how far to invest my energies and consciousness into the techno 'reality' and how to get folks to look at the organic parallels they seem to be missing in their embrace of the 'New Technologies' (that's 'NT' for windows users). If I endorse the tech, I defeat my purpose, but if I condemn the tech, the result is about the same.I also, like FoM refers to, have a deep aversion to 'the holidays.' Certainly not the good things that people and family share at those times, but the false premises upon which they are based.I would apologize for my emotional wordflow, except that I feel ridiculous to feel obligated to do that for what is -for better or worse- the nature of my spirit.For years, while in the rainbow, I heard the same thing from the 'high class' hippies (those with inheritances) "You are so negative!"Many times I composed what I considered to be deep, meaningful insights into some of the basic human and natural truths we are all stuggling with, only to have the message of love be completely missed because of some exclusive, often out-of-context reference to an uncomfortable truth.So over the years I took great pains to 'soften the blow', make the uncomfortable truths somehow more palatable and easier to swallow. It seems I have come full circle in this, in that I feel its time for the gloves to come off, not the other way around. Its not a good feeling however to feel like you are the only one facing the enemy as it is charging though, makes you want to throw down your 'weapon' and run like hell.In many (all?) folks minds there are programmed responses. Ingrained weights and measures of comparisons by which we measure what is 'good' or 'acceptable.' Those parameters differ in culture, geography, and economics. The 'acceptability' -for instance- of a Kansan (whom I have known) differs in some striking ways from a New Mexican (whom I have also known).Until just the past few decades, and really it is mostly since the turn of the millennium, one had to physically travel to a place, spend some time and learn to adapt to the nuance, protocol and parameters of acceptability of the geo/econo/cultural community in order to communicate satisfactorily. Here on the www, I think that alone causes much confusion and angst. We bring our regional/etc perception to a global discussion, and mistakes, and misinterpretations are bound to occur.Which draws me to the point of my confusion and dilemna -not so much with cnews, but with the whole technolgy that supports it. I believe that no matter how tipped the scales, we must strive for balance, and in this moment of time I feel it is extremely important to refocus on the living, organic social community, as opposed to the virtual. If a balance can be struck somewhere in that -with an understanding that all things must pass, and nothing we will ever do has permanence -except Love- I will have achieved my own inner balance on this subject as well.Hope I thank you for your sincerity, and I am impressed with it. Apologies aside...I am a fish.I swim in your rivers,I visit your lakes,but I only hang out there,for your own sakes.I dream of the ocean,its comforting embrace,the depths of its wisdom,and the pleasure of its face.I am a fish, I never swim alone, but I venture to the places,the rest have never gone.I am a fish,a Dragon to some,a Frog and a Cougar,in a world that wasand is to come.I am a fish,a warrior of our Mother,defender of the water,a servant of the sky.I am a fish,but I will be a True Man,by and by.LEGALIZE FREEDOM
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Comment #65 posted by mrbingbang on December 26, 2009 at 13:19:46 PT:
response to rchandar
rchandar #59 - Honestly, I don't know where the attitude comes from... I give and I get. Life is messy and I'm just swimming to keep my head above water - sometimes. That's a pretty crabby position you're holding! What is that? A conch shell? I don't have the answers (to the best of my knowledge). I'm asking you. Seems like a worthy and applicable subject - and one that gets chewed on a lot at this posting.Somebody said 'The solution is simple - it's called full legalization!'It might be that the solutions for so many ills are surprisingly simple. People are remarkable. But I hear you. Sometimes (often) I feel very cynical.So the question remains - is there a way to transcend this ugly stuff? Something bigger, more surprising - bold! Maybe some completely different path that we hadn't noticed before. I believe in change. I have witnessed and experienced profound and rapid shifts in perception, behavior and reality (the actual experience of life). My hands have been attacked viciously by Bat, and bitten by Bear and yet they remained unscathed. The Cycle of Death and Renewal is always at work in our lives. I keep telling myself, Don't resist the Cycle! Death and Birth. Death and Birth. Death and Birth. There are new lives always waiting to be lived. You are sharp. I want you to put your mind to it, and get back to me with some ideas!
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Comment #64 posted by mrbingbang on December 26, 2009 at 12:51:03 PT:
Some of us ask for it...
It might salve your soul to know I inspire many people to respond in similar ways. I will never forget the sting of Grannie's buckshot! LOL
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Comment #63 posted by FoM on December 26, 2009 at 11:45:56 PT
Had Enough
Here's one for you.The Youngbloods - Get Togetherhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WybIhLJjlTY
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Comment #62 posted by FoM on December 26, 2009 at 11:15:47 PT
Hope
The holidays are full of stress. We spend time with family that we only see at certain times of the year. I try to enjoy the time and I avoid any talk of politics since I know that some of my family are diehard Republicans. Some of my family doesn't care at all about politics. One person out of the clear blue sky complained about Obama going to Hawaii for a vacation. Stick said Obama needs a break like any President does. He said Bush was away from D.C. way more then Obama has been. It's a strange thing how blind people can be when they don't want to see.
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Comment #61 posted by runruff on December 26, 2009 at 10:49:39 PT
"I will be witnessing you. "
And I you!
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Comment #60 posted by Hope on December 26, 2009 at 10:28:43 PT
:0(
I have noticed that I've become crankier than usual in the last few months. Turning into a cranky old lady, I guess. I've been more reactionary and likely to pop off more without giving much thought to how I might be misunderstood.I remember saying something to you, Museman, the last time you posted that you could have taken as a stupid "smart remark". It's been on my mind. I hope you didn't take it as an insult. It wasn't, even slightly, meant as an insult to you, someone I admire in many ways. It was just an expression of my anger in general at the entire situation of trying to get along with "Them".You said something about how we could "handle" some of the more hateful and arrogant authoritarians that love prohibitions on other people. The idea of trying to "handle" them just hit a sore spot. Not you. Just the idea. That made me think I don't want to "handle" anyone in any way. I don't want to control anyone. I want them to control themselves. I just want everyone to treat each other decently and respectfully. So I've been thinking it could be me, for sure, that's offending people. And over the years I've always been more tolerant of even obvious troll types and tried to be understanding of other peoples rants, ideas, and attitudes, but I did pop off and jump at you more quickly than I usually do, Mrbingbang. That's not like me, usually... but I think my patience in this effort has more thin spots than it used to.I've been more cranky than usual with the people here at home, too. Even with the grandchildren.My five year old granddaughter told her mother the other day, after I'd scolded her about something, "I don't think I love Gammi as much as I thought I did.":0(So... bear with me, those of you that know me and if you don't know me, I'm not always super irritable, reactionary, and cranky.Thank you Mr.bingbang for deciding to try again. It's just that we're for criticizing the articles and the situations brought about by prohibition and not each other and not even each other's opinions, unless it's about putting down someone else's feelings on a subject... even if we don't agree with them. Most of us agreed a long time ago to disagree sometimes without it being a throw down.C-News is the most adult, sensible, rational and intelligent conversation on the internet. I like the people here and like being a part of it. At the suggestion of someone a long time ago... I keep my feet flavored. One chocolate and one vanilla... because I keep putting them in my mouth before I know what I've done.:0(
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Comment #59 posted by rchandar on December 26, 2009 at 09:40:08 PT:
Mr. Bingbang
Don't know what to tell you. I could pick some good friends for you who would understand. Someone like Jack Kerouac, or William Burroughs......but they're dead. You'll just have to make do with the rest of us. Should that not satisfy you, you will have to create some invincible logic that we mere mortals will only understand in time......but I see many posters like yourself, and don't take it too much to heart.--rchandar
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Comment #58 posted by mrbingbang on December 26, 2009 at 07:44:49 PT:
Hope
That's very sweet of you. Please don't take it all on. That wouldn't be fair :-)
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Comment #57 posted by FoM on December 26, 2009 at 05:06:54 PT
Hope
You haven't done anything to cause any problem. You are a good and kind and thoughtful lady.
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Comment #56 posted by FoM on December 26, 2009 at 05:00:36 PT
museman
We really do love you and understand you too. I know you are right. I sent my friend in Kentucky the pictures of the bus from last summer and your picture with your pin on you cap and the bus in the background. I sent him your song about the Rainbow Warrior. I got a big Wow back. You are important to me and many here. Life is really hard these days for many people including us. CNews would not be what it should be without you dear friend.
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Comment #55 posted by museman on December 26, 2009 at 04:00:46 PT
Bgreen, Fom, others..
Rev, you kinda hit it when you referred to my 'dilemna'- it's like a 'damned if you do, and damned if you don't' scenario.I want to share my thoughts, stories, and experiences, just like anyone else, including random tidbits of non-important information that we are into sharing, yet the goal of all my endeavors is the same. My focus is consistently on subject matter that I feel very strongly about -as many do who post here- and it begins to feel to me, with posts I have read, the trends of thought of what is within acceptable protocols of the intent and subject matter discussed on Cnews has me confused on the virtual surface of perception, and concerned within my intuitive perception.There is a very real war raging here in this country. The WOD and prohibition have recently entered the front lines of that war -in the public awareness- and I have seen much premature celebratory attention to the belief in the 'winning' of the war. But cannabis prohibition, as I have said, is merely the tip of the iceberg of that war.This is a spiritual/class war. A race war. A war of the 'superior' vs the 'inferior'. It is not a conceptual war, it is a real war, the source of all the conflict and strife, and the cause and reason for the Great Imbalance that has afflicted, and affected all life on Earth.The system, and the supporters of that system, that have raped the Garden meant for sharing, are simply not deserving of time, respect, energy, acclaim, or even notice, yet it seesm to be so easy to find reasons to give of our vital beings for the sake of entertainment, because thats all we ever got in return for agreeing to participate in destroying our environment.My children have all been led to believe that the 'Patriot Act' has somehow voided the Bill Of Rights, and to observe the sudden SURGE of LEOs -conveniently during harvest season- along with their behavior lends much credence to that mistaken belief.One of my sons was just recently rousted in california while petitioning for Legalizing marijuana. They beat him and did their macho 'king-of-the-street' modern version of FED -SANCTIONED police brutality -security video being acquired-.Cops, Gestapo, Fascisti, Centurions....spiritually dead swine trained to follow orders and allow no humanity ('weakness') into the 'performance of their duty.'America has been hijacked, and liberty has not increased through the election of a 'new politic' but SIGNIFICANTLY DECREASED!Yes, the medical marijuana scene has made great strides in educating a substantial amount of the public to the truth about cannabis, yet the reason why there must be any convincing in the first place - is the BS lies and propaganda that spawned the confusion, division, and corruption in the first place. And those lies came from a certain class of individuals who historicly have been doing essentially the same thing for a very long time.Here in America, we think we 'invented' the concept of the 'middle class' and the subject is treated as some kind of 'social normalcy' when in fact it is a totally controlled illusion. The very labelling of the 'middle' denotes the 'lower' and elevates the 'higher' class, without even bringing it up.The fact is, that 'middle class' already existed. It consisted of largely merchants and their various shipping companies, who used tradesmen (lower) to do the labors that they contracted for gold, while becoming themselves the tokens on the game boards of the High class -which prior to the 'revolution' were all "Royalty."The system is a top-heavy pyramid scheme serving best those at the top (the 'archy' of power and authority) and the poor peasants at the bottom are just 'born to suffer and die.'And I can no way, no how, for no reason save to protect my family from those who hate the truth so much, give credit, credence, validation, support, justification, or most of all, belief, to that system and its ways, means or impositions.I find the current trends towards the compromising of the very ideals that led many conscious minds into this discussion of cannabis sanity -for the sake of some perception of 'progress' that looks feels, and is being verified to be WORSE than prohibition itself- to be unacceptable.Those who would choose to limit my choices concerning cannabis -to the point of brutalizing and imprisoning me- are the very same ones who would do the same for any other reason they should deign to produce as excuse and reason for their abominable behavior. It is not a situation peculiar to cannabis alone. Why do I speak of freedom? Do I speak as if it were some kind of far off fantasy of a want-to-be-world? No, I have experienced it. I've breathed free air, drunk free water, eaten the providence of a bountiful planet, and this sham being foisted over by the Liars That Be -of inventing value where there is none- has gone on long enough.I, nor you, nor any conscious human, am not in need of an arbiter to negotiate liberties and priviledge from our rulers, it is they who are the thieves who have stolen them! And yet I hear so much praise for their 'work' as if it were they who actually did it!The natural, communal, tribal systems have been corrupted, truncated, molded, beaten into submission, nearly obliterated from our racial memory, but they are still there, literally the realest foundation we have 'right under our noses'. Yet the lauded 'wisdom of the day' decries their 'incompatabilty' with our 'modern' issues, refuses the simplest, most beautiful solutions for the economic/power profit, 'nuke'em' expedience.The solution to all of our human created problems, begins first with the acknowledgement and realization of the unpleasant fact that regardless of causes that may have originated in the deep dark past (and they did), it is the sole collective fault and dilemna of all those now living with repercussions of aeons of misdirected di-volution- it is the fault and responsibility of man.Sometimes i don't want to be absolutely clear. Sometimes I want to flow with the virtual pen. Sometimes I want to RAGE and STORM. Sometimes I want to sing songs and trip the light fantastic.I cannot truncate my being to fit in anywhere, they are just going to have to make room -should I decide to hang out there.I don't want to offend, and when my various choices of expression invariably, even with what I think is conscientious censorship of my own potential for being misunderstood, lead to focus on the color, or tone of my words, rather than the substance of my intention, I must ask myself whether or not my efforts are getting across sufficiently to justify the frustration of having to continually explain, and often defend my words.This is me. I am going to say what I feel, what I know, when and where I am moved to do so. I believe that Love is the Highest Power, yet I recognize the current necessity of anger. I see a New World being born before our eyes, and I see the children of this one still hungering for a piece of bread, both spiritual and material.I cannot seperate the liberation of cannabis from the Liberation of Man. In my mind they are one and the same. It seems so obvious to me, yet is is apparent by the willingess -by too many, too many- to give concessions to the status quo for small changes in the WORDING of the STUPID LAW as some kind of major change in the fascist Police State that has crept up on us while we were chatting, that the seperation of the 'issue' from its integration with all the other 'issues' the people have with the destructive, corrupt rule-of-lawers is a tactic not in our favor or benefit.I so do appreciate the opportunity I have had and presumedly have open on this forum, I have great respect for many of the posters here. I speak to the world here, not just to those whom I include in the subject line, and as i write i consider that. It is to that greater forum of mostly silent but present voices that I know are there, that i often am relating in my general attempts at sharing.I speak to the world and i am grateful for the opportunity.I have other conversations though that go beyond cannabis, and these are of priority. The message/s coming through Cnews are doing what they are supposed to, you all are doing a fine job. I have no complaint here, with you, though some have miffed my ego and even caused some mistrust, my complaint is, I thought, one common to us all, and that is where my confusion lies.Perhaps it is considered a 'handicap' but I actually consciously refuse to use my left brain for anything except storage, I find the box-like tendencies of finite, mathematical form to be uncomfortable to my fluid nature -too many sharp poky things- so I hang out either in my Right Brain, or in a place in between (when I have to).Unfortunately, the rigid, inflexible predicated 'logic' of Man-defined mathematics (left) does not often synch up with the intuitive (right) movement of reality. So the right-brain nature of my word and mental vibration, often 'does-not-compute' with stupid-speak standard which is built on recall of definition rather than understanding of meaning -left brain no understandee, rightee-Ah well, I've probably messed up a perfectly fine mess, but at least it was my own, I think..AAAnyway, both right and left brain are in agreement that the day is over, so I must end here. While still maintaining some semblance of coherency...LEGALIZE FREEDOM
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Comment #54 posted by Had Enough on December 25, 2009 at 22:52:23 PT
Here and There...
Count the Peace Signs...Jackie DeShannon - Put A Little Love in Your Hearthttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMj7UcjPZ0U&feature=related***This tune is heard around the world...but apparently...it still isn’t heard enough...One tune...can save the world...if people could stop long enough and take a break from their obsessive consumerism/greed/power trips/etc... to understand...Yes I’m a dreamer...But things cannot become reality/actuality...without them...
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Comment #53 posted by Hope on December 25, 2009 at 21:23:10 PT
Well dang!
I'm probably the one that did it to everyone... the offending. I usually am.I'm sorry.
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Comment #52 posted by mrbingbang on December 25, 2009 at 17:39:28 PT:
runruff, rchandar and museman ahoy
First I want to say MUSEMAN - YOU ROCK! I hope I understand you - and I think I do. I had just competed this draft when I read your communique. I’m hoping there is a shared point here.rchandar - your comment #35Yes. You are right. Even in my late teens, my mother would look at me - slowly shaking her head, a look of concern and pity on her face - and say, “Oh mrbingbang - you really DO believe in fairness...”Yeah. And I still believe in fairness. There just isn’t enough of it in circulation today. I also want to trust. I want to live in a world where I can be trusting.Care to venture a timeline on transcending these issues?I am the lamb. I am the fool at the precipice. I am the village idiot. I came to the mountain as a friend of the mountain, and I pointed at it, and I said, You are a Mountain! And the mountain threw stones at me. And fruits.Watch this! I’ve got an idea. The Global Institute for Fairness. Lets start a global movement to recognize and demand fairness in all things. I suggest this because there are times when governments, religions, legal systems, and greedy thugs just F things up for everybody. It won’t be easy. But with some momentum, we might hit critical mass, just build world wide peer pressure to be nice, and to behave! That could be the motto - Be Nice, Be Considerate, Be Fair - and Behave! It could be based on the Golden Rule. You know what - this is gonna be easy!!But the real work would be ensuring everybody has all the support they need to live - at the least - a modest, healthy, meaningful life. Clearly, we need to foster genuine contentment all around the world. No place, no person, can be ignored.The Highest Church of the Holy Contentment! (can I get a witness?!)Ha! What am I talking about?! That would never work... Would it?No. You’re correct. Sorting out what is right will surely be a herculean task. Very Messy. Very subjective. can’t be done. we are screwed! Jeez - I get so depressed when we get to this part... that’s why I keep trying to come at it from some different perspective. Wasn’t it Einstein who said you can’t resolve a problem with the same thinking that created it in the first place? And so I ask myself can this be transcended? Is there some other way to move past this? I ask because I am an idiot, and I’d love to hear others weigh in on this.And the reason it concerns me ( I think I’m gradually refining this) is that every time I read “Apartheid” and race war in the same article with MMJ I’m going to cringe! I understand the historical underpinnings of the modern Drug War. But my personal experience is being invalidated. I feel I’m being dismissed as a valid and valuable human being. I don’t much care to have a generalization thrust on me like White. And I can’t understand why anyone else would want something similar. That really devalues me. Racism cuts ALL ways. And when I see comments like “let’s lock up more white people”... Well, for starters, two wrongs would not make a right. I hope that was a joke, and I sure didn’t think it was funny. Comments like that do not garner good will. I am trying to behave myself, here.I have to say, for the sake of context, that Imperial Powers have always sought to pit the locals against each other. The classic divide and conquer. Let them kill each other off, Ha!! You know that. If you want to be paranoid, consider where the article came from. Was it a good and angry person? Or was it someone sowing seeds of discord very much on purpose. That race card can be played more than one way. If you look at my experience here, it has been absolutely frosted over with hostile rebuke. All I was trying to say is the thinking this article engenders doesn’t leave me with a good feeling. And everybody squared off. Mission accomplished. We are never going to get to where a fool like me wants to be if we stay intractably locked to these issues. This is a time for calm and perspective. Give that stuff some room. It’s a heady brew. For cryin’ out loud - somebody open the windows in here!I know those articles will keep coming, but we are in this together. And it’s better to stay open to change and friendship. It may be easy to say, but the olive branch should never be too far out of reach.All right - Let me have it!Runruff -
I shepherd an Ocean of Sorrow, and yours runs to me like a river.
If you look out into the darkness of the trees,
you may see my eyes softly glowing,
just beyond the light of your campfire.
I will be witnessing you.
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Comment #51 posted by FoM on December 25, 2009 at 16:35:05 PT
BGreen
We love and appreciate the both of you too. Life is short, life is hard but if you have a companion that you get along with it makes life so much easier to handle. Two of our friends that we have had as friends since the early 70s are still close friends. One is a biker dude who rescues pit bulls and the other is in corporate type work and travels. They both are being so sweet because I am going to have surgery. That really is very nice and makes me feel good inside. The biker dude stood up for us when we got married that's how far back we go. Friends and loved ones are the most important things in life.
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Comment #50 posted by BGreen on December 25, 2009 at 16:00:39 PT
Same here, FoM
Mrs. Green and I don't give each other gifts on Christmas, birthdays or Valentines day. Too many people act like fools for the other 362 days and think that these days exonerate them from culpability for their actions. We don't play that game.I can honestly say that having Stick here is one of the best presents Mrs. Green and I could have ever received. I can only imagine how much more that gift means to you.I'm going to throw this word around and tell you and Stick that Mrs. Green and I love you and appreciate you.The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #49 posted by FoM on December 25, 2009 at 15:47:59 PT
BGreen
I want to comment on Christmas. I don't believe it is anything but a holiday. I don't believe in the religious elements of Christmas. All it is is a time for children to get gifts. Stick and I didn't get any gifts for each other. We put up an artificial tree because it's pretty and I like dancing lights. I am glad it is almost over but I am glad I got to see some of my family. That's about it for us.
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Comment #48 posted by BGreen on December 25, 2009 at 15:38:16 PT
Oh, museman
Man, what can I say? I don't want to hurt you by saying the wrong thing but I feel I must try to say something.You know as well as anybody else that we take a risk by being different, which in essence is just being who we are, and one of those risks is exactly what seems to have you in this virtual conundrum.You're right that some people don't get you. Most people don't get me, either. I'm dealing with the same thing with my parents. I'm 47-years-old and they're 72 and 68, yet it seems like I'm still a little boy when I'm dealing with them. I understand we've led different lives and have different life experiences so there is a perfectly reasonable explanation as to why we see things differently, but instead of them understanding this, they seem to dismiss everything I say as the irrational rantings of a child.If that kind of crap happens to me with my own family it's only natural that most others won't understand me, either.That's where you are (as I see it.) You see things differently than most because of the life you've led and, instead of understanding your life experiences, people want to school you into experiencing life as they've experienced it. That just doesn't work.As far as who you can trust, I can tell you that not ever meeting runruff and Mrs. runruff never stopped me from caring and helping them. I don't need to see somebody to get to know them. You can BS me for a while but I'm going to eventually catch on. Some of us have been around here for eight or more years like me and people have a good idea who I am by now.Be who you are, be a little understanding to those who don't understand you, but most of all, be here where you belong.As far as this particular holiday and all the others, I can't stand them. It's phony, it's insincere and it causes way too much stress and depression.If we could all treat each other with respect and love 365 days a year, all of these holidays would not be needed.The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #47 posted by FoM on December 25, 2009 at 14:07:08 PT
museman
As far as Christmas goes I am not into it because I lost my father a few days before Christmas many years ago. Actually the only thing that is nice is we get to see family that we don't have a chance to see very often.
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Comment #46 posted by museman on December 25, 2009 at 13:58:54 PT
FoM
I haven't time to elaborate -family function-, but its not really a 'person' perse' but I did try to explain.I just can't bend my thoughts to appease some kind of idea esteeming this day above the rest., so I didn't couch my sentiment in 'holiday cheer.' I expect to have to respond, so I quess I'll be back later.
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Comment #45 posted by FoM on December 25, 2009 at 13:43:30 PT
museman
I sure hope whatever has you upset isn't me. I understand where you are coming from. I was just sharing info with a friend in Kentucky about you and your purity of thought. There are many people here who value you. I think you know that.
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Comment #44 posted by museman on December 25, 2009 at 13:26:48 PT
Merry Humbug
(thats 'christmas' to those not in the know)To all concerns as to my health and welfare, myself and family all doing fine -thank you.The reasons I have not posted,..well in the interest of 'peace on earth and good will toward men' I must refrain from posting that explanation-thus a dilemna of 'to post or not to post' -every time I read cnews (and I still do)Ten thousand words or more that have wanted to be here, in my name, have died homeless and starving, but the alternative-(with no explanation)- is worse. I'd rather abort the birth than have them be born into such a state as I see now, has become standard and protocol for the 'dos and don'ts' of Cnews.My motivation and agenda is just too big to fit within those parameters. The box has become too small for my comfort. And what will certainly be made of that statement by a handful drives home my reasoning -to me anyway.You see? I cannot even hint at the circumstance and conditions without offending someone, so since the standards of 'see no evil, speak no evil, and hear no evil' have become the batons of the 'house bouncers' not a lot of wiggle room is left for actual opinion differing from the 'acceptable' Cnews status quo.However, (even though I said i wouldn't) since I know that an 'explanation' will be asked for anyway, here it goes;I live in a different realm than most of the rest of the world. So different most cannot even believe that I have lived the way I have and have had the experience I have had. For every straight forward declaration of truth and fact I dare to utter, volumes of explanation and breakdowns must be addended to the point the original intent and content becomes entirely buried under layers of shallow debate on the fine points of interpretive syntax.I ask no compensation or 'public esteem' for that which I have offered freely as gifts to a love/wisdom-starved world, I have gotten by on plain and deserved respect for most of my life- Caesars coin is a completely other matter deserving of only the attention necessary for survival, and i am absolutely exhausted from trying to ween the addicted humanity from its corruption and filth.The many justifications offered as some kind of false logic to support the continuing corruption -no matter how one modifies their delivery, is like dodging the 'friendly fire' of those who are supposed to be shooting at the common foe. If the constituency refuses to go where it must go for reasoning that is pure inbred social propaganda, if the belief continues to address only the surface symptoms of the deeply rooted, cancerous disease -that has truly brought us to this modern age of power and corruption, then a singular attack -or resistance- against the citadel of Bullshit is foolhardy. Time is better spent on willing minds who want to learn than those who think they already know.This society, and the global one that uses propriety and materialism to establish their parameters of 'acceptable reality' is doomed. It cannot continue. You want to defend the right of the putrid rich to continue their rape and pillage through your acceptance of their forced-down-your-throat status quo -because you are comfortable in the niche that you have found in materialism and propriety, fine, do it without me.I have no time or patience left for those who want to compromise, and put me down, accuse me directly or with inuendo -of whatever can be found that has appearance of application- because when it becomes about me, as it always seems to do, then that which I came to do is fatally compromised, contaminated, and ruined.I have been 'moving and shaking' this reality around for a long time, from a non-spotlighted position. I have seen enough of the seeds of truth and wisdom -disseminated through me- grow and become trees. The world may not know that it was I that planted some of those seeds, but I do. Normally I am content with that satisfaction, and disdain having to 'prove' it to faithless persons, but for sometime now I have had to offer up explanation and 'proof' for idea and substance tha asks for no such thing to be recieved as the gift it was meant to be.Because of the nature of virtual communication, it is too easy for the unscrupulous to lay textual claim to anything they wish too, which ineveitably leads to the devotion of time and space to 'proving' or disproving the claims.I have therefore come to the conculsion that though the internet can be a useful tool to disseminate valued and needed information, at this point enough of the status quo has moved into positions of e-power, that it is filled with dross, like the rest of the social world. and since you cannot 'look your conversee in the eye' one cannot tell, just by the words themselves (unless one is actually a devout follower of uncontaminated truth) what the intention of the poster/writer is. The word, and conversation needs to 'go back to the land' -as in face-to-face- as opposed to the easy-to-hide format of internet posting.I have been contemplating this new perception for some months now, and the challenge of it is too great for me to attempt champion from within the very form it has become embedded within. So, the tools and devices of the digital age, though very useful, are also easy devices to pretend activity where there is no REAL activity, and MOVEMENT, where there is no real movement because they consume our time so thoroughly and efficiently.As tools they are invaluable, as solutions, they are not. The only real problems on planet earth are all human-related, and all the 'solutions' that seem to be offered are all compromises with destruction, and the entities that desire to perpetuate that destruction for their own temporal benefit. When you look into a persons eyes, and they say "I love you." most times (unless its in the middle of lovers melodrama) you believe it, you see it in the eyes. I cannot look into the eyes of anyone (even with a webcam) through this medium, and no one can look into mine."Love" is a word that is used almost as much as "f--k" these days, with about as much power and meaning. I can remember when one said either only if they meant it in a very deep way. Not so, in virtual e-world. One can write the prettiest things, and be the scariest, meanest SOB in REAL life. Of course deception is an art, -the most prized in our society (irregardles of the many words to the contrary -the proof is in the pudding) so there are many who are good enough at it to be regarded in the virtual world as 'good folk.'This makes it pretty easy for ideas, movements, and ideolgies to become circumnavigated, redirected, infiltrated, and in general negated and hijacked by devious, or just ingenuous mentalities. Failing that you just offer money, and/or 'prestige.'I know, from the time that I have spent on this virtual front forch, that there are some very good people, with good heads, that I could probabaly look in their eyes and not see (as John Lennon put it) "..the Green-eyed Goddamn, straight from your heart." and more...I Cannot, and will not degrade cnews, and that is not, nor ever was in my intention.But everyone has their limits. I am a sensitive guy. I can feel emotion and intent in ways only another empath would understand, even from such a medium as this. But I cannot be absolutely sure of intent like I can if you are right in front of me, so I have had to 'take the word' of people I have never actually met. I know what a virtual 'stab-in-the-back' feels like as much as any false-accusational premises leveled in 'real life'. Though some have made it known that they were 'watching my back' there is too much availability for deception, and a seeming tendency to accept it based on the status quo standards of 'acceptable society.' The word of the one who 'looks good' whether it the structure and usage of language, or the physical appearance, or the general false image of affluence propagated as the 'American Dream' is much more easily accepted as 'gospel' or 'expert' or 'authority' than those who don't 'look good.'Appearance be damned, sometimes the TRUTH IS NOT PRETTY, xmas or not.I ain't dressin' up for nobody.Peace, if you can find it. Enjoy your families.
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Comment #43 posted by rchandar on December 25, 2009 at 11:58:27 PT:
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas to all of you. May God bless your courage and happiness.--rchandar
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Comment #42 posted by Hope on December 24, 2009 at 21:14:32 PT
Merry Christmas!
Hope all of you had a good day today and have a blessed day tomorrow. Merry, Merry Christmas!
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Comment #41 posted by Hope on December 24, 2009 at 21:11:16 PT
Bloomberg and this article.
For this outrageous hypocrisy and foolish expense alone, Bloomberg should absolutely not be re-elected.
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Comment #40 posted by FoM on December 24, 2009 at 18:59:09 PT
rchandar
I had to think about it but I did check out Hightimes web site about maybe 10 years ago. It just wasn't very interesting to me so I am not up on their web site activities.We had a very nice family gathering tonight and I hope everyone is having the same.Merry Christmas!
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Comment #39 posted by rchandar on December 24, 2009 at 11:49:55 PT:
FoM
Thanks, happy holidays to you as well.
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Comment #38 posted by FoM on December 24, 2009 at 11:37:50 PT
rchandar
I haven't ever been to Hightimes that I can recall. That's a shame that could happen but it doesn't surprise me because of the way people have acted about Obama being President. It reminds me of some lyrics from a song that goes like this.Narrow minded people living in a narrow minded world.
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Comment #37 posted by FoM on December 24, 2009 at 11:22:04 PT
rchandar
Happy Holidays to you too!
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
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Comment #36 posted by rchandar on December 24, 2009 at 11:21:51 PT:
Rchandar Sneers at Racism
I just thought I would share something with you. Ever visited hightimes.com and seen the message board? How many commentators post about how they "hate niggers" and that they're justified? People who take up username identities as klansman, assassins, rednecks?That's aside from the point. Poll after poll tell me that racism hasn't gone away, that identifying racism as a major problem with one's life is still a very legitimate concern. Just because Obama is our President doesn't nix the fact, and let's face it: there's a man with a lot, a lot on his plate these days. Racism is just like any other disease: until we admit there's a problem, we cannot do anything to resolve it.--rchandar
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Comment #35 posted by rchandar on December 24, 2009 at 11:13:47 PT:
My Comment
I disagree strongly. I think it's impractical not to recognize what racism does to people. Either "Mr. Bingbang" envisions a world in which he possesses a perspective of infallible fairness, or we mere mortals have the luxury and the time to divine everything in life fairly, with all people. Folks, think about it. Think about what kind of effort it would take--the kind of conscious, educational, and emotional preparation--it would take to prepare a Black citizen as a mainstream "white" person. I can guarantee you that you have maybe a 10, 15 percent chance of doing it, even if you put away economic and cultural issues. Lots of Black people have tried to "be" white--an enormous readjustment of one's purpose, or an individual's innate ability to build a world of his/her own imagination. Some will "succeed," but I guarantee that others will fail.Mr. Bingbang, I do not share the kind of trust in humanity that you do--the world of human communication is not that positive and will not be for some time. We do not live in a raceless society, and it's understandable why most of us on this board will not see the point of what you're saying.
The fact that we doubled the world's population in the past 40 years is an astonishing achievement, but we would be fools to forecast that kind of idealism upon a world with very real problems that we're having a difficult time to solve.Happy Holidays.
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Comment #34 posted by FoM on December 24, 2009 at 09:03:56 PT
runruff
Glad you liked it. When I met Stick when he got home from Vietnam he taught me a special fist bump that was done over there. Stick said there were a lot of Brothers in his Company in The Nam.
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Comment #33 posted by runruff on December 24, 2009 at 08:51:24 PT
Fist bump! lol
In prison a prisoner told me, hey dude, don't offer me your nasty hand, I don't know wha' 'chew got! In here we bump fist!Nothing safer than a "vitual" fist bump!
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Comment #32 posted by FoM on December 24, 2009 at 08:23:09 PT
dongenero
Merry Christmas and virtual fist bump to you and everyone.
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Comment #31 posted by dongenero on December 24, 2009 at 08:14:39 PT
konagold #26 is correct
The very basis of cannabis prohibition is racism. There are side issues to it's inception, corporate advantage for Hearts and Dupont, power advantage for for government but, the core of cannabis prohibition is racism. You cannot divorce prohibition from racism to this day.I also do not think opposition to racism is defined by not uttering a word about our racial differences in color. Very young children identify color differences. The words white and black can simply be descriptions. I don't think they necessarily indicate prejudice beyond that description. Context and intent is important in a nuanced language. The problem is when people unfairly think that particular color distinction infers other less innocuous differences.Very appropriate post konagold.Oh and Merry Christmas all. Heck, we can talk global and small town all at the same time.
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Comment #30 posted by Paint with light on December 24, 2009 at 00:06:27 PT
Soap Opera
Purple Haze of Our Lives.Legal like alcohol.
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Comment #29 posted by Hope on December 23, 2009 at 19:51:19 PT
I'm still burning a bit from the "soap opera"
I guess he means like the real life, anger, frustration, illness, misery, grief, trauma, and death that goes on and we share with each other to some degree each day.Soap opera?We're talking reality here. It's hard, often. Sometimes it's sweet. But it's the real thing... real life... reality.Sometimes of course it's sweet times we share. And sometimes joy. We share about our families, friends, pets, cars, fears, hopes, frustrations, and the people we meet that bless us or give us a hard time... but it's real life and real people, BB. Good grief! Soap opera? I'm offended. But I shouldn't be. Obviously you're out of touch in some way, and yes... we've most of us from time to time met narcs... and they do have an odd way of traveling up that "Play acting" river you're paddling around in. You have to get real, boy. This is real life. BB, if you don't like US! and the "Soap opera" you think you've wandered into... you don't have to be here, you know.How does that go? "Hasta la Vista, Baby"? "See you in the funny papers"?
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Comment #28 posted by Hope on December 23, 2009 at 19:36:45 PT
Lol!
"I have never met anyone who thought they knew it all that actually did!"So true!Thank you, Runruff.So true!
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Comment #27 posted by runruff on December 23, 2009 at 18:42:31 PT
"...identifies you as the bully, reco loc."
What is the game here I ask myself? If reco loc is mr. bing bang, why the charade?I would welcome a cop or PO or judge to sign on and have a civil discussion on this subject. Come back as often as you like, just be yourself, if you can without being rude or degrading! I have never met anyone who thought they knew it all that actually did! I've yet to meet anyone who thinks they are somehow better than me who actually was. It is those accomplished individuals with higher understanding who do not need to be superior or hurtful to feel important, these are the ones to whom I lower my eyes in respect.
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Comment #26 posted by konagold on December 23, 2009 at 16:13:18 PT
Harry J. Anslinger
1937 Harry J. Anslinger quote:
"There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the US, and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz and swing, result from marijuana usage. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers and any others."
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Comment #25 posted by BGreen on December 23, 2009 at 15:40:48 PT
That PROVES it, mrbingbang IS reco loc
Your own half-assed defense of yourself is what nailed you.You are the same person and I really don't appreciate you trying to BS us in this manner.Your use of "small town" as an underhanded derogatory remark, your bulling tone, your complete lack of respect for our views, your comment that we shouldn't be allowed to post until after 4:20, EVERYTHING you've done is exactly like that of reco loc, and it's your complete disdain for what's really your complete misperception of what we're about that really identifies you as the bully, reco loc.Go ahead and post some more. The nails will be for the coffin carrying your lame deception.You have such an identifiable writing style so you are foolish if you think you can keep trying to ensnare us in your subterfuge.Please stop bringing your unwelcome filth and dirt attitude to our neighborhood.The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #24 posted by FoM on December 23, 2009 at 13:45:36 PT
ChristenMitchell
Thank you for the links and Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
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Comment #23 posted by ChristenMitchell on December 23, 2009 at 13:42:43 PT:
Chuck Beyer
Chuck Beyer says it fairly well http://www.cannabisquotes.org/images/beyer1.jpg
Cannabis Quotes
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Comment #22 posted by FoM on December 23, 2009 at 13:38:04 PT
runruff
Thank you. I was getting concerned.
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Comment #21 posted by runruff on December 23, 2009 at 13:13:06 PT
Museman is in Eugene with his kids.
He will be home tomorrow.
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Comment #20 posted by mrbingbang on December 23, 2009 at 13:10:10 PT:
Racism
FoM #13 - Simply identifying someone by the color of their skin (White, Black, Yellow) is inherently racist. It sure ain't the "color-blind" state that all us enlightened folks are supposed to adopt. Why we accept this labeling, as we decry Racism - is beyond me.I believe my written comment is coherent. Again - think about it. What I take issue with is the us-and-them attitudes. Fostering divisions, and pitting the various factions against each other is old school. And again, I think it's too bad, and not serving the mission of all the people (including those Prohibs we hope to see happy and liberated some day), to cede this post to PERSONALLY meaningful banter. I followed a link to the paper from another article and was SO impressed by the intelligent responses! It made me proud to see The People standing up and launching one brilliant counter offensive after another. Within 10 comments they had covered the full spectrum and the article lay in ruins! THAT'S WHAT I LIKE TO SEE!! That serves the mission.Reverend Green, I am not "reco loc". Where I'm from it's considered good form to balance a critique with positive comments. I meant what I wrote. I have no need or reason to criticize everything about CNews. As I said (he labored on...) The site is excellent - informative and easy on the eyes. I've learned a lot lately through CNews. It is a great service to do this. What more could you ask for than to peacefully bring about positive change through the dissemination of information. Simple. Beautiful. I feel gratitude.Everybody deserves a little ruffling once in awhile. Introspection and humility are GOOD things! Maybe you should not allow people to post before 4:20 PM ;-)Runruff - I really appreciate what you shared the other day about your prison time and the PO. That is real and meaningful. I'm sorry, and thank you.
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Comment #19 posted by Hope on December 23, 2009 at 12:06:28 PT
Museman
Indeed!I've been wondering why we haven't heard from him in so long.
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Comment #18 posted by Hope on December 23, 2009 at 12:05:26 PT
Kaptinemo comment 12
You're right.And of course cannabis prohibition is racist. All of the drug prohibitions are racist. Blatantly so. Originally, when they were conceived no effort was made whatsoever to conceal that fact. The legislators and wheeler dealers behind them stated clearly, from the beginning, that that was the point... what it was about. It was about about the "Degenerative races" and "White women seeking relations..." and "The devil's music".They've tried to find other reasons since then to keep up the war on those they dislike... but they can't and it all goes back to those original reasons.Aaargh.
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Comment #17 posted by FoM on December 23, 2009 at 10:56:34 PT
runruff
Do you know if museman is ok? He's been away from CNews for longer then normal. PS: Please tell Linda Merry Christmas from Stick and me.
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Comment #16 posted by runruff on December 23, 2009 at 10:27:03 PT
I have been chidded and downright criticized!
You guys here at C/News seem to think that it is OK to put me in my place!Weeell , sniffle, I don't like it! I have never been wrong or disagreeable about anything, in short, I don't ruffle feathers!I don't criticize or belittle anyone![tongue in cheek]I love a good soap opera and plenty of fascism in my government. I waste my time discussing my beliefs with millions of people around the globe both in person and by proxy!What I see happening is a paradigm shift in attitudes toward gov. policies. Maybe my one voice alone was the proverbial breakthrough?Perhaps the wall of the bastille or it's gate has been weakened by years of assault and only needed one more breaths blow and that blow came from me? Or you? Or us or them?When one dreams of freedom one speaks of freedom, perhaps indulging in a small town soap is a part of that!
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Comment #15 posted by FoM on December 23, 2009 at 09:19:44 PT
mrbingbang
I'm sorry but I don't understand anything you just said.
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Comment #14 posted by runruff on December 23, 2009 at 08:58:36 PT
This morning on Washington Journal...
You can watch on line. Prison Sentencing Project.One caller was allowed to go on at length about the disparity in cannabis laws.
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Comment #13 posted by FoM on December 23, 2009 at 08:52:53 PT
kaptinemo
I understand what you are saying. I really do.
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Comment #12 posted by kaptinemo on December 23, 2009 at 08:46:10 PT:
FoM, the way I see it
is that the early, previously publicly expressed racism rampant in the early days of the 20th century was perpetuated covertly later on through the DrugWar...and that was done deliberately. Jim Crow was not buried with the civil rights movement, but was kept on life support until he could grow stronger and be used again, this time wearing a judge's robes, a prosecutor's three-piece-suit or a cop's badge-and-sidearm instead of a white sheet covering the head and burning cross in the yard. The DrugWar helped Nixon immensely with his 'Southern Strategy' that won The South for the Republican Party for a generation. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_strategy The DrugWar was racist from the get-go, but it became a tool of covertly, politically expressed expressed racism from Nixon's day forward. As the old saying goes: the fruit does not fall far from the tree, and that goes for toxic fruit from a poison tree. And that's just what the DrugWar is. It's seeds were racism, the roots that sprouted from those seeds formed a trunk composed of racism, the branches were racism, and so the fruit is racist. Why a lot of African- and Hispanic-Americans can't seem to see it is beyond me...
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Comment #11 posted by BGreen on December 23, 2009 at 08:41:02 PT
????? re: post #6
mrbingbang, are you reco loc, back for a second round?Your delivery and writing style is very similar.In one breath you praise CNews, then in the next breath you criticize. It leaves me confused instead of educated or enlightened.I have a bad taste in my mouth once again and I would swear it tastes like reco loc.I need a breath mint.The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #10 posted by Hope on December 23, 2009 at 08:38:41 PT
Remember when it was proven statistically
that people of color were over represented in arrests for the consumption or possession of cannabis?The law enforcement of our nation of free people saw what they should do. They made a point of going after the "White boy" more vigorously than ever.
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Comment #9 posted by Hope on December 23, 2009 at 08:35:16 PT
So many people here and I rarely get a turn
on the computer. So I got on this time to check the news and hope you are all having a non tragedy Christmas.Non tragedy? Merry?I hope so. I hope and wish you all a very merry Christmas.
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Comment #8 posted by Hope on December 23, 2009 at 08:33:22 PT
Soap opera?
It's not a tall tale for the sake of entertainment.It's real. Real people are really suffering.
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Comment #7 posted by Hope on December 23, 2009 at 08:31:39 PT
Small town soap opera?
More like a world wide one.Sigh.
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Comment #6 posted by mrbingbang on December 23, 2009 at 08:22:18 PT:
YOU!
My wife turned me on to the Cannabis News website. It's the best! I check in every day and I find it is the best source and the most comfortable to read. Good format - nice job! FoM, you lined me out about protocol, and I apologize for any inappropriate comments - I'm definitely web ignorant.But it's curious to be told on a website that while you are clearly welcome to razz the article (assuming that's politically correct...) you can't call anybody on their position or fuzzy thinking. I'll tell you now, Small Town, that you do the mission a disservice. This is a nationwide/ world wide website dealing with a VERY IMPORTANT issue - and you folks are running a small town soap opera instead. Think about it!While you are at it I'd like you to consider the fact that any time anybody utters the word Black, or White, or Chinese or Mexican - you are being Racist. Making these distinctions alone is RACIST! There is too much aimless bashing going on here. It's TOO EASY to blame The Man for black youths getting busted. Pot smoking does not render you a totally innocent person. Statistics can be misleading. Unlucky and stupid people get caught!!! So you go off bashing Whites?! That's divisive - and that's what made me feel uncomfortable with the other "Apartheid" article. And Granny's tirade at me (yes, the salt still stings!) was divisive, as well. My experience is that life is tough. It's hard. It can be cruel. For most everyone. And then we die."Pot snobs", "Black kids", and you - we are all in this together.Good morning, and Merry Christmas!
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on December 23, 2009 at 06:42:36 PT
Just a Comment
It won't be many more years until whites will be the minority. It means nothing to me and I hope our country can mature enough to realize it shouldn't matter to anyone.
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Comment #4 posted by kaptinemo on December 23, 2009 at 03:24:08 PT:
Why the big surprise?
If anyone does the slightest research into the history of the drug laws of this country, you immediately learn they have a racist foundation.'Injuns' and 'firewater'. 'N***rs' and cocaine. 'The Yellow Peril' and opium. 'Wetbacks' and cannabis. In the minds of the racist White lawmakers back then, they were inseparable...but must be separated. Lest White Civilization fall. Or so went the thinking.Hence the insane laws that have caused so much trouble. That the arrest records reflect this policy of institutionalized racism should surprise no one...except those that don't so their homework...
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Comment #3 posted by HempWorld on December 22, 2009 at 22:14:37 PT
Mexican't have it ...
Merry Christmas everyone!God bless ... all!
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Comment #2 posted by The GCW on December 22, 2009 at 20:25:12 PT
What if the tables turned?
What if N.Y. turns the policy around? What if they start focusing on white neighborhoods and arrest larger percentages of white people compared to minorities, for years, for smoking cannabis? Would those neighborhoods end up having more crime? When a segment of the population is targeted for this type of thing, like the black neighborhoods have witnessed, does it create an environment harder for people to gain employment and be productive? If government makes it harder for whites to gain and remain employed, would they end up commiting more crimes to survive? Does it lead to degraded neighborhoods? Switch it around, arrest white people more for years and the black neighborhoods may be safer.Government may the be problem. Government may be racist and if so can it be proven? People should be very angry over this.
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Comment #1 posted by HempWorld on December 22, 2009 at 20:14:28 PT
How many more times likely if you are Mexican?
Go figure!
Get Real!
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