cannabisnews.com: COLUMN: Big Brother Butting in Again COLUMN: Big Brother Butting in Again Posted by FoM on February 25, 2000 at 21:40:34 PT By Kenneth Vinciguerra, The Diamondback, U. Md. Source: U-WIRE In the omnipresent American drug war, a new threat is looming which will further increase governmental power and eradicate our freedom. The Methamphetamine Anti-Proliferation Act (S 486, HR 2987) sponsored by Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) has already unanimously passed in the Senate and awaits its expected approval in the House. Quoting from Feinstein's press release, the act, along with the usual draconian measures of more cops, jail time and Drug Enforcement Agency power, "Bans the dissemination of drug 'recipes' and other demonstrative information relating to the manufacturing and use of methamphetamine and other controlled substances. The bill amends the anti-drug paraphernalia statute to clarify that "advertisements for sale include the use of any communication facility, including the Internet, to post or publicize in any way any matter, including a telephone number or electronic or mail address, knowing that such matter is designed to be used to buy, distribute or otherwise facilitate a transaction in drug paraphernalia." In case the full impact of that hasn't struck you, it effectively takes the First Amendment and stomps repeatedly on it with big, steel-toed Gestapo boots. This includes talking about not only drug production but also reports about safe dosage levels and expected effects. Even writing down a personal experience and sending it to another person could be construed as illegal. Not only are all illegal drugs covered in the description but even some prescription drugs and the basic chemicals required for production and various drug utensils, despite their other legal uses. Information about using marijuana for medicinal purposes, to the selling of pipes may all be forbidden. Remember Simply Kind's mistreatment? Furthermore, the bill uses conspiratorial "intent" to expand its powers. If the information is being published with the "intent" of breaking a federal law, then you are guilty. Not only the initial source of the censored information is guilty but you easily could be as well. From selling books in your store to creating a hyperlink from your site to one with the outlawed material puts you under the gun as well. How much jail time for exercising your freedom of speech? Up to 10 years. By the way, assuming this bill becomes law, because I've included website addresses below, both I and The Diamondback have committed a felony. If you think the government will not abuse this power you should investigate the "forfeiture law." This law allows the confiscation of drug dealer's assets, but has turned into a nationwide excuse for cops to raid homes, taking everything in them with no legal proof of any crime, and refusing to return it, until the victims have undertaken expensive legal battles to prove themselves innocent. Cases of gross police misbehavior have involved stopping motorists, declaring any large sum of cash to be from selling drugs and seizing and keeping it without one charge being filed. Innocent people have even been murdered by the police in these raids. If this bill seems so against the First Amendment that you think you needn't worry about it becoming law, you should know that the government passed a similar bill in the wake of the Columbine shooting that made it a felony to disseminate instructions on how to make bombs and other destructive devices. Perhaps you don't use drugs or do not care if others are silenced. Perhaps you think the world is so dangerous we need the government controlling not only our actions but our thoughts and communications. But you should remember that sooner or later it is your views and your freedoms that will be affected. They are planning to put cameras on all the streets in Britain I hear. Maybe sooner or later they will be in your homes. The government's desire for control of you, your money, your religion, your life and your body, has to stop. Know what is happening out there. This is not about protecting you. It is about expanding the government's futile and highly expensive drug war that has imprisoned a million people for victimless crimes. It is about keeping the police, prisons and lawyers bankrolled forever with the authority to make the rest of us quake in fear at the thought of them. Admit it -- don't you get paranoid about them even when you are doing nothing wrong? They own you and you know it. Write to somebody. Tell your friends. Don't just accept everything. Check out these websites before they are shut down:http://www.altlit.com/drugbooks/http://www.erowid.org/index.shtml http://www.lycaeum.org/http://www.fear.org/(U-WIRE) College Park, Md. Published: February 25, 2000(C) 2000 The Diamondback via U-WIRE Copyright © 1995-2000 Excite Inc. Related Articles:Senate Passes Bill MJ Information On Net Illegalhttp://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread4039.shtmlHatch-Feinstein Act Tramples First Amendmenthttp://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread2413.shtmlReefer Madness Hits Congresshttp://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread2395.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #5 posted by Elliot Fleener on February 27, 2000 at 11:26:12 PT: How many warnigs do we need Right on kaptinemo.The average American citizen has no idea of the ghastly twistings of the laws that are basic to their freedom,have been clandestinly adjusted in the name of the "War on Drugs." The main reason for this,is that all the national media,has been bought and paid for,with our tax money. Notice the strange silence concerning the "Drug War",in the media,and amongst presidential wanna-bes. This is getting scary.This is the new "Evil Empire." Welcome to the Twilight Zone. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by kaptinemo on February 26, 2000 at 08:00:21 PT How many warnings do we need? Many thanks, FoM, and to you, Elliot, for the outstanding articles! Elliots offering was an absolutely perfect counterpoint to FoM's submission; it shows how little these goober-brains think of the American electorate. It shows beyond a shadow of a doubt the old saying that those who govern usually become contemptuous of the governed.But, then, the average American is quite oblivious about what has been done to him or her over the last 86 years. (As many of you who read this on a daily basis already know, we've had a DrugWar going on in the US since 1914 with the Harrison Narcotics Act. 200 Billion spent on the last 30 years, alone. 1 million non-violent de-facto POWs presently behind bars. And not a single battle has been won. With a record like that, I'd think I'd call for an armistace.) And, unfortunately, very few would take the time to educate themselves. Particularly about the danger the Anti-Meth Bill poses.And given the Supreme Court's affinity for ruling in favor of the State at the expense of individual liberties, I'm not so sanguine about any challenges made on Constitutional grounds; despite their supposedly learned status, the Supremes are just as ignorant of the dangers of this bill as the Senators who unanimously passed it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Elliot Fleener on February 26, 2000 at 05:38:22 PT: Thank You I appreciate the appreciation! [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on February 25, 2000 at 22:06:58 PT Thanks Thank you Elliot! I didn't know anything about this! I really appreciate it! [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Elliot Fleener on February 25, 2000 at 22:00:38 PT: Here's a bill that Feinstein & Hatch voted against Source:The Daily InquisitorNewshawk:Elliot FleenerForum:Sunday Liesure & PoliticsAuthor:Carl Stuttzman Washington Bureau Chief Washington D.C. 02/25/2000 In a little publisized hearing today.The Senate voted against passing the controversial " Zero Tolerance anti Corruption"bill.(S.R.5733). The bill was voted down by a large margin.The unpopular bill,which was introduced and co-sponsored by Senators Robert Byrd,and Strom Thurmond. Had the bill passed,it would have required a "zero tolerance" policy for any lawmaker who broke thier oath of office to uphold the Constitution of the United States.This stunning peice of legestlation,would have alsorequired "mandatory minimum"sentences,and included a clause that allowed members to be prosecuted for "Conspiracy to not uphold the Constitution".This would mean that any lawmaker,who failed to speak outagainst laws and policies that were contrary to the Constitution,could also be suject to mandatory penalties. Speaking out in oppostion to the bill,were sen.Dianne Feinstein(D-CA),sen.Phil Gramm(R-TX),and Robert Byrd(D-WV). Later in the day,reporters asked Senator Byrd why he had "spoken out in opposition to a bill he had introduced?",Byrds'Press Secratary,Mohammed Shapiro, responded,saying that the "Senator had decided the law was unnecessary,so he decided to vote against it."He went on to say;"The bill was introduced before the Senate Commitee on Senate Affairs,had filed its report.The commitee found no major problems concerning the integrity and honesty of lawmakers." "Oath breaking has gone down significantly in recent years,"he said in a speech from the senate floor,"The American people just dont want us wasting our time on this harsh oath law,They would much rather see us spend our time helpin' the children,by strengthening our illegal drug laws,and cutting taxes on families." He ended with;"I'd like you all to keep in mind,that we represent the American people,and just because I propose a bill,,,,if the American people disagree,then that is who we have to listen to,not our own special interests." He then went on to say;"Now,,I could have easily tucked this bill into another piece of legistlation,but that would make it seem as if I was sneaking it through,and being dishonest with the American people!" "Do you think I would even be in office,if I was not totally honest?"..."I think not,and I can tell you why",,,,"It's obvious that the American people are very smart....They read our papers,and watch the news,,,and they are very well informed about everything that goes on up here."...... "That old sayin' by one of the founders of our great land,,still rings true to this day,"...."In the immortal words of George Jefferson in 1772,..he said..'you cant fool Americans,,they are too smart.'""I'm sorry,I'm out of time....Thank you!.....thank you...."0 [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: