The Thought Police Have Arrived...

[RS Davis]

[glow=red,2,300]RS Davis Wrote:[/glow] Hello Freedomphiles! Boy, has my Tittygate essay put me on some shitlists. Everyone and their mother wants to tell me why the FCC has a right to violate the First Amendment daily. So, once and for all, for anyone interested, I am going to take a few minutes to explain the where's and why's of the Supreme Court's justification for such actions, and of course, blow them into fucking smithereens.

Let's start at the beginning...

- Rick

[whatever forgot her password]

RS said:

- Rick

Hi I don't have my password at work. Just wanted to stop in, have to read this one for sure.

But Rick, all your stuff is right on. Am waiting with trepidation for your take on the NORML meeting
It was so great for you to stop by last night! I gave your card to one of the local Libertarian party reps on his way out, and talked you up dude Not sure what his position is at this time. He's something of our liason to the Libs, puts up with us for the most part.

Oh, if you ever need a baby sitter, that little guy is as adorable a baby as I've ever seen in my life. But you already knew that

Take care, I'll be a-reading later on
Happy Friday!

[RS Davis]

Guest-whatever said:

Hi I don't have my password at work. Just wanted to stop in, have to read this one for sure.

But Rick, all your stuff is right on. Am waiting with trepidation for your take on the NORML meeting
It was so great for you to stop by last night! I gave your card to one of the local Libertarian party reps on his way out, and talked you up dude Not sure what his position is at this time. He's something of our liason to the Libs, puts up with us for the most part.

Oh, if you ever need a baby sitter, that little guy is as adorable a baby as I've ever seen in my life. But you already knew that

Take care, I'll be a-reading later on
Happy Friday!

Oh, you're WHATEVER? I didn't catch that. Now I know exactly who you are! I've always liked you. Thanks for the compliments, and I can't wait to hear what you think of what I wrote.

What mystifies me is that CJ on the other boards, after reading a cleaner version of this over there, still had the balls to say I didn't understand this issue.

Whatever. (not addressing you, more of a comment ;D)

I'll probably write about the meeting. I didn't hate it, I just think they are really niave. I still support what they are doing, I just think they are not seeing it clearly.

- Rick

[Armed Citizen]

RS said:

- Rick

Is there something wrong with the link? Or is it me?

[RS Davis]

Armed said:

Is there something wrong with the link? Or is it me?

No, I posted a shit link. It's fixed, though. Sorry!

- Rick

[whatever]

RS said:

Oh, you're WHATEVER? I didn't catch that. Now I know exactly who you are! I've always liked you. Thanks for the compliments, and I can't wait to hear what you think of what I wrote.

What mystifies me is that CJ on the other boards, after reading a cleaner version of this over there, still had the balls to say I didn't understand this issue.

Whatever. (not addressing you, more of a comment ;D)

I'll probably write about the meeting. I didn't hate it, I just think they are really niave. I still support what they are doing, I just think they are not seeing it clearly.

- Rick

Now I remember what I wanted to say!
Hi, I just remembered what there was never time to discuss at that meeting. Ha. And man am I glad you started getting together with people around now, because personally I needed the moral support. I don't think CJ likes me at all now I'm pretty bummed reallly. He think's I'm a dummy, or something. So, thanks for all the kind words

Before I launch into some discussion of what I think your issues were with the discussion and the group in general, what were they? You can be honest!

I understand what you mean about the approach we were discussing at that meeting, in terms of it being narrow I think. In fact, it's a shame you had to leave early because a more animated discussion of that topic ensued later on the way out. Okay, really I thought the poor guy was going to jump down my throat, and I'm on his side. The price of listening I guess. I'm the same way though, sometimes everything going on in this country bothers me that much. It feels like a depression.

He percieves many issues with our society, and with the fed altogether, and this problem of prohibition is just a smaller symptom. My words, so I'm not 100%. I know I don't disagree, but I'm usually on the more extreme side. He said something about the sham of marriage, which was sorta difficult for me to respond to very well, but I can see the point. I wasn't able to say much though; he went on with he didn't think any woman would ever want him because he isn't, I can't remember what all. That was sad, but I didn't have a chance there either. He can't stand Bush is the strongest terms possible.

I'll be so relieved when the election is over, one way or another, I swear.

I hope you have a chance to talk to some of the people there more, and a few that weren't there too. They are so knowledgeable on the history and the current on hemp, and my perception is that most are coming to it from a medical or harm reduction perspective. Not pot heads at all.

Most are against the Iraq war. Not all I believe, but most. Some are Greens, some are Libs, some are libs (thank you for discussing that without laughing btw) some are Rainbow, and just those groups aren't mututally exclusive!
Great group to talk to...when you can talk.

[RS Davis]

whatever said:

Now I remember what I wanted to say!
Hi, I just remembered what there was never time to discuss at that meeting. Ha. And man am I glad you started getting together with people around now, because personally I needed the moral support. I don't think CJ likes me at all now I'm pretty bummed reallly. He think's I'm a dummy, or something. So, thanks for all the kind words

No thanks needed for the truth, but you are welcome. CJ is an enigma to me - sometimes, I really like him, and sometimes I think he is a world class prick.

whatever said:

Before I launch into some discussion of what I think your issues were with the discussion and the group in general, what were they? You can be honest!

I understand what you mean about the approach we were discussing at that meeting, in terms of it being narrow I think. In fact, it's a shame you had to leave early because a more animated discussion of that topic ensued later on the way out. Okay, really I thought the poor guy was going to jump down my throat, and I'm on his side. The price of listening I guess. I'm the same way though, sometimes everything going on in this country bothers me that much. It feels like a depression.

He percieves many issues with our society, and with the fed altogether, and this problem of prohibition is just a smaller symptom. My words, so I'm not 100%. I know I don't disagree, but I'm usually on the more extreme side. He said something about the sham of marriage, which was sorta difficult for me to respond to very well, but I can see the point. I wasn't able to say much though; he went on with he didn't think any woman would ever want him because he isn't, I can't remember what all. That was sad, but I didn't have a chance there either. He can't stand Bush is the strongest terms possible.

I'll be so relieved when the election is over, one way or another, I swear.

I hope you have a chance to talk to some of the people there more, and a few that weren't there too. They are so knowledgeable on the history and the current on hemp, and my perception is that most are coming to it from a medical or harm reduction perspective. Not pot heads at all.

Most are against the Iraq war. Not all I believe, but most. Some are Greens, some are Libs, some are libs (thank you for discussing that without laughing btw) some are Rainbow, and just those groups aren't mututally exclusive!
Great group to talk to...when you can talk.

I just thought they were niave. They seemed to think that people would take them more seriously and not think of them as potheads if they could just present themselves the right way. Or they went the other way, and advocated smoking a J in front of the cameras.

I agree that there is a perception problem, and can understand why that other group shunned you guys. The other group has an image of drug war opponents, while NORML has the image of a bunch of stoners. Maybe it is because you guys just deal with the one politically incorrect intoxicant - I don't know.

What I do know, however, is that until we can show the world that the average pot smoker is not the burnout in the basement on the Playstation 2, perceptions of NORML will not change. There are a lot of highly productive members of society who smoke dope regularly, like Aaron Sorkin and the CEO of Progressive Insurance. What NORML should focus on is showing: The Average Pot Smoker, with information about these creative geniuses and leaders of industry.

I highly reccommend you click this sentence and buy the book Saying Yes: In Defense of Drug Use by Reason magazine's Jacob Sullum - it's an eye opener.

Also, the people at the meeting were so focused on the medical marijuana ballot issue, they refused to see its flaws, and the way it will be circumvented by the federal government. There is some really good recent case law they should be keeping in mind to protect their cause from overzealous federal prosecutors, but they don't see it.

And the nonsense that this is the most important election in US History made me stifle a laugh. People seem to think that if they just get a Democrat elected, it will all be okay. That's just absurd. The democrats are as ardent Drug Warriors as the Republican. On this issue, only the Greens and Libertarians are willing to take a stand.

Still, I empathise with and support them. I just hope they open their eyes soon.

- Rick

[whatever]

Yeah! That's it, an enigma, that's the perfect word. World class. That's almost a compliment.

I just thought they were niave. They seemed to think that people would take them more seriously and not think of them as potheads if they could just present themselves the right way. Or they went the other way, and advocated smoking a J in front of the cameras.

I agree that there is a perception problem, and can understand why that other group shunned you guys. The other group has an image of drug war opponents, while NORML has the image of a bunch of stoners. Maybe it is because you guys just deal with the one politically incorrect intoxicant - I don't know.

Hmmm Food for thought on our image. Gosh, what makes me so mad is how many people could use it, and maybe still be alive today, you know? And my son Chris has Chrons disease. It's a potential treatment, but not here.

Talk about am image. People should have seen that kid when he was in the hospital, and when the steroid type medication made him depressed too. It's lousy to see a ten year old kid in a dark mood. He was so weak, he couldn't walk for a couple weeks. And I was wishing so bad I could make him something, but didn't dare. Isn't it insane it's that way?
Thanks for the books suggestion

Also, the people at the meeting were so focused on the medical marijuana ballot issue, they refused to see its flaws, and the way it will be circumvented by the federal government. There is some really good recent case law they should be keeping in mind to protect their cause from overzealous federal prosecutors, but they don't see it.

I think it would be great if you could talk to one of the members there, I'll pm his name. The group might actually have some info on it, but didn't get to it. Can't say really. I see your point.

And the nonsense that this is the most important election in US History made me stifle a laugh. People seem to think that if they just get a Democrat elected, it will all be okay. That's just absurd. The democrats are as ardent Drug Warriors as the Republican. On this issue, only the Greens and Libertarians are willing to take a stand.

I thought it was a bit over the top too, and agree completely that it doesn't matter which major party. Kusenich (will have to learn to spell his name) keeps hanging in there. I just love that!

Still, I empathise with and support them. I just hope they open their eyes soon.

Well, support is as much as any of us could ask for, thanks! As for the eye-opening, well I passed your card around. Still have some to hand out in my purse too.

I sure had an odd experience on CA today with...whoever was is talking about me having other logins. Too weird. I stopped playing.
Take care

[RS Davis]

whatever said:

Yeah! That's it, an enigma, that's the perfect word. World class. That's almost a compliment.

He really helps me see the forum through a liberal's eye every once in awhile. Unfortunately, the ones who are smart enough to do battle with some of the conservative people over there are also smart enough to stay above it most of the time - a charge I cannot really make of the conservatives, or myself all the time. I like picking a fight now and again, especially with stupid, narrowminded jackasses who think they are smarter than they really are. (That was not meant to be interpreted as CJ, by the way.)

whatever said:

Hmmm Food for thought on our image. Gosh, what makes me so mad is how many people could use it, and maybe still be alive today, you know? And my son Chris has Chrons disease. It's a potential treatment, but not here.

Talk about am image. People should have seen that kid when he was in the hospital, and when the steroid type medication made him depressed too. It's lousy to see a ten year old kid in a dark mood. He was so weak, he couldn't walk for a couple weeks. And I was wishing so bad I could make him something, but didn't dare. Isn't it insane it's that way?

It's definitely insane. I'm really sorry you all have to go through that. And I'm mad that our government will not let us choose our own treatment.

Add to that the fact that the FDA holds up life-saving drugs for years, and how many people have they killed? How many people have died more painful deaths, or wasted away in front of their families, appetites gone. It happened to my mother.

Why can't we, knowing the risks, choose ourselves our own treatment? Why can't a person with six months to live roll a fattie? Why can't an AIDS patient on his last legs take an experimental drug that might save his life? Because it might hurt him? That's a risk he might be willing to take.

And who the hell do they think they are that presume to make those choices for us, when it's our lives that ultimately hang in the balance? They don't feel the consequences of inaction. If someone doesn't get a lifesaving drug, they are just another AIDS/cancer death. If they get the drug, and it hurts them, then people come down on the government. So, their prime motivation is to ensure zero risk. But life isn't zero risk. A terminal patient is risking it all with every decision. Time is against them, and they cannot wait for zero risk.

I say, if we have to, let the FDA continue approving drugs, but let people remain free to try an unapproved drug if they choose. Because it is their choice. And yes, even if that choice is the devil's weed.

whatever said:

Thanks for the books suggestion

Let me know what you think of it when you are done.

whatever said:

I think it would be great if you could talk to one of the members there, I'll pm his name. The group might actually have some info on it, but didn't get to it. Can't say really. I see your point.

Cool.

whatever said:

I thought it was a bit over the top too, and agree completely that it doesn't matter which major party. Kusenich (will have to learn to spell his name) keeps hanging in there. I just love that!

Kucinich. ;D

(He's got pluck.)

whatever said:

Well, support is as much as any of us could ask for, thanks! As for the eye-opening, well I passed your card around. Still have some to hand out in my purse too.

Sweet action! Bring me readers!

whatever said:

I sure had an odd experience on CA today with...whoever was is talking about me having other logins. Too weird. I stopped playing.
Take care

That is absurd. I can't even concieve of you doing something like that.

- Rick