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[sirshack]

1. ...and all on company time....n/t

....

[phillybri]

2. Exactly!!!

I resemble that remark!!!

[Sophree]

26. Me too!

Although my job is very chill and I have lots of free time.

Here's a letter I received from the Drug Policy Alliance. I posted it last night, but felt I should post it here to encourage others to write letters, send faxes- They ARE listening to us and we're making a difference.

*******

** Senator Biden Tells DEA, "Don't Use RAVE Act to Stifle Free Speech"
** DEA Responds to Your Faxes - Adopts Guidelines to Reduce Abuses
** Members of Congress Stand up For Medical Marijuana and Rebel Against
Drug War

Friends and Supporters:

There is a lot going on in Washington, DC right now. In particular,
I've highlighted our activities in three specific areas below. First
however, a brief thank you.

Drug Policy Alliance has asked you on many occasions to take action and
pressure elected officials on a variety of issues. We want you to know
that the actions you take are making a big difference.

In the last several months you have helped us tell federal bureaucrats
that if they do not stop raiding hospices at gun-point and arresting
medical marijuana patients and their care-givers we will sue them in
court, protest outside their offices, embarrass them in the media, and cut
their agency's funding.

You have also helped us tell federal bureaucrats that if they use the
so-called RAVE Act to suppress free speech, harass innocent people, or
criminalize public safety measures we will fight them every step of the
way until the law is repealed.

Most importantly, you have helped us give Members of Congress a very
clear message: start standing up for freedom and justice or face the
political consequences in the next election.

Below you will find a more detailed report on recent developments. I
can honestly say we would not have made progress without you.

But we have much work to do. The irrational and hypocritical forces of
the current Administration seem bent upon their current wasteful and
wrongheaded practices. Please consider helping us keep up the fight by
making a generous donation today.

You can donate online by clicking this link:
http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=354742&l=2743

***

MEDICAL MARIJIUANA

Many of you have been with us a long time in our campaign to legalize
marijuana for medical use so that AIDS, cancer and other patients do not
have to fear arrest and imprisonment for following their doctor's
advice. We thank you. The road to reform is long and has rarely been easy.
Some of our closest friends and allies have been taken from us - put in
prison for helping the sick. Many others have died in senseless agony
unable to get access to the medicine proven to work best for them.

We are heartened, however, by the fact that momentum for reform is
gaining. Eighty percent of Americans now support medical marijuana. A
number of states have adopted medical marijuana laws and more are
following.

Last week, Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee voted unanimously
to amend the Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act
(HR 2086) with three medical marijuana amendments supported by the Drug
Policy Alliance.
http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=354742&l=2734. The
Republican majority on the committee blocked the amendments, but with enough
pressure, we believe we can get the three Republican votes needed to
pass medical marijuana legislation out of this important Committee.

In the Senate, Senators Durbin (D-IL), Feinstein (D-CA), and Leahy
(D-VT) grilled President Bush's nominee for DEA Administrator on her
support for arresting medical marijuana patients in California
http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=354742&l=2733. Although
the committee voted by voice vote to confirm her, it is the first time a
DEA nominee has faced vocal criticism on this issue.

Yesterday, House Democrats on the Appropriations Committee tried to
amend the District of Colombia Appropriations bill to allow the city of
Washington, DC to enact a medical marijuana law. The amendment failed,
but it was our best vote yet in this Committee.
http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=354742&l=2735

If you are from California, Illinois, or Vermont, take a moment to send
your Senator a thank-you note.
http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=354742&l=2733.

Find out if your Representative is on the House Judiciary Committee and
send a letter if he or she is.
http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=354742&l=2734.

Find out if your Representative is on the Appropriations Committee and
send a letter if he or she is.
http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=354742&l=2735

***

RAVE ACT

Our supporters fought hard to try to stop the Illicit Drug
Anti-Proliferation Act (more commonly known as the RAVE Act) from becoming law, but
a handful of career politicians ignored the public's sensible concerns
and enacted the measure without a hearing or public debate. With your
help, the Drug Policy Alliance continues to challenge this bad law.

In the wake of a recent incident in Billings, Montana where the DEA
used the threat of the Illicit Drug Anti-Proliferation Act to shut down a
medical marijuana fundraiser, we asked you to send faxes to the DEA
demanding they adopt guidelines or regulations to stop such abuses. We
also asked you to fax Senator Biden (the sponsor of the law) and your
Members of Congress to urge them to pressure the DEA to adopt such
guidelines.

Since you took action, Senator Biden has strongly criticized the
Billings, Montana incident and pushed the DEA to enforce the law in a fair
and proper manner. Whenever possible we thank our legislators for doing
the right thing. Although we continue to have concerns about the
Illicit Drug Anti-Proliferation Act we commend Senator Biden for taking such
important steps. Senator Durbin and other Members of Congress have also
criticized the DEA's actions. Bowing to this public pressure, the DEA
has adopted new internal guidelines. We are certain that Senator
Biden's intervention was a key to restraining these DEA abuses.

While new DEA guidelines do not have the force of law (which is why the
Drug Policy Alliance strongly supports reforming the law), we hope they
will provide important protections for our civil liberties.
Unfortunately, the DEA has refused to release the details of their new guidelines.
The Drug Policy Alliance is submitting a Freedom of Information Act
Request to require the DEA to provide the American people with copies of
the guidelines.

In the meantime, voters continue to organize around the country to
pressure Congress to change the law and the Drug Policy Alliance is putting
together a legislative coalition to repeal or reform it. A major
musical demonstration against the Illicit Drug Anti-Proliferation Act is
planned for September 6th in front of the Senate. We hope to see you there!

Read the DEA's letter to Sen. Biden on the Billings, Montana Incident:
http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=354742&l=2736

Read Senator Biden's probing questions of President Bush's nominee to
head the DEA and her answers:
http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=354742&l=2737

Read Senator Durbin's tough questions to Bush's nominee and her
answers:
http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=354742&l=2738

Read what the DEA is saying about the new guidelines on their website:
http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=354742&l=2739

***

OPPOSING THE DRUG WAR

Thanks to all your work opposing the drug war, politicians are starting
to listen on medical marijuana and the RAVE Act, but also on many other
drug policy reform issues. This is largely a result of your letters and
phone calls. Last week, House Democrats rebelled against a drug war
bill because it emphasizes prisons and police instead of drug treatment,
and perpetuates racial disparities in the criminal justice system. They
tried to amend the bill with nine amendments supported by the Drug
Policy Alliance.
http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=354742&l=2744

You are responsible for this growing momentum. We've said it before and
we'll say it again: Thank you, thank you, thank you.

While the momentum may be swinging in our favor, we can't for a moment
underestimate the forces of political expediency and ignorance.
Nothing short of a sustained, massive mobilization of people can convert
growing public sympathy into lasting policies based on compassion and
reason.

In addition to your continued involvement, please consider making a
donation to help support our organizing, educating, and lobbying for drug
policy reform. We need you more now than ever.

To make a secure donation online, click this link:
http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=354742&l=2743

***

OTHER ACTIONS TO TAKE

Here are some important actions you can take to further help reform.

1. Wherever you live, send Senator Biden a thank you note for
pressuring the DEA to stop abusing the Illicit Drug Anti-Proliferation Act.
http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=354742&l=2741

2. If you live in Illinois, send Senator Durbin a thank you note for
standing up in support of medical marijuana and in opposition to the
Illicit Drug Anti-Proliferation Act.
http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=354742&l=2733

3. If you live in California, send Senator Feinstein a thank you note
for criticizing the federal government's raids on medical marijuana
patients. http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=354742&l=2733

4. If you live in Vermont, send Senator Leahy a thank you note for
criticizing the federal government's raids on medical marijuana patients.
http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=354742&l=2733

5. If your Representative is on the House Judiciary Committee send him
or her a letter praising or criticizing the Representative's position
on medical marijuana.
http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=354742&l=2734

6. If your Representative is on the House Appropriations Committee
send him or her a letter praising or criticizing the Representative's
position on medical marijuana.
http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=354742&l=2735

7. Join thousands of opponents of our nation's drug policies in New
Jersey in November for the Drug Policy Alliance's Biennial Conference.
http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=354742&l=2742

[quispquake]

3. hahahaha

...company time...yeah...

[karlschneider]

Mine are on company time, because I AM THE FEDERAL....uh, I mean

I'm the company!
:D
Gawd, I was channeling DeLay there for a minute
:silly:

[DUreader]

16. How did you make an un-numered reply?

?

[zekeson]

11. Damn, those referrer logs finally

caught up, huh?

[Sagan]

4. oh, in a BIG way.. lol

I have always planned to sue DU if I got fired... :)

[LiberalLibra]

5. sirshack: You go my friend!!! That's the way to do it too!!!! I love it!

:bounce: :toast: :bounce: :toast: :bounce: :toast: :bounce: :toast:

[BOSSHOG]

6. And retirees are involved as well

Lets keep stirring the pot. Conservatives are allergic to the truth so lets give em a rash.

[arcane1]

7. damned right we are! And a door has been left WIDE OPEN for us now

all those Bushian lies and hypocrisy, cronyism, neo-con radicalsim, that people were turned off by after 9/11... well, people are becoming open to the concept (again) that Bush sucks, and it's up to us to feed and water and nurture those seeds of doubt while we are in an environment that is suitable to their growth

to the streets!!


:toast:

[tridim]

8. And thus we're now the "enemy"

When the BFEE finally falls, it'll be prudent to watch your back. After all, Coulter is quoted as saying, "We need to execute people like John Walker in order to physically intimidate liberals, by making them realize that they can be killed too." Thousands of gun nut Freeper types agree.

[catmandu57]

9. The underground cripples

say you'e welcome.

[meegbear]

10. Awwww ... T'werent nothin'

.

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

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[mumon]

13. As Harvey Keitel as "The Wolf" in Pulp Fiction said,

"Let's not start sucking each other's d***s just yet."

Let's turn the heat up a few more notches...

[Name removed]

14. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[44wax]

30. well put Kanzeon

The gravitationally challenged woman has not begun to sing her scales yet.

[Skittles]

15. PROUD TO BE A MEMBER OF THE ORIGINAL 10%

I HATED BUSH WHEN HE WAS MY GOVERNOR. I'm a LONGTIME BUSH VICTIM.

[DoYouEverWonder]

17. Hey, I've had to live with the double whammy

I get to live under two Bu$h's at the same time.

One thing is for sure, I will glad to go back to normal life when this whole thing is over. I've got a lot of people and projects I've neglected because of this crap.

[Skittles]

22. HEY

I PUT UP WITH A GOVERNOR BUSH TOO. x(

[Sophree]

27. I'm in FL, too

It's a painful existence right now.

I'm hoping that Jebbie's pissing enough Floridians off with the whole insurance cap temper tantrum he threw that he'll have no chance for Prez. Or at least no support from FL.

[Name removed]

18. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[underpants]

19. Toot Toot

:thumbsup:

[Eloriel]

20. I wish I felt that were true

I don't. Or perhaps I feel that your "partially" responsible takes up such a small percentage as to be negligible and irrelevant.

Rather, I think TPTB have turned on Bush is mainly what happened, and that just happened to coincide with our sentiment on the matter too.

Eloriel

[barbaraann]

28. Eloriel, I disagree. You especially have made a huge difference.

DU has been THE primary source of truth for many, many people and you have been one of its most valuable contributors.

This isn't going to end with Bush and Cheney leaving because people like you will not let it. DU has not just exposed Bush, we have exposed the entire BFEE.

Thank you!!!

[Cha]

21. Hey thanks Pete for bringing this up! It has been a long hard

struggle for all us. And I'm so glad we're talking like this instead marveling at how the press is still sucking up to bush and how the bushwa is getting away with unbelievable Lies.

I want to thank everyone for all their dedicated hard work! :kick:

:toast:

[HFishbine]

23. Tipping Points

There is an interesting book by Malcolm Gladwell titled "The Tipping Point, How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference." (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0316316962/104-0478910-4979940?vi=glance) He discusses how, through various means, ideas eventually "tip" from the fringe to the mainstream.

It's hard to identify what may have caused the tip in recent days, but the important thing is that the tipping point is only reached when the strenght of an idea reaches a critical mass. There may be one event or person who sends things over the top, but that doesn't happen without an underlying body of effort. DU has certainly been part of that effort.

In my opinion, DU is the most important site on the Internet right now.

[carolinayellowdog]

24. I've been thinking about the Tipping Point

and relating it to memetics. DU has been a real clearing house for anti-Bush memes, and the ones that propagate the best here are getting noticed elsewhere. By candidates, hopefully (and I think Dean's campaign folks are probably keeping up with this site better than any other candidate's) but also by media people. You never know who might be influenced by an idea you share here. Most of our verbiage is hot air, but the memes that are really powerful will be transmitted, first among ourselves and then out into the "real world."

[Robb]

25. You're just setting us up!

I recognize your tactics, you GOP mole!

Sure, we all take credit for *'s downfall. Then when our party screws even the tiniest thing up, THEN you mug us on national TV!!

/sarcasm ends

:evilgrin:

[Sterling]

29. I am confused the thread next to this one says we are responsible

for the war? Which is it. I tend to agree with you. It makes more sense to hold us responsible for our individual actions rather than those who oppress us and usurp our democracy.

I would not blame the White Rose for Hitler but some people..........