Tuesday night, on his program “The Last Word,” Lawrence O’Donnell took an impassioned stance against marijuana prohibition while reporting on the recently released Gallup legalization poll.
O’Donnell, who formerly served as Staff Director of the Senate Finance Committee, notes the disconnect between the public opinion on this issue and policy coming from elected officials.
“In a democracy,” he stated, “we should expect such a dramatic shift in public opinion to be reflected in our public officials, but support for marijuana legalization in the United States Senate…has gone from 0% in 1968 to 0% in 2011.”
O’Donnell then rightfully attacked the Obama Administration’s insistence on keeping marijuana a schedule I substance.
“Now we know that no one in the Obama Administration is stupid enough to actually think [marijuana is as dangerous as heroin], but we also know politicians have no intention of facing reality anytime soon when it comes to marijuana. Politicians will continue to allow young lives to be ruined for mere possession of marijuana; politicians will continue to allow people to be arrested. [They will] allow people to go to jail, allow people to be arrested, allow people to get criminal records, get kicked out of school, be turned down for jobs just because they’ve used marijuana, something more than one president has done and gotten away with.”
In the conclusion to his segment, he unabashedly calls out our country’s elected officials for their hypocrisy on the issue, as many of them have no hesitation to indulge in the legal, more dangerous alternative.
“Senators, members of Congress, presidents, vice presidents, and Supreme Court justices are going to continue to get high, many of them every day and every night. Many of them will do it publicly, and loudly, and legally at restaurants and campaign fundraisers and at state dinners,” O’Donnell said, “They will raise their glasses and get high and they will continue to put people in jail for using a harmless, non-liquid way of getting high like marijuana. Such hypocrisy carries an even stronger stench than the alcohol-drenched breath of those politicians and judges and prosecutors and DEA officials. I really don’t know how they can sleep at night…without the booze.”
If more mainstream media journalists begin embracing the issue with the same intensity and comprehension as Lawrence O’Donnell displayed on his program last night, the end of the war on cannabis might be closer than we think.
You can view the segment in its entirety below:
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Am I missing something but that statement “has gone from 0% in 1968 to 0% in 2011” doesn’t make any sense and must be a typo.
It should say: “has gone from 10% in 1968 to 50% in 2011”
[Paul Armentano responds: The quote is a statement from the host regarding the fact that there remains not a single US Senator who is willing to sponsor or co-sponsor marijuana law reform legislation — despite the change in public opinion.]
Yeah Man, the man is getting over on the NORML people.
So true and beautifully said. They won’t even respond when emailed or written to regaring their stance on legalizing marijuana or backing off from their attack on CA’s medical marijuana industry. Their lack of commnent or response says volumns, so as a result I won’t vote any incumbant back into office. I’m changing my party too. As far as I’m concerned both democrats and republican’s are completely useless. This country is very sick and marijuana prohibition is symtomatic of that illness.
An open letter to my Congressman concerning H.R. 2306.
Dear Rep. Phil Roe
Please allow me to explain my stand on Cannibus. I am almost 80 years old, a Veteran of the USAF Security Service (NSA) and retired from NASA and NOAA. I have possessed a Top Secret Clearance for a good portion of my life. However, upon retirement, I took the opportunity to try Marijuana with a friend. I used it daily for about a year and found, contrary to what Merck and Pfizer tell us through the FDA, that the results are just the opposite. It did less harm to my body than a cup of caffine. It relieved the general “aches and pains” of ageing, relieved may pains, depression and anxiety. I stopped using when I moved back to Tennessee with absolutely no withdrawal pains or desires. I can only speak for myself, but, it was completely non-addictive to me.
The FDA has become a tool for Merck, Pfizer, etal. The FDA agents get compensated millions for their work with them and through the FDA they set the rules and guidelines for Physicians. They, with pressure on the FDA agents, have classified Marijuana as one of the worsst drugs, when, anyone who has tried it knows that is false and is simply a move to keep it banned. Physicians cannot tell me that the best source for Vitamin A is carrots or the best source for Vitamin C is Oranges but, they will write a prescription or direct me to OTC chemicals made by the powerful Manufacturers which are full of “filler material” which probably do far more harm than Marijuana.
The Manufacturers, Merck, Pfizer, etal., will take great measures to ensure Cannibus remains a Schedule I drug because they stand to lose lots of money for their Stockholders, otherwise. Because, without a doubt, Marijuana would replace many Prescriotion and OTC drugs. But, people like you are telling us it’s ok to take a Marijuana substitute, made by them, rather than use a natural plant that God placed on the Earth. Whose side are you on? Your capacity is not a Physician anymore, NOW, you have power over the FDA and the Manufacturers. Why do you still take orders from them?
In my estimation, the downward spiral of the Economy began with the dismantling of the Tobacco Compa;nies. The Cannibus market would be a great replacement for Tobacco, being much, much safer and even beneficial. I predict the Economy would be revitalized. This is why I ask you to consider becoming a cosponsor and support H.R. 2306 to end the prohibation and revitalize the Economy.
Respectfully Yours,
Jim Livesay, Sneedville, TN
You can’t get us all, and you cant live forever.
prohibition dies when the prohibitionists do. Sorry gramps.
If you’ve ever seen some episodes of ‘Cops’, you may have noticed that whenever someone is belligerently aggressive it’s always alcohol that fuels the violence. I’ve never seen anyone act remotely this way on weed. Indeed, I can’t recall ever hearing anyone even raise their voice.
What’s really strange is that even though crack users are arrested a lot, they don’t act belligerent despite crack’s infamous reputation.
FYI a letter to my Congressman concerning H>R>2306.
Dr. Roe,
Please allow me to explain my stand on Cannibus. I am almost 80 years old, a Veteran of the USAF Security Service (NSA) and retired from NASA and NOAA. I have possessed a Top Secret Clearance for a good portion of my life. However, upon retirement, I took the opportunity to try Marijuana with a friend. I used it daily for about a year and found, contrary to what Merck and Pfizer tell us through the FDA, that the results are just the opposite. It did less harm to my body than a cup of caffine. It relieved the general “aches and pains” of ageing, relieved may pains, depression and anxiety. I stopped using when I moved back to Tennessee with absolutely no withdrawal pains or desires. I can only speak for myself, but, it was completely non-addictive to me.
The FDA has become a tool for Merck, Pfizer, etal. The FDA agents get compensated millions for their work with them and through the FDA they set the rules and guidelines for Physicians. They, with pressure on the FDA agents, have classified Marijuana as one of the worsst drugs, when, anyone who has tried it knows that is false and is simply a move to keep it banned. Physicians cannot tell me that the best source for Vitamine A is carrots or the best source for Vitamine C is Oranges but, they will write a prescription or direct me to OTC chemicals made by the powerful Manufacturers which are full of “filler material” which probably do far more harm than Marijuana.
The Manufacturers, Merck, Pfizer, etal., will take great measures to ensure Cannibus remains a Schedule I drug because they stand to lose lots of money for their Stockholders, otherwise. Because, without a doubt, Marijuana would replace many Prescriotion and OTC drugs. But, people like you are telling us it’s ok to take a Marijuana substitute, made by them, rather than use a natural plant that God placed on the Earth. Whose side are you on? Your capacity is not a Physician anymore, NOW, you have power over the FDA and the Manufacturers. Why do you still take orders from them?
In my estimation, the downward spiral of the Economy began with the dismantling of the Tobacco Compa;nies. The Cannibus market would be a great replacement for Tobacco, being much, much safer and even beneficial. I predict the Economy would be revitalized. This is why I ask you to consider becoming a cosponsor and support H.R. 2306 to end the prohibation and revitalize the Economy.
Repectfully Yours,
Jim Livesay, Sneedville, TN.
what about the fact that allowing ppl to use marijuana as hemp and as a tool to help the countries debt. there will be less money spent on metal or wood for building expences. hemp plastic is easier to process and faster to use and lighter to use and the strands are 1000x stronger than steel.
I won’t be forgetting Lawrence O’Donnell anytime soon. Way to stand for what’s right mate.
Keep up this streak of good news. It helps quiet the screaming echoing in the head.
I saw this segment of Television. It was good. I hope to see more views like this on television.
Thamx NORML,,,this is a short shot to the ribs of the drug warriors,,it is either start the propaganda machines cranking enough smoke to cover the stink of this truthful admonishment.
It is cut bait or fish time.
Right on! Spot on!
I hope his ratings skyrocket!
Finally someone with a grip is speaking out!
Looks like Mr. Livesay has summed it up…..too bad no one will listen…
Was that Walter Cronkite on TV. Thank you Lawrence.
MSNBC, and O’Donnell is about as good as corporate media gets… it’s a shallow capitalist venture to capture eyes for the commercial sellers, but because MSNBC happens to grab the more ethically progressive audience, it does some good work.
Oct. 22 DEADLINE!
Please! Hurry & click & sign petition to
END MARIJUANA PROHIBITION at the White House now!
http://wh.gov/gP1
This is a case sensitive link, upper case capitol P.
http://wh.gov/gP1
President Obama is allowing Adults and kids age
13 & up to sign!
This is the 13th MARIJUANA petition and it is an
UMBRELLA for all the others for pot, cannabis & hemp.
“Demand an Amendment to the U.S. Constitution to
End Marijuana, Marihuana, Cannabis and Hemp PROHIBITION.”
http://wh.gov/gP1
HURRY, PLEASE HURRY & CLICK & SIGN
BEFORE THE DEADLINE ! ! !
Dear Executive, Legeslative and Judicial branches of the U.S. and 50 state Governments. Please, legalize Marijuana, just say no to the anti-drug groups like the military, PTA, churches and all their millions of “votes”. Just say no to Pharmacutical and alcohol lobby and all that money that they’ll withhold from your campaign. Just say no to law enforcement and all their election time”endorsements”. Please, legalize Marijuana or we’ll, uh, uhmm, well were non partisan and non political so we’ll uh uhmm, OK you want to play hardball, here goes, PRETTY PLEASE legalize marijuana.
O’Donnel for President!!!!
They can’t legalize it because if we legalize MJ to any degree, it will open the door to Hemp Farming, which is the reason why MJ is illegal.Hemp farming would destroy the wood industry, and when the people are told the truth that 1 acre of hemp will produce as much wood as 5 acres of trees, and the replacement time for the trees is 20 years. Hemp, 100 days. They are needlessly ripping down the rain forest, destroying our ecological system, just for the sake of money. James DuPont was an industry leader in the wood business, and because of his money he was able to form the DEA and put his son in law in charge to take care of his agenda. He spent big money on scare tactic information, the public went for it and it was then made a schedule 1 drug, ensuring it to never see the light of day. Someone is paying big money to keep it schedule 1. We need to get rid of the old thinking government, it’s 2011, not 1936
I very rarely, if ever read in the newspaper or see on the news that some man or woman have killed a family while driving who was stoned…drunk yes, stoned no. I’ve never read or heard that a man or woman have brutally beat their children to death because they were stoned…drunk yes, stoned no. The government needs to get their heads out of the 60’s and come into the real world. Marijuana is not the gateway to heroin or other deadly drugs, lets start with cigarettes then alcohol, those are the gateways. But then if they totally do away with the laws against marijuana, what would the DEA do? It’s an economic thing for them, and a macho thing to bust some mellow fellow for smoking a joint, instead of nabbing a drunk driver BEFORE he or she kills some family. I wish the DEA looked at cigarettes and alcohol as an illegal drug instead of marijuana. Leave the marijuana users alone and go after ther crack and meth dealers and cookers.We’d certainly have a safer environment for our children if the last two were taken care of and out of the picture. The scrouge of the nation is not marijuana, it’s crack and meth. It’s killing our nation! Families would be healthier,children would be well taken care of by their parents. We’d all be safer out there then. This is just one woman’s opinion.
I salute you Mr.O’Donnell ! Bravo!
Obama’s job plan,
Good for you, Lawrence, but something else you should bring up ;
Our federal dollars, especially during a down economy, would be better spent on activities and programs that save jobs and help people in need. Instead, this ill-timed jobs program would have no positive impacts on our State and would only force more & more Californians into unemployment resulting in more and continued assistance from the already financially cash strapped State .
The projection of 1.9 million new jobs, a 1 percentage point drop in the unemployment rate and a 2 percentage point increase in the gross domestic product under Obama’s plan will be off – set tremendously by killing the thousands of jobs in the medical marijuana industry in California .
Mitt Romney says I don’t care what anybody says the facts are about marijuana, medical, or, otherwise. You’re not going to see it legalized in any fashion, under my guard if elected. Unfortunately this is the attitude of most politicians, and top officials in Gov Agencies, even if they say they’re for legalization of medical marijuana while campaigning. Thank-you NORML for not being bought out, and showing no fear in disclosing the truth about marijuana, along with others like Mr. O’Donnell.
Been watching LO for a couple of years now. Never thought he had this in him. BRAVO LO!
I couldn’t have said it any better.
What we are all forgetting is that our elected officials know whats good for us more than we do ourselves. Just sit back and keep getting spoon fed.
Thank you Jim for your wonderful letter from Tennessee. Maybe your state will legalize it for medical uses soon. Stay on them.
Great job, Lawrence! I don’t think any of us here could have said it better ourselves. Frankly, I’m a little shocked to see someone in the media get it so right. He even goes so far as to call pot “harmless.” That’s a bit of an exaggeration, but that’s not the point. It is certainly less harmful than many legally regulated drugs, but, then, we all know that. Fewer and fewer people believe the bullshit that the government continues to churn out about pot. It’s really shameful that a “progressive” Democrat (?) is now the one amping up the war on cannabis. Obama does not deserve our support. I realize that there aren’t any good alternatives, but I will never support him again, not with money, not even with my vote.
thats what we need more of from the media during primtime .way to speak the truth for everyone .
thanks..
Beautiful piece by Lawrence O’Donnell.. need to send this guy some fan mail. We all should support him.
i went into a pizza shop today…full of dea and state police, all on the marijuana eradication campaigns. there logo’s….a skull with marijuana leaves, and lots of guns. you think the nazi’s realized what hitler was up to until it was to late…then there arguements at the war trials…it was my job, i was only following orders from the fuhrer.
Awesome news clip. Bless him and the station for standing up for the truth.
Like Jim, your first comment, I won’t say cannabis is a panacea… but it sure helped me negotiate my life, was key to my ability to try different things in careers, helped with anxiety, depression and anti-social phobias. I ended up getting several college degrees where prior to my introduction to cannabis at age 19, my mindset was avoided anything remotely tagged public education, including colleges. Upon using cannabis and getting what’s called “high” for the 1st time, I can agree with Jim, and for me it was the best thing that ever came my way, unexpectedly.
I believe we are at a tipping point in legal cannabis. The recent poll showed a 4% increase, to 50% of all Americans in favor of legalization of cannabis. The individual numbers are even higher when looking at other factors.
I believe our government(s) need to be LIVE in that in a LIVE government, cannabis would be legal at present, and tobacco may not be. No more political wrangling, principles, tea-party vows… a living government is one that actively responds to We, the Citizens. Nothing will ever be 100%. But when 50% of Americans favor legalization, when nearly 50,000 of our Mexican neighbors are dead, due to zero tolerance prohibition practices by our gov’t, it only shows insensitively and a disconnect, but also an adherence to out-dated measures of governance.
Tuesday’s message on marijuana vs. alcohol was Lawrence’ finest hour. not enough is discussed on the devastation of the bottle. All over Staten Island one can see floral displays representing a tragic end to some innocent person’s life and the neverending grief the families must endure. I’d like to have the “booze” concession that supplies the wives of that crowd sitting in judgement and deciding what’s right for “the American people. I was blown away and more of the same until that bunch of cretins get the message. We regular people have had it.
I don’t know what happened to my comments but let me say I was blown away. LAWRENCE speaks for the regular people. i guess we’re not the real Americans but we know the devastation of alcohol. We’ll not penetrate the hypocrisy of this bunch. We have the truth and in the end truth wins.
so, let me get all of this straight…..
our government makes lots of money off the prison system, which justifies arresting and incarcerating almost a million people for drugs. over half of that is for pot, possession or cultivation. helps keep the judges and lawyers employed, too. for a plant they say is bad enough to keep it listed as a schedule one drug. isnt that the same thing that the pharmasutical companies are now making a “miricle drug” out of, called marinol? pot and marinol- active ingrediant= thc. so, obviously our obscenely corrupt government is in this up to their eyeballs in anything that will make THEM money…..
so they break up families, disrupt lives, imprison and enslave people all in the name of being rich and enjoying their “nightcap” before bed…..
and we cant legally grow hemp, why? cause it looks too much like pot, even tho, like ron paul says, if you wanted to get high off of it, you would have to smoke a ciggarette as big as a telephone pole!
maybe the real reason has to do with economics. specifically GOVERNMENT economics. probly lots of politicians in bed with the big producers in the wood, oil, paper and plastic industries. and allowing hemp to be legally grown would bankrupt the polluting, greedy powers that be, upsetting their gravy on all their tators. hemp can be used to make hundreds of different products, including a cleaner-burning synthetic fuel. jobs would open up from agriculture, to product production to advertising to packaging to exporting…..
remember what “made in america” used to be? a way for all of us to have jobs, family and friends, a chance for a happy and productive life, no matter what our race, religion, or differences. we could always work towards a brighter tomorrow. we need to produce our way back into prosperity, free of government intrusion and meddling.
WE WANT OUR LIBERTY BACK! get rid of all the dishonest status quo politicians! lets clean house from top to bottom, getting rid of the lies and payoffs until we restore honest government as our forefathers envisioned!
bad politicians! we may not be allowed to walk into your office and throw you out…..
but you cant control every election, and we still have our vote!
Yeah on mainstream media awesome! its about freaking time
This is the link to give feedback about the show. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10285339/
Mr. Armentano perhaps you could add it at the bottom the story if it’s not too much trouble. I feel like we really need to support main stream media that give honest reports on this subject.
We, the people. or… We, the few people with conviction?
Bravo!
Was just thinkin the same thing today. The media needs to start goin mainstream, more, for cannabis. I love cheech and chong and movies like pineapple express, but we need other more appropriate supporting figures of marijuana. Actors like clint eastwood, morgan freeman or figures like oprah, lol just examples, but you get what im sayin. People that dont fit the stereo typical pothead profile, that way people won’t make a misinformed decision do to a prejudice.
It is time to apply leverage, that is to pry the decision-makers and policy-setters of this nation. It is time for them to either listen to the people, as they are supposed to be doing, or it is time for us to pry against them, to apply leverage, to use the force of our strength and ability to press them into compliance.
This is a Republic and not a Democracy – that is in a TRUE Democracy each citizen votes on EACH piece of law and legislature. Clearly that cannot be done with as vast as our nation is, with as populous as it has become, and with the increasing thickness of the law books. So, we have a Republic. Where we elect officials who more-or-less represent the commonly accepted will of the people.
In this, it is clear that the will of the people has FINALLY changed. That the voices in favor have been raised enough that the stigma of its reputation, the stench of its illegality, and the fear of it has no longer served to stifle its defense.
I have written letters, articles, signed petitions –
same as many others.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING? to help in this effort?
What can we all to to expedite this?
What can we do to cement this into being?, to preserve what should have already been – our freedom to choose.
Kudos to Lawrence O’Donnell in speaking Truth to Power regarding Cannabis Prohibition.
Our politicians don’t listen to We the People, even when They solicit our questions and issues of concern, and particularly you, President Obama. That’s because We generally don’t vote ‘Single Issue’, don’t have the money to finance political campaigns, are willing to vote for a perceived ‘lessor of two evils’, and have been set one upon the other over contrived divisive social issues that shouldn’t matter. That makes We the People vulnerable to the age-old tactics of ‘divide and conquer’.
Well, maybe our politicians will listen to Lawrence O’Donnell. The more that issues regarding the unjustified persecution of cannabis and it’s users are flaunted in the Lame Stream Media, the more educated our fellow citizens will be to the real truth and the closer we will come to re-legalization., in spite of the Obama regime’s new assault on the 1st Amendment.
The elite crowd in CONGRESS who are MARIJUANA PROHIBITIONISTS are the in crowd on booze, the untouchables. FEDERRALISM at its finest, they use the CONSTITUTION to protect themselves but not to protect the average AMERIKAN citizen. We should’nt live in fear of the government but the government should fear us. Lawrence O’donnell spoke the truth but their is still censorship within the media either spoken or written. If smoke signals were used, FEDERALISM would control that too.
As for HEMP, there is absolutely ZERO legitimate reasons it should be prohibited. Any other decision, besides legalizing and regulating HEMP, would be entirely ignorant and blatantly harmful. This IS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE. Even IF we keep pot illegal there’s NO f**king reason HEMP should be illegal. We should be VERY FORCEFULLY sending our message that HEMP MUST BE, not should be, completely legal. So legal that people should be REQUIRED to grow the sh*t. Get your as*es together Congress or we’re gonna have some t-r-o-u-b-l-e!!!
I believe that’s the best segment on TV I’ve seen to date that reveals the blatant hypocrisy of our elected officials.How’s it feel to have a handful of rock salt thrown on your clean sheets congressmen? The earthquake has happened and the tsunami is inevitable now, for sure.I believe I’ll be looking for higher ground congressmen, how bout you? I think it’s about time we turned your workplace into a police state,just like you did us,and I mean random drug testing, I want you guys to know how it feels to go into work any day and every day knowing that you can be popped any time and lose your job, career,and future employment all because of lies.All I can say is you congressmen must love to be hated.
While I vehemently agree with his comments and highly support this stance, let us not forget that he is merely a commentator for the FOX news for liberals, a.k.a. MSNBC. He’s not wrong, but will he be listened to for his logic, or ignored for his political affiliations? Here’s to this sparking more support from nationally syndicated media personnel. We need it. Keep it up, Mr. O’Donnell.
Seems safe now for DIMS to pick low hanging fruit…the RIPS & Gov Gary Johnson & the hoary Ron Paul (please teach this man how to wear a suit & tie) are harvesting many voters from the hapless WarBama anti-science mantra of ruse.
Rep. Steven Cohen DIMS has come out for descheduling & dialogue with NORML etc…the ‘war on pot’ has been a frenzy of mass stupidity beyond all human comprehension.
It took a lot of courage for Lawrence O’Donnell to speak about the continued ignorance displayed by the politicians and White House over
reclassifying Cannabis. His comment and plea was one of the more impassioned ones to date; well written and delivered in a clear, honest and intelligent manner.
I have very little faith in our government and in particular those who now occupy offices. It’s not only our President but for the most part most members of the House of Representatives and the Senate. There are some exceptions, but slimy politicians like Lamar Smith from Texas, are
perfect examples of what’s wrong with out country, and in particular the denial of much needed alternative medical options to those who are suffering,
Kudos to Mr O’Donnell,,, well done!!
Kudos to Mr. O’Donnell. Well put
Lawrence O’Donnell is now a hero in my mind! Finally someone in the mainstream news is showing real courage and common sense! I just don’ know how much longer our politicians can continue to show their incredible ignorance and fear-mongering regarding ending this prohibition.
Best 4 minutes about the hypocrisy of our government I’ve ever heard. And all this at the taxpayers expense. Free the truth about cannbis and FREE THE WEED.
@24 Price Charles:
Actually, what he said was: “I don’t care what anybody says the facts are about marijuana, medical, or, otherwise. I’m running for office for pete’s sake!!!”
Just kidding but it’s not that far out there judging by the way he seems to think!
Just wanted to add a voice to the chorus. Mr. O’Donnell is a beacon, an example of how the tide has turned on this stupid, stupid repression of the cannabis plant and the war on those who use it for personal enjoyment or healing. Many of us, including the folks at NORML, have been saying these same things for decades but have been ignored by the mainstream press. To see this rational perspective unabashedly declared on MSNBC makes me smile.
Great stuff. Surprised he did not include the staggering amount of drugs Americans down every day in the form of “legal” prescriptions. What a joke.
@ Jim Livesay,
While I totally agree with the gist of what you sent to your Congressmen, I have to believe that it will get ignored. This partly because of spelling error; that and their aversion to the truth. In particular, there is no such thing as Cannibus; the very topic of your letter. Of course what you really mean is cannabis… My understanding is that people like congressmen (or their assistants) look for reasons to discard anything they don’t like. Spelling and grammar will send the greatest thoughts straight into the trashcan…
That said, I thank you for trying to do your part to end this terrible injustice that so many millions of good Americans have had to endure because of the total idiocy, greed, and hypocrisy that our leaders have perpetrated on us. I’m afraid I’ll be 80 all to soon myself!
Thank you Mr O’Donnell,,,thank you,,,,thank you,,,,thannnnnnnnnnnnk YOUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!
This editorial is in a word: Brilliant!!!!
Email a link to everyone you know!
Re Casualty #32–
Hello my friend. You are right. We should send notes of thanks to O’Donnell–and I just finished doing that.
Way to go my america people.
We almost running our time tonight and BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!
We need all we can get very good turn out tonight.
We may reach about 70,000 signtures tonight.
It doesn’t matter how many signatures we get, Tim .
We are living under a dictatorship .
Here in, Santa Barbara, California the Police under the leadership of Mayor, Helene Schneider pass out citations costing hundreds of dollars to its people . The charges are exaggerated & the Police lie in Court . The Judges & commissioners rule in the favor of the Police only for the purpose of generating income for their corrupted City no matter how many witnesses & documents you show to support your innocence
I’m impressed how direct he was. Hopefully this opened some people’s minds.
The Navy just announced they are discharging dozens of sailors for drug use, most for synthetic marijuana. It’s something they call “zero tolerance”.
On the other hand, the Navy policy on alcohol, cigarettes, coffee and prescription drugs remains “total tolerance”.
I think we need to have a weenie roast on Pennsylvania Ave,but the logistics and expense of such a maneuver would be staggering,,and we are broke.
So join the closest OWS demonstrations,,do not go baked,,do not carry signs saying Legalize pot but instead “end the war on drugs”,,save 440 billion a year or some such slogan.
If you go baked,,you will be the one the news reporter sticks a microphone in your face,,and we have had enough bad representatives on the news,,so no staggering around chanting “Dave’s not here” or playing the bongos.
Thanks, Mr. O’Donnell…. I really didn’t need yet another reminder how insane my country is, be it the refusal to fairly tax the wealthy corporations and individuals to a simply bizarre, insane, ludicrous set of drug policies….
🙁
Now would be a great time for Gary Johnson to run as an Independent on a single issue. He’s a good Republican but we all know he’s not going to get the nomination, he’s probably not even be allowed to attend the Republican convention, much less speak at it. He could make a real difference by drawing off even 2 or 3 percent of the popular vote. That’s 2 or 3 percent Obama and Romney are are not gonna want to forfiet. 2 or 3 percent may decide the next election. Remember the Prohibition show last week, go back and watch about 1 hour into the first episode, the tactics of the anti-saloon league. “THEY DIDN’T NEED A MAJORITY, THEY ONLY NEEDED THE MARGIN THAT SWINGS AN ELECTION, THEY DEIDN’T NEED 50 PERCENT THEY ONLY NEEDED 10 PERCENT TO CONTROL THE STATE”. If we could control 10 percent of the vote a marijuana leaf would be on the dollar bill by 2016.
At a news conference Wednesday, Assembley Man, Tom Ammiano & Senator Mark Leno condemed the recent decision by the four federal prosecutors in California to go after Pot club owners & operators and their landlords as ” illegal drug trafficers “. Ammiano called the move a 1930’s era reefer madness reaction to a substance that enjoys popular support and widespread therapeutic & medical use .
Does anyone know whether we drug test congress? With all the rules they put on us I think we should!
[Paul Armentano responds: Ironically, the only class of public employees that, to date, the Supreme Court has determined may not be legally drug tested are elected officials. See Walker v Chandler.]
When opposers of cannabis regulation say, “States with decriminalization have seen and INCREASE in use”, we should be saying, “But, the number that really matters is the children. And the data has shown no increase, even a potential decrease.” NORML Executive Director, Allen St. Pierre, pretty much covered this point on the Dr. Oz show.
I have a proposal that I would like everbody to consider. Please let your opinion be known about this.
The police, an unfortunate evil necessity, were getting screwed about their contract.
Something all goverment employees have from time to time.
The response they came up with was brilliant.
They came up with the “Blue Flu”. Everybody called in sick oneday. They got their message through.
My proposal is to have a “Green Flu” day.If every toker in America, not just the medical patiences, were to just call in sick for just one “Green Flu” day.
I believe this country would come to screaching halt.
Only one day will be necessary to prove our point. This is OUR country, and I am sick and tired of loosing my rights more and more everday.
Most of you have some sick leave,or maybe this is just to important to loose one day of work.
Can you invision the Feds response to several million people that just called in sick one day.
What ever any of you think, things are not becoming better for us.
The visible and opacue people of the prohibitionists, that need a new kind of wake up call.
Please, if we can get organized, pick a day like stop smoking day.
If enough of us can cordinate this, it will blow their minds at the number of people that don’t go to work for just ONE day.
I get tingly with just the idea of several million people being “sick” for just one day.
Please let me know if this sounds reasonable or not.
The Unpopular Terrorist attack. A day that should live in infamy! May4.org
“Now we know that no one in the Obama administration is stupid enough to actually think [marijuana is as
dangerous as heroin]”. Lawrence O’Donnell
Does the Obama administration include the Department of Justice, FDA and DEA?
I think they are that stupid. And I think there is something dark in the background of this continued prohibition.
If stupid could be colored it would have to be dark because no light has reached this group.
@75 – Great Idea!!! I would absolutely participate if only we can get NORML to get behind us and promote this. It would be fantastic if we could actually get the mainstream news to give their dire warnings about how so many people necessary to our functioning society suddenly called in sick to support this cause.
How about it NORML?
It is a sorry mess. I hope these Politicians who have kept Marijuana Illegal for all these years have to wait outside the gates of Heaven as long as they have made all of us wait to have our weed freedom. God will say, “Turn around is fair Play”. Or Mabey God will let us all slap them in the face as hard as we can to take off the 70 plus years they have oppressed us. What do you say one slap equals ten years. Don’t worry Politicians. I know there are many dentists in Heaven. Ha Ha Ha Ha.
I don’t have a crystal ball but I can pretty much guess what’s going to happen to everyone who calls in sick on Green Flu day. Is everyone sure we can’t just form a voting bloc like the NRA and AARP does. Then it wouldn’t matter if congress wanted to legalize MJ or not, we wouldn’t be asking them, do it or we’ll find someone who will. Next time, probably tomorrow, some jerk decides to buy a gun and shoot a lot of innocent people, take note how many politicians want to take action, again just my guess, zero. Go to a Tea Party rally, these people woke up, cashed their social security check, went to a doctors appointment paid for by a single payer system, hoped on their motorized scooter chair, “which didn’t cost me a penny” and are all readey to protest socialism. Meanwhile people who want to pull a weed out of the ground and smoke it keep taking it up the you know what. Why is that.. Like the guy said, since 1968 support for legalization has gone from 12% to 50% 1969 to 2011, in the Senate it’s gone from 0 to 0. I could care what my Senator wants, I don’t work for him, he works for me.
I can’t believe that not a word from the drug warriors over that slap in the face.
Not a Judge,prosecutor defending themselves,not a drug warrior one. TMK
#75 Michael B Says:
“My proposal is to have a “Green Flu” day. If every toker in America, not just the medical patiences, were to just call in sick for just one “Green Flu” day. I believe this country would come to screaching halt.”
In Theory, that’s a great idea. It’s also called a general strike. Even if every toker AND every anti-prohibition reader here were to call in sick OR not buy anything on that one given day and that action of civil disobedience did not have the desired disruptive effect immediately, it would ultimately be disruptive regarding the predictable employer response.
In Practice, that predictable employer response would be a new massive program of employee drug testing, a policy of zero tolerance, and culling the tokers from their work force. The actual national unemployment rate is greater than 20% — nobody these days is irreplaceable. That predictable employer response would also be disruptive, but not with the desired results.
After reading most of these comments,i am happy to see so many supporters for this cause…i fully understand your pain..i will do everything in my power to help chsnge these non sense laws..i hope to one day link up with all of my mary jane lovers and rejoice..hey u never know..we got to believe..but until then puff puff give and be safe…
Check this out,
a good argument, to a nice tune…
#81 David76
Yes,of course its just theory. and yes there will be repercusions. But the things your warning about already excist.Drug testing and zero tolerance have already been used as terror tools for a long time now.
OK, lets go through some worse case scenarios.
Nothing happens,no media,no news, oh well just another day.
Small business, 50 employees or less. Generally speaking, it is the business that will hurt. Sure they fire everybody that walked out. One big problem. To replace them, some might be Crafts peolpe that aren’t to easy,if at all,to replace.
Now heres the rub, they now have to interview prospects,reading applications,having people come in for interviews,time will be spent deciding who to consider. Then after all that they now have to train a new person.
This all takes time and money away from their regular business.
Now lets say that same company has to do business with a company that is also undermaned or closed.
Overall, yes people will lose their jobs, but as with any war there will be casualties.(we already have thousands in jail)
Bluntly, if your not willing to stand for what is right, not just your rights, screw you.
Now back to business. Even large companys can’t handle a one day walk out. Let say Walmart fires everybody that walked out. First off, it cost them a fortune to rehire all those positions. Then I don’t about you but there are of other places to shop. They may not want that much bad publicity.
Then there’s the big one,unemployment insurance.I have had a business in both WA & CA. If you fire someone who called in sick for one day,first you will have to show cause or you,the business owner, will have to pay for their unemployment insurance. That is a pretty far out on the limb to go, just because someone called in “sick”.
My whole theory is, if their are truly 10-20 million people who want an end to the “war” on citizens. Then I believe we could be heard so loud, the rest of the world would put it on their news! Now that would be cool!
Whatever happens , if we don’t start being together in the streets, They know they got us, one by one.
@81 – After thinking about it for a while, I ultimately came to the same conclusion that you did! What is most likely to happen if we all called in sick, as a form of protest, is that employers nationwide would take a look at who called in sick. They’d all be subject to random testing for the rest of their employed life…
Even though this is one of many things I wished, initially, that NORML would get behind and promote, in afterthought I realize that doing so would probably hurt our cause more than help it. NORML might even run into legal troubles as a result of promoting this or any other kind of similar acts of protest…
Our society doesn’t work the way I wish it would or could. NORML is probably correct in trying to play the system the way it actually is. The cold hard truth is that the people in charge care a great deal more about who sends them money than who gets hurt. So, we must find legal ways to hurt them in their pocketbooks; which is painfully slow without major $$$ players helping us out. I really wish all these rich celebs that are known to endulge in our favorite herb (like Lady Gaga for example) would help the cause more…
The governments’ insistence on continuing cannabis prohibition despite it being an absolute failure clearly shows just how ilrepresented the average American is right now, especially considering the recent polls that show 50% are in favor of full legalization. What right does a democratic government of the people, for the people, by the people have to deny what 50% of its population wants? Or are they only counting the votes from the 1% who seem to always have things in their favor?
WOW, This is a news clip that I’ve been waiting to hear. Those are the facts in this clip. It really bothers me to think that are leaders are still saying the same bullshit that Harry Anslinger would say. It would be a great increase in our budget if marijuana was legalized.
Between January and September 2009, there were 5,874 drug-related murders in Mexico, an almost 5 percent increase over 2008 (5,600).” Approxaimate total 60,000
deaths
Source:
United States Department of State, Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, “International Narcotics Control Strategy Report: Volume I, Drug and Chemical Control,” (Washington, DC: U.S. Department of State: March 2010)p. 432.
http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/137411.pdf
(2009 – harms of prescription drugs) “Each year offers new examples of injuries and deaths caused by untoward dangers in prescription drugs. Prominent illustrations from recent years include Vioxx, a popular arthritis painkiller that more than doubled the risk of heart attacks and strokes,6 a risk that lingered long after users stopped taking the drug;7 “Phen-fen,” a diet drug that caused heart damage;8 and Propulsid, a drug that reduced gastric acid but also threatened patients’ hearts.9 Once information on these side-effects became known to the public, the manufacturers of each of these drugs stopped selling them and, eventually, paid millions or billions of dollars to settle claims for resulting injuries.10 Merck, for example, having withdrawn the profitable Vioxx drug11 from the market in 2004, settled nearly 50,000 Vioxx cases in late 2007 for $4.85 billion.12 In 2009, Eli Lilly agreed to plead guilty and pay $1.415 billion in criminal and civil penalties for promoting its antipsychotic drug, Zyprexa, as suitable for uses not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”).13 These cases may be among the more prominent, but they represent just the tip of the iceberg of damage caused by prescription drugs.”
Source:
Owen, David G., “Dangers in Prescription Drugs:
(2009 – annual causes of death by cause)
Cause of death1 Number
All causes 2,436,652
Cardiovascular diseases 779,367
Malignant neoplasms 568,668
Drug induced2 37,485
Suicide 36,547
Motor vehicle accidents 36,284
Septicemia (infections) 35,587
by Firearms 31,224
Accidental poisoning 30,504
Alcohol induced 23,199
Homicide 16,591
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) 9,424
Viral hepatitis 7,652
Cannabis (Marijuana) none
#81 David762
Wow! Dave your right! Losing your job to fight for your rights would be a bummer.
If I recall, some 800,000 Marijuana Victoms not only lost their jobs but are in jail. Just this year.
With your logic, we might as well just roll over and piss on ourselves.
Even if we all voted for that one special person.
Your Vote doesn’t matter.
Do some reading, start with the electoral college. Then read up on our new $8 billion voting machines. The ones that have no accountabity or paper trail.
It is not just the pharms or alcohol, even though they are a big part, imagine all the suddenly unemployed law enforcment folks. Whether they agree with you or not, they to are not going to give up their jobs for your rights.
On May 4 1970, in response to war protestors, the National Guard,under orders, fired into not only the protestors,but at students also.
67 shots in 13 seconds. Killing 4 and wounding another 9. Of those shot, 11 of the 13 were shot in the back or side.
Even with a recording of the order to shoot, is available, the goverment still will not admit any wrong doing.
I don’t have any proof, but I am sure in my mind that Americans have been shot over marijuana to.
As for me. I will tell my boss why I’m taking the day off. And who knows, because of me maybe he’ll close his store for support to.
I am spreading the word as best I am able-
trying to reach those that are not already in favor,
as ~most of the viewers of this awesome site are…
copy and paste and hit up business/economy discussions with this, if you would be so kind.
spread the word, please
I am not interested in any more hardships because of stupid policies which damage life.
thanks,
Ben
—–
They should consider the revenue of undoing cannabis prohibition:
~50% of the visible public are for it, in spite of its vilification and stigmas
http://reason.com/poll/2011/10…
the largest organization of doctors (35,000) in California wrote this about it:
http://www.cmanet.org/files/pd…
take a few minutes, hit the link and scroll down and watch the few minute clip
http://blog.norml.org/2011/10/…
read about it, and comment, here:
http://lrmjd.blogspot.com/
#84, #89 Michael B
#85 Don
Our entire system of government has been corrupted (imvho) beyond redemption — illegal overseas wars, domestic police state, their war against their own citizens regarding drugs, private for profit drug testing, court-ordered rehabilitation, private for profit prisons / slave labor camps, draconian civil & criminal asset forfeiture, illegal indefinite detention, torture, & extrajudicial assassination of citizens.
I am of that age that saw Kent State students murdered by National Guard, so I fully understand the ramifications of public protests & civil disobedience. A one-day ‘strike’ will be ineffective and only illuminate a new group of citizens to persecute. A better idea, which is more anonymous and likely far more effective is a nation-wide boycott — We the People have been stripped of citizenship in favor of being treated like mere consumers.
When We start being very selective of that which We consume, it hurts crony corporations the only way they feel pain — in their quarterly fiscal bottom line. Buy local foods, buy appliances & vehicles & whatever else We can Used instead of Shiny New, use local Credit Unions instead of TBTF Banksters, etcetera. Such boycott actions hurt everyone, but especially the Monopoly Capitalists, who have been waging Class War against We the People for generations.
I agree that Electronic Voting Machines have robbed We the People of our voices at the ballot box, but that is no reason Not To Vote. But why Vote for the very same Monopoly Capitalist shills of both Lame Stream political parties that have forsaken We the People? I would recommend that everyone Vote, but Vote for 3rd party candidates — and We do still have the option of Writing-In our candidates of choice, which bypasses the EVMs & leaves a definite ‘paper trail’, and if possible Vote by Mail (Absentee Ballot) early.
Throwing most of these incumbent political bums out of office would be a good start, but by no means a final solution. We need public-only financing of political candidates, direct voting with the power of recall, eliminate the Electoral College, Instant Run-off Voting in both primaries & general elections, prosecution of influence peddling by public officials, and a prohibition of corporate ‘personhood’.
I will be the first to admit that I don’t have all the answers, but after nearly 60 years in this incarnate lifetime I do have a sense of what direct actions work and which ones don’t.
to David762 & others.
Thanks for all the thinking. I think some great stuff & not just whining is where it’s at.Probably more than once will be needed. I think we all believe we need to do something more physical to show our desires. We all know something needs to be done by us. It would be nice to get some support from certain groups, but if we can’t, we just need to remember, we are already a group. A bunch citizens getting screwed by their own goverment.
Again, I think with all the instant communication and photo ability. We should be watching them as close or closer then they watch us. Who knows, maybe one of their kid’s deals at school. Just remember their people to, and we all have skeletons in our closet’s.
I think we just need an alternitive game plan then voting for that one person.
Good thoughts followed by some solid action, will definetly do good. Let’s do something! Just let me know when and where.
Let us never foget… May4.org
I really don’t know how it could have been said any better – so – I won’t.
One last comment re. the phony “Mommy War”: I was surprised that no reporters seemed to pick up on the crucial word in Ann Romney’s response to Hillary Rosen’s comment. The operative word is not “work,” it’s “choice.” Regardless of Ms. Rosen’s perhaps unfortunate wording, she was definitely on the right track — hundreds of thousands of American mothers DO NOT have the “choice” of whether or not to stay home with their children, but must work outside their home (as well as within it) in order to feed their children and to try and make ends meet. None of the privileged 1%, including Ann Romney, has ever had to make that painful choice; just by virtue of that single comment, she has put herself outside of the common experience of working mothers in this country (who oftentimes can’t even afford an occasional babysitter, much less live-in help).