Friday, September 24, 2004

Why does Congress Hate Churches? Drug War Chronicle reports about more bad mandatory minimum drug laws being proposed by Rep. Senselessbrenner in the House. Past history has shown that this is an easy way to score points for being "tough." Time after time, bad laws have been passed that have served to drastically damage our society. However, this time it may not be so easy. And the churches are beginning to come around. In addition to addressing the Tuesday press conference, the United Methodist Church, Progressive National Baptist Convention, Unitarian Universalist Association, and the Church of the Brethren Witness sent spokespersons to the Rayburn House Office Building to present their denominations' official positions denouncing mandatory sentencing laws. But those denominations are not the only ones opposing mandatory minimums. The National Council of Churches, United Church of Christ, Evangelical Lutheran Church, Presbyterian Church (USA), Episcopal Church, and the Union for Reform Judaism also oppose mandatory sentencing laws, though they did not send representatives. Similarly, while the US Conference of Catholic Bishops is on record as opposing mandatory minimums, it did not send a representative because the conference has yet to take a position on either of the bills now before Congress. "The nation's leading religious organizations clearly recognize that mandatory sentencing laws are unjust and ineffective," said Charles Thomas, executive director of the national Interfaith Drug Policy Initiative. "No denominations are known to support mandatory minimum sentencing. Can you think of any other issue on which the moral choice is so clear? Congress must defeat Rep. Sensenbrenner's bill and pass Rep. Waters' bill. It's time to put on the brakes and turn toward justice and compassion." 9:32:16 PM | drug policy | Related  | permalink | comment []

Drug testing in schools - promoted by stupid people who profit SSDP media director Tom Angell made a good catch. He saw a letter in the Metrowest Daily News talking favorably about drug testing in schools, did a little research, and discovered that the writer, Peter Cholakis, is President of Marketing for a drug testing product company! So Tom wrote a letter exposing Cholakis, which was followed by a letter from Cholakis exposing his own stupidity and illiteracy. Read the full letters at D'Alliance. 7:59:42 PM | drug policy | Related  | permalink | comment []

The Soy of the Future At Reason online, Hemp Industry on Fire -- Exploding marketplace stoked by DEA lawsuit by Valerie Vande Panne "Our thinking is that we're in a can't loose position," David Bronner, president of Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps and primary funder of the HIA's legal efforts, tells Reason. "If the government does appeal, it's highly unlikely the Supreme Court will hear the case. If they do take it, it's that much more free publicity for hemp food. If they don't take it, we can focus on marketing and promoting hemp seed and fiber products. Every scenario plays in our favor." The hemp marketplace is already reflecting the publicity garnered by the lawsuit. "In the last year sales have been explosive," Bronner continues, pointing to $10 million in year-to-date sales for the hemp food industry, nearly double what they were in 2003. And what's the market outlook for 2005? "Sales will double again. It's smokin'. People are hot for it." As the Food and Drug Administration warns pregnant and nursing mothers about high levels of mercury in fish and fish oil, hemp seed oil products are expanding, easily replacing fish as one of few significant sources of essential fatty acids. It's a very fascinating article, not only covering the government's deadline in filing their appeal, but in the growth of commercial applications for hemp. Hemp seed tastes great and has incredible nutritional value. If you're interested, check out Alpsnack, Ruth's Hemp Foods, or just Google Hemp Foods. 7:48:15 PM | drug policy | Related  | permalink | comment []