Drug WarRant Saturday, June 12, 2004 Police to let England Fans Smoke Dope Not back from New York yet, but I couldn't resist posting this one from the Sun... ENGLAND fans will be allowed to smoke dope before Sunday’s crunch clash with France — to keep them calm. Cops in Lisbon plan to crack down on drunk supporters while turning a blind eye to those spotted puffing on a spliff. Pot-smoking fans have been assured they will not be arrested, cautioned — or even have their drugs confiscated. Last night experts said the Portuguese police’s “Here We Blow” policy would reduce chances of a punch-up between rival fans. Alan Buffry of the Legalise Cannabis Alliance said: “If people are drinking they lose control, if they smoke cannabis they don’t. “Alcohol makes fans fight. But cannabis smokers will be shaking hands and singing along together.” Dutch police used a similar policy in Euro 2000 and England’s hooligan element were too stoned to fight. A Lisbon police spokeswoman said: “If people cause a problem through drugs and become a menace then police will take action. But when this doesn’t happen why should the police be the ones making the fuss?” Exactly. Update: More at LastOneSpeaks 5:53:20 PM | drug policy | Related  | permalink | comment [] Monday, June 7, 2004 Off to New York. Light or no posting for a week. You may remember that I took a group of college students for a theatre tour of New York City in March. Well, now it's time for the community members -- 64 of them, for seven days of walking tours and Broadway shows. We'll be seeing Wicked, Assassins, I Am My Own Wife, Sly Fox, Wonderful Town, and the off-Broadway show Bug. (If you saw the Tony Awards last night, you'll know we picked some good shows. Don't expect much posting this week, but visit the links on the left, particularly some of these. I'll still check my email, so feel free to write and send tips or hate mail. 2:14:50 AM | drug policy | Related  | permalink | comment [] Sunday, June 6, 2004 Odds and Ends Check out TalkLeft on Another Reagan Legacy: Mandatory Minimum Drug Sentences. Filmmakers = get your submissions in for the The 3rd Annual Drug War Vigil Film Festival Tim shares a letter to representatives with his proposal for enhancing state revenues at Guest Drug WarRant. One man has the opportunity to personally talk to the President about medical marijuana, if only for a moment. 9:24:09 PM | drug policy | Related  | permalink | comment [] Hate Mail Can Be So Much Fun... Pete, You're slobby piece of liberal crap. You're entire website is propaganda to the drug free America that so many Government Agents of sacrificed themselves to preserve. You're extreme disrespect towards those fallen souls only shows that you're in favor of getting high and I wouldn't be suprised if you were a drug user yourself. You have NEVER worked in drug enforcement and my money would bet that you've NEVER seen the effects of drugs on inner city streets and the effect it has on kids. I hope you can grow a brain and realize how illogical you are and maybe you'll have respect for this country someday and what employees of the Government do. - T. Erman Captain, US Marine Corps (1987-1994) Police Officer (1994-2002) Dear T. Erman, Well, I guess I may be a slobby(?) piece of liberal crap, and yet, oddly, the only permanent quote on the front page of my site is from noted conservative William F. Buckley, Jr., and the politician I have most recently praised the most is Republican Rep. Ron Paul. I also speak approvingly of libertarian principles. If you think that drug policy reform is just a "liberal" issue, then you should read the FAQ item: I am a conservative republican. Why should I support drug policy reform? I'm still trying to figure out your second sentence. The closest I can get it to read literally (and ignoring the, uh, esoteric use of "you're" and "of") is that you believe that America is currently drug free, government agents have died to keep it that way, and my website attempts to spread the notion of a drug free America. I think you actually mean something different, but I'm just not sure quite what. You also seem to believe that I don't have respect for police and other agents of the government, yet most of my venom has been reserved for the administration and legislators. My Drug War Victims page includes law enforcement officers who have died in this misguided war. In fact, I have great respect for both the police and the Marine Corps, to which you claim to belong. For one, I believe that the vast majority of them are intelligent and literate. I also believe that they require a High School diploma (something you may wish to pursue). And I have a special respect for some remarkable law enforcement officers. Check out these great people at Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), (and see my article about Howard Woolridge) Thanks for your letter. I enjoy hearing from my readers. I'll work on growing a brain, and I'll try to be less slobby. - Pete 8:43:49 PM | drug policy | Related  | permalink | comment []