Monday, August 1, 2005

John Bolton to the U.N. In a recess appointment, John "Got Milk?" Bolton has been appointed U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. His job will be to straighten them out, or piss them off, or dismantle them, or something to that effect. How much do you want to bet that there's one part of the U.N. that Bolton will decide is working just fine? 10:01:54 PM |  drug policy | Links | permalink | comment []

Alcoholic Father Disappointed in Pothead Son At the Onion 9:11:45 PM |  drug policy | Links | permalink | comment []

Drug War results in Mexico show what awaits us? We helped train some of these criminals as part of the effort to go after drug lords. We made criminal drug trade profitable. We're not only losing the drug war, we are fueling violence through prohibition. Link NUEVO LAREDO - Warring Mexican gangs stepped up the urban battle in Nuevo Laredo late last week, prompting the U.S. ambassador in Mexico City to close the consulate in this border town that terrorized citizens compare to a war zone in Baghdad. The pitched battle -- with bazookas and grenades -- was so fierce that after the shooting a house at the fighting's center was riddled with holes the size of melons. Part of it had collapsed. A building across the street was pocked with holes, indicating a response with heavy weapons. Hundreds of bullet casings from AK-47 assault rifles and other weapons littered the street. Cars, many with Texas plates, lay like victims, their windows shattered and their bodies scourged by bullet holes. 8:59:46 PM |  drug policy | Links | permalink | comment []

DEA finds some drugs in Afghanistan Link No need to track down drug traffickers or deal with the hard work of ripping up plants in the fields of Afghanistan. Opium is so plentiful in that country, that the DEA could pick up 20,000 pounds of it in the offices of the provincial governor. A bit embarrassing, don't you think? Still nobody willing to state the obvious -- the drug war is a failure there (as well as here), and needs to be scrapped. 8:47:49 PM |  drug policy | Links | permalink | comment []

The future for Emery Kirk Tousaw has a good overview at Cannabis Culture on the future proceedings in the Marc Emery case. Here's the real interesting part: When it comes time for the Canadian courts to decide on the extradition: One of the key sections is 44. That lists reasons why the Minister SHALL NOT order surrender: 44. (1) The Minister shall refuse to make a surrender order if the Minister is satisfied that (a) the surrender would be unjust or oppressive having regard to all the relevant circumstances; or (b) the request for extradition is made for the purpose of prosecuting or punishing the person by reason of their race, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, language, colour, political opinion, sex, sexual orientation, age, mental or physical disability or status or that the person's position may be prejudiced for any of those reasons. Obviously we will be arguing that both subparagraphs apply. Marc is a victim of political persecution and the US system is the poster child for unjust and oppressive laws. Another reason the Minister may deny surrender is if it would shock the Canadian conscience. There's a long way to go on this case, and it's going to cause some waves. Additional note: Loretta Nall needs help. 8:00:08 PM |  drug policy | Links | permalink | comment []

Some early Marc Emery reactions In the London Free Press: America Targets Emery The arrest of Canadian pot activist Marc Emery is being used to advance the agenda of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, a London friend charges. "Someone needed to made an example of (him) to further the agenda of the American drug enforcement agency," said Teresa Tarasewicz, co-owner of the City Lights Book Shop. OpEd by Connie Fogal, Leader, Canadian Action Party The arrest of Marc Emery and two others on July 29, 2005 in Canada to serve the questionable USA War On Drugs is a wake up call for Canadians. Marc Emery is a serious activist promoting the legalization of Marijuana use in Canada. The significance for Canadians of his arrest is not about anyone's personal attitude to the legalization of marijuana. The significance speaks to the core of being Canadian, being a sovereign nation, being able to make decisions we choose in our interest, in our own time, on our own terms. From an article by Dana Gee in the Vancouver Province: SANTA MONICA -- Tommy Chong thinks the Drug Enforcement Agency's plan to prosecute pot advocate Marc Emery should go up in smoke. The former Vancouver resident and one-half of the stoner comedic partnership of Cheech and Chong was shocked when told of Emery's trouble with the DEA. "They're going to extradite him down to the [U.S.] for something that's not really a crime in Canada," Chong said at a party here Friday night. "If Canada goes for that, they really suck." Last year, Chong ran afoul of the U.S. war against drugs when he was jailed for nine months after being found guilty on one count of conspiring to sell drug paraphernalia across a state line. "Look what happened to me for a bong," said Chong. "Imagine if I had a seed in it -- I'd still be in jail. "The DEA, their budget, it depends on pot busts. Pot busts are the simplest, because we are the most harmless. "What they did to me and what they are doing to a lot of people is violating their civil rights. What they are really looking for is diversion -- these guys are up to their eyeballs in wars and thievery, Haliburton and Enron." 8:48:29 AM |  drug policy | Links | permalink | comment []