This message is about Human beings, Democracy, UNHCR, Refugees, The Iraqis,
Islam, Kurds, Human rights, Respect, Money, Donations, Angelina Jolie,
Pavarotti, Giorgio Armani, Donors, Peace, History, Campaigns and about you if
you care about these words.

Hi there,

I am SAM, an Iraqi refugee living in Lebanon at the moment; I have spent the
last 10 years of my life as a refugee registered with the UNHCR in Beirut. The
last 4 years, I have spent as an activist for peace and human rights (especially
refugees and asylum seekers) on the Internet; I'm also books author and ebooks
publisher. I have launched many campaigns to improve our situation as refugees
in Lebanon and hopefully bring more understanding to our problems worldwide. I
helped make many changes and improvements at the UNHCR office in Beirut; I used
the Internet as the field for my activities (you can read more about that in my
free ebook 'MY CAMPAIGNS'). All my ebooks are free and could be download from my
sites.

This is my newest campaign, it's about the illegal and humiliating actions of
the UNHCR, who using photos of refugees as banners and human-buttons to collect
money. This is an abuse of the dignity and humanity of the refugees and must
stop immediately and a clear public apology present by The United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees. My friends, I am talking about the pictures you can
see here:
http://un77.topcities.com

Where you can read the rest of this message as web page.

For more info about UNHCR and life of refugees you can read my free ebooks. I
invite you as fellow humans and members of the world community to support my
campaign by reading my article on my site and see the human-buttons. The
campaign is to support and improve the UNHCR http://www.unhcr.ch especially
after the last scandals in the UN and UNHCR, just for example:

The refugees allege that UNHCR staff is selling most of the food items they are
supposed to be supplied.
"They aren't supplying sufficient food to us because they sell most of the food
items," they allege: http://allafrica.com/stories/200503140214.html
  Here is another example: Burmese Refugees Withdraw Protest Against UNHCR 
http://www.mizzima.com/archives/news-in-2005/news-in-april/12-April05-22.htm
Together we will build better world.

You could reach me fast via this form: http://www.unhcr.us/email_me.htm and if
you like to know more about me, you can google for my name 'osam altaee'.

Thanks
THE TRUTH WARRIOR
http://sitepalace.com/un4
  http://www.unhcr.biz

Sept 10th 2:00 pm - ?
The Consulate General of Canada
Two Prudential Plaza
180 North Stetson Avenue

Hope to see you out there,
Rich

So what can I do?   And I did write two letters to the inJustice Minister.....

mike

http://www.pot-tv.net/ram/pottvshowse3919.ram

Pot-TV

Prince of Pot: Marc Needs You!

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK! DEA INVADES CANADA!

All my life I've felt destined to represent all the people of the
cannabis culture and now I face my greatest battle. I need your help
and your voice. I need your financial contribution. I need you to
write the Canadian Justice Minister.

I am not afraid. I am proud of all my extensive work on behalf of
this wonderful culture. I have fought our oppression with full
cognizance that consequences of arousing the DEA are dire. But I am
unbowed. I am unapologetic. It is a revolution to overgrow the
government, to liberate our people from the gulags.

Marijuana is the most beautiful plant ever bequeathed to the people,
and the marijuana people are my people, and I am extraordinarily
honored to be your spokesperson.

For every thinking person here in this group, this is a must read
and a must to send to every other newsgoup you know of.  If we
do not unite in our war AGAINST the war on entheogens, our
world and our freedom to expand our consciousness will be
ended before we know it.  Already, the New World Order is
gearing up for CODEX and the elimination of herbs, vitamens,
and other supplements - everywhere.  Look at what has
happened with mushrooms in the UK a month ago?  If you value
your freedom  (legal or otherwise) to smoke the gift of God to
mankind, in the form of the tree of life, marijuana, that which has
more benefits than all other plants on the planet; if you value your
freedom and want to show you CARE about the future of your
own freedom to expand your mind, then you must read this and
do what it says on the bottom: write a note and express your
outrage.  Use an old greeting or holiday you have laying around
in a desk - one you didn't send to or forgot to. use that one and
just cross off the happy, sentimental words and insert unhappy
words of outrage.  And, remember, before you go to sleep at
night, visualize cancer invading the bodies of those who would
take away our freedom.  The world's mindset can work:  focus
with frequency and intent on Irwin Cotler's cancer - and those of
his ilk to get cancer. Let them try to live life with cancer WITHOUT
the wonderful plant of life - marijuana - to aliveate their pain, as
they are creating more pain in millions of people by trying to take
away the gift from God: marijauna and other entheogenic plants
like it!

Here are two websites that offer entheogenic auctions.  Learn to
use them - very soon all enthegenic types of items will be
forbidden on ebay.  Look at all the plants now illegal in Louisiana
as of three weeks ago ...salvia divinorum and SO MANY
OTHERS - do you want this to happen to your state?  DO you
want a mandatory five year prison sentence for posessing salvia
or a morning glory seed?  Wise up, everyone!

http://www.shroombay.co.uk/index.php

http://www.420auctionz.com/


and HERE IS WHAT YOU MUST READ:


Is Irwin Cotler Is A True Canadian?

Irwin Cotler is coming to Vansterdam, get your signs ready!!!!
FROM SECURITY TO SOCIAL JUSTICE

Canadian Jewish Congress, Pacific Region and Jewish
Community Centre of Greater Vancouver present the Honourable
Irwin Cotler, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.
Talk to follow by a Q&A period featuring a panel of B.C. Federal
Cabinet Ministers. Monday August 15, 7:30-9-15pm, Wosk
Auditorium (950 W. 41st Ave). Free admission, info
604-257-5101.
According to News Reports, the Canadian Justice Minister, Irwin
Cotler had to sign an OK to allow the American search warrant
and arrest of Canadians Marc Emery, Michelle Rainey & Greg
Williams. These arrests are planned to be part of extradition
orders against all 3 Canadians, to have them tried under the
harsher more Draconian American Laws!
Also, after falsely claiming Pot TV "Man of the Year Title" Irwin
Cotler went onto attempt to tear Pot TV Manager Chris Bennett\'s
family apart, signing an extradition order for his Wife Renee Boje,
mother of their 3 year old son Shiva, virtually sentencing her to a
ten year or more prison term for allegedly watering medical
marijuana plants in the USA.
One wonders how a man so familiar with cultural scapegoating
and persecution would be overcome with the same sort of evil
he started out to fight against.
Write Irwin Cotler and tell him you are "shocked" at his decision
to extradite Renee Boje, Marc Emery, Michelle Rainey, Greg
Williams and to allow US Raids in Canada.
Hon. Irwin Cotler, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of
Canada, 284 Wellington Street, Ottawa ON K1A 0H8 --
cotler.i@...

Newshawk: Herb
Pubdate: Sat, 30 Jul 2005
Source: CTV (Canada Web)
Copyright: 2005 CTV Inc.
Website: http://www.ctv.ca/
By: CTV News Staff, with a report from CTV Vancouver's David Kincaid
Video: 3:14
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1122737445185_60/?hub=CTVNew\
sAt11
Note: The American, shown in the video, is Richard Cowan of
http://www.marijuananews.com/  Please see his special reports about
this DEA directed raid in Canada at http://www.marijuananews.com/
Cited: B.C. Marijuana Party http://bcmarijuanaparty.com/
Cited: Pot-TV http://pot.tv/
Cited: Cannabis Culture http://www.cannabisculture.com/
More: Related News Clippings Are At http://www.mapinc.org/find?196
(Emery, Marc)

DEMONSTRATORS PROTEST PRINCE OF POT'S ARREST

About 200 people rallied in Vancouver on Saturday to protest the
arrest of three B.C. Marijuana Party members, including leader Marc Emery.

One demonstrator sarcastically told CTV News Vancouver: "I'm an
American, and I just wanted to visit our latest colony and see if all
our Canadian slaves are behaving in a properly respectful way,
because that's really what happened yesterday -- the Canadian police
became a branch of the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency)."

An upside down U.S. flag had "DEA Go Away" scrawled on it.

The RCMP arrested Emery on Friday, after police in Vancouver raided
his marijuana seed and paraphernalia store.

U.S. authorities requested the raid.

Along with Emery, Michelle Rainey-Fenkarek, financial agent for the
party, and Greg Williams, an employee of Pot-TV, face American
charges of conspiracy to manufacture marijuana, distribute seeds and
engage in money laundering.

Neil Boyd, a Simon Fraser University criminologist, thought the case
raised some sovereignty questions.

"I think you have to put aside Mr. Emery and his politics and look at
the bigger issue, which is, to what extent should Canada alter its
priorities and resources with respects to policing cannabis?" he told
CTV News Vancouver.

"To what extent should we extradite people to face penalties that are
substantially more than we would impose?"

If convicted in the U.S., Emery could face a sentence of life in prison.

Emery is spending the weekend in a Halifax-area jail. The authorities
will transport him to Vancouver on Tuesday.

He runs a mail-order website that distributes marijuana seeds to
clients in a variety of countries, including the United States.

He had gone to the East Coast to speak at a music festival that
raises funds for the organization Maritimes United for Medical
Marijuana. Emery is not expected to be charged or appear in court in
Nova Scotia.

Known as "The Prince of Pot," the leader of the B.C. Marijuana Party
has been a vocal advocate for the legalization of marijuana.

In 1994, Emery opened a Vancouver-based store called Hemp BC selling
marijuana paraphernalia. Police raided his store in 1996 and again in
1998, confiscating his entire stock.

After those raids, Emery opened the mail-order business selling the
seeds. He also publishes "Cannabis Culture" magazine and runs "Pot
TV" on the Internet.

He ran for mayor of the city of Vancouver in 1996 and again in 2002,
coming in fifth place.

In 2004, Emery served a 90-day sentence in a Saskatoon jail for
passing a marijuana joint.

Emery's operation on West Hastings houses a hemp shop, a book store,
the headquarters for PotTV and the operations behind an
Internet-based seeds sales company.

According to police, Emery's seed business rakes in about $3 million a year.

In Need Of Weed We Can Help.

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Just email us at HelpingHandsHelpingTheHelpless at yahoo . com

Newshawk: Please Help Keep DSW On Line www.drugsense.org/donate.htm
Pubdate: Fri, 3 Jun 2005
Source: DrugSense Weekly (DSW)
Webpage: http://www.drugsense.org/dsw/2005/ds05.n402.html
Website: http://www.drugsense.org/current.htm
Note: Below is the Table of Contents for today's issue of the DrugSense
Weekly. Please use the links below to access the DSW sections.

DRUGSENSE WEEKLY, JUNE 3, 2005 #402

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

* This Just In http://www.drugsense.org/dsw/2005/ds05.n402.html#sec1

(1) 9th Circuit Splits On Resentencing (2) Supporters Of Drug Smuggler
Suspected In Embassy Attack (3) Former DA Gets Five Years On Federal Charge
(4) Parents Add Drug Tests To Shopping Lists

* Weekly News in Review http://www.drugsense.org/dsw/2005/ds05.n402.html#sec2

Drug Policy

(5) Police Oppose Youth Bill (6) Police Pursuing Leads In Slayings (7) Drug
Users Bank On You (8) Purdue Pharma, H.D. Smith Plan Test Of Electronic
Tracking Of Drugs

Law Enforcement & Prisons

(9) Substance Seized In Drug Arrest Proves To Be Laundry Detergent (10)
Corruption Crosses The Border With Agent Bribes (11) 5th Lawman Involved In
Beatings Sent To Jail (12) OPED: System's 'Back End' Neglected (13) County
Officer Certified To Stop And Search Trucks

Cannabis & Hemp

(14) Milton Friedman: Legalize It! (15) Law Chief Wants Life Term Imposed
(16) Corby Pardon Talk Unhelpful: PM (17) Paraphe-Nail-Ya (18) Doctor
Speaks Out Over Cannabis Ruling

International News

(19) Cebu's Vigilante Killings Rise To 59 (20) Police Intensify Anti-Drug
Campaign (21) Build A Road, And We'll Stop Planting Marijuana Villagers
(22) China Admits Drug War Is Failing

* Hot Off The 'Net http://www.drugsense.org/dsw/2005/ds05.n402.html#sec3

American Style Drug War Begins In China? / By Loretta Nall

MPP Job Openings

The MarijuanaNews World Report / With Richard Cowan

O'Reilly Factor Sides with the Alliance on "Snitch" Bill

NORML Comments On Pending Supreme Court Medical Cannabis Ruling

Cultural Baggage Radio Show

* Letter Of The Week http://www.drugsense.org/dsw/2005/ds05.n402.html#sec4

Cut The Red Tape Around Medical Pot / By Rick Steeb

* Feature Article http://www.drugsense.org/dsw/2005/ds05.n402.html#sec5

The High Cost Of Marijuana Prohibition / By Bruce Mirken

* Quote of the Week http://www.drugsense.org/dsw/2005/ds05.n402.html#sec6

Frank Zappa

Pubdate: Fri, 20 May 2005
Source: National Post (Canada)
Copyright: 2005 Southam Inc.
Website: http://www.nationalpost.com/
Author: Anne Marie Owens, National Post
Cited: internet websites: http://www.schapelle.com/
http://schapellecorby.com.au/ http://www.dontshootschapelle.com/
http://www.baliboycott.com/ http://www.freeschapelle.com/
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Schapelle+Corby
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

DRUG SMUGGLING TRIAL GRIPS AUSTRALIANS

Interest Hits Fever Pitch As Verdict Expected Next Week in Indonesia

AUSTRALIA - She has long been the water-cooler topic du jour here, her
plight the focus of everyone from Australia's highest politicians to the
humblest labourers, but last night Schapelle Corby was finally afforded the
kind of treatment for which her case seems tailor-made.

In the manner of the top-rated Australian Idol and Dancing with the Stars,
the young woman accused of smuggling drugs into Bali was the subject of a
reality-TV-style show, which assembled a studio audience to vote on whether
she was innocent or guilty, then tallied up the votes of callers watching
across the country.

It was just the latest bizarre twist in a case that has gripped Australia
in a way that seems more reality-TV than real.

And while the "randomly selected" studio audience voted overwhelmingly,
91%, for Ms. Corby's innocence, the reality of her situation will only hit
home when a panel of Indonesian judges renders a verdict next week.

The 27-year-old from Queensland's Gold Coast was charged with drug
trafficking after Indonesian customs officials discovered 4.1 kilograms of
marijuana in her body-surfboard bag. She maintains her innocence and says
her only crime was not putting locks on her bag to protect it from tampering.

Prosecutors are seeking life imprisonment, although there is the remote
possibility the judges could sentence her to be executed by firing squad.

The inherent drama of the situation has not been lost on the Australian
public, which has made this case, and its repercussions, a national obsession.

The story has spawned T-shirts, hats and a wide range of Free
Schapelle-themed paraphernalia; her case has been the focus of impassioned
discussions by thousands in Internet forums, radio call-in shows, and at
local pubs and clubs. On the Internet alone, there are sites called Free
Schapelle, Don't Shoot Schapelle and the Schapelle Corby Support Site.

Supporters range from a man planning to launch a remixed version of the
Beatles' Let It Be as a fundraiser, to a travel agent who says he will
never send another client to Bali if Ms. Corby is found guilty, to Aussie
actor Russell Crowe, who used his appearance on a talk show recently to
decry the government's lack of action on the case.

For a nation accustomed to seeing its reality-TV stars bare their souls for
the cameras, Ms. Corby is ideal: She is a long-haired attractive surfer,
with a perpetual little-girl-lost demeanour in interviews. She is seen
either as a happy-go-lucky woman jolted from the reality of working in her
mother's takeaway fish and chip shop or as a skittish young woman
ill-equipped to handle the harsh rigours of the Indonesian prison system.

Her emotional outbursts have made for riveting media coverage: She
collapsed en route to the court hearing during the trial; she broke down in
tears on the stand one day, sobbing she did not know how long she could
cope with the stress of her imprisonment; and she delivered a rousing plea
for mercy to the judges on the final day of submissions.

"My life at the moment is in your hands, but I'd prefer it if my life was
in your hearts," she said, her voice breaking, in a brief, tearful address
that has been played over and over again on television and radio shows
dedicated to the story.

Her plea to her own Prime Minister, John Howard, was similarly impassioned:
"Mr. Howard, as a father and as a leader, I plead for your help. I did not
do this. I beg for justice."

On last night's reality-TV special, Schapelle's Nightmare: The Untold
Story, journalist Liz Hayes, who interviewed Ms. Corby in jail late last
year, said there's no doubt the young woman's looks and raw emotions have
bolstered support for her at home.

"Schapelle Corby is displaying real tears and real fears," she said.

"She is wearing her emotions on her sleeve.... The reality is there are
many Australians in Bali jails and we have never heard of them, and will
never hear of them."

Regardless of the outcome of next week's judgment in Bali, it is unlikely
to be the last that Australia hears of Schapelle Corby.

Hey everyone, we just started this movement and are trying to gain
support for all of the medical marijuana bills that are in front of so
many states right now.  Help us make marijuana legal all around the
world and buy a THINKGREEN band.  By two and give one to your
friends.  By 100 and use them as a fund raising effort (we'll give you
a discount).  Let's make this a global movement that unites all of our
efforts....www.thinkgreenband.com.

Newshawk: Please Help Keep DSW On Line www.drugsense.org/donate.htm
Pubdate: Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Source: DrugSense Weekly (DSW)
Webpage: http://www.drugsense.org/dsw/2005/ds05.n397.html
Website: http://www.drugsense.org/current.htm
Note: Below is the Table of Contents for today's issue of the DrugSense
Weekly. Please use the links below to access the DSW sections.

DRUGSENSE WEEKLY, APRIL 29, 2005 #397

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

* This Just In http://www.drugsense.org/dsw/2005/ds05.n397.html#sec1

(1) US Again Dismisses Lax Ganja Talks (2) US AL: Medical Marijuana
Legislation Approved By House (3) Drug Czar Plays Defense (4) US CA:
Editorial: DEA On The Wrong Trail

* Weekly News in Review http://www.drugsense.org/dsw/2005/ds05.n397.html#sec2

Drug Policy

(5) 1 In 5 Teens Abused Prescription Drugs (6) 'Generation Rx' Label
Dazzles Media (7) Ecstasy's Lost 'Its Panache' Among Teens (8) Drugstore
Chain Under Fire In Sales Of Pseudoephedrine

Law Enforcement & Prisons

(9) U.S. Prisons Swell In '04 (10) State Tops In Prison Population Increase
(11) System Strained As More Women Are Imprisoned (12) Tazewell County
Sheriff Says Time Article Misleading

Cannabis & Hemp

(13) Full House For Pot Club Hearing (14) Some MDs Recommending Marijuana
For Medical Use (15) Pot Charge Pains Mom (16) Grow Ops -- An Inside Look
(17) Film Star Russell Crowe Jumps To Corby Defence

International News

(18) Expanded RP-Sino Cooperation Vs Illegal Drugs Sought (19) Ex-Con Shot
Dead While Asleep (20) Afghan Farmers Defy U.S. Opium Clampdown (21)
Abbotsford May Ban Needle Sites

* Hot Off The 'Net http://www.drugsense.org/dsw/2005/ds05.n397.html#sec3

DrugSense Virtual Conference Room Schedule

Drug War Casualty Statistical Graphs Updated

Ephedra Buzz / By Jacob Sullum

Tea Break / By Jacob Sullum

Cultural Baggage Radio Show

Marijuana News World Report For April 28th 2005 / By Richard Cowan

Science, Not Politics, Should Govern Medical Research, Says ACLU

Cannabis Use Not Associated With Injury Among Trauma Patients

* Letter Of The Week http://www.drugsense.org/dsw/2005/ds05.n397.html#sec4

Meth Laws Proven Effective / By Mett Ausley

* Feature Article http://www.drugsense.org/dsw/2005/ds05.n397.html#sec5

What's The Drug Czar's Problem? / By Stephen Young

* Quote of the Week http://www.drugsense.org/dsw/2005/ds05.n397.html#sec6

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/happy_420_tent_campers


This group is a national Group for people who like Camping and smoke
pot like you, by Tent, Car, or Pop up trailers and love to have some
great times with close cyber friends!
  Real Camping with experienced Campers or beginners wanting info. Come
Learn the tricks and ins and outs of Camping. ( and other
things..)From a Road trip camping in Tents, to Pop up Campers, that
are  a little bit more basic. It's Camping As It should be. Don't
bogart the blunt, just puff puff pass around the Cyber camp fire, in
the largest network of friends (we all know it's important to have
connections with the same ideas in mind!) Let's make this a large
helpful data base of very Good Friends, fun, nature photography,chat,
Food, drink, fun, .. and at 420 (and maybe a little green bud stinky
skunk smoke.. passed around the camp fire..grin) Let's build one group
with great connections!
All wrapped up in a great REAL Camping list.
There is never any spam,  as this list is moderated for spam
protection, as all my lists are.
I'm a responsible member of NORML.org. Legalize it!
please have a full yahoo profile when joining, or you will not be
approved until that is done correctly and honestly. just basic !.
age.. region and what ever name you want. Don't want any little kids
on here. No cops, and never any spam!
This is an adult Campers lists. no flames,  just respect, 420, drink,
peace, happiness and love!
See you all on the cyber road of camping fun, here at The real happy
Campers list!
I'm in west Tn, I would love to meet people in the AL, MS, TN, GA, Mo.
I hope to see you there!... Let's make it happen!
R.J.

http://www.e-thepeople.org/poll/23540/view

The US is the #1 consumer, grower, and importer of marijuana. The US
Government has been waging a war on its own people for well over 30
years now, doing more damage then the drug itself. This is a war on
us, not the drug. The government keeps locking up and killing its
own people over this plant that is more abundant then ever before in
America's history. As the marijuana grows so grows the prison system
The land of the free is not free! We hold 25% of the world prison
population behind bars. We have incarcerated 5% of the American
population, 80% being non-violent criminals. Are you so blinded by
the US Governments marijuana propaganda that you think marijuana
prohibition is really working? Or would you like to see fewer
prisons, and better funded schools, and hospitals? (15 votes)

(Smokin2u, 3/17/05)

Set Us Free 93 %

Build more Prisons 7 %


Total Votes:  15


  This poll is not scientific and reflects the opinions of only those
Internet users who have chosen to participate. The results cannot be
assumed to represent the opinions of Internet users in general, nor
the public as a whole.
http://www.e-thepeople.org/poll/23540/view

--- In MASHAction@yahoogroups.com, "Richard J. Rawlings"
<richard.rawlings@s...> wrote:
>
> Do you think cannabis should be made legal
> http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/hottopics/cannabis/medical.shtml
>
> Should states be allowed to legalize medical marijuana without
> federal legalization?
> http://www.collegiatetimes.com/index.php?url=76

Do you think cannabis should be made legal
http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/hottopics/cannabis/medical.shtml

Should states be allowed to legalize medical marijuana without
federal legalization?
http://www.collegiatetimes.com/index.php?url=76

WILL WE SEE YOU AT A CONFERENCE?

*********************PLEASE COPY AND DISTRIBUTE*************************

DrugSense FOCUS Alert #302 - Wednesday, March 2, 2005

As an internet based organization DrugSense folks - the volunteers and
activists who make us what we are - seldom meet unless it is at a
conference. This year there are two superb conferences. We hope to see you
at one, if not both.

Below is a message from Keith Stroup about the NORML conference as well as
an agenda.

The second conference is:

The 2005 International Drug Policy Reform Conference "Building a Movement
for Reason, Compassion and Justice"

November 10, 11, & 12, 2005, Beginning with a reception on the evening of
November 9. Westin Hotel, Long Beach, California

More details on this conference will be available in the months ahead. We
have been told that there will be a limited number of scholarships
available. The web link about this conference is
http://drugpolicy.org/events/dpa2005/

**********************************************************************

2005 NORML Conference: Register now ... rooms going fast!

Dear NORML Supporter,

Hurry up! Do not delay in booking your room and pre-registering for the
2005 NORML conference in San Francisco, March 31 - April 2, 2005. NORML's
staff informs me that we've already sold 150% of the organization's
allotted discounted room block at the Cathedral Hill Hotel.

If you don't want to miss out staying at the conference hotel, call
1-800-622-0855 (use the code: 'NORML'). We've still got great nightly deals
on hotel rooms in downtown San Francisco at $99/standard and $109/deluxe!

To learn more about NORML's 2005 conference, checkout:
http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6437

What can you expect at NORML 2005?

The wider world knows Rick Steves as one of America's most successful
travel authors and a popular TV show host. This year's NORML conference
keynote speaker aptly serves as NORML's world ambassador, passionately
advocating for a sane cannabis policy encompassing legal and responsible
adult use. Rick is a generous, funny, famous and deeply moving speaker. I'm
so very glad that he's accepted the director's invitation to speak at NORML
2005.

Expect speakers such as: NORML's new executive director Allen St. Pierre,
Drug Policy Alliance's Drs. Ethan Nadelmann and Marsha Rosenbaum, medical
marijuana activists Angel Reich and Diane Monson (the 'dynamic duo' whose
pending US Supreme Court decision in their landmark case has the marijuana
law reform movement waiting on pins and needles); also featured at NORML
2005 are numerous and informative panels for cannabis consumers
highlighting physicians, lawyers, medical and health researchers,
representatives from medical marijuana dispensaries, cultivation experts,
young and seasoned activists, High Times Magazine editors and members of
NORML's staff and national board of directors.

Over two dozen drug policy reform organizations are represented, including:
Drug Policy Alliance, Canada NORML, Efficacy, Americans for Safe Access,
Vancouver Island Compassionate Club, Marijuana Policy Project, MAPinc,
DrugSense, ReConsiDer, Common Sense for Drug Policy, Students for a
Sensible Drug Policy, CHEAR, DRCNet and many others.

Since 1972, NORML's annual conferences have become THE central place for
the marijuana law reform movement to meet, build community and strategize
on the ways and means to successfully bring an end to marijuana prohibition.

Pre-register online for the conference by visiting:
https://secure.norml.org/conference/

Also, you can call 202-483-5500 and register over the phone.

I look forward to seeing many old friends and making new acquaintances at
NORML 2005 in San Francisco<one of America's most cannabis friendly cities.

Regards,

R. Keith Stroup, Esq. Of Counsel (and NORML founder)

p.s. The entire NORML staff just booked flights from the Washington,
DC-area to San Francisco for under $200/person. Very affordable flights
still remain into San Francisco and Oakland from all over the US and Canada.

If you're driving to the NORML conference from CA, WA, OR, NV or from
wherever, and staying at the Cathedral Hill Hotel, parking is free. Bonus!

**********************************************************************

NORML Conference Agenda as of 2 March from
http://www.norml.com/index.cfm?Group_ID=6440

Wednesday, March 30

6:00 - 8:00pm Early Conference Registration and Happy Hour

Thursday, March 31 First Day

9:00-9:90am Welcome - Steve Dillon, Esq., Chair, NORML board of directors

9:20-9:40am Cannabis Convocation - Allen St. Pierre, Executive Director, NORML

9:40-11:00am 2004 Pro-Cannabis Initiatives: The Review

Alaska (TBA)

Oregon/Lee Berger, Esq.

Montana (TBA)

Massachusetts/Steve Epstein, Esq.

Columbia, MO - Med Mj. Initiative/Sterling Neeb - Decrim. Initiative/Dan
Viets, Esq.

Detroit and Ann Arbor, MI/Timothy Beck

Oakland - Judy Appel, Esq.

Moderator: Dominic Holden, WA NORML/ Sensible Seattle

11:15-1:00pm Drug Policy Reform: Taking it directly to the people

Jack Cole, LEAP

Roger Goodman, Esq., Voluntary Lawyer Comm.

Nick Eyle, ReConsider

Mikki Norris, Cannabis Consumer Campaign

Keith Saunders, Ph.D, MassCANN/NORML

Moderator: Clifford Thornton, Efficacy/ NORML national board of directors

2:00-2:30pm Teens and Drugs: Reports from the Field

Marsha Rosenbaum, Ph.D, Deputy Director, Drug Policy Alliance

2:30-4:00pm Cannabis Prohibition Victims: Recent, Current and Prospective

Diane Munson, Raich/Munson v. Ashcroft)

Valerie Leveroni Corral, WAMM, national NORML board of directors

Angel Raich, Raich/Munson v. Ashcroft

Brian Epis

Todd McCormick

Marissa Garcia

Moderator: Steph Sherer, Executive Director, Americans for Safe Access

4:00-6:00pm Breakout Sessions

Student Activism: Stoking the Reefer Revolution

Christopher Mulligan, CHEAR/national NORML board of directors

Scarlett Swerdlow, SSDP

Abby Bair, SSDP

Josh Manning, Univ. of FL NORML

Matt Jones, Univ. of FL NORML

Moderator: Kris Krane, Associate Director, NORML

Police Tactics: Don't Become a Statistic

Anthony Feldstein, Esq.

Omar Figaroa, Esq.

Peter Vilkelis, Esq.

Vaporizers & FDA Research: The Future of 'Smoking' Cannabis

Rick Doblin, Ph.D, MAPS

Moderator: Dale Gieringer, Ph.D, Director CA NORML

6:30-9:00pm NORML/High Times Annual Art Auction and Activist Awards

Friday, April 1 Second Day

9:00-9:45am Challenges and Opportunities in Drug Policy Reform - Ethan
Nadelmann, Ph.D Executive Director, Drug Policy Alliance

9:45-11:00am In the Cross Hair: Medi-pot Docs

Tod Mikuriya, M.D.

Frank Lucido, M.D.

David Bearman, M.D.

Mollie Fry, M.D.

Claudia Jensen, M.D.

David Hadorn, M.D.

Phil Denny, M.D.

Moderator: Fred Gardner, California Medical Marijuana Research Group

11:15-1:00pm Marijuana and Good Health: Who Knew?

Robert Malamede, Ph.D, University of CO

Donald Abrams, MD, University of CA, SF

Mitch Earlywine, Ph.D, USC

Greg Carter, M.D.,University of Washington

Moderator: Dale Gieringer, Ph.D, Director CA NORML national board of directors

1:00-2:30pm Luncheon and Keynote Speaker:

Rick Steves, Best selling travel author, TV show host and NORML Advisory
Board member

2:30-3:15pm Cannabis Arrest Report and Use Analysis

Jon Gettman, Ph.D. Former NORML Director; Fellow, George Mason Univ.

3:15-4:00pm High Times' History of The 'Bud' Shot: A Pictorial and Cultural
Anthology

Steve Bloom, Senior Editor

Richard Cusick, Senior Editor

David Bienstock, Senior Editor

4:00-6:00pm Breakout Sessions

Cannabis Cultivation: The How, Why and for What

Kyle Kushman, High Times

Moderator: Chris Conrad, ChrisConrad.com

Medical Marijuana: State of the Law From the Pros

William McPike, Esq.

Lee Berger, Esq.

David Michaels, Esq.

Moderator: William Panzer, Esq.

Hemp: A Fruitful or Frightful Future?

Eric Steenstra, Votehemp.com

Jack Herer, The Emperor of Hemp

Moderator: David Bronner, Dr. Bronner's Soaps, HIA

8:00-10:00pm Cannabis-oriented Entertainment

Saturday, April 2 Third Day

9:00-10:00am Registration Desk Open and NORML Product Sales

10:00-11:15am Drugged Driving Tests: The Science and Policies What You Need
to Know-Right Now!

Dale Gieringer, Ph.D, CA NORML

Ed Orlett, Drug Policy Alliance of Ohio

Caren Woodson, Drug Policy Alliance

Moderator: Paul Armentano, Senior Policy Analyst, NORML

11:15-12:00pm Drug Policy: Then and Now

Arnold Trebach. Ph.D Founder of the Drug Policy Foundation, Trebach Institute

12:15-2:00pm Oh Canada! Separating Myth From Reality

Richard Cowan, marijuananews.com

Moderator: Phillipe Lucas, VICS, Canada NORML

3:00-4:15pm Lessons Learned: Cannabis Prohibition and Censorship

Michael Gray, Common Sense for Drug Policy

Michael Aldrich, Ph.D

Marsha Rosenbaum, Ph.D, Deputy Director, Drug Policy Alliance

Debby Goldsberry

Mikki Norris, Cannabis Consumer Campaign

Moderator: Keith Saunders, Ph.D, MassCANN/NORML

4:15-6:00pm The Future is Now: Growing Grassroots Online

Allen St. Pierre, Executive Director, NORML

Dave Borden, Executive Director, DRCNet

Steven Heath, MAPinc

Matt Elrod, MAPinc

Moderator: Richard Cowan, former NORML Director, marijuananews.com

8:00-??? $75/person private benefit for NORML and the NORML Foundation

**********************************************************************

Prepared by: Stephen Heath http://www.mapinc.org/resource/maf_bio.htm

Newshawk: NORML Conference http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6437
Pubdate: Fri, 25 Feb 2005
Source: DrugSense Weekly (DSW)
Webpage: http://www.drugsense.org/dsw/2005/ds05.n389.html
Website: http://www.drugsense.org/current.htm
Note: Below is the Table of Contents for today's issue of the DrugSense
Weekly. Please use the links below to access the DSW sections.

DRUGSENSE WEEKLY, FEB. 25, 2005 #389

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

* This Just In http://www.drugsense.org/dsw/2005/ds05.n389.html#sec1

(1) Street Price Of Cocaine Falls Despite U.S. Efforts (2) U.S. Seeks
Colombian Help On Drugs (3) Study: Marijuana Slows Alzheimer's Decline (4)
Harvard Seeks To Test Ecstasy Drug On The Dying

* Weekly News in Review http://www.drugsense.org/dsw/2005/ds05.n389.html#sec2

Drug Policy

(5) Attorneys General Step Into Pain Prescribing Debate (6) ONDCP Trial:
Seifert Takes the Stand (7) Prepackaged News Gets GAO Rebuke (8) Drug Court
Pioneer Under Fire (9) Virginia House OKs Emergency Clause For Methadone
Moratorium

Law Enforcement & Prisons

(10) Campbell Officers To Plead Guilty (11) Autopsy: Gray Hit 5 Times By 3
Shots (12) State Wants Former Inmate To Pay Cost Of Incarceration (13) Is
State Going Overboard?

Cannabis & Hemp

(14) Vermont Senators Sign On To Marijuana Bill (15) Highlights Thursday
  From Texas Legislature (16) State Will Issue ID Cards To Medical Marijuana
Users This Summer (17) On Secret Tape, Bush Implies He Used Marijuana (18)
Liberals To Debate Legal, Taxable Pot

International News

(19) Ban On Death Penalty Stays, But Not For Drugs, Kidnapping (20) Inmates
Undercut Drug War (21) 'Laughing Gas' Sale Could Be Curbed (22) U.S. Bounty
Hunters Sentenced In Kidnapping

* Hot Off The 'Net http://www.drugsense.org/dsw/2005/ds05.n389.html#sec3

Educate Illinois Media About Medical Marijuana

An Audio Web Chat With Dr. Sasha Shulgin and Ann Shulgin

Cultural-Baggage Radio Show

Job Openings At MPP

White House Drug Czar Launches Blog

Blogger's Head Explodes

Web Site Looks At Marijuana Use By Students

Walters Testifies On Illnois Medical Cannabis Act

Dr. Hunter S. Thompson - Another Inspiration Gone

* Letter Of The Week http://www.drugsense.org/dsw/2005/ds05.n389.html#sec4

'Drug Testing Is A Bad Idea' / By Harold Caldwell

* Feature Article http://www.drugsense.org/dsw/2005/ds05.n389.html#sec5

Remember Nguyen Tuong Van? / By Gary Meyerhoff

* Quote of the Week http://www.drugsense.org/dsw/2005/ds05.n389.html#sec6

Hunter S. Thompson

Hello,

We are sending this message to invite those of you who have had an
out-of-body experience to participate in an on-line web survey
regarding their experiences, beliefs and perceptions of their body.
We are particularly interested in out-of-body experiences induced by
cannabis use. The questionnaire will take 20 minutes to complete.
Once the research data has been analysed we hope to be able to
report patterns in people's body experiences. We will make the
results of these analyses available to interested respondents in the
near future.

If you would like to know more about the study before participating
please contact me.

The questionnaire can be found at the web address below:

http://www.psy3.man.ac.uk/projects/s12-04.htm

Best wishes,

Craig Murray

__________________________________________________
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Newshawk: Herb
Pubdate: Fri, 07 Jan 2005
Source: Washington Post (DC)
Page: A17
Copyright: 2005 The Washington Post Company
Contact: letters@...
Website: http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/491
Author: Ceci Connolly, Washington Post Staff Writer
Cited: Government Accountability Office http://www.gao.gov/
Cited: Office of National Drug Control Policy
http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/ONDCP (ONDCP)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/campaign.htm (ONDCP Media Campaign)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/propaganda (Propaganda)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/corrupt.htm (Corruption - United States)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Drug+Czar (Drug Czar)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/walters.htm (Walters, John)

DRUG CONTROL OFFICE FAULTED FOR ISSUING FAKE NEWS TAPES

Shortly before last year's Super Bowl, local news stations across the
country aired a story by Mike Morris describing plans for a new White House
ad campaign on the dangers of drug abuse.

What viewers did not know was that Morris is not a journalist and his
"report" was produced by the government, actions that constituted illegal
"covert propaganda," according to an investigation by the Government
Accountability Office.

In the second ruling of its kind, the investigative arm of Congress this
week scolded the Bush administration for distributing phony prepackaged
news reports that include a "suggested live intro" for anchors to read,
interviews with Washington officials and a closing that mimics a typical
broadcast news sign off.

Although television stations knew the materials were produced by the Office
of National Drug Control Policy, there was nothing in the two-minute,
prepackaged reports that would indicate to viewers that they came from the
government or that Morris, a former journalist, was working under contract
for the government.

"You think you are getting a news story, but what you are getting is a paid
announcement," said Susan A. Poling, managing associate general counsel at
the GAO. "What is objectionable about these is the fact the viewer has no
idea their tax dollars are being used to write and produce this video segment."

In May, the GAO concluded that the Department of Health and Human Services
violated two federal laws with similar fake news reports touting the
administration's new Medicare drug benefit. When that opinion was released,
officials at the drug control office decided to stop the practice,
spokesman Thomas A. Riley said.

"Our lawyers disagree with the GAO interpretation," he said. Nevertheless,
if the video releases were going to be "controversial or create an
appearance of a problem," the agency decided it was not worth pursuing, he
said.

The prepackaged news pieces represent a fraction of the anti-drug messages
distributed by the office, Riley said. Production and distribution of the
video news releases cost about $155,000.

Riley said broadcast stations were fully aware they were receiving
materials akin to printed news releases that producers could "slice and
dice it however they want."

In one video, titled "Urging Parents to Get the Facts Straight on Teen
Marijuana Use," news stations were provided a script for the news anchor.
It reads: "Despite the fact that marijuana is the most widely used illicit
drug among today's youth, many parents admit they're still not taking the
drug seriously. Now, the nation's experts in health, education and safety
have joined the Drug Czar to speak directly to parents about the very real
risks of teen marijuana use. Mike Morris has more."

After interview snippets with "Drug Czar" John Walters, who heads the drug
control policy office, and other experts, the story closes with the
voiceover: "This is Mike Morris reporting."

In another, the announcer appears to be "reporting" on a news conference by
drug control officials, when "in reality, they are just paid to say a
script," Poling said. "In essence, they're actors."

The drug control agency distributed at least seven prepackaged news reports
to 770 TV stations. At least 300 news shows used some portion of the
materials, though it was impossible to determine how many aired the full
prepackaged story or just portions such as "sound bites," Riley said.

If the videos had been identified as coming from the federal agency, that
would have been legal, Poling said. But the television package looks like
authentic independent journalism.

"The critical element of covert propaganda is the concealment of the
agency's role in sponsoring the materials," GAO wrote to Rep. Henry A.
Waxman (D-Calif.), who requested the Jan. 4 report.

"It is illegal to use taxpayer dollars to influence public opinion
surreptitiously," Waxman said yesterday. "Unfortunately, this is the second
time in less than a year that GAO has caught the Bush administration
violating a fundamental principle of open government."

Note: forwarded message attached.


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