On Friday, February 18, The Seattle Times ran an editorial endorsing HB 1550, a bill introduced by Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson that would tax and regulate marijuana in the state of Washington. The editorial was thoughtful, reasoned, and logical. Apparently, the Office of National Drug Control Policy doesn’t appreciate this kind of rabble-rousing.
As reported today in The Stranger, The Seattle Times received a call immediately after they ran their editorial from Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske, who wanted to fly out to the Emerald City and personally meet with the entire editorial board. This meeting will take place on Friday. Please join us in requesting The Seattle Times live-stream their important and unprecedented meeting with the Drug Czar.
Beyond the obvious chilling of First Amendment rights implicated by an executive official making such a request, one can only assume that Czar Kerlikowske is making the cross-country flight on the American taxpayer dime. At the very least, Czar Kerlikowske will be ‘bullying’ the editorial board on the clock, meaning the taxpayer is paying for him to do this. Considering we’re paying for his flight and his meeting, we should at least be able to sit in via the Internet! In the interest of a transparent government, please join us in requesting that this meeting be streamed live via the World Wide Web.
Oh, and you’ll be pleased to know that The Seattle Times is not backing down in their support of HB 1550 in light of Czar Kerlikowske’s request.
I find it reasureing that Some jornalist are sticking to their Princaples. Kudos to the seattle times.
Excellent! And I hope somebody tells Gil to get another job, perhaps extracting snake venom in the Congo.
I hope they simply told him to stick it up his old ass and get concearned about something that IS a real issue like, say cigarettes? Why is this something to be over looked? And what about all those goddamn liquor commercials? Isn’t that “sending the wrong message to the children”? This grave dodger just doesn’t want to admit that hmmm, maybe those smelly hippies were right! He’s a loser all day…fucking hypocrite
He is earning his bread from D.C. now. Seattle is all in the past, and he doesn’t give a lick about it other than using his connections back in Seattle and office to make himself look better. He’s become a carpetbagger, and in this situation he is not looking out for the longterm interests of people. Odds are that he has no intention of returning to Seattle, and will likely retire somewhere else. So what the hell does he care.
Old Dutch saying:
Wiens brood men eet, diens woord men spreekt.
Whosever bread you eat that’s whose words you speak.
There are alot of corporations” lobbing”,lining Gil’s pockets,for his insane views. Its all about the $$$$$ people,we are secondary as always.
What’s the mission statement of a drug czar and why is Gil Kerlikowske running around Col. el-Qadaffi-like, to the Emerald City, to meet with the newspaper editorial board?!! On the taxpayer’s dollars?!!
Gil Kelikowske may accidentally get his brain back if he meets with the Seattle Times.
I really hope that they air the meeting. It is going to be funny to watch the drug czar either lie through his teeth or stumble all over himself trying to defend lies. The journalists just need to sit back and say the truth. A very easy position to defend. Have fun guys, I know I would.
It will be interesting to see what this guy says after he is no longer Drug Czar.
Go Seattle Times!
Stand up for more than ‘the people’, stand for reason and truth and you will stand for all of humanity!
The Gov spending tax payers dollars on propaganda is unconstitutional. It is time to hold our ground.
The Seattle paper will have drug czar for lunch. GOOD LUCK, talking to the drug czar is like beating a dead horse. No offense to horse lovers.
If they put in on the internet Gil will have an emergency and cancel. Obama has to come out soon and go for legalization. He will lose in 2012 if he does not grow some balls.
I live in a draconian police state-TEXAS-so all of this sounds great to me. I will move when freedom rings.
Mega grow stores are sprouting like Wal-Marts. Coming soon to U.S., super grow stores with everything for beginner growers for your gardens and kitchen windowsills. I want to create edible foods, drinks and beverages using cannabis plants along with my medicinal plants.
Cannabis blends with hot cocoa, cannabis blends for wine making, and teas.
How can you stay calm when reading about Gil’s phone call. If this article is true and I have no reason to doubt it, maybe our freedoms really are going down the tube. I mean, we all know that Kerlikowske spells asshole, but this protest and possible meeting with an editorial board smacks of a Government over-reach that should be stomped on by any free-thinking populace. This is outrageous.
I swear to you, the biggest threat to our constitution is our own government. Our forefathers knew this would eventually be the case. I hope the Seattle Times tells the drug czar to take that Feb. 18th editorial, roll it up, and shove it up his ass!
isn’t it called freedom of speech and we are protected? Drug Czar/Bug Czar
get a life and and read what the ppl want not what your $$$ lobbying Corporations will give you to protect them.
That’s right we have no freedom, no rights… only temporary privileges which can be taken away at any time.
You have freedom of speech, as long as you don’t say the wrong thing.
Dissolve the ONDCP….down with the Drag Czar, Gail Kerlikowski!
It should be LAW that their meeting be broadcast over the internet. He is gonna go in there and threaten their jobs if they dont stay quiet about legalization. Its the voters fault though for falling for the government lies. We had a chance to pass Prop 19 in CA and we didnt do it. People actually think that our elected officials care about the people. Soooo naive
Yes I am sure both Chemical petrol and big pharma are both squirming That the American public would dare even try to regain their own birth rights to a natural non toxic plant.This is a plant that could in many ways save humanity from environmental destruction and Monopolies who seek to control our government with the money we gave them because they have made illegal the publics natural alternatives to their crude and chemical pharma.=with their FORCED MONOPOLIES
This douche bags is controlled by big money just like all of the other blow hards in Washington.
There is no question that several big industries would be seriously effected marijuana were made legal. Most, if not all of these industries have lobbyists.
So, if the administration wanted to persuade a conservative newspaper to editorialize in favor of, say, the Obama health-care plan, that would be wrong, too?
I realize you’re all too close to this issue to think rationally, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with the government trying to sway opinion in the media. Happens all the time.
It’s just that this time you have a dog in the fight.
Let them know you support them!
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/flatpages/services/contactus.html?from=stnv
opinion@seattletimes.com
Takes just ten seconds to let them know how you feel!
Gil is welcome anytime to visit my high school science class. They will school him, up and down, sideways in their knowledge of pot. Bring it on Gil!!! Lies, Lies and more lies. What a waste of money. Our tax dollars at work!!
If He Flies All The Way Across America To Try To Bully The Editorial We As Citizens Should Protest That We Want Our Money Back For The Trip Expense Along With The Pay That Is Being Compensated.
The Editorial Really Needs To Web Cast This… It’s The People Right To See First Hand What The Government Is Capable Of When It Comes To Being A Bully To Their Own Citizens.
This Will Open People Eyes.
GIL, they’re gunna eat your LUNCH !!!!!!!!!!!! Liars deserve nothing. Eventually you will get Caught!!!!!! in the lie to your own American Citizens! We do not live in Libya!! We serve for our country, we pay our taxes and we vote! It is time for the truth!!!! Can you handle the truth Gil !!!!!
I hope the meeting is streamed over the internet to see what the feds have to say about legalization, or any threats to withhold federal highway funds like they’ve used in my state to scare off any soft support at the polls.
If Gil Kerlikowske acts in any way Col. el-Kaddafi-like, the Democrats lose to legal cannabis in 2012, because we’re at the tipping point with 46 percent nationwide polls and probably higher than that with unemployment in double digits.
Anybody aware of KOPBUSTERS?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3Fu4YVH8nA
neither was I until I saw this. THIS SHOULD BE FRONT PAGE NEWS!
Sign the dam petition and lets shove it in his face. This is what the people will is and that how we roll.
NOW STAND THE F### UP PEOPLE! They are not interested in justice, truth or us.
http://www.change.org/petitions/citizens-demand-national-debate-for-the-legalization-of-cannabis
I hope we can see for ourselves what our Drug Tzar has to say to independent media.
We are seeing the protests in Wisconsin largely going unreported now by the major corporate news. So, this independent high viability pro-cannabis article must be a serious issue to cause the Drug Tzar to have to come personally to sequester the board.
Democracy only works when we have a free and independent media. Looks like our official position is that all media must be embedded with the troops who are fighting the war on cannabis and American cannabis freedom.
Perhaps revolt isn’t such a bad idea for America after all didn’t we just hear that profits for many banking institutions are at 3 times the record levels this year? That is while many are jobless, homeless and now possible one less independent media-less.
Perhaps the only thing that will change the slow and steady march towards what i see as plutocracy rising is to kick them in the financial balls.
Remember that no one has been put is jail for wrecking our lives with financial fraud at the highest levels of our financial world so there are crimes that go unpunished and people who defend that sort of hierarchy.. But Cannabis-crimes against that plutocracy get an all expense paid trip to shut independent vices up and how!
Oh and a plug for my humble site California2012.org I try and post the news as i find it. Feel free to read the idea of the Five Things for California. Together we will overcome!
Cannabis prohibition is doomed to failure, as it is based on a series of total “un-realities”, which no amount of repression can make “real”. Cannabis is NOT physically addictive as it lacks a documented physical withdrawal syndrome, the so-called “gateway drug theory discredited as invalid, much touted by the DEA drug Marinol is not at all the same as medicinal cannabis, smoking Cannabis does not increase the risk of lung cancer, and cannabis use suppresses violent behavior. These are REALITIES! To further say that Cannabis plant does not have medicinal properties is simply delusional and is a complete “break” with “reality”. If anti-Cannabis repression by the DEA and its allies were to be intensified, the rate of alcohol, cocaine, opiates, other hard drugs, alcohol, and dangerous prescription drugs would increase sharply. Neither the DEA, not its minions can make people perceive Cannabis as “unsafe”, where is in reality it is quite safe, much safer than alcohol and other alternatives. With the rise of the use of alcohol/hard drugs, the amount of violence and mayhem in this society will also rise, something that every mother and wife should consider. In these hard economic times our so-called “representatives” do not even dare talking about cutting the bloated DEA budget, especially its so-called “marijuana” enforcement, while they are willing to discuss cutting everything else. This is because the DEA and its minions are very good with attaching labels, and no one wants to risk being “labeled” as “soft on drugs”! The employment drug tests have a potential of “screening out” “Picassos”, and Lady GaGa’s, and Willie Nelsons, but letting people like Charlie Sheen and Mel Gibson slip through (if the employers are “lucky”). And to say that Cannabis Plant does not have medicinal properties is simply delusional! Cannabis prohibition, as based on glaring scientific and philosophical “un-realities” and can never succeed in the long run!
of course he’s upset. If the town he comes from legalizes right after he leaves, he will look like a fool and tarnish his entire career. That’s why he’s personally going there, so he doesn’t suffer a defeat. Legalize Seattle. Don’t listen to the archaic, draconian refer madness!!!
DdDddrrrrr im stupid and cant tell the truth… I am a puppet and love having my strings pulled. Especially my butthole one. Hope the citizens of Seattle have their life time supply of KY that I supplied ready because Satanclause is coming to town…
this is all good news, papers running adds directly contradicting the drug war. The czar wanting a private meating to resway there opinion, and now that is public info ,everyone knows. So if the paper were to change there stance public fourm or no we will know why.If that happens i suggest a boycout of anything having somthing to do with that paper. As far as the press being swayed by govt. to print there wanted lies, this not a first, and in my opinion defenatly not the last time for theses actions. Anyone with diffrent thoughts on that fact is living w blinders on.As far as our freedoms they have been trampled since long before i was born so no shock there. The reall question is when will we all stand together and end this travisty that has been occuring for the last 70 years or so. Everyone do youre part vote, protest, never surrender, one day we will be victorious keep up the good fight.
The pharma drug pusher is just afraid of losing his job.
We the People say yes to change, the DEA employee says no we can’t have it or a debate about it. The DEA would like to keep it’s Constructive Fraud intact and around our necks. You could comply or you could sign on with the rest of us to say real clear to the Government, NO WAY EMPLOYEE! Sing this demand for a debate and let him know that bullying will get him no where.
http://www.change.org/petitions/citizens-demand-national-debate-for-the-legalization-of-cannabis#?opt_new=t&opt_fb=t
Obama to meet mith Mexico president. Maybe they will discuss legalization?
Jesus said to do unto others as we would have them to do unto us. Hopefully Mr. Kerlikowske will give that some thought, now that he’s in a position to help put an end to the jailing of Americans for something as mild as marijuana. None of us would want our child thrown in jail with the sexual predators for using a little marijuana. None of us would want to see our parent’s home confiscated and sold by the police for growing a couple of marijuana plants to ease the aches and pains of growing older. It’s time to stop putting our own families in jail. It’s time to let ordinary Americans grow a little marijuana in their own back yards, and it’s nice to see our culture coming to terms with this in a more wholesome fashion. This will go a long way toward putting the criminal drug gangs out of business for good!
He is required to do all in his power to halt all attempts at legalization of any schedule 1 drug. Including for medical purposes.
Kudos to the Washington Post. I hope they continue their support. My local news is a joke. They have posted several articles over the past week or so about a Marijana legalization bill in Massachusetts.
They do stuff like ask “is marijuana worse then alcohol?” Then they do not allow comments for the first 3 days. I’m sure they do it because the article ends up getting much fewer comments.
Feel free to add your input. Here’s the link. http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/local/hampshire/Is-marijuana-worse-than-alcohol%3F
so what was the outcome?
Here is the outcome (guess I have to do all the work , just like when I was in the union….)
http://www.tokeofthetown.com/2011/03/protesters_tell_drug_czar_gil_get_with_the_times.php
The hour of our redemption is here. Your patriots have demonstrated an unswerving and resolute devotion to the principles of freedom that challenges the best that is written on the pages of human history. We the People now call upon your supreme effort that the government may know from the temper of an aroused and outraged united people within that they are forced to contend with.
Rally to US. Let the indomitable spirit of California, Oregon, and Washington lead on. As the lines of this battle roll forward to bring you within the zone of opportunity, rise up and strike down this injustice. Strike this injustice at every favorable opportunity. For your homes and hearths, strike this injustice! For future generations of your sons and daughters, strike at this injustice! In the name of your sacred dead, strike at this injustice! Let no heart be faint. The guidance of divine God points the way. Follow in His Name to the Holy Grail of righteous victory over this injustice!
Sign the petition and put the government on notice.
http://www.change.org/petitions/citizens-demand-national-debate-for-the-legalization-of-cannabis#?opt_new=f&opt_fb=t
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