Archive for June, 2007


Jun 29th, 2007

Cannabis Use

What’s with pot anyway?

What is all the ruckus about this plant? Why do people use it? Why don’ t people use it?

Interesting question to some and a dangerous question for others to consider since the paranoia in America is at an all time high as the enforcement and incarceration rates have sky-rocketed. Some argue that cannabis a dangerous and addictive drug while others disagree, including the scientific research community.

There is compelling evidence to suggest cannabis, one of the most benign substances on earth and compared to the soy bean, is healthy and helpful with a long history of use. Most people disagree with the propaganda that the American government spins and the hurtful prohibition of marijuana, in America and throughout the world. But still others ignorantly fight to continue with draconian drug laws that are ineffective and ruining many lives while funding gangs, violence and kids involvement much as alcohol prohibition did in the 1930’s in America. Why haven’t we learned from our failures with the history of prohibition?

Many not-for-profit groups like NORML, have fought prohibition and for the rights of marijuana users to reform marijuana laws. And individuals are making an impact in states like New Mexico, Oregon, and others including California where proposition 215 was passed at the will of the voters, allowing medical marijuana a chance to get to the people who need it without playing with the black market. Despite what the voters say - the will of the people - the DEA is stepping up enforcement of federal laws and busting dispensaries - displacing patients. Lobbyists from beer companies, pharmaceuticals, religious factions and others continue their mis-guided lobbies against marijuana.

The pro-pot activists are working to legalize, decriminilize, and demonstrate for the truth while the smokers and vaporizers are still using the drug while creating no harm to others. The lobbyists and Bible belters will continue fighting legalization efforts (although the Bible references cannabis multiple times and favorably at that).

Why do people use it?

Some people enjoy marijuana on a recreational basis and believe it’s a civil /personal right. Others use cannabis medicinally to ease pain (including peripheral neuropathy - a type of nerve damage), treat nausea, symptoms of M.S., Parkinson’s disease, A.D.D., stomach ailments/disorders, eye ailments/disorders and the list continues on and on. The Mayo Clinic suggests a conservative approach to medicinal use. And some use marijuana religiously and / or spiritually such as Rastafarian’s. Historically, reefer has been used by people for the above reasons and hemp utilized for thousands of years for many purposes.

Why don’t people use it?

Some may opt not to use marijuana because they don’t enjoy it. Others may find it doesn’t work medicinally for them. Everybody reacts differently to drugs and anything ingested. Another disgraceful reason is fear - the scared and paranoid America. So much anti-drug propaganda has imposed a hideous culture of fear and America has spread this around the globe over the last 60 years. Mis-information, or propaganda has led to ignorance, intolerance and hatred.

Should I use mary-jane?

Cannabis provides clear medical benefits for HIV patients among others. We know it’s a safe drug, especially when methods such as using a vaporizer or eating cooked goods are utilized as opposed to smoking. Although cancer and other respiratory effects are associated with cannabis smoking, there is no doubt that smoking anything is bad for our lungs and harm reduction, in an ironic twist, is a buzzword in a health-conscious cannabis consumer market.

One’s age, addictive nature and personal situation should also play a role in deciding whether or not to use cannabis sativa, or indica. Most people feel that an adult over the age of 18 whom goes to war for his/her country, can purchase beer or cigarettes in many states and is otherwise a law-abiding and responsible person should have the right to use marijuana. A child under 18 shouldn’t have that same right, although if there was a drug they could safely investigate for serious ailments, this drug should be considered. There are children with medical marijuana cards who claim (along with parents, teachers and others) that it’s the only relief they’ve found for their illness. Many of whom would otherwise be on narcotics and living in the foggy, groggy one-size-fits-all pharmaceuticals (and then detox centers) to stay kind of well.

That’s what all the ruckus is about.


Jun 29th, 2007

networks for victory

During WWII it seems almost every convenience was hindered by the war effort. It was a challenge, or so my grandmother has told me over the years. She tells me about getting allotted amounts of meat, sugar and other commodities. Hemming for victory, Betty the airplane builder doing their parts for the effort. American people were behind the war, after all it was for a good cause. The American people were committed because true realities were facing them and could not be ignored. The free world had been provoked and had to take up arms in defense.

A report in June, 2007 paints a very different picture for our modern times. 67% of those surveyed oppose the war in Iraq, but why the lack of support, what makes the American people so adamant that we shouldn’t be involved in this war? Why isn’t the leadership listening?

Its obvious that WWII is in no way similar to the war in Iraq. WWII was a war to defend America and our Allies from the Japanese and German armies. War had been declared on America by these nations, and it was our duty to defend this country. Iraq never declared war on America, and they obviously do not have weapons of mass destruction. The reality is here, and there is no denying that we should not have invaded Iraq. I think i have accepted that and am ready to move on. Anyone else?

Moving on. What are the solutions? Many have been posed, yet we continue to endanger more American and Iraqi lives. Every person with a conscious, who is a true believer in peace needs to preach the reality of the the atrocities that are taking place. American soldiers lives are being lost, or ruined. Innocent children are being killed.

Tell your friends and family how you feel about this situation, and urge them to do the same.

Also, Tell your leaders what you think!


Jun 20th, 2007

9/11 Awakening: Questions for Truth

9/11.

This date invokes an emotional response from many people. And many believe that the events and official answers of 9/11 leave a lot of questions unanswered. What is the 911 Truth? What does ‘aN INsidE Job!!‘ mean? Did we just ‘buy’ what the government and media have fed to us? Why haven’t we asked the questions to seek answers and find proof for ourselves? Are we in denial all these years since that tragic day? Or maybe wrapped up in delusions as Americans living in a Camelot-like capitalist society run a-muck? Are we truly this complacent? Do the so called conspiracy theories surrounding 9/11 and what some call the propagandist ‘war on terror’ and the new world order deserve our attention? Do I need to research this on my own? Should we question the ‘official’ story? Can we deny the vast amount of evidence and odd coincidences?

Many of the answers to these questions invariably bring painful realizations that require a deep look within oneself. Although I initially questioned the official story of 9/11, I stepped in line with the majority soon afterward and questioned what it meant to be ‘patriotic‘. I noticed the bumper stickers, t-shirts and other incendiary propaganda in abundance and still, the message didn’t get through my main-stream-media-enriched mind. I wondered with curiosity as more people started showing dissent - the country was deeply divided and showing signs of stress. Being a father of a newborn baby girl and a son of 4 years of age when the attacks occurred, I felt the need to protect my young family. I, like many, felt fear like never before. I did what I thought all rational Americans and citizens of the world were doing and supported the coalition against terrorists. Was I ignorant for not understanding peak oil, the ignition of a sequential war, a Reichstag Fire scenario or fascism? The ‘you’re either with us or against us’ mentality did not appeal to me, and the war machine seemed to care less about the will of the people. Was I a bad American for being disgusted by the aggressive nature of our assault on people of the world?

“Learning is the only wealth tyrants cannot despoil. Only death can dim the lamp of knowledge that is within you. The true wealth of a nation lies not in its gold or silver but in its learning, wisdom, and in the uprightness of its sons and daughters.”
- Khalil Gibran

I have worked in the construction and building design industry with an architectural firm for over 15 years. I’ve worked on many steel-framed structures and like many of my colleagues, I cannot imagine a total structural failure of this type of construction due to fire. I reluctantly bought the 9/11 Commissions story of the pancake theory to explain how the WTC buildings imploded on themselves demolition style. But I knew it seemed improbable that the World Trade Centers 1, 2 and 7 collapsed because of fire - the first three steel-framed buildings in history to collapse due to fire. Some call this the smoking-gun of the conspiracy. They fell at the speed of gravity and into their own footprint defying logic, physics and the ‘official’ investigation reports. Is the 9/11 Commission Report really full of holes and fallacies? Do we need a federal criminal investigation?

Recently a work-mate suggested that the Pentagon was not hit by an airplane. Having just seen ‘Loose Change‘, he was emotional yet careful in who he discussed these conspiracy theories surrounding 9/11. I remained in denial without giving it further thought. This friend is Iranian and is involved in human rights, political and environmental issues and other worthy causes and one could surmise he is a ‘man on fire’. His convictions are strong and I’ve noticed it scares some people. I’ve always admired the fact that he seemed to care about America, it’s people and people of the world. Why didn’t I listen and consider? Did I doubt him? Then I stumbled upon one of many 9/11 documentaries while I was looking for entertainment on the net (ignorance is bliss). I felt compelled to view these documentaries - perhaps all the ’seeds’ had finally started to sprout within? I was shocked and saddened to the core by the very accusations that are made in these films. I’d never considered all the evidence, odd coincidences or that our leaders - The Bush Administration - could have a complicit role in these awful catastrophes. My awakening had begun and it was ugly.

I had to act immediately and acting without rational, I sent spam to everybody in my email list. While doing this, I realized that I was in fear of potential ridicule, hostility and even of my own government. So I excluded those who might fire me, judge me excessively or otherwise harm me and pushed my worries about ’someone listening’ out of mind. I attached a link to some of the documentaries and sent the above quoted blip about truth passing through stages and stated that ‘we are in denial’. I received only three responses. ‘Unbelievable’ I thought - this is the defining issue of our time and most people cannot or will not face it. My frustration grew and my determination to spread the truth continued. These initial attempts at outreach were warped with anger and emotions and were ultimately ineffective. I became so entrenched and consumed in the conspiracy theories that the turmoil was rendering me useless. I had to deal with it in a productive manner or the threat of a downward spiral was real and the message, or truth, wouldn’t spread because many are turned off such a bold approach.

As stated on 911truth.org:

‘Understanding the full truth of 9/11 seems to require two separate awakenings. The first, awakening to the fraudulence of the “official 9/11 story,” is a pretty simple brain function and only requires a little study, logic or curiosity. The second step, however, consciously confronting the implications of that knowledge–and what it says about our media, politics and economic system today–is by far the harder awakening and requires an enormous exercise of nerve and heart. (As the Chinese say, “You cannot wake up a man who is pretending to sleep.”) In other words, this part of the journey depends more on character than on maps and evidence.’

All truth passes through three stages: denial, violent opposition, then widespread acceptance...we are still in denial.

Since beginning my 9/11 awakening, I’ve learned a lot about myself, and the state of America. I’ve also learned to be cautious in how I approach this topic and disseminate information. Not for selfish reasons, but for the truth movement as a whole. This is deeply seeded in our consciousness and is not easy to digest. This is a non-partisan issue, but the tendency for some is to make it red or blue, meanwhile our rights are eroding. I urge people to find the truth for themselves and raise awareness in a non-partisan way. We must unite - there is power in numbers. Watch out for rabbit holes, fallacies, hate mongers and, as I’ve learned, yourself. It’s easy to fall prey to misinformation, emotional reactions, critical thinking errors and mis-judgments.

It is a desperate time for Human Rights, Our Constitution and Peace. Should we ask the difficult questions and demand answers? Why demand the truth? Will it help to demand an investigation? Should we demand impeachment? Demand justice? Demand an awakening?

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