More shots from the garden

When I went out this morning I noticed that one of my container squash plants had bloomed overnight. It is gorgeous.




Did some more work inthe garden on Saturday. We planted canteloupe.



Raspberry



Grape Vine



Here are a few random shots of some soon to be yummy tomatoes.




This is the first year I have taken an active interest in gardening. I had to do it every day, it seemed like, when I was a kid and I vowed never to do it again of my own free will when I grew up. However, leading a political life, such as I do, I find that I need new ways of stress relief. Pharmaceuticals aren't my thing, even though it is a well known and documented fact that I enjoy smoking pot from time to time. Pot and pharmaceutical drugs are two entirely different ballgames. I can smoke a joint and work in the garden all day. If I were to take a pharmaceutical for stress relief (xanax or valium) then I would be a drooling, stumbling, bumbling idiot incapable of forming a complete sentence within half an hour. I wish I could grow pot. I just about guarantee I would have a blue ribbon, prize-winning garden every year. But...alas...sigh........

I get sick of the computer and I rarely watch any of the garbage that passes for TV these days. I am also sick of high prices at the grocery store for food that isn't even a 10th as good as what I can grow myself. I have found this to be a great and productive hobby.

I've had good luck so far. None of the wildlife on my property has gobbled anything up yet and everything seems to be thriving well. I am using Algoflash which is an organic fertilizer that I bought from Park Seed and it is some marvelous stuff. Get some if you want plants that are HUGE and covered in blooms. I am super impressed with the results thus far.

Hope all y'all have a great Monday and a fabulous week!!

Evidence that the Drug War is an incentive for Police Corruption

This is a long read but worth every second of your time. Sadly, it took the murder of an innocent 92 year-old-woman to bring these corrupt, illegal and widespread police tactics employed in the drug war to light. This type of lying, illegal searches and mistreatment of the citizens happens every day, on every police force in the US. Death of innocents, as a result, also happens a great deal more that most folks are aware of. It is way past time to end the drug war and to restore our constitutional and civil rights & liberties.

Two Atlanta Cops Plead Guilty in Woman's Death
Atlanta Journal Constitution

What started with a few bags of marijuana being planted near a
suspected street dealer quickly spiraled out of control. Narcotics
officers lied to a judge, illegally broke into 92-year-old Kathryn
Johnston's house, fired 39 shots at her -- and then one handcuffed her
as she lay bleeding before he planted drugs in her basement.

The events of Nov. 21, outlined in court documents, were almost an
"inevitable" outcome of a troubled police unit, a federal prosecutor
said Thursday as two former Atlanta narcotics officers pleaded guilty
and promised to cooperate in a wider probe of the department.

According to investigators, Atlanta narcotics officers hoped to
satisfy goals set by police commanders by repeatedly lying to obtain
search warrants, barging into homes and sometimes restraining innocent
people, an atmosphere that led to tragedy.

The sweeping accusations were made in the guilty-plea agreements of
Gregg Junnier and Jason R. Smith, two on a team of officers that took
part in the botched raid at Johnston's home.

The deceit Nov. 21 didn't end with a faked warrant, according the
officers' plea agreements -- they conspired to cover their actions by
asking a confidential informant to lie for them. Instead, the
informant went to authorities, giving birth to one of the biggest
scandals to hit the Atlanta Police Department in years.

On Thursday, Police Chief Richard Pennington and other department
leaders stood stone-faced as federal officials talked at a news
conference about misconduct on their watch.

"This has been a very painful five months in the police department,"
Pennington said. "The mayor and I, we wanted one thing to occur, to
get to the bottom of this and let justice be meted [out]."

Falsified Search Warrants

In rapid succession Thursday, Smith and Junnier heard their
indictments for felony murder read in court, pleaded guilty in state
court to voluntary manslaughter and other state charges, then pleaded
guilty in federal court on charges of conspiracy to violate a person's
civil rights ending in death.

"Junnier and other officers falsified affidavits for search warrants
to be considered productive officers and to meet APD's performance
targets," according to a federal exhibit released Thursday. "They
believed that these ends justified their illegal 'Fluffing' or
falsifying of search warrants.

"Because they obtained search warrants based on unreliable and false
information, [the officers] had on occasion searched residences where
there were no drugs and the occupants were not drug dealers."

The officers' callous attitude was evident the day of the killing,
said Fulton County prosecutor Peter Johnson. After getting a tip from
a suspected low-level drug dealer that a kilo of cocaine was in a home
at 933 Neal Street, Junnier said they could get a confidential
informant to make a buy there to prove there were drugs there.

"Or not," Smith said, according to prosecutors' account.

The officers chose the latter and lied to a judge that they had sent
an informant to the home, according to the plea agreement.

At an evening news conference, Greg Jones, head of Atlanta's FBI
office, called the officers' conduct "deplorable" and said the agency
will pursue "additional allegations of corruption that other Atlanta
police officers may have engaged in similar conduct."

U.S. Attorney David Nahmias called Johnston's death "almost
inevitable" because of such widespread activity and vowed a
far-reaching investigation into departmental practices. He said he
expects to find other cases where officers lied or relied on bad
information.

"It's a very ongoing investigation into just how wide the culture of
misconduct extends," Nahmias said. "We'll dig until we can find
whatever we can."

Nahmias said: "The department must look forward to reform itself." But
he added "ongoing public scrutiny" on APD is needed to make that happen.

The news conference was held at Lindsay Street Baptist Church, a few
blocks from Johnston's home. It is the same church where Pennington
and Mayor Shirley Franklin faced an angry crowd of residents just days
after the shooting.

Pennington didn't hesitate to respond to questions that police
higher-ups set arrest goals.

"The Atlanta Police Department does not have a quota system," he said.
"Yes, we get on officers for performance. Any corporate system does
that."

"We have enough crime in Atlanta; we don't have to get quotas," he
said.

Community Not Satisfied

Thursday's event at the church got dicey again. State Rep. Able Mable
Thomas, who represents the area, took federal prosecutors to task.
"The community is not satisfied with the plea bargain," she said. "The
reality is the police are not off our back."

Nahmias tried to step in to get the conference back to a
question-and-answer, when an irked Thomas waved him off. "The federal
government just says close it!"

Markel Hutchins, the Johnston family's spokesman since the shooting,
stepped up to the bank of microphones, saying, "We are quite
comfortable this will be used as a tool to rid this community of this
conduct."

During Thursday's state plea, a fidgeting and barely audible Smith
leaned forward toward Fulton County Superior Court Judge Michael
Johnson and said: "I wanted to say how regretful I am ... and sorry."

Junnier chose not to say anything, but his outspoken attorney, Rand
Csehy, told the judge: "It's a case where the fish rotted from the
head down," referring to police brass not properly training narcotics
officers and turning a blind eye to improper tactics in that unit.

"Hopefully [the pleas] will reverberate through the police department"
and help the narcotics unit clean up its act, Csehy said.

Under the plea deals, Junnier, who came forward to federal authorities
Dec. 11, would get 10 years in federal prison and Smith would get 12
years and seven months.

The maximum penalty for the federal charge they accepted is life in
prison. Their sentences could be shortened if they provide
investigators with "substantial assistance" in their ongoing probe of
the department.

In state court, multiple charges of felony murder as well as burglary
and other charges were dropped.

Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard said his office has
started looking at hundreds of cases in which the officers were
involved. He said "as soon as we find out" corruption was involved,
those convictions will be undone.

Smith, 35, a former Georgia National Guard officer who served in Iraq,
was indicted on 13 felonies, including four counts of felony murder,
violation of an oath by a public officer, two counts of giving false
statements, two counts of burglary and one count each of aggravated
assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment and perjury.

Smith's attorney, John Garland, said his client "was trained to lie by
fellow officers to establish probable cause."

Junnier, 40, with nine years in the narcotics unit, was charged with
three counts of felony murder, violation of oath by a public officer,
criminal solicitation, two counts of burglary and one count each of
aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and making a false statement.

A third officer, Arthur Tesler, 40, is charged with violating his oath
as an officer, making false statements and false imprisonment. Tesler,
with eight months as a narcotics officer, vowed to fight charges
against him.

His attorney, William McKenney, said Tesler was "pleased the grand
jury listened to him. They saw [the more serious felonies] as baseless
charges. The imprisonment [charge] is factually flawed and will be
attacked."

Friday Farm Blogging

Since I now have chickens and a garden to go with my dog and cats what was formerly Friday Doggie Blogging will now become Friday Farm Blogging. Each week when time permits I will post pictures of my garden progress, my spoiled rotten pal Saul, the German Shepherd (more commonly referred to as Mr. Snoot), my baby chickens and who knows what else.

These first two photos are of a massive fire near Goodwater, AL, which is just down the road from me. I have no idea what was burning. I hope no one was hurt.




The 'mater patch'


A closeup of an individual mater...the white blobs are where sevin dust met dew



The Squash and Cauliflower Patch


Squash


Cauliflower


Squash I am growing in a container


The Girls

I had forgotten how fast chickens grow. Most of the girls have lots of their first real feathers. The look kinda nappy headed and fuzzy on their necks and heads.








And finally some shots of Mr. Snoot on one of his daily romps through the woods.






I am looking forward to eating some garden fresh veggies this year. This weekend we are planting greenbeans, lima beans, okra and field corn. I still have to get some peppers of various kinds, cucumbers, watermelons and canteloupe. I have onions, peanuts, raspberries and grapes I need to get set out as well. I think the gardening I did last weekend is what messed up my back. I still have no idea what is wrong with it due to having to see Dr. Roach (of all the names) again yesterday. He treated the pain but made no effort to find out what is causing it. I have an appointment with a orthopedic specialist next week. Hopefully we can get to the root of the problem and begin working on a solution.

I hope y'all have a great weekend.

Site Updates

A couple of months ago I switched over to the new Blogger format and, in the process, lost all of the links on the sidebar of the old page. I began readding the ones I remembered this morning plus a few that I have been meaning to link to but hadn't gotten around to.

Please check out the new Drug Policy Reform Link section. Additionally, if I missed your blog or website and you want it added back just post it in the comments. If you have never had a link here but would like one, please post that in the comments as well.

Please provide a reciprocal link in return.

Back Pain

I must be getting old or something. I threw my back out while working in the garden over the weekend. It didn't hurt too bad afterwards. I took an anti-inflammatory and went about my business.

It was fine all day yesterday while I was lobbying at the State House with some medical marijuana patients. When I got home I dropped something and bent to pick it up and when I did that my back went out again. I took some more anti-inflammatory and went to bed. It was hurting pretty bad. However, when it woke me up at one a.m. hurting is not even close to the right descriptive word. I tried every laying in position known to humankind, to no avail. I might get easy for a few seconds and the pain came roaring back with a vengance.

I finally got up at two a.m. Well, actually it was more like 2:30 because it took me that long to figure out just how I was going to negotiate hauling my sizeable ass up out of bed and to work up courage to do it. I knew it was going to hurt like a bastard and I didn't want to wake up my husband. So much for that. I woke him up anyway when I unleashed a blood curdling scream halfway through getting out of bed. Bout scared him to death. The pain was so bad I almost threw up. I cried. Scared my husband worse. I almost went to the ER, but I hate doing that, so I ate some more anti-inflammatory and decided to tough it out until the doctor's office opens. I won't have a stomach by the time this is over. I spent the rest of t he night on the couch with towels rolled up for back support.

I can't walk straight. I have almost zero range of motion in my right hip. I can't sit, stand or lay for more than a few minutes. Getting up and down is near impossible. And there is a huge, hot knot right next to my spine and hip. I'm thinking slipped disk. I'll be headed to the doctor's office this morning.

I Should've Had a V-8

Mobile man jailed over soda saga

The Associated Press

MOBILE -- Eric Burns Overstreet went into the Mystik Stop & Shop, paid for a fountain drink and poured it into a cup. He ended up mopping the floor -- and then going to jail -- as first he spilled the drink, then a second and a third.

"He clearly appeared to be under the influence of something other than good sense," Chief Assistant District Attorney Nicki Patterson said.

Overstreet, who at one point put a yellow "Wet Floor" warning sign out as he mopped and mopped, was chased down by a clerk when he grabbed another soft drink and left without paying for it. The soda saga, which occurred last September and was reported Wednesday by the Press-Register, led to Overstreet pleading guilty last week to a reduced charge of third-degree theft.

He was given a one-year suspended sentence and ordered to stay out of the Mystik Stop & Shop. Court officials also said he was reminded by Circuit Judge Rick Stout that he had spent time in jail "over a Coke."

Stout said he hoped the Coke was good.

Overstreet responded: "I should've had a V-8."
-----------------

I love people who can maintain their sense of humor in bad situations like going to court.

Willie Nelson spared jail time

ST. MARTINVILLE, La. (AP) -- Country music star Willie Nelson and his tour manager were spared jail time Tuesday after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor count of marijuana possession.

Nelson, his sister Bobbie, his tour manager and two drivers were issued citations last September 18th after state troopers said they found marijuana and mushrooms on his tour bus during a commercial vehicle inspection on Interstate 10.

A district judge fined Nelson and tour manager David Anderson one-thousand-24 dollars each. He also gave both on six months probation.

As part of a plea agreement, the citation against Nelson's sister was dismissed.

The 73-year-old Nelson had performed in Montgomery a day earlier during a birthday celebration for the late Hank Williams
-------------------------

I'm pretty sure no one thought Willie would do even a second in jail....including Willie. I'm glad Willie got off, but this story highlights the double standards that are applied when it comes to drugs. Willie Nelson is an international music legend, so, of course, he isn't going to do any time in jail. However, if you or I were truckin' through Luzieanner with a couple of pounds of primo weed and some mushrooms and the highway patrol stopped us we would not see the outside of a jail cell for a very long time.

But...I'm still glad Willie got away.

Study: Marijuana halts growth of lung cancer tumors

April 22, 2007

In research on mice, active ingredient in pot shrank growths by half, reduced cancer lesions

By Angela Zimm
Bloomberg News

Giving marijuana to mice with cancer shrank their lung tumors by half and slowed the spread of the disease, findings that may one day expand legal use of the drug as a treatment, researchers said.


The research is the first to show that marijuana's active ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, blocks a known cancer-related protein that's already the target of drugs such as ImClone System's Erbitux and Amgen's Vectibix.

The findings, presented this past week at the American Association for Cancer Research meeting in Los Angeles, add to evidence that marijuana may have anti-tumor properties and its potential should be probed further, researchers said.
Scientists speculate THC may activate biological pathways that halt cancer cell division or block development of blood vessels that feed tumors.

"THC can have a potential therapeutic role," said Anju Preet, the study's lead author and a researcher at Harvard University's division of experimental medicine. "Maybe THC is killing cells. The preliminary studies are promising."
Tumor cells dosed with THC also showed a reduction in epidermal growth factor receptor, or EGFR, which means the substance may be acting in ways similar to Erbitux and Vectibix, which block the protein, Preet said.

The group includes Erbitux, which treats colon and head and neck cancers; Vectibix, which treats colon cancer; Genentech's Tarceva, approved for lung and pancreatic cancer; and AstraZeneca's Iressa, which treats lung cancer.

Lung cancer cells with high levels of EGFR are generally very aggressive and treatment resistant, researchers said.

THC activates "cannabinoid receptors," which are proteins found in the brain and other parts of the body that are involved in a number of biological functions, including inflammation and pain. Researchers set out to see if they could inhibit tumor growth by targeting these receptors in human lung tumor samples and in mice.

In addition to reducing tumor size by half, THC was associated with a 60 percent reduction in cancer lesions in the lungs of mice.

Out Ta Get Me

Another great one from one of the greatest bands and greatest albums ever.

Guns-N-Roses from Appetite for Destruction

Out Ta Get Me

Been hidin' out
And layin' low
It's nothin' new ta me
Well you can always find
a place to go
If you can keep your sanity
They break down the doors
And they rape my rights but
They won't touch me
They scream and yell
And fight all night
You can't tell me
I lose my head
I close my eyes
They won't touch me
'Cause I got somethin'
I been buildin' up inside
For so fuckin' long

They're out ta get me
They won't catch me
I'm innocent
They won't break me

Sometimes it's easy to forget where you're goin'
Sometimes it's harder to leave
And everytime you think you know just what you're doin'
That's when your troubles exceed
They push me in a corner
Just to get me to fight but
They won't touch me
They preach and yell
And fight all night
You can't tell me
I lose my head
I close my eyes
They won't touch me
'Cause I got somethin'
I been buildin' up inside
I'm already gone

Some people got a chip on their shoulder
An some would say it was me
But I didn't buy that fifth of whisky
That you gave me
So I'd be quick to disagree

They're out to get me
They won't catch me
I'm innocent
So you can
Suck me
Take that one to heart

WARNING! Narcotics Checkpoint Ahead

Yesterday four friends from Birmingham came down to celebrate my victory over Tallapoosa County and the State of Alabama on drug charges. They traveled down 280, which is the main route to Alexander City from BHAM.

While we were eating lunch they told me about how when they got to Harpersville they saw a sign that said "WARNING! Narcotics Checkpoint Ahead" and a few feet further along they saw one that said "Drug Dogs Present."

Needless to say they were a tad bit unnerved, but drove on through without incident.

I have heard of these kinds of scare tactics before and want to explain to my readers how exactly it works.

1. Unless there is a major accident police are not going to impede the flow of traffic anywhere on 280 or any other major highway or interstate. So, there is actually NO Narcotics checkpoint. What the police do is position soneone near the sign with a pair of binoculars to watch for motorists tossing things out the window. When spotted tossing, Officer 1 will radio ahead to Officer 2 with a description of the automobile. Officer 1 will try to find what was tossed while officer two stops the automoile. They also look for people trying to avoid the checkpoint by turning around.

2. Police cannot just stop anybody and search them for drugs. They must have a probable cause to stop a vehicle and search it for any reason. They cannot just stop everybody on the road and use drug dogs on them to see if they are carrying anything. That is unconstitutional...not that they give a rats ass for the Constitution or anything....but the fact remains and it will save your ass in court should you wind up there because of one of these checkpoints.

So, the narcotics checkpoint ahead and drug dogs present signs are nothing but scare tactics designed to make you toss your stash, which then gives the cops probable cause to stop your car.

Sneaky bastards!

My advice:

If you ever see signs like this on the highway and you are carrying anything just be cool, do the speed limit, DON'T TOSS YOUR STASH and do not try to avoid the "imaginary checkpoint" as those are all reasons to stop you and a stop in that situation will 9 times out of 10 lead to a search of your auto and person.

Also, WATCH THIS VIDEO so that you know what your rights are in a police encounter.

One-time candidate beats drug case

Saturday, April 21, 2007
STAN DIEL
Birmingham News staff writer


A state circuit court on Friday dismissed marijuana charges against former gubernatorial candidate Loretta Nall, who ran a colorful 2006 campaign on a legalized pot platform.

Campaign materials for the Libertarian candidate included a photo of the woman displaying her ample cleavage above the words "More of these boobs." Below were photos of other candidates, including Gov. Bob Riley, and the words "And less of these boobs."

According to court documents, Tallapoosa County Circuit Court Judge Ray D. Martin dismissed the marijuana case Friday because prosecutors failed to respond to Nall's motion to suppress evidence seized in a 2002 raid of Nall's Alexander City mobile home.

In the raid, authorities found rolling papers, a scale and 0.87 gram of marijuana. Nall was convicted on misdemeanor charges of possessing marijuana and drug paraphernalia and was given a 30-day suspended sentence. She appealed the conviction and the case dragged on for nearly five years.

Reached mid-celebration on Friday, Nall said the charges were dismissed without prejudice, meaning they can be refiled. But without evidence from the raid, prosecutors won't be able to make another case, she said.

"They can't come at me again until they have some new evidence. They've got to start all over," she said.

Nall has long contended that authorities raided her home because she wrote a letter to the editor of The Birmingham News in which she advocated legalizing pot. The letter ran in the newspaper on Nov. 7, 2002. The raid came six days later.

Authorities with the Tallapoosa district attorney's office did not return telephone calls seeking comment on Friday.

Nall said she was a regular voter but had never considered running for political office before her arrest. Her treatment by authorities made her mad enough to run for office, she said, and so in 2006 she ran for governor.

Her campaign sold T-shirts and "stash boxes" to raise money. Her Cafe Press Web page is still active, selling bosom-themed T-shirts for $18, barbecue aprons for $16, and "anti-state" thong underwear for $8.99.

Nall, who conceded she was a longshot in the 2006 governor's race, said Friday that she's not done running for office. She intends to run for Democrat Betty Carol Graham's District 81 House seat in 2010.

Nall, who described herself as a fiscal conservative and a social liberal, said she hasn't decided on a political party, and may run as an independent.

"I think a seat in the Alabama House is right where I need to be," she said.

E-mail: sdiel@bhamnews.com

Drug possession charges against Alex City gubernatorial candidate dropped

Updated: Friday, April 20, 2007

Drug possession charges against Alex City gubernatorial candidate dropped

By Patrick McCreless

After years of court battles, U.S. Marijuana Party founder Loretta Nall of Alexander City was cleared Friday of drug possession charges in a Tallapoosa County circuit court.

"I'm almost speechless," Nall said. "It's been a long time coming."

The Tallapoosa County Narcotics Task Force arrested Nall in a November 2002 raid on her house where 0.87 grams of marijuana was discovered. She was convicted of misdemeanor marijuana possession and possession of drug paraphernalia in district court in February 2004. Nall appealed the conviction to circuit court, seeking to suppress the evidence used to obtain the search warrant for the raid on her house.

Investigators obtained a search warrant by using a letter to the editor that Nall wrote to the Birmingham News in support of changing marijuana laws and by using statements made by Nall's daughter in her kindergarten class.

"They illegally questioned my daughter and violated my right to free speech," Nall said. "The judge ruled it a bad search and the judge dropped the charges."

Tallapoosa County Circuit Judge Ray Martin made the decision to suppress the warrant on Tuesday, but the decision was not finalized until Friday. Nall said Friday was also the unofficially recognized National Pot Smokers Day.


"That's pretty ironic," she said.

District Attorney E. Paul Jones, who was working on another case outside the county at the time of the decision, said there was little chance the state would pursue the case any further.

"In drug cases, not much can be done if the drugs are suppressed," Jones said.

Nall said she felt vindicated by the judge's ruling but that she was not finished with the case.

"Lawsuits are exactly what my plans are right now," she said. "I want some retribution. "They need to get out their checkbooks."

Now that the charges have been dropped, Nall also plans to continue running for political office. In 2010, Nall said she would definitely run for Rep. Betty Carol Graham's seat in the Alabama House of Representatives.

Nall also has aspirations of running against Rep. Mike Rogers in 2008.

Songs

When I am in the kind of mood I am in tonight I often scroll through my music collection looking for THAT SONG that describes reflects what I am feeling. On tonights play list is a long time favorite by Guns-N-Roses titled "Don't Damn Me".

"Don't Damn Me"

Don't damn me
When I speak a piece of my mind
'Cause silence isn't golden
When I'm holding it inside
'Cause I've been where I have been
An I've seen what I have seen
I put the pen to the paper
'Cause it's all a part of me

Be it a song or casual conversation
To hold my tongue speaks
Of quiet reservations
Your words once heard
They can place you in a faction
My words may disturb
But at least there's a reaction

Sometimes I wanna kill
Sometimes I wanna die
Sometimes I wanna destroy
Sometimes I wanna cry
Sometimes I could get even
Sometimes I could give up
Sometimes I could give
Sometimes I never give a fuck

It's only for a while
I hope you understand
I never wanted this to happen
Didn't want to be a man
So I hid inside my world
I took what I could find
I cried when I was lonely
I fell down when I was blind

But don't damn me
When I speak a piece of my mind
'Cause silence isn't golden
When I'm holding it inside
'Cause I've been where I have been
An I've seen what I have seen
I put the pen to the paper
'Cause it's all a part of me

How can I ever satisfy you
An how can I ever make you see
That deep inside we're all somebody
An it don't matter who you wanna be
But now I gotta smile
I hope you comprehend
For this man can say it happened
'Cause this child has been
condemned
So I stepped into your world
I kicked you in the mind
An I'm the only witness
To the nature of my crime

But look at what we've done
To the innocent and young
Whoa listen to who's talking
'Cause we're not the only ones
The trash collected by the eyes
And dumped into the brain
Said it tears into our
conscious thoughts
You tell me who's to blame

I know you don't wanna hear me cryin'
An I know you don't wanna hear me deny
That your satisfaction lies in your ILLUSIONS
But your delusions are yours and not mine
We take for granted we know the whole story
We judge a book by its cover
And read what we want
Between selected lines

Don't hail me
An don't idolize the ink
Or I've failed in my intentions
Can you find the missing link
Your only validation is living your own life

Vicarious existence is a fucking waste of time
So I send this song to the offended
I said what I meant and I've never pretended
As so many others do intending just to please
If I damned your point of view
Could you turn the other cheek

But don't damn me
When I speak a piece of my mind
'Cause silence isn't golden
When I'm holding it inside
'Cause I've been where I have been
An I've seen what I have seen
I put the pen to the paper
'Cause it's all a part of me
Don't damn me
I said don't damn me
I said don't hail me
Don't damn me

Another favorite blasting at my house tonight is

Fuck tha Police by Ice Cube (Strait Outta Compton Live in New Orleans version)....if you have never heard this one it is a must. Here is a video of a different version....not nearly as good as the live version....but serves the purpose.



More to come....

Former Candidate for Governor Cleared of Marijuana Charges

by Phillip Rawls
Associated Press

ALEXANDER CITY, Ala. (AP) -- Loretta Nall of Alexander City, founder of the U.S. Marijuana Party and a former write-in candidate for governor, had marijuana charges dismissed on Friday - a day that held special significance for her and her cause.

Tallapoosa Circuit Judge Ray Martin signed an order dismissing misdemeanor charges of possession of less than a gram of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Nall said it's fitting that the judge's decision came on what's unofficially known in the cannabis culture and on several Internet sites as National Pot Smoking Day.

"It makes me question my atheism when things like this come together," Nall said.

Nall was the Libertarian Party's nominee for governor last year and even though she ran as a low-budget write-in candidate, she attracted attention with her humor and a platform that set her apart from the other candidates, including advocating the legalization of marijuana.

After the charges were dismissed Friday, Nall said she's considering another race, either for the U.S. House next year or the Alabama House in 2010.

Agents from a drug task raided Nall's mobile home on Nov. 13, 2002. Officers got a search warrant by using statements made by Nall's daughter in her kindergarten class and by using a letter to the editor that Nall wrote to The Birmingham News in support of changing marijuana laws.

Nall was convicted by a district court judge in 2004 of the two misdemeanor charges and given a 30-day suspended sentence. She appealed to circuit court, seeking to suppress the evidence that was used to obtain the search warrant.

In an order Friday, the judge said the prosecution did not respond to Nall's suppression request, which he then granted. With the evidence suppressed, the prosecution said it could not continue with the case, and the judge said that prompted him to dismiss the charges.

District Attorney E. Paul Jones was out of his office and unavailable for comment, an aide said Friday. (yeah I bet he was)

Nall said she doesn't consider the case over. "I'm going to seek retribution for what they did to me and my kid," she said.

Tallapoosa County, AL Surrenders Unconditionally to Loretta Nall on 4/20

And I must say that they look real good waving the white flag! I fought the law and....I WON! Who says you can't fight City Hall?

Dear Readers, Friends, Supporters and yes ESPECIALLY to my Enemies, Detractors and Former Legal Tormentors....

I am exquisitely pleased to announce that on April 17, 2007 my attorney informed me that the DA's office in Tallapoosa County UNCONDITIONALLY SURRENDERED to ME and charges against me were dismissed today in the case that has dragged on for five years. Guess what that means friends and neighbors? Hidday Ho, just guess what that means!

And, in the ultimate irony for the prosecution, it was finalized today on 4/20 , which is international pot smoker day. I have been sitting on this news for three very long days....three days that seemed longer than the five year game of chicken I just engaged with Tallapoosa County and the State of Alabama. I wasn't specifically holding back until today. I was told I could not go public until everything was said and done and all the paperwork was in order. It just so happens that it all came together today which really kinda makes me question my Atheism. I mean....what exquisite poetic justice and irony that it's all over on 4/20. What are the chances?

I am in near paralytic shock at this news. Supposedly, this new development came about because of the D.A's deliberate poisoning of the jury pool. I was in the process of filing a formal complaint with the Alabama Bar over the DA's actions. I emailed my attorney on Tuesday and asked him if he had heard any word yet on when we would be able to get transcripts of the voir dire jury proceedings, because I needed a copy to use in the complaint. He told me he was on his way to the courthouse to file the motion to continue based on the jury pool being tainted and that he would ask the judge when we could have those.

About 20 minutes later, as I am sitting in the yard watching my new chickens, a red car drives slowly by my home. I heard it stop, back up and suddenly it was pulling in my driveway. To my complete surprise it was my attorney.

I said, "Hey man what's up?" I had no idea what to expect and, quite frankly, I was prepared for bad news cause that's what I usually get with anything related to this case.

He got out of the car, looked at me for a second in a funny sort of way and said, "It's over."

"What? What do you mean it's over? What's over?"

"Your case. The DA is withdrawing the charges. You don't have to come back to court. It's over."

"But, what, how?"

He said when he went in to talk to the judge about the motion the judge told him that he had noticed when the DA, E. Paul Jones, asked those questions of the jury, couldn't believe that he had done it and agreed that the jury pool had been completely poisoned. The judge took my case under advisory and ruled in our favor on the motion to suppress the warrant and all evidence related to my case. The DA did not file an objection, and the judge ordered the case dismissed.

"You're not pulling my leg are you...seriously, it's over?"

"No prank. I wouldn't do that to you. It is really over."

I almost passed out when I heard it. I was, for the very first time in my life, and still am today, rendered nearly speechless. I am dumbstruck. Nay, Thunderstruck! I may need treatment for shock. Somebody bring me some blankets and prop up my feet quick!

I can't actually get my head around the totality of it. For five years this case has been my life. It was my springboard into the Alabama political arena, my reason for running for Governor, my reason for writing letters to editors, my reason for starting a political party dedicated solely to the legalization of marijuana, my reason for organizing grassroots action to work on marijuana laws in the state of Alabama. It was responsible for the awakening of my passion for the work I do.

It was also my greatest fears almost realized...Prison...just one step away...one slip up and my kids may not get off the bus at four o'clock because DHR kidnapped them. Since November of 2002 every time the school bus was more than five minutes late I nearly had a panic attack. I cannot put a number on the times I called the school to ask where the bus was.

It was five years of looking up the driveway before turning in to see if the police were ransacking my home again. Five years of worrying if they would kick the door in at 3 a.m. and point guns at my kids, shoot my dog, plant evidence. Five years of wondering if they would target the house while I was away on business. Five years of adreniline charged fear as a reaction to helicopters flying in close proximity to my property...a needless fear because I have never and am not currently growing marijuana....but the fearful reaction to helicopters remains.

And now, round one is finally over.

I never thought this day would come. And I didn't envision it coming like this.
To be totally honest, this ending is anti-climatic in many ways. I wanted to get these bastards before a judge and hear the judge say, "CASE DISMISSED!" I wanted a judicial official with some sense to really look at what was done by the 'authorities' in this case and deliver a powerful condemnation of the actions of the police and the DA's office. I wanted to see someone in a bigger position of power than the DA shove a big ol' foot so far up his ass that he could taste the boot leather. I'll still get to see that but the DA will be sitting at the defendant's table and not me the next time we meet up in a courtroom. HALLELUJAH!!! Can I get an AMEN brothers and sisters?

The way it has ended leaves me with many questions.

1. Why did the DA deliberately taint the jury pool? I have two theories. The first is that he did it in an attempt to see if my lawyer would catch it. If he didn't catch it then my case would have been heard by a jury who first heard my name in connection with a drug trafficking case....which would have been very bad for me, but good for the prosecution. My second theory is that the DA did it so that he could leave himself something of a graceful exit from this case. Well, I'm sure he hoped it would be graceful...but I'll see to it that it is anything but.

Some people have told me to please not go after the DA because he bowed out and eventually gave me what I wanted. That he cut me some slack and I should return the favor. I think NOT!

If this DA knew all along that my case was bogus (and he had to know) then he should have dropped the charges three years ago when he assumed that office. But, instead he chose to drag the case on three more years, making me show up in court multiple times in every single session, refusing to cooperate with my attorneys' by giving enough advance notice so my attorneys' could be in court and many other infractions. The most serious one though, is that he knew this case was bullshit or he would never have conceded here at the end. He knew the charges were completely fabricated, he knew the police lied on the witness stand under oath in my first trial and yet he tried over and over again to get me to plead GUILTY to something I am not guilty of.

The DA's office and in particluar, Damon Lewis, BROKE the LAW by signing a warrant that used a Letter to the Editor as grounds for said warrant. Then they lied about it, couldn't produce it in court (it was exhibit A) and claimed the letter was stolen from their file by one of my defense attorney's. That is a CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS violation of my right to free speech. That is ILLEGAL. They LIED in court UNDER OATH about the use of the letter. That's ILLEGAL! The DA asked me to LIE by asking me to take a plea deal. That's ILLEGAL!

It reeks of prosecutorial misconduct. It is no different than what D.A. Nifong did in the Duke rape case. The 'Justice system' isn't about justice and the bloodthirsty prosecutors in modern day America are so focused on getting another conviction notch in their belts that they CONVICT INNOCENT PEOPLE every day of the week. A prosecutor's job is to SEEK JUSTICE. Where is the fucking justice in saddling an innocent person with a criminal record? Where is the justice in scaring innocent people so badly with threats of kidnapping their children, stealing their home and property, seizing their bank accounts and imprisoning them that they take a plea deal even when they have done nothing wrong?

So, lay off them you say.... I'll be goddamned if I am going to soften my assault because the DA "cut me some slack". I promise you that he he did not do so out of the goodness of his heart or because it was the right thing to do. The DA only did so because he knew he would never beat me once this case made it before a jury. He knew he had no case and olny backed down when he saw that I was not afraid of his bluff. This case should NEVER have happened and I intend to see that it never happens again. So, while the persecution of me by the state is over my persecution of the state is just about to get underway. They have at least five years of sitting in court as DEFENDANTS, unless of course they meet my demands before five years are over. And, I know that some may see this vindictiveness as ugly, but if I don't put them through the ringer over what they have done then they will undoubtedly do it again, and more than likely it will be to someone who has no resources to fight back and win. I can't have that. I am duty bound to fuck these people slap up in the court of law.

So, here is the beginnings of my list of demands.

I want a federal investigation into the Tallapoosa County DA's office, the Tallapoosa County Narcotics Task Force, the Tallapoosa County Sheriff's Office, the Alexander City Police Department and into Judge Kim Taylor's office. I want to know how many people are in jail on bullshit charges like mine. I know that I cannot be the only one. I want the Alabama Bar Association to investigate the complaints I am in the process of filing against the DA and Deputy DA of Tallapoosa County. I'd like both E. Paul Jones and Damon Lewis's license to practice law hanging on my wall. I want them arrested, prosecuted and jailed. I have to "make an example out of them" and "send a strong message" that there will be "zero tolerance" for this kind of prosecutorial misconduct.

I want Beth Shaw charged for conspiring with the school resource officer, Eric McCain, to have me jailed, for inviting DHR workers and police officers to interrogate my children without counsel and other unbiased adults present REPEATEDLY, for filing a malicious complaint with DHR that I was starving my children, for going outside the school and telling personal friends that I was starving my children, for having a box of food with "Bell's Special Snack" written on it under her desk that she only allowed Bell to eat from, for turning notes I sent to the school about my children over to police, for making school a hostile environment for my children and for allowing my five-year-old baby to be humiliated in front of her peers. I want Beth Shaw's license to teach hanging on my wall next to the DA's law licenses. I want her house, cars and retirement account. I want her fired and barred from ever working with children ever again. That bitch needs to suffer.

I want Eric McCain charged for using a letter to the editor as a way to question my daughter at school without counsel or another unbiased adult present, for conspiring with Beth Shaw to have me jailed on bogus charges, for humiliating my 5-year-old baby in front of her class, for LYING on the witness stand UNDER OATH. For fabricating this whole damn case because my letter to the editor was not in line with his views on marijuana. I want Eric McCain's badge to hang on my wall next to Beth Shaw's teaching certificate and the DA's' law licenses. If he has one of those nifty cop hats, then I want that, too. I want him barred from ever working as a police officer and from working with children ever again. And, I want him sterilized, because it is never a good idea to allow vermin to breed.

I'd like them all jailed. I want pictures.

And last, but certainly not least, I want to change the name Tallapoosa County to THE FREE REPUBLIC OF NALLISTAN!

I pick up the dismissal order today at 2 p.m. However, it's 420 ALL DAY LONG....SO LET THE CELEBRATION BEGIN!!!!!

HAPPY 420

Happy 420 to all of my readers on the web. I have a major news announcement that should come by the end of the day. Stay tuned.

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The Girls

No..not THOSE girls...These Girls!





I haven't gotten around to naming them yet. I will wait until they are a little older. I am looking forward to lots of fresh, yummy farm eggs.