Barry Cooper Threatens Loretta Nall

I got this lovely threat from Barry Cooper of Never Get Busted shame in my email a week or so ago and I thought I would share it with my readers so that they can see what kind of person Mr. Cooper really is. He has a new DVD coming out and apparently my opinion of his first DVD has cost him something. Money maybe?

Loretta,

Since the release of my DVD, I have:

1) Added a page to my site mapping locations citizens are likely to
encounter drug interdiction efforts.

(Great! Now the cops will just move to an unmapped location)

2) Added a message board allowing citizens to ask questions and get
answers free.

(I didn't find your information to be helpful so I don't see how you answering questions on your own message board is useful)

3) Donated over 500 copies of my DVD to various drug reformation
groups and citizens.

(Superb! Now 500 groups and all of their mebers have access to bad information that isn't likely to help them escape arrest in a police encounter)

4) Testified as an expert witness to a K-9 false alerting. This was
done in the 401st District Court in Collins County, Texas.

(How much did yiou get paid to testify as an expert witness?)

5) Filed a Federal Court Lawsuit naming 14 defendants including a
Judge, attorney, and Sheriff's Department.

(And?)

It is clear I am the person I said I was in the beginning. You have
attacked me over and over and have placed a bias and damaging review
containing lies for all to read. Yours is the only bad review since
the release of my film. My DVD is high quality, entertaining and full
of good information. I recently learned my DVD will be released in
September to be purchased at Hastings, Barns & Nobles, Virgin Records
and many other local record shops. This is more evidence I have a good
product. Your intentions are clear when your own words are read:

"I don't think his insertion of his wife into this discussion has
anything to do with police psychology. I think it has way more to do
with the fact that most drug policy reformers and organizations are
about to take my lead and rip this fucktard to shreds."

You are hurting the drug reformation community by attacking another
drug reformationist who is sincere about ending our unjustified drug
laws!

Consider this letter my final attempt to make peace with you. If you
do not take down your review and insist to others who have posted your
review to do the same, I will file suit against you in my hometown
court. If you are willing, email your intentions and I will provide
the addresses your review is posted.

I hope this can be solved without litigation but am comfortable to
solve this however you choose.

Regards,

Barry N. Cooper

Now, I've always heard that cops were the stupidest people on earth when it comes to the law and I'd have to say that Mr. Cooper has proven that with this threat. Is he still a cop? Maybe not...but, he sure acts like one by using threats and intimidation to try and get his way.

There is no way I can be sued for expressing my opinion about a product any more that Siskel & Ebert could have been sued for their movie reviews or a food critic can be sued for their restaruant reviews. However, if you would like to pursue it anyway, please keep in mind that I, under discovery, will have access to all of your records and financial information and we will get to see just where your money to finance the project came from. Bet that'll be an interesting read.

I bought the DVD, reviewed it, found it lacking in every way and posted my review publicly...which I have every right to do. I am a private citizen who is unhappy with a product I purchased. Simple as that. And, by the way Barry, where is my $50 some odd dollars you said you would refund?

As to lies....there are no lies contained in my review of your DVD. Just my opinions based on the content of said DVD. I'd ask that as far as lies go that people please remember that this guy claimed in the beginning to have the endorsements of NORML and LEAP and those were lies. BIG ONES. Also, keep in mind that the first orders of this DVD (which was suppossedly to help keep people from GETTING BUSTED were mailed to buyers with NEVER GET BUSTED in bold print in the return address. Now, let me ask you....who would be most likely to buy a DVD entitled Never Get Busted? Why, people who wanted to avoid getting busted, of course. How could anyone with even half a brain make such a horrendous mistake? Was it really a mistake?

So, NO BARRY, I will not remove my original review of Never Get Busted. I don't care what you claim other people have said or how many good and bad reviews you have gotten. After all, there is no way for consumers to independently verify your claims and, everyone thinking of purchasing any of your stuff should have the opportunity to read the "only negative review" out here according to you. I contend that it is FAR from the only negative review. I've seen a few on well respected and trusted drug policy reform sites.

And just a tad of advice. You have made yourself a public figure by offering a controversial product for sale, therefore you must grow thicker skin and learn to deal with criticism by some other way that threats and intimidation. I know that since you were/are a cop that perhaps that is the only way you know. But out here in the real world of drug policy reform things go much smoother if you learn the art of diplomacy.

Additionally, stop sending me email before I SUE YOU for HARASSMENT!

Have a nice day! :)