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Showing posts with label Loretta Nall. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Loretta Nall. Show all posts
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Loretta Nall to Co-Host Drug Truth Network TONIGHT!
Tonight at 6:30 p.m. CST I will be co-hosting The Drug Truth Network Hour with fellow reformer and sensational host Dean Becker. Dean and I will be discussing the zero-tolerance principal Ricky Nichols whose estranged wife was recently arrested for providing sex, alcohol and marijuana to one of Principal Nichols students, the Alabama State House Drug Dealer Scandal and Georgia Rep. Tommy Benton (R- Jefferson) who recently advocated caning marijuana smokers, executing marijuana business people and turned a constituents email over to police all because he disagree with constituents position on marijuana and the drug war.
Tonight is also a pledge drive for The Drug Truth Network. Dean Becker does a remarkable job spreading the truth about the drug war. He often has hapless drug warriors on his show to skewer live on the air. In his home base of Houston he's convinced many law enforcement officials of the failure of the drug war and won them over to the right side of the fight. His show airs on tons of networks across the nation. Please tune in and pitch in a contribution to Drug Truth Network tonight at 6:30 p.m. CST.
Tune in via the internet at KPFT
Below is a note from Dean.
Tonight is also a pledge drive for The Drug Truth Network. Dean Becker does a remarkable job spreading the truth about the drug war. He often has hapless drug warriors on his show to skewer live on the air. In his home base of Houston he's convinced many law enforcement officials of the failure of the drug war and won them over to the right side of the fight. His show airs on tons of networks across the nation. Please tune in and pitch in a contribution to Drug Truth Network tonight at 6:30 p.m. CST.
Tune in via the internet at KPFT
Below is a note from Dean.
This Sunday, on the Drug Truth Network hour we will interview Loretta Nall, reformer extraordinaire, playing some Cultural Baggage songs (and Shotgun Lobotomy as well, my last two bands before getting into drug reform/hosting radio shows), lots of satirical PSA's and asking for your pledge of support.
We have nearly 70 radio stations, but none of them pay me a dime and the mothership of DTN needs your support.
KPFT, Houston is one of the 5 Pacifica affiliates (and from my perspective the one that best follows Lew Hills intent.
(No listener calls on the air this week, but we do need to hear from, Toll Free across N. America, call in to 1-877-9-420-420
Please listen in Sunday, August 16 at 6:30 to 7:30 PM central time and call in your pledge to 713-526-5738.
Basic membership in the Pacifica Foundation is $25 for students and seniors, $35 for those in between.
Thanks for your show of support over the years. (8 Years this coming October)
Sincerely
Dean Becker
Producer - Drug Truth Network
Speaker - Law Enforcement Against Prohibition
713-849-6869
Drug Truth Network
Friday, August 07, 2009
Make Marijuana Legal
Fellow letter writer and friend Don Siebold had the following letter published in the Anniston Star today.
Make Marijuana Legal
Re "Marijuana gold mine" (Speak Out, July 31):
Letter writer Loretta Nall made a credible argument for legalizing marijuana in Alabama.
For some time I've been a proponent for legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes for those people who could benefit from it when prescribed drugs won't help them at all or as much.
It's time for our legislators to take off their blinders and do something constructive for Alabama and its residents, especially those who could benefit from using marijuana to help relieve their pain and suffering without fear of being jailed and branded as criminals.
We learned long ago that the prohibition of alcohol didn't work, so its use was made legal. Why shouldn't we do the same thing with marijuana when it could benefit patients, whereas alcohol doesn't? It likely would be less expensive to use than alcohol is if it were legal to use it.
Don Seibold
Wetumpka
----------
Great job Don! I hope many others are following suit.
Make Marijuana Legal
Re "Marijuana gold mine" (Speak Out, July 31):
Letter writer Loretta Nall made a credible argument for legalizing marijuana in Alabama.
For some time I've been a proponent for legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes for those people who could benefit from it when prescribed drugs won't help them at all or as much.
It's time for our legislators to take off their blinders and do something constructive for Alabama and its residents, especially those who could benefit from using marijuana to help relieve their pain and suffering without fear of being jailed and branded as criminals.
We learned long ago that the prohibition of alcohol didn't work, so its use was made legal. Why shouldn't we do the same thing with marijuana when it could benefit patients, whereas alcohol doesn't? It likely would be less expensive to use than alcohol is if it were legal to use it.
Don Seibold
Wetumpka
----------
Great job Don! I hope many others are following suit.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Medicinal or Illicit?
The Corner News in Auburn has published an article on the fight for medical marijuana in Alabama.
Read Medicinal or Illicit
Read Medicinal or Illicit
Friday, July 03, 2009
Taxing Marijuana Potential Alternative
My close friend and champion letter writer Dawn Palmer had a letter published in today's Montgomery Advertiser in response to one from Frank Winkler who was responding to me. Mr. Frank Winkler is the Executive Director of SAYNO Inc. an anti-drug group that focuses on youth. Funny, he never mentions that in his letters to the editor. Also funny, if prohibition were working his group would have no reason to exist. In that sense he is about as trustworthy as the cops and Sharon the bail bonds person in Talladega when it comes to anything prohibition related. Without prohibition they would have no jobs. Therefore you can believe nothing they say.
Y'all go leave a comment on Dawn's letter and speak a word or two at Sharon (she is really in need of psychotherapy...thinks pot is responsible for her father killing her mother then himself and claims he had no other issues before he smoked taht 'evil joint') over on the Talladega forums. Then write your own letters. Keep the momentum building folks. That's how we will win!!
GREAT WORK DAWN!!
Montgomery Advertiser Opinion
Taxing marijuana potential alternative
A letter to the Montgomery Advertiser said that Loretta Nall threatened all politicians with financial downfall if they didn't support her platform of legalizing marijuana. She didn't threaten any politicians; she merely suggested legalizing, regulating and taxing marijuana as a potential financial alternative, just like several statesmen have suggested.
The letter said that marijuana was the No. 1 drug of choice requiring treatment at the Montgomery Addiction Program. Marijuana is the most-used illegal drug, so it only stands to reason that marijuana would be the No. 1 drug requiring treatment in a court-mandated program like the Montgomery's Addiction Program.
As for the statement about us being better off wondering if the bus driver, pilot, etc., was puffing on a legal substance, how do we know if he or she isn't under the influence of a legal prescription drug?
Dawn Palmer
Tarrant
Y'all go leave a comment on Dawn's letter and speak a word or two at Sharon (she is really in need of psychotherapy...thinks pot is responsible for her father killing her mother then himself and claims he had no other issues before he smoked taht 'evil joint') over on the Talladega forums. Then write your own letters. Keep the momentum building folks. That's how we will win!!
GREAT WORK DAWN!!
Montgomery Advertiser Opinion
Taxing marijuana potential alternative
A letter to the Montgomery Advertiser said that Loretta Nall threatened all politicians with financial downfall if they didn't support her platform of legalizing marijuana. She didn't threaten any politicians; she merely suggested legalizing, regulating and taxing marijuana as a potential financial alternative, just like several statesmen have suggested.
The letter said that marijuana was the No. 1 drug of choice requiring treatment at the Montgomery Addiction Program. Marijuana is the most-used illegal drug, so it only stands to reason that marijuana would be the No. 1 drug requiring treatment in a court-mandated program like the Montgomery's Addiction Program.
As for the statement about us being better off wondering if the bus driver, pilot, etc., was puffing on a legal substance, how do we know if he or she isn't under the influence of a legal prescription drug?
Dawn Palmer
Tarrant
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Double Whammy!
Today the Birmingham News printed my LTE and Dawn Palmer's LTE about the hydro operation busted in BHAM a little over a week ago.
MARIJUANA:
Riddled with misinformation
This is in response to The News article "Busted indoor pot farm" (Oct. 11), which was riddled with marijuana misinformation.
Authorities said growing marijuana hydroponically makes it more potent. Hydroponics is simply a growing method. It in no way increases the potency of marijuana or any other plant. Breeding and genetics can increase potency and quality, but the growing method itself has no bearing on the potency of the final product.
Authorities also claimed hydroponic marijuana is responsible for organized crime, home invasions, armed robberies, arsons and homicides. So, the growing method is responsible for all that? Now, I have heard it all. Why not throw child molestation and wife beating in there, too? Doing so couldn't possibly make that statement any less believable.
Prohibition is the reason for the majority of crime around any illicit substance. If you support prohibition, you support crime. You support the drug dealers. Refusing to control and regulate the drug market enables all of this crime.
If Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Hale wants to talk about gateway theories, prohibition is the gateway to crime.
Hale said of the operation, "It would be impressive if it was a legitimate business." So, why not legitimize it and collect taxes to build the dome, pay off the sewer debt and use police resources to go after all those murderers in the Birmingham area? Why not grow marijuana for those suffering from cancer, HIV/AIDS, chronic pain, multiple sclerosis and a whole host of other painful conditions that marijuana is good medicine for?
Loretta Nall
Executive director
Alabamians for
Compassionate Care
Alexander City
Why not make marijuana legal?:
I'm writing in response to The News' article about the indoor marijuana operation police recently discovered. The article said an operation like that could generate $1 million a year. Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Hale said, "It would be impressive if it was a legitimate business."
Well, why not make it a legitimate business?
There has been a bill submitted every year since 2004 to the Alabama Legislature calling for the legalization of medicinal marijuana. There are many people who could benefit from this legitimate business.
People who use marijuana as a medicine could benefit from it, just like they do in 12 other states. This legitimate business could create jobs and revenue. This revenue could help pay off our enormous sewer debt, and it could possibly get Hale more officers to go after real criminals.
The violent crimes the article mentioned, such as home invasions, arsons and homicides (they forgot to mention kidnapping), are the results of prohibition and the money being made from the black market, not the results of someone who has ingested the herb.
Dawn Palmer
Tarrant
MARIJUANA:
Riddled with misinformation
This is in response to The News article "Busted indoor pot farm" (Oct. 11), which was riddled with marijuana misinformation.
Authorities said growing marijuana hydroponically makes it more potent. Hydroponics is simply a growing method. It in no way increases the potency of marijuana or any other plant. Breeding and genetics can increase potency and quality, but the growing method itself has no bearing on the potency of the final product.
Authorities also claimed hydroponic marijuana is responsible for organized crime, home invasions, armed robberies, arsons and homicides. So, the growing method is responsible for all that? Now, I have heard it all. Why not throw child molestation and wife beating in there, too? Doing so couldn't possibly make that statement any less believable.
Prohibition is the reason for the majority of crime around any illicit substance. If you support prohibition, you support crime. You support the drug dealers. Refusing to control and regulate the drug market enables all of this crime.
If Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Hale wants to talk about gateway theories, prohibition is the gateway to crime.
Hale said of the operation, "It would be impressive if it was a legitimate business." So, why not legitimize it and collect taxes to build the dome, pay off the sewer debt and use police resources to go after all those murderers in the Birmingham area? Why not grow marijuana for those suffering from cancer, HIV/AIDS, chronic pain, multiple sclerosis and a whole host of other painful conditions that marijuana is good medicine for?
Loretta Nall
Executive director
Alabamians for
Compassionate Care
Alexander City
Why not make marijuana legal?:
I'm writing in response to The News' article about the indoor marijuana operation police recently discovered. The article said an operation like that could generate $1 million a year. Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Hale said, "It would be impressive if it was a legitimate business."
Well, why not make it a legitimate business?
There has been a bill submitted every year since 2004 to the Alabama Legislature calling for the legalization of medicinal marijuana. There are many people who could benefit from this legitimate business.
People who use marijuana as a medicine could benefit from it, just like they do in 12 other states. This legitimate business could create jobs and revenue. This revenue could help pay off our enormous sewer debt, and it could possibly get Hale more officers to go after real criminals.
The violent crimes the article mentioned, such as home invasions, arsons and homicides (they forgot to mention kidnapping), are the results of prohibition and the money being made from the black market, not the results of someone who has ingested the herb.
Dawn Palmer
Tarrant
Saturday, September 13, 2008
By Gum...Now Here's A Weird One For You
Me and Alabama State Senator Hank Erwin (R)- Montevallo. Hank Erwin is my nemisis in Alabama politics.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Loretta Nall on the Larry Barton Show
This past Sunday morning I was a guest on "In the Interest of the People" with former mayor of Talladega, Larry Barton and co-host Benny Green. This is a neat one because it is a gospel radio station and the opening and closing music harkens back to a time before I was born. I'm not real sure but the opening song "Man from Galilee" sounds like the Carter Family. Neat stuff.
In this show we talk about the Troy King rumors, my run for governor, the failure of drug policy, the John Alexander Rochester case and my future political ambitions.
I will be a guest on the show again tonight from 7-8 p.m. If you are in the Talladega area and can pick up 89.7 FM or 1230 AM then tune in.
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In this show we talk about the Troy King rumors, my run for governor, the failure of drug policy, the John Alexander Rochester case and my future political ambitions.
I will be a guest on the show again tonight from 7-8 p.m. If you are in the Talladega area and can pick up 89.7 FM or 1230 AM then tune in.
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Sunday, March 23, 2008
One more time: Last Word
In today's Anniston Star opinion section I am pitted head-to-head with none other than Sgt. Jim Henderson, VP of the Alabama Narcotics Officers Assoc. and once again I get the last word!
I'm getting pretty good at this. Today's printing is the third time in a week that I have gotten the last word on drug policy issues.
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I'm getting pretty good at this. Today's printing is the third time in a week that I have gotten the last word on drug policy issues.
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Monday, March 17, 2008
Alex City Police Department has no written Disciplinary Policy
All day I have been trying to lay hands on an Alexander City Police Dept. personnel policy handbook. The Mayor's office said to call the police chief.
I just spoke with Alexander City Police Chief Rafford and he said a handbook is available from the Human Resources Dept of the ACPD. He also said there is no written policy on discipline...that they kind of do it as they go along...so there is nothing for the public to see as far as disciplinary policy goes.
I asked if they have just a rule of thumb guide and he said no...they make it up as they go along.....depending on what the infraction is. I guess felony assault 1 & 2 aren't considered that serious of an infraction, huh? He did say that some other departments have a set disciplinary code...but that this one does not. I find it very odd that there aren't even any guidelines for disciplinary procedures for the police department in my town.Very odd indeed.
I mean, aside from common sense (which seem to be lacking in this particular profession in many cases) how do cops know what is breaking a rule and what isn't if there are no rules for them to go by? Is there no written code of conduct? Obviously, beating a handcuffed suspect nearly to death would be against the rules...but if there are no rules....
If they don't have any rules then I guess in their minds they can't break any rules.
I think they need some rules. A really long list of rules. And they need to be written down. How would one go about making that happen? Should I petition the City Council? If anyone knows please respond in the comments section of this post.
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I just spoke with Alexander City Police Chief Rafford and he said a handbook is available from the Human Resources Dept of the ACPD. He also said there is no written policy on discipline...that they kind of do it as they go along...so there is nothing for the public to see as far as disciplinary policy goes.
I asked if they have just a rule of thumb guide and he said no...they make it up as they go along.....depending on what the infraction is. I guess felony assault 1 & 2 aren't considered that serious of an infraction, huh? He did say that some other departments have a set disciplinary code...but that this one does not. I find it very odd that there aren't even any guidelines for disciplinary procedures for the police department in my town.Very odd indeed.
I mean, aside from common sense (which seem to be lacking in this particular profession in many cases) how do cops know what is breaking a rule and what isn't if there are no rules for them to go by? Is there no written code of conduct? Obviously, beating a handcuffed suspect nearly to death would be against the rules...but if there are no rules....
If they don't have any rules then I guess in their minds they can't break any rules.
I think they need some rules. A really long list of rules. And they need to be written down. How would one go about making that happen? Should I petition the City Council? If anyone knows please respond in the comments section of this post.
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Thursday, February 28, 2008
The Importance of Third Party Candidates
An Editorial in today's Opelika/Auburn News discusses the importance and impact of third party candidates.
Thanks for the mention OA News!
EDITORIAL
Published: February 28, 2008
Ralph Nader’s recent announcement to enter the presidential election raised a few eyebrows.
We understand this man, running as an independent, has virtually no chance of winning the election and question, to a degree, his true motives for joining the race.
But that’s his right. Just like it was Libertarian Loretta Nall’s right to run for Alabama governor in 2006.
Third party candidates are part of the American voting process.
If they weren’t important or legitimate, they wouldn’t be on the presidential ballot.
If American voters want to make the decision to cast their vote away, that’s their prerogative and absolute right as American citizens.
Men and women have sacrificed their lives to give us the right to vote, and that right includes voting for any candidate on the ballot regardless of how miniscule their chances of actually getting elected are.
If you think votes cast for Nader are meaningless or wasted, think again. They are only meaningless for his collective tally. However, they could have a major impact in the total number of votes cast for the Republican and Democratic candidates.
It’s widely regarded that votes for Nader cost Democrat Al Gore the White House in the 2000 election, particularly with votes cast in Florida.
There were more Democratic voters siding with Nader than Republican voters siding for the independent.
In short, he pulled votes away from Gore.
But many who continue to cry foul over what happened in 2000 fail to remember that independent H. Ross Perot played a huge role in determining the outcome of the 1992 presidential election.
Perot pulled votes away from Republican George Bush, and Democrat Bill Clinton eased into his new residence on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Voters should be smart enough to understand the impact of casting their votes. If their ideals and vision for America are in line with Nader’s, then they should stand behind their man.
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Thanks for the mention OA News!
EDITORIAL
Published: February 28, 2008
Ralph Nader’s recent announcement to enter the presidential election raised a few eyebrows.
We understand this man, running as an independent, has virtually no chance of winning the election and question, to a degree, his true motives for joining the race.
But that’s his right. Just like it was Libertarian Loretta Nall’s right to run for Alabama governor in 2006.
Third party candidates are part of the American voting process.
If they weren’t important or legitimate, they wouldn’t be on the presidential ballot.
If American voters want to make the decision to cast their vote away, that’s their prerogative and absolute right as American citizens.
Men and women have sacrificed their lives to give us the right to vote, and that right includes voting for any candidate on the ballot regardless of how miniscule their chances of actually getting elected are.
If you think votes cast for Nader are meaningless or wasted, think again. They are only meaningless for his collective tally. However, they could have a major impact in the total number of votes cast for the Republican and Democratic candidates.
It’s widely regarded that votes for Nader cost Democrat Al Gore the White House in the 2000 election, particularly with votes cast in Florida.
There were more Democratic voters siding with Nader than Republican voters siding for the independent.
In short, he pulled votes away from Gore.
But many who continue to cry foul over what happened in 2000 fail to remember that independent H. Ross Perot played a huge role in determining the outcome of the 1992 presidential election.
Perot pulled votes away from Republican George Bush, and Democrat Bill Clinton eased into his new residence on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Voters should be smart enough to understand the impact of casting their votes. If their ideals and vision for America are in line with Nader’s, then they should stand behind their man.
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Sunday, December 23, 2007
Me & Snoot
My friends and fellow activists Mitch & Christie O'Brien presented me with an awesome digital camera last night at our Compassionate Care meeting. Today I have been playing with it. Here are some shots my son just got of me and my dog. I have wanted shots of the two of us together for the longest but the pictures my cell phone takes suck. Thanks so much Christie and Mitch for the camera!
Without further ado...here's Snoot and me.
(NOTE: These get much larger when you click them)
Without further ado...here's Snoot and me.
(NOTE: These get much larger when you click them)
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
I'm Thankful for J.D. Crowe
It is the time of year that we give thanks to whomever or whatever we are thankful for.
This year I am very thankful for J.D. Crowe editorial cartoonist for the Mobile Press-Register. He, in the last week, has provided me with two masterpiece cartoons based on my "Sex Toys for Troy King" drive.
I thought I was done having hysterical, uncontrollable fits of laughter whenever Troy King's name was brought up.....but today this....
Gawd bless J.D. Crowe for being as ballsy as I am! These cartoons will go down in the Alabama political/historical archives.
J.D. and his cartoon genius aren't the only things I am grateful for in the past year....but I'll get to all the others tomorrow.
This year I am very thankful for J.D. Crowe editorial cartoonist for the Mobile Press-Register. He, in the last week, has provided me with two masterpiece cartoons based on my "Sex Toys for Troy King" drive.
I thought I was done having hysterical, uncontrollable fits of laughter whenever Troy King's name was brought up.....but today this....
Gawd bless J.D. Crowe for being as ballsy as I am! These cartoons will go down in the Alabama political/historical archives.
J.D. and his cartoon genius aren't the only things I am grateful for in the past year....but I'll get to all the others tomorrow.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Alabama Court Watch Blog
Dear Readers,
I would like to invite you to visit the blog for my latest project Alabama Court Watch where I will soon be spending a great deal of my time. Drop by and check out what we are doing, request information and leave us feedback.
See you THERE!
I would like to invite you to visit the blog for my latest project Alabama Court Watch where I will soon be spending a great deal of my time. Drop by and check out what we are doing, request information and leave us feedback.
See you THERE!
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Wal-Mart, Politics & Drive By Truckers
So I am up at 2:30 this morning because I can't sleep thru the night anymore due to working graveyard at Wal-Mart. I'm cooking a roast, drinking coffee and the urge to write a little came over me.
About two weeks ago I wrote my first article on what working at Wal-Mart has been like for me. My main gripe was a couple of time-clock breeders who did everything they could to get out of working while at work. I complained to the manager, who then called them to the office and apparently explained the rules about sexual intercourse in the parking lot and in various places about the store being expressly forbidden. They came back to work one night after that and no one has seen them since. I don't miss them. I don't think they have quit or been fired. I heard that the girl took medical leave and the boy called in and said he was in the hospital. Whatever. I hope that if they come back they will not be on my shift.
Then about a week ago my manager on 3rd told me he needed to see me for some paperwork before the night was over. I didn't know what it would be. My supervisor said it might be my first evaluation or maybe something to do with insurance. It turns out it was an evaluation...but not one of them evaluating me, but rather one of me evaluating them. I found it very odd. It was one page of questions related to my experiences working for Wal-Mart thus far. Did I like it? Did I feel I had been properly trained? Did I feel I could approach any of my mgrs/sups with problems? What did I like least? Most?
I filled it out, signed it and handed it back to the night manager who looked at it and said, "What the hell is that anyway?"
"I don't know", I told him. "You're the manager...don't you know what it is?"
"No", he said. "I have been here 15 years and I have never seen one of those."
I can still only specutlate as to what the purpose was. Maybe the store manager wanted to gauge my feelings after our little discussion. Or perhaps, as one friend offered, they are considering me for a PR position at some future date and wanted to experience my shit talkin' skills first hand. Either way, it was very weird.
Politics
Due to various goings-on in my personal life I have not been as active in drug policy reform in the last few months as I would have liked to have been. Things are starting to settle down now and I am proud to announce that I have been awarded another grant to continue my work here in the state on behalf of medical marijuana patients and this year as an advocate for pot smokers who are sentenced to drug court. I'll be doing an official news release on this new program within the next few weeks and it will include the locations in Alabama with drug courts that I intend to monitor.
Court officials in Alabama are not accustomed to being moitored and held accountable so this should be an infinitely fascinating project loaded with drama, fireworks and great media. If there is a drug court in your neighborhood and you or osmeone you know are interested in being a monitor then please get in touch with me via email.
Drive By Truckers
My friend Phil Smith at DRCNet and senior editor of Stop the Drug War has been after me for years to check out the Drive By Truckers and I never did. Then recently another friend of mine invited me to see them in Birmingham last weekend and I was able to go. I was really impressed with the authenticity of their music. It isn't really country...but it ain't rock either. It's just Alabama music and that's about all I can say. If you've never heard them before check them out at Drive By Truckers .com
Here are a few pics I took. Have better ones but haven't uploaded them yet.
About two weeks ago I wrote my first article on what working at Wal-Mart has been like for me. My main gripe was a couple of time-clock breeders who did everything they could to get out of working while at work. I complained to the manager, who then called them to the office and apparently explained the rules about sexual intercourse in the parking lot and in various places about the store being expressly forbidden. They came back to work one night after that and no one has seen them since. I don't miss them. I don't think they have quit or been fired. I heard that the girl took medical leave and the boy called in and said he was in the hospital. Whatever. I hope that if they come back they will not be on my shift.
Then about a week ago my manager on 3rd told me he needed to see me for some paperwork before the night was over. I didn't know what it would be. My supervisor said it might be my first evaluation or maybe something to do with insurance. It turns out it was an evaluation...but not one of them evaluating me, but rather one of me evaluating them. I found it very odd. It was one page of questions related to my experiences working for Wal-Mart thus far. Did I like it? Did I feel I had been properly trained? Did I feel I could approach any of my mgrs/sups with problems? What did I like least? Most?
I filled it out, signed it and handed it back to the night manager who looked at it and said, "What the hell is that anyway?"
"I don't know", I told him. "You're the manager...don't you know what it is?"
"No", he said. "I have been here 15 years and I have never seen one of those."
I can still only specutlate as to what the purpose was. Maybe the store manager wanted to gauge my feelings after our little discussion. Or perhaps, as one friend offered, they are considering me for a PR position at some future date and wanted to experience my shit talkin' skills first hand. Either way, it was very weird.
Politics
Due to various goings-on in my personal life I have not been as active in drug policy reform in the last few months as I would have liked to have been. Things are starting to settle down now and I am proud to announce that I have been awarded another grant to continue my work here in the state on behalf of medical marijuana patients and this year as an advocate for pot smokers who are sentenced to drug court. I'll be doing an official news release on this new program within the next few weeks and it will include the locations in Alabama with drug courts that I intend to monitor.
Court officials in Alabama are not accustomed to being moitored and held accountable so this should be an infinitely fascinating project loaded with drama, fireworks and great media. If there is a drug court in your neighborhood and you or osmeone you know are interested in being a monitor then please get in touch with me via email.
Drive By Truckers
My friend Phil Smith at DRCNet and senior editor of Stop the Drug War has been after me for years to check out the Drive By Truckers and I never did. Then recently another friend of mine invited me to see them in Birmingham last weekend and I was able to go. I was really impressed with the authenticity of their music. It isn't really country...but it ain't rock either. It's just Alabama music and that's about all I can say. If you've never heard them before check them out at Drive By Truckers .com
Here are a few pics I took. Have better ones but haven't uploaded them yet.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Leave Pot Smokers Alone
The Tuscaloosa News printed the following LTE from me today regarding the expansion of drug courts in Alabama.
Thanks T-Town News!
LEAVE MARIJUANA SMOKERS ALONE
Dear Editor: I want to thank Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb for her
efforts to ease prison overcrowding and address drug addiction with a
more compassionate approach. It is so important for society to
realize that addiction is an illness that can be treated and not a
crime that needs punishing.
Many of you know me as a voice for drug policy and prison reform in
Alabama and as a candidate for governor in 2006. I am also a family
member who has witnessed the devastating impact that drugs and
alcohol can have. I have two brothers, one in prison and one who just
overdosed for the ninth time on methadone provided to him by the
Veterans Administration. I know for a fact locking them in prison
does not work.
While I am happy to see drug courts expand in Alabama, I fear that
they will simply round up pot smokers to fill their treatment beds.
Marijuana should be exempt from all criminal sanctions, police
involvement and court oversight when used responsibly by adults. We
all know it is safer than alcohol and not addictive to the degree
that anyone actually suffers withdrawals if they quit. I say unless
people who smoke pot are doing something to endanger others, there is
no reason for the police or the courts to be involved. Taking
responsible, adult pot smokers out of the drug court equation will
greatly enable the drug courts to better help the people that really need it.
Loretta Nall
Alexander City
Thanks T-Town News!
LEAVE MARIJUANA SMOKERS ALONE
Dear Editor: I want to thank Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb for her
efforts to ease prison overcrowding and address drug addiction with a
more compassionate approach. It is so important for society to
realize that addiction is an illness that can be treated and not a
crime that needs punishing.
Many of you know me as a voice for drug policy and prison reform in
Alabama and as a candidate for governor in 2006. I am also a family
member who has witnessed the devastating impact that drugs and
alcohol can have. I have two brothers, one in prison and one who just
overdosed for the ninth time on methadone provided to him by the
Veterans Administration. I know for a fact locking them in prison
does not work.
While I am happy to see drug courts expand in Alabama, I fear that
they will simply round up pot smokers to fill their treatment beds.
Marijuana should be exempt from all criminal sanctions, police
involvement and court oversight when used responsibly by adults. We
all know it is safer than alcohol and not addictive to the degree
that anyone actually suffers withdrawals if they quit. I say unless
people who smoke pot are doing something to endanger others, there is
no reason for the police or the courts to be involved. Taking
responsible, adult pot smokers out of the drug court equation will
greatly enable the drug courts to better help the people that really need it.
Loretta Nall
Alexander City
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Published in the Tuscaloosa News
Yesterday I sent the following LTE to the Tuscaloosa News and today they were gracious enough to publish it. Thanks Tuscaloosa News!
Reefer Madness Returns
Dear Editor: In the last week two “studies" on the effects of marijuana use have been spreading like some sort of aggressive disease. This happens every year or so and it seems to always be the same two studies.
The first one proposes the idea that smoking even one joint could raise your risk of developing schizophrenia later in life by an astronomical 40 percent.
However, if one takes the time to look at actual rates of schizophrenia among the entire world population they will see that the rate has always been around 1 percent with no real fluctuation. If the schizophrenia claim were actually true then we would have seen a huge jump in the number of people diagnosed with schizophrenia.
The second one claims a link between marijuana and lung cancer. It states that one joint is as bad as five cigarettes.
However, a gentleman by the name of Dr. Donald Tashkin, who for many years worked in cahoots with the DEA to try and prove this theory, recently released a study that shows smoking marijuana does not cause lung cancer and may even have some preventative effects.
This kind of fear mongering about marijuana is true “Reefer Madness."
Reefer Madness Returns
Dear Editor: In the last week two “studies" on the effects of marijuana use have been spreading like some sort of aggressive disease. This happens every year or so and it seems to always be the same two studies.
The first one proposes the idea that smoking even one joint could raise your risk of developing schizophrenia later in life by an astronomical 40 percent.
However, if one takes the time to look at actual rates of schizophrenia among the entire world population they will see that the rate has always been around 1 percent with no real fluctuation. If the schizophrenia claim were actually true then we would have seen a huge jump in the number of people diagnosed with schizophrenia.
The second one claims a link between marijuana and lung cancer. It states that one joint is as bad as five cigarettes.
However, a gentleman by the name of Dr. Donald Tashkin, who for many years worked in cahoots with the DEA to try and prove this theory, recently released a study that shows smoking marijuana does not cause lung cancer and may even have some preventative effects.
This kind of fear mongering about marijuana is true “Reefer Madness."
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Child Sodomizers Have More Rights than Pot Smokers in Alabama Courts
The case of Jerry Wayne Love has spawned a fascinating discussion over at FlashPoint and has raised very clearly the issue of child rapers being granted more rights than pot smokers in Alabama's court system. I cannot and will not abide that sort of absolute non-sense.
The Sixth Amendment of the Bill of Rights of the US Constitution states the following,
Amendment VI (the Sixth Amendment) of the United States Constitution codifies rights related to criminal prosecutions in federal courts. The Supreme Court has ruled that these rights are so fundamental and important that they are protected in state courts by the Fourteenth Amendment's Due Process Clause.
Unless of course you are accused of anything drug related. Then the mere word of a confidential informant can be used against you. These people never have to reveal themselves, therefore if you are accused of a drug offense you NEVER GET TO FACE YOUR ACCUSER! That means that in the Alabama criminal justice system an admitted child sodomizer has more rights than a pot smoker who never sodomized anyone at all. How bout them apples folks?
We have literally prioritized non-violent drug use and possession cases above child sex offender cases. No one should be denied their Constitutional rights in a court of law. Not even those accused of raping a child. How come in drug cases the word of confidential informants can be used against a defendant, which is clearly unconstitutional, but the prosecution in the Jerry Wayne Love case could not read aloud the written statements of the children accusing Jerry Wayne Love of raping them? If we are gonna allow the violation of some peoples rights then why not all? Clearly raping a child is a much more serious offense than smoking a joint.
I think we should bar confidential informants from testifying in drug cases. In my transcript from my original trial we were able to prove that no confidential complaints even existed. So, the cops can just sit around and make shit up on pot smokers, and if the pot smokers wind up in court without adaquate defense and a court reporter then the word of the cop that there are confidential informants will be accepted as unassailable truth. They rarely are asked to produce evidence that backs up their claims and if they are asked to by the defense the judge will very often say that the defense is not entitled to see it because it would compromise the identities of said informants. The rights of the accused non-violent plant consumer be damned.
Another interesting issue that this case has brought up is that for years DHR received complaints of sexual abuse and sodomy from the kids in Jerry Wayne Love's care, but they could never convict him...so they just kept sending him kids to take care of. I wonder how many of those kids were removed from homes where there was nothing going on except perhaps the parents liked to smoke a joint after the kids were in bed? That is what they tried to do in my case...remove my kids to foster care...but, I won that battle, too. Think about that. Because of the dumbass laws kids are removed from homes where their parents love and care for them and never abuse them in any way, simply because their parents choose to ingest plant material instead of drinking a beer or a martini. How many of the kids in Jerry Wayne Love's care came from a good home with pot-smoking parents and were then raped by this scum?
I am really hot about this case and about the fact that the rights of child rapists are routinely granted and protected according to the Constitution, but the rights of a pot smoker are tossed away like so much trash. Whether you agree with me or not on the drug issue you must agree that we have to afford ALL CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS TO EVERY DEFENDANT OR AFFORD THEM TO NONE!
I have raised half the money I need to make the trip to Huntsville on Tuesday to observe the actions of Judge Karen Hall. If you would like to help then me raise the other half click here. If you are in the Madison Co. area and wish to attend with me then click here.
Change must come from the people. Join me in changing these terrible, unfair and unconstitutional laws!
The Sixth Amendment of the Bill of Rights of the US Constitution states the following,
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.
Amendment VI (the Sixth Amendment) of the United States Constitution codifies rights related to criminal prosecutions in federal courts. The Supreme Court has ruled that these rights are so fundamental and important that they are protected in state courts by the Fourteenth Amendment's Due Process Clause.
Unless of course you are accused of anything drug related. Then the mere word of a confidential informant can be used against you. These people never have to reveal themselves, therefore if you are accused of a drug offense you NEVER GET TO FACE YOUR ACCUSER! That means that in the Alabama criminal justice system an admitted child sodomizer has more rights than a pot smoker who never sodomized anyone at all. How bout them apples folks?
We have literally prioritized non-violent drug use and possession cases above child sex offender cases. No one should be denied their Constitutional rights in a court of law. Not even those accused of raping a child. How come in drug cases the word of confidential informants can be used against a defendant, which is clearly unconstitutional, but the prosecution in the Jerry Wayne Love case could not read aloud the written statements of the children accusing Jerry Wayne Love of raping them? If we are gonna allow the violation of some peoples rights then why not all? Clearly raping a child is a much more serious offense than smoking a joint.
I think we should bar confidential informants from testifying in drug cases. In my transcript from my original trial we were able to prove that no confidential complaints even existed. So, the cops can just sit around and make shit up on pot smokers, and if the pot smokers wind up in court without adaquate defense and a court reporter then the word of the cop that there are confidential informants will be accepted as unassailable truth. They rarely are asked to produce evidence that backs up their claims and if they are asked to by the defense the judge will very often say that the defense is not entitled to see it because it would compromise the identities of said informants. The rights of the accused non-violent plant consumer be damned.
Another interesting issue that this case has brought up is that for years DHR received complaints of sexual abuse and sodomy from the kids in Jerry Wayne Love's care, but they could never convict him...so they just kept sending him kids to take care of. I wonder how many of those kids were removed from homes where there was nothing going on except perhaps the parents liked to smoke a joint after the kids were in bed? That is what they tried to do in my case...remove my kids to foster care...but, I won that battle, too. Think about that. Because of the dumbass laws kids are removed from homes where their parents love and care for them and never abuse them in any way, simply because their parents choose to ingest plant material instead of drinking a beer or a martini. How many of the kids in Jerry Wayne Love's care came from a good home with pot-smoking parents and were then raped by this scum?
I am really hot about this case and about the fact that the rights of child rapists are routinely granted and protected according to the Constitution, but the rights of a pot smoker are tossed away like so much trash. Whether you agree with me or not on the drug issue you must agree that we have to afford ALL CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS TO EVERY DEFENDANT OR AFFORD THEM TO NONE!
I have raised half the money I need to make the trip to Huntsville on Tuesday to observe the actions of Judge Karen Hall. If you would like to help then me raise the other half click here. If you are in the Madison Co. area and wish to attend with me then click here.
Change must come from the people. Join me in changing these terrible, unfair and unconstitutional laws!
Saturday, July 21, 2007
How Will These People be Sentenced by Judge Karen Hall?
I have located the docket for Judge Karen Hall for the week July 23, 2007. This is some two weeks after Jerry Wayne Love was allowed to walk out of her courtroom practically a free man. You can view it here. A little further down I break down the numbers of what types of cases are on the docket.
But, first, let me say this. There are only two conclusions we, the public, can come to in the Jerry Wayne Love case and they are
1. Mr. Love is guilty of the crimes with which he was charged with and pled guilty to and should be behind bars for the rest of his life.
or
2. He is an innocent man who had to bargain for his freedom by pleading guilty to crimes he is not in fact guilty of and will now be haunted by a sex offender conviction which he does not deserve for the rest of his life.
Which is it?
Either scenario is completely UNACCEPTABLE in a criminal justice system that proclaims to be fair. The offering of such a sweetheart plea deal by the DA and the acceptance of said plea deal by the judge are indefensible in either scenario.
Here's how the numbers break down for the upcoming July 23 court docket for Judge Karen Hall.
108 total cases on the docket for the week of July 23, 2007.
Drug Cases = 25 of 108 which comes out to around 25% of the total of all the cases.
Non-violent cases which include, driving with a suspended license, driving while license revoked, operating a vehicle without insurance, DUI and so forth = 11 which is a little less than 10% of the total cases
Property Crimes (burgulary, possession of a forged insturment, receiving stolen property, theft by deception, breaking and entering a vehicle... etc...)= 49 or roughly half of the cases on the docket.
Violent Crimes including rape, assault, sexual abuse...= 13 which is close to another 10%
Crimes I am not sure how to classify like indecent exposure, criminal mischief, harassing communications make up another 10 which brings us to 108.
Now the clearance rate for all criminal cases for Madison County in FY2006 was 23% (located at the bottom of page 23 of the pdf document). So, that means that only 23 times in 100 are these cases ever solved and disposed of. I'd wager that the majority of drug cases make up the bulk of the solved rates.
Just think....if we removed drugs from oversight by the criminal justice system, why they could focus at least 25% more resources on real crimes with actual victims and dangerous criminals who need to be removed from society.
I'd really love to be in Judge Hall's courtroom on the 23rd to document how she sentences the defendants coming before her on drug charges. There are also a few cases involving sexual abuse and rape. I'd really like to see how she handles those as compared to how she handled the Jerry Wayne Love case.
To make the trip myself I need to raise money to rent a car. One day rentals usually come to around $52. Gas will be another $40-50. I have a relative I can probably stay with there in Madison Co. so I won't need a hotel room. If you would like to help me raise the money to go hang out in Judge Hall's courtroom next week then CLICK HERE.
Additionally, if there is anyone in Madison Co. or the surrounding area who would like to sit in on this docket and document what happens then please email me. If I can't raise the money then at least I will still be able to get someone in that courtroom with a pen and a piece of paper to write down what is being done. If I can make it I would still like to have anyone interested in this case there with me. Two or more pairs of eyes and ears are always better than one.
But, first, let me say this. There are only two conclusions we, the public, can come to in the Jerry Wayne Love case and they are
1. Mr. Love is guilty of the crimes with which he was charged with and pled guilty to and should be behind bars for the rest of his life.
or
2. He is an innocent man who had to bargain for his freedom by pleading guilty to crimes he is not in fact guilty of and will now be haunted by a sex offender conviction which he does not deserve for the rest of his life.
Which is it?
Either scenario is completely UNACCEPTABLE in a criminal justice system that proclaims to be fair. The offering of such a sweetheart plea deal by the DA and the acceptance of said plea deal by the judge are indefensible in either scenario.
Here's how the numbers break down for the upcoming July 23 court docket for Judge Karen Hall.
108 total cases on the docket for the week of July 23, 2007.
Drug Cases = 25 of 108 which comes out to around 25% of the total of all the cases.
Non-violent cases which include, driving with a suspended license, driving while license revoked, operating a vehicle without insurance, DUI and so forth = 11 which is a little less than 10% of the total cases
Property Crimes (burgulary, possession of a forged insturment, receiving stolen property, theft by deception, breaking and entering a vehicle... etc...)= 49 or roughly half of the cases on the docket.
Violent Crimes including rape, assault, sexual abuse...= 13 which is close to another 10%
Crimes I am not sure how to classify like indecent exposure, criminal mischief, harassing communications make up another 10 which brings us to 108.
Now the clearance rate for all criminal cases for Madison County in FY2006 was 23% (located at the bottom of page 23 of the pdf document). So, that means that only 23 times in 100 are these cases ever solved and disposed of. I'd wager that the majority of drug cases make up the bulk of the solved rates.
Just think....if we removed drugs from oversight by the criminal justice system, why they could focus at least 25% more resources on real crimes with actual victims and dangerous criminals who need to be removed from society.
I'd really love to be in Judge Hall's courtroom on the 23rd to document how she sentences the defendants coming before her on drug charges. There are also a few cases involving sexual abuse and rape. I'd really like to see how she handles those as compared to how she handled the Jerry Wayne Love case.
To make the trip myself I need to raise money to rent a car. One day rentals usually come to around $52. Gas will be another $40-50. I have a relative I can probably stay with there in Madison Co. so I won't need a hotel room. If you would like to help me raise the money to go hang out in Judge Hall's courtroom next week then CLICK HERE.
Additionally, if there is anyone in Madison Co. or the surrounding area who would like to sit in on this docket and document what happens then please email me. If I can't raise the money then at least I will still be able to get someone in that courtroom with a pen and a piece of paper to write down what is being done. If I can make it I would still like to have anyone interested in this case there with me. Two or more pairs of eyes and ears are always better than one.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Nall to be a Guest on WVNN Wednesday 7:30 AM
The feedback from the Hannity and Colmes appearance tonight has been very good so far. I haven't seen the piece yet and therefore will reserve any in-depth analysis. My general feeling is that is was good overall.
I wish there had been more time to discuss some other things that I found out about this case today....but the Hannity and Colmes format doesn't really allow for that.....unless of course you are talking about 'rasslin'.....then thre seems to be plenty of time.
I came by some new information today via a Huntsville attorney who regularly tries cases before Judge Hall. I'll be on talk radio at 7:30 A.M. CST in the morning at WVNN Huntsville on the Dale Jackson show talking in much more detail about this case and the new information. You can listen live HERE.
.
I wish there had been more time to discuss some other things that I found out about this case today....but the Hannity and Colmes format doesn't really allow for that.....unless of course you are talking about 'rasslin'.....then thre seems to be plenty of time.
I came by some new information today via a Huntsville attorney who regularly tries cases before Judge Hall. I'll be on talk radio at 7:30 A.M. CST in the morning at WVNN Huntsville on the Dale Jackson show talking in much more detail about this case and the new information. You can listen live HERE.
.
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