I think he might be on to something here!
NO MORE C.B. meals
1 day ago
Saturday, March 27, 2010
King Cockfight Nominates Trixie the Pig for Task Force Commander
King Cockfight has done it again with Trixie the Pig for Illegal Gambling Task Force Commander.
I think he might be on to something here!
I think he might be on to something here!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Contact Judiciary Committee on HB642 Today!
Next Wednesday, March 31, HB642 The Michael Phillips Compassionate Care Act will come before the Alabama House Judiciary Committee. Today we need to start flooding the phone lines and inboxes of the judiciary committee members asking them to support this bill.
When you call you may or may not get the member on the phone. If you get the member on the phone introduce yourself. If you are a patient then tell them what your condition is, what medications you have taken, how they affected your quality of life, how marijuana helps your condition and the dangerous things you have to go through to get it. Tell them you shouldn't have to risk your family, property and freedom in order to treat your medical condition. Tell them that 14 other states and DC have medical marijuana laws, but, because you live in Alabama, you are treated as a criminal as opposed to a patient. Tell them that geographic location should never determine criminality and that patients in Alabama deserve the same level of protection as patients in the 14 states where medical marijuana has been passed. Ask them to please vote YES on HB642. Please write down what they say and send it to me.
If you get the main desk at the State House leave a message asking for the judiciary committee member to support HB642 and to please return your call.
Also, take a moment and send an email to the members listed below.
"Camjulward@aol.com" , (334) 242-7750
steve.mcmillan@alhouse.org, (334) 242-7723
spencer.collier@alhouse.org, (334) 242-7719
paul.demarco@alhouse.org, (334) 242-7740
charles.newton@alhouse.org, (334) 242-4460
marcel.black@alhouse.org, (334) 242-7667
Tammy.Irons@alhouse.org, (334) 353-9032
jamie.ison@alhouse.org, (334) 242-7711
laura.hall@alhouse.org, (334) 242-7688
chris.england@alhouse.org , (334) 242-7703
john.robinson@alhouse.org, (334) 242-7728
howard.sanderford@alhouse.org (334) 242-4368
When you call you may or may not get the member on the phone. If you get the member on the phone introduce yourself. If you are a patient then tell them what your condition is, what medications you have taken, how they affected your quality of life, how marijuana helps your condition and the dangerous things you have to go through to get it. Tell them you shouldn't have to risk your family, property and freedom in order to treat your medical condition. Tell them that 14 other states and DC have medical marijuana laws, but, because you live in Alabama, you are treated as a criminal as opposed to a patient. Tell them that geographic location should never determine criminality and that patients in Alabama deserve the same level of protection as patients in the 14 states where medical marijuana has been passed. Ask them to please vote YES on HB642. Please write down what they say and send it to me.
If you get the main desk at the State House leave a message asking for the judiciary committee member to support HB642 and to please return your call.
Also, take a moment and send an email to the members listed below.
"Camjulward@aol.com" , (334) 242-7750
steve.mcmillan@alhouse.org, (334) 242-7723
spencer.collier@alhouse.org, (334) 242-7719
paul.demarco@alhouse.org, (334) 242-7740
charles.newton@alhouse.org, (334) 242-4460
marcel.black@alhouse.org, (334) 242-7667
Tammy.Irons@alhouse.org, (334) 353-9032
jamie.ison@alhouse.org, (334) 242-7711
laura.hall@alhouse.org, (334) 242-7688
chris.england@alhouse.org , (334) 242-7703
john.robinson@alhouse.org, (334) 242-7728
howard.sanderford@alhouse.org (334) 242-4368
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Drug Prohibition Laws Create Violence
There is a remarkable new study out of Canada which says that the enforcement of drug prohibition laws are responsible for drug related violence. It is a MUST READ.
New report finds drug prohibition, stricter law enforcement key sources of violence and gun crime
New report finds drug prohibition, stricter law enforcement key sources of violence and gun crime
Burglar Steals Drug Safe from Maplesville PD
This is just too rich!
According to a story in today's Clanton Advertiser burglars broke in on Friday or Saturday and stole the drug safe. They also searched the Chief's computer and punctured the tires of three police cars before leaving.
Apparently there is only one officer on duty in Maplesville and he was out on patrol when this happened. There was no forced entry. Smells like an inside job to me.
According to a story in today's Clanton Advertiser burglars broke in on Friday or Saturday and stole the drug safe. They also searched the Chief's computer and punctured the tires of three police cars before leaving.
Apparently there is only one officer on duty in Maplesville and he was out on patrol when this happened. There was no forced entry. Smells like an inside job to me.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Crack Bust at Taco Bell !!!
So, my mom is visiting this week and we decided to go out and eat at Taco Bell today. As we were sitting around the table eating my mom said, "Loretter, turn around yonder and look behind you."
Not being able to resist a command from my mother, and seeing that the expression on her face was one of extreme amusement, I took the bait and turned around. And here is what I saw.
Good Gawd Ten pounds of crack! Talk about 'Outside the Bun'. Or...Outside Buns...or something.
Couldn't resist taking a picture. Made mom pretend I was taking one of her so 'Butt Cheeks' there wouldn't get up and kick my ass.
The rest of the meal was spent with me, my mom, my daughter, and my husband trying to come up with the best title for this blog post while trying not to choke to death on our tacos or laugh too loud. Hubby won!
Not being able to resist a command from my mother, and seeing that the expression on her face was one of extreme amusement, I took the bait and turned around. And here is what I saw.
Good Gawd Ten pounds of crack! Talk about 'Outside the Bun'. Or...Outside Buns...or something.
Couldn't resist taking a picture. Made mom pretend I was taking one of her so 'Butt Cheeks' there wouldn't get up and kick my ass.
The rest of the meal was spent with me, my mom, my daughter, and my husband trying to come up with the best title for this blog post while trying not to choke to death on our tacos or laugh too loud. Hubby won!
Medical Marijuana LTE in BHAM News
ACC member and medical marijuana patient Sam Barksdale's excellent LTE is in the Birmingham News this morning. However, for some strange reason the BHAM News got the bill number wrong. I know it was the BHAM News because I helped Sam edit the letter and I am certain the bill number was correct. The actual bill number is HB642.
Medical Marijuana: Support bill in House Committee
Great job Sam!
Medical Marijuana: Support bill in House Committee
Great job Sam!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Alabama Prison Numbers on Rise...AGAIN
The Birmingham News is reporting that while the number of state prison inmates declined nationally the number increased in Alabama...mostly due to non-violent drug offenses.
So, 34% of the new entries into the prison system in Alabama were drug offenders. Boy I tell ya, that drug war just works out so magnificently for keeping people from using drugs, don't it?
Why can't legislators grow a pair and stop doing stupid shit like this which only makes the problem worse?
The nation's number of state prison inmates dropped slightly in 2009 -- the first decrease recorded in nearly 38 years -- but Alabama's prison population went in the other direction.
According to a report from the Public Safety Performance Project of the Pew Center on the States, Alabama's jurisdictional prison population -- the number of inmates the state is responsible for housing -- totaled 31,561 on Jan. 1. That is an increase of 3.5 percent over the population of 30,508 listed on Dec. 31, 2008.
Over the same period, according to the report, the nation's state prison population dropped 0.4 percent, from 1,408,830 to 1,403,091.
Alabama Corrections Commissioner Richard Allen said his department has been working to reduce its prison population. If the state had not adopted a package of sentencing guidelines several years ago, the population would be even higher, he said.
One problem is that judges and district attorneys are not using the guidelines as much "as we think they should," Allen said.
According to a Department of Corrections report prepared for Allen, drug offenders made up nearly 34 percent of the 11,729 inmates who entered the jurisdictional prison population in fiscal 2008.
So, 34% of the new entries into the prison system in Alabama were drug offenders. Boy I tell ya, that drug war just works out so magnificently for keeping people from using drugs, don't it?
Why can't legislators grow a pair and stop doing stupid shit like this which only makes the problem worse?
HB697 Seeks to Ban K2/Spice
Rep. James Gordon (D-Mobile) has introduced a bill (HB697) to add the new designer substance, that supposedly mimics the effects of marijuana, to the list of Schedule I substances.
I have not used K2/Spice and do not plan to use K2/Spice. However, prohibition has never worked and will never work. In fact, prohibition of marijuana is directly responsible for the emergence of K2/Spice. I've just sent the following letter to the sponsor, co-sponsors and members of the House Judiciary Committee where this bill will come up on March 24. Please take a moment and send a letter of your own. Contact information is at the bottom.
Dear Sponsor and Co-Sponsors of HB697 and Members of the House Judiciary Committee,
I am writing you today to ask that you rethink your efforts to ban the chemical known as K2 and add it to the Schedule I controlled substances.
I would like to ask all of you the same question and I would like you to answer me honestly.
What is one stated objective that has ever been met by outlawing/prohibiting a substance?
History has taught us that prohibition never works as intended and, time after time, it makes things much worse. Prohibition does the following:
1) Drives use underground where there are absolutely no regulations of controls to govern the use of any substance.
2) Makes any drug of any quality and questionable purity available (some unscrupulous people will add things like PCP or formaldehyde to whatever they are selling...both of which are deadly) to anyone who wants them, especially children, as drug dealers don't ask to see ID.
3) Increases crime because prohibition drives up prices which leads to those who become addicted stealing to support their addiction.
4) Crams our prisons with non-violent people while turning child molesters and murderers loose on the street to make room for the non-violent drug offenders.
5) Increases the spread of preventable deadly disease.
6) Saddles young people with criminal records for the rest of their life and bars them from receiving federal student financial aid thereby nearly ensuring that they will not get an education and will be a lifelong burden on society.
7) Increases violence because prohibition fuels turf wars in inner cities.
8) The lucrative profits made from prohibition draw in young, impoverished people who would rather make $500 a day than $200 a week at a regular job.
9) Allows the government to selectively apply drug laws. All you need to do to prove this is look at the racial disparity in the Alabama prison system with regard to drug offenders. Blacks and whites use drugs at the exact same rates. Yet, one look at the prison population will show you that blacks are far more likely to do prison time than whites for the same drug offenses.
10) Enriches violent drug cartels and places drug control directly in their hands.
11) Causes an increase in the creation of designer chemicals like K2. For example; when alcohol was outlawed we saw an increase in liquor consumption because liquor is more concentrated and more could be smuggled in the same space formerly used to smuggle wine and beer. In the 1980's when cocaine was the major drug in the news we saw crack cocaine emerge as the new demon drug for the very same reasons mentioned with regard to alcohol. After over the counter sales of stimulants were outlawed in the US in the 1950's we saw the beginning of what is currently known as meth. Outlawing marijuana, which has never cause one death in recorded human history, brings us things like K2. The more you outlaw substances the more you increase the likelihood that some new designer chemical like K2 will emerge to take it's place.
What prohibition doesn't do:
1) Stop people from using drugs or alcohol.
I know that you mean well with your prohibition laws. Or perhaps you want to pass a drug bill which stirs complex emotions during an election year so that you can trumpet your 'success' on the campaign trail. Either way, all you are really doing is creating more problems, contributing to the destruction of more family units and cramming more non-violent people into our dilapidated, violent, overcrowded and inhumane prison system, which is currently operating at nearly 200% over capacity and costs Alabama tax payers $132 million dollars a year just to house the drug offender population, while doing nothing at all to address the root causes of drug addiction. Prohibition does not work and never will. If you truly want to reduce drug use and the problems associated with it then you have to begin approaching this issue in a whole new way.
Please rethink your decision to sponsor/co-sponsor or yes vote to pass this bill.
VOTE NO ON HB697.
Respectfully,
Loretta Nall
Contact information
james@jamesogordon.com,
ralph.howard@alhouse.org,
yvonne.kennedy@alhouse.org,
alan.boothe@alhouse.org,
george.bandy@alhouse.org,
bboyd@calhouncounty.org,
jack@jackwilliams.org,
locy.baker@alhouse.org,
"Camjulward@aol.com",
steve.mcmillan@alhouse.org,
spencer.collier@alhouse.org,
paul.demarco@alhouse.org,
charles.newton@alhouse.org,
marcel.black@alhouse.org,
Tammy.Irons@alhouse.org,
jamie.ison@alhouse.org,
laura.hall@alhouse.org,
Chris England,
john.robinson@alhouse.org,
howard.sanderford@alhouse.org
I have not used K2/Spice and do not plan to use K2/Spice. However, prohibition has never worked and will never work. In fact, prohibition of marijuana is directly responsible for the emergence of K2/Spice. I've just sent the following letter to the sponsor, co-sponsors and members of the House Judiciary Committee where this bill will come up on March 24. Please take a moment and send a letter of your own. Contact information is at the bottom.
Dear Sponsor and Co-Sponsors of HB697 and Members of the House Judiciary Committee,
I am writing you today to ask that you rethink your efforts to ban the chemical known as K2 and add it to the Schedule I controlled substances.
I would like to ask all of you the same question and I would like you to answer me honestly.
What is one stated objective that has ever been met by outlawing/prohibiting a substance?
History has taught us that prohibition never works as intended and, time after time, it makes things much worse. Prohibition does the following:
1) Drives use underground where there are absolutely no regulations of controls to govern the use of any substance.
2) Makes any drug of any quality and questionable purity available (some unscrupulous people will add things like PCP or formaldehyde to whatever they are selling...both of which are deadly) to anyone who wants them, especially children, as drug dealers don't ask to see ID.
3) Increases crime because prohibition drives up prices which leads to those who become addicted stealing to support their addiction.
4) Crams our prisons with non-violent people while turning child molesters and murderers loose on the street to make room for the non-violent drug offenders.
5) Increases the spread of preventable deadly disease.
6) Saddles young people with criminal records for the rest of their life and bars them from receiving federal student financial aid thereby nearly ensuring that they will not get an education and will be a lifelong burden on society.
7) Increases violence because prohibition fuels turf wars in inner cities.
8) The lucrative profits made from prohibition draw in young, impoverished people who would rather make $500 a day than $200 a week at a regular job.
9) Allows the government to selectively apply drug laws. All you need to do to prove this is look at the racial disparity in the Alabama prison system with regard to drug offenders. Blacks and whites use drugs at the exact same rates. Yet, one look at the prison population will show you that blacks are far more likely to do prison time than whites for the same drug offenses.
10) Enriches violent drug cartels and places drug control directly in their hands.
11) Causes an increase in the creation of designer chemicals like K2. For example; when alcohol was outlawed we saw an increase in liquor consumption because liquor is more concentrated and more could be smuggled in the same space formerly used to smuggle wine and beer. In the 1980's when cocaine was the major drug in the news we saw crack cocaine emerge as the new demon drug for the very same reasons mentioned with regard to alcohol. After over the counter sales of stimulants were outlawed in the US in the 1950's we saw the beginning of what is currently known as meth. Outlawing marijuana, which has never cause one death in recorded human history, brings us things like K2. The more you outlaw substances the more you increase the likelihood that some new designer chemical like K2 will emerge to take it's place.
What prohibition doesn't do:
1) Stop people from using drugs or alcohol.
I know that you mean well with your prohibition laws. Or perhaps you want to pass a drug bill which stirs complex emotions during an election year so that you can trumpet your 'success' on the campaign trail. Either way, all you are really doing is creating more problems, contributing to the destruction of more family units and cramming more non-violent people into our dilapidated, violent, overcrowded and inhumane prison system, which is currently operating at nearly 200% over capacity and costs Alabama tax payers $132 million dollars a year just to house the drug offender population, while doing nothing at all to address the root causes of drug addiction. Prohibition does not work and never will. If you truly want to reduce drug use and the problems associated with it then you have to begin approaching this issue in a whole new way.
Please rethink your decision to sponsor/co-sponsor or yes vote to pass this bill.
VOTE NO ON HB697.
Respectfully,
Loretta Nall
Contact information
james@jamesogordon.com,
ralph.howard@alhouse.org,
yvonne.kennedy@alhouse.org,
alan.boothe@alhouse.org,
george.bandy@alhouse.org,
bboyd@calhouncounty.org,
jack@jackwilliams.org,
locy.baker@alhouse.org,
"Camjulward@aol.com"
steve.mcmillan@alhouse.org,
spencer.collier@alhouse.org,
paul.demarco@alhouse.org,
charles.newton@alhouse.org,
marcel.black@alhouse.org,
Tammy.Irons@alhouse.org,
jamie.ison@alhouse.org,
laura.hall@alhouse.org,
Chris England
john.robinson@alhouse.org,
howard.sanderford@alhouse.org
Problems with Fire Safe Cigarettes
A couple months ago there was news story about the glue cigarette manufacturers are now putting in cigarettes to reduce the risk of fire. When I first learned about it I was very upset because there was no outreach to consumers to get our input or, as far as I know, any effort to alert us beforehand. Maybe I missed it.
Anyway, I noticed about a month ago that my ability to draw a good breath is declining. Rapidly. In the last week or so it has been especially bad. It feels like my bronchial tubes are inflamed and swollen and I wheeze like crazy. I wake up two or three times a night with horrible coughing fits and my lungs feel very raw. Last night I started using an old inhaler I found in my medicine cabinet and that seems to help a little.
Has anyone else who smokes noticed increased breathing difficulty since the glue was added? Someone pointed me to a petition site where over 25,000 signatures have been gathered to repeal the law that made it possible for this glue shit to find its way into consumers lungs.
In the meantime, I have started back using Camel and Marlboro Snus packets in an effort to reduce the damage to my lungs. I know it's gross for a woman to walk around with a big ol chaw of tobacco in her mouth but these little things are contained in a small pouch so it doesn't get everywhere and the need for spitting is negated. It is completely undetectable. I recommend them for anyone experiencing the same lung function problems that I am having who are unable to just lay tobacco down altogether.
Anyway, I noticed about a month ago that my ability to draw a good breath is declining. Rapidly. In the last week or so it has been especially bad. It feels like my bronchial tubes are inflamed and swollen and I wheeze like crazy. I wake up two or three times a night with horrible coughing fits and my lungs feel very raw. Last night I started using an old inhaler I found in my medicine cabinet and that seems to help a little.
Has anyone else who smokes noticed increased breathing difficulty since the glue was added? Someone pointed me to a petition site where over 25,000 signatures have been gathered to repeal the law that made it possible for this glue shit to find its way into consumers lungs.
In the meantime, I have started back using Camel and Marlboro Snus packets in an effort to reduce the damage to my lungs. I know it's gross for a woman to walk around with a big ol chaw of tobacco in her mouth but these little things are contained in a small pouch so it doesn't get everywhere and the need for spitting is negated. It is completely undetectable. I recommend them for anyone experiencing the same lung function problems that I am having who are unable to just lay tobacco down altogether.
Monday, March 15, 2010
White Oak Vineyards Blueberry Wine
I've recently discovered a wonderful blueberry wine produced by White Oak Vineyards in Anniston, Al that is destined to become one of my all time favorites. My local service station owner carries it and it is FABULOUS if you are partial to a sweet, fruity wine. They have many other selections available. Look for it in your grocers wine aisle.
Petition to Block Marc Emery Extradition Presented Today!
According to Marc Emery's facebook status...
"The petition opposing my extradition will be introduced in the House of Commons by MP's LIBBY DAVIES (NDP), UJJAL DOSANJH (Liberal) and SCOTT REID (Conservative) between 3 pm - 4 pm (eastern)/ noon - 1 pm (pacific). Shown live on CPAC.ca""
TUNE IN LIVE
HB642 in Committee On March 31
HB642 The Michael Phillips Compassionate Care Act will come before the Alabama House Judiciary Committee on March 31, 2010 at 9 a.m.
Members of Alabamians for Compassionate Care will hold a press conference on the steps of the Alabama State House that morning at 8 a.m. where we will be joined by our bill sponsor Rep. Patricia Todd to discuss the bill and hear from some of the patients whose lives are adversely affected by the lack of a medical marijuana law in Alabama.
Beginning on March 23rd we will begin calling and visiting with members of the House Judiciary committee to ask for their support of this bill. House Judiciary Committee contact information is HERE. Simply click the name and you will be taken to that member's page. I will be providing a sample script as time draws closer.
If you support medical marijuana in Alabama then BE THERE on March 31!!!!! We hope to pack out the committee room and have an overflow crowd. The more people who show up the more legislators realize this is a serious issue with a lot of support from all segments of Alabama society. If you need gas money to get there let us know. If you need a ride from your area of the state let us know so that we can try to arrange one for you. ACC members will be out front and easily identifiable by our ACC t-shirts.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us either by email or phone. Our contact information is HERE.
Help us spread the word by posting this announcement on your local news paper forum.
Members of Alabamians for Compassionate Care will hold a press conference on the steps of the Alabama State House that morning at 8 a.m. where we will be joined by our bill sponsor Rep. Patricia Todd to discuss the bill and hear from some of the patients whose lives are adversely affected by the lack of a medical marijuana law in Alabama.
Beginning on March 23rd we will begin calling and visiting with members of the House Judiciary committee to ask for their support of this bill. House Judiciary Committee contact information is HERE. Simply click the name and you will be taken to that member's page. I will be providing a sample script as time draws closer.
If you support medical marijuana in Alabama then BE THERE on March 31!!!!! We hope to pack out the committee room and have an overflow crowd. The more people who show up the more legislators realize this is a serious issue with a lot of support from all segments of Alabama society. If you need gas money to get there let us know. If you need a ride from your area of the state let us know so that we can try to arrange one for you. ACC members will be out front and easily identifiable by our ACC t-shirts.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us either by email or phone. Our contact information is HERE.
Help us spread the word by posting this announcement on your local news paper forum.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
It's True: Marijuana Helps
ACC member and patient Sam Barksdale from Mobile had an excellent editorial published in today's Mobile Press Register.
It's True: Marijuana Helps
Go read it at the link and leave a comment on the Press Register site. Then, write a letter of your own in response to Sam's.
Many thanks to the Mobile Press Register for running Sam's letter on a Sunday, for giving it such a great title and, most importantly, for treating it as an OpEd as opposed to a general LTE.
Way to go Sam Barksdale!!!
It's True: Marijuana Helps
Go read it at the link and leave a comment on the Press Register site. Then, write a letter of your own in response to Sam's.
Many thanks to the Mobile Press Register for running Sam's letter on a Sunday, for giving it such a great title and, most importantly, for treating it as an OpEd as opposed to a general LTE.
Way to go Sam Barksdale!!!
Friday, March 12, 2010
Alabama Compassionate Care has a New Website
Alabamians for Compassionate Care has a new website! Please check us out at http://www.alcompassionate-care.com Bookmark us!
Please note that some of the pages are still under construction. We are adding new features daily. Pretty soon there will be a discussion board.
Also, we are having a Compassionate Care legislative training day tomorrow March 13 and another Saturday, March 20. HB642 should be in committee on either the 24th or 31st of March.
Please note that some of the pages are still under construction. We are adding new features daily. Pretty soon there will be a discussion board.
Also, we are having a Compassionate Care legislative training day tomorrow March 13 and another Saturday, March 20. HB642 should be in committee on either the 24th or 31st of March.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Dothan Jury Finds Man Innocent of Attempted Murder of Police Officer
For the third time in recent months a Dothan, AL jury has come back with an astonishing verdict in a drug case. They are astonishing because they are correct verdicts. I don't remember the details of the first two cases other than they were both drug related and the verdict was not guilty.
In today's Dothan Eagle a jury has found a man who was fleeing from police officers NOT GUILTY of trying to run over one of those officers.
Jury finds no intent to kill
These continued proper verdicts give me hope that things are changing here for the better. Many thanks to the juries. Could it possibly be that jury nullification is happening there?
In today's Dothan Eagle a jury has found a man who was fleeing from police officers NOT GUILTY of trying to run over one of those officers.
Jury finds no intent to kill
A Houston County jury concluded a Hartford man charged with attempted murder was not trying to kill a Dothan police officer when he drove toward the officer during a confrontation last year.
Instead, the jury convicted Fred Kenyatta “Lamont” Collins, 33, of the lesser included offense of reckless endangerment, a misdemeanor. Collins was also convicted of unlawful possession of a controlled substance and first degree possession of marijuana, both Class C felonies.
A sentencing hearing is set for April 28 in front of Circuit Judge Butch Binford.
Police arrested Collins in June of 2009 after he failed to yield to emergency vehicles. He was arrested after authorities shot out a tire in the vehicle he was driving. He was charged with trying to run over a Dothan police officer during the pursuit.
Officers testified Collins drove through the front yard and around to the back of a Wicksburg residence on Riverview Drive several times despite repeated calls for Collins to stop and get out of his vehicle.
Collins claimed he did not know the people were police officers. They were not in uniform at the time of the incident.
One officer, Jeremy Kendrick, claimed Collins accelerated in his direction in an attempt to run him over during the incident. The officer said he had to dive out of the path of the vehicle to keep from being struck.
These continued proper verdicts give me hope that things are changing here for the better. Many thanks to the juries. Could it possibly be that jury nullification is happening there?
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Heads vs. Feds Recap
On Thursday March 4, 2010 a group of patients from Alabamians for Compassionate Care took a trip to Mobile, Alabama to attend the Heads vs. Feds debate between long time High Times Editor Steve Hager and retired DEA agent Robert Stutman which took place at the University of South Alabama. For those of you unfamiliar with this production it's basically a cannabis consumer and advocate for legalization debating a DEA agent and also has audience participation. It was the first one I have attended, although it has been to Alabama before. I figured it would be dynamite and I was not disappointed.
Representing for Alabamians for Compassionate Care were yours truly, Christie O'Brien, Chris and DJ Butts, Sam Barksdale, Phillip Nettles and my son Alex Nall (who is a supporter but not a consumer). We arrived early and got front row seats. I had inquired the day before how many people were expected to attend and the lady at Jaguar Productions told me that the student ballroom had been set up to seat 150. Chris Butts printed out 250 Compassionate Care flyers...just to be safe... and Alex voluntarily stationed himself outside the entrance and made sure everyone who came through the door got a flyer. However, there wound up being about 400 people who attended the event so we ran out fairly quickly. I was joyously surprised to see that much interest in the topic of marijuana legalization. Judging from the response throughout the debate a good 99% of attendees want marijuana legalized. There is some very real momentum in the great state of Alabama right now!
Phillip had brought a video camera and tri-pod to film the event but we were told that only NORML would be allowed to film. Not sure whose rule that was, but they were serious about it. A local TV news crew showed up and was not allowed to film either. However, it provided a very good opportunity for me to demonstrate to the ACC members how to bum rush the media and get them the information that they need to cover this issue in Alabama. As soon as I realized the media would not be allowed to film I grabbed Sam Barksdale, who is a Mobile resident, patient, and the Alabama Compassionate Care coordinator for South Alabama, and took him over to meet the reporter. I introduced them, gave the reporter one of our flyers (they were incredible BTW THANKS CHRIS!), told her about the bill and that we expected it to come up in committee on either the 24th or 31st of March. I then presented Sam to her as a local patient to interview. I'm pretty sure Sam will be getting a call as we get closer to time for the bill to drop.
However, all chance for video was not lost. A few of our members used their digital cameras and cell phones to record as much of the event as possible. And, one of our members, Sam Barksdale was chosen by Steve Hager to film with his personal video camera.
About ten minutes before the event started Steve Hager and Robert Stutman arrived. I introduced myself to Steve who said he knew me and he inquired about the latest with Marc Emery. At one time Cannabis Culture and High Times were rivals and not always on the best of terms. However, we all support Marc Emery and completely disagree with how he is being treated by both the American and Canadian governments. Steve asked for my card and said he would introduce me to the audience during the debate. He then asked Sam Barksdale to film the event with his personal video camera, which was a very neat thing for him to do. Sam was very excited.
The debate began with a short film giving the backgrounds of Hager and Stutman. Hager was presented as the hippie and Stutman as the hard charging government agent, who is obviously opposed to anything hippie. My only real critique with the whole event is the portrayal of cannabis consumers as 'hippies'....even if some of us are. I realize and respect that Steve Hager is of the 60's generation (I often wish I was) and mean no disrespect by my critique. It's just that people who consume cannabis are a very diverse bunch. Yet, when this issue comes up in politics or in public we are all forced to fight the damn culture war instead of focusing on the drug war. Not everyone who consumes cannabis dresses in tie-dye, wears Jesus sandals, and burns patchouli incense. That being said, the film was giving backgrounds on the participants and that is Steve Hager's background and it was interesting.
After the film the debate began with the moderator laying out the rules and informing the audience that they could participate by asking questions at the end. However, she said, there would be no discussion or back and forth on the questions. Basically, it was ask your question and sit down.
Steve and Robert each started out by saying that they are actually friends, respect each other, and have been doing this show for ten years. They each asked that the audience be respectful and not boo either party.
Steve started by giving the history of marijuana, talking about its numerous medicinal qualities, about why it is illegal (racist policy, big pharma etc), industrial hemp, prisons etc. Here is a video of part of his opening statement. You must have a facebook account to view it. Hopefully it will be on YouTube shortly. Steve Hager opening statements video.
Robert Stutman opened by telling the audience about his life as a DEA agent, about how he had a close friend and fellow agent killed by the mob over drugs and how that affected him. He also told the audience that he did not think prison was the place for drug users, that he preferred forced treatment instead. I felt like that was an attempt to counter any hard questions from the audience before we even had a chance to ask them...a sort of "I'm really on your side, so don't be too hard on me" kind of thing. He countered Steve Hager's opening remarks by saying that Steve wasn't telling everyone the truth.
In response to Steve's argument about marijuana being kept illegal (by big pharma) because it can be grown by anyone and is free medicine Stutman said, "Well penicillin can be grown by anyone too for free and it hasn't been outlawed and there aren't millions of people growing it for free medicine."
Not kidding. That is what he said. Despite the glaring reasons why growing penicillin at home and using it as medicine are impractical to the point of impossibility. With marijuana all you have to do is dry the plant and smoke it, cook with it etc...The audience didn't buy it for a second.
In response to the medicinal qualities it was the same ol' same ol' one would expect from a government official who has made his living off the drug war. Stutman asserted that; "Marijuana has no medicinal value, there is no research that proves anything, there is Marinol for sick people, that only two chemicals found in marijuana have ever been proven to have any medical value, it's a gateway drug, that it leads to schizophrenia and there was an article coming out in the New York Times the next day about that very thing."
Of course, what he didn't say is that the same study comes out of Australia every year, that no one with any credibility in the medical community will say they know what causes schizophrenia or that schizophrenia symptoms usually present right after the onset of puberty or in the early 20's and that those are the age groups used for this study.
In response to Hager's assertion that industrial hemp could really help save the environment, produce jobs, and be a boon to the economy Stutman replied; "What Steve didn't tell you is that Canada legalized industrial hemp a few years ago. In the beginning there were (over 300 I think he said) farmers growing it and now there are only 6. He also said if hemp was such great stuff then why, in countries where it is legal, isn't everyone wearing it?
The back and forth went on for about 15 minutes. I can't remember the whole thing verbatim so here are 8 video clips from the event HERE.
Finally, my favorite part of the program arrived....Q & A. As soon as the moderator said GO I was out of my chair and at the mic. I had decided to ask the DEA agent a question often posed by my friend and fellow reformer Dean Becker of the Drug Truth Network. Here is the video of me asking the question and the unbelievable non-response given by Stutman.
Name one Drug War objective that has ever been met.
As you can see, Mr. Stutman was unable to answer the question so he got on his bike and rode it round and round the room. When they do that you know you have won. Since we were not able to ask follow up questions or discuss the issue further I was not able to counter his claim that the Drug War isn't actually a war. Had I been able to I would have asked him how he defined war. In my definition of war armed paramilitary SWAT teams riding in armored personnel carriers, kicking in doors at 3 a.m., using flash bang grenades and summarily extra-judicially executing non-violent drug offenders or cramming them in POW camps (US prisons) IS WAR. Except, in this war, the 'enemy' (American citizens) aren't allowed to fight back or defend themselves.
I would have also asked him that if 45% fewer American's smoked marijuana now than in the 70's how come arrests for marijuana are at an all time high with over 800,000 being arrested last year and 90% of those for simple possession for personal use.
At that time I had to leave and get my son back on his campus before 9 p.m. so I missed whatever other questions were asked. I do know that Chris Butts asked Steve to tell the audience why there is such a dismal amount of medical research in the US and who was blocking it. When I arrived back the event was still going on so I returned to my seat to finish it out. During the closing remarks Steve introduced me to the audience, which I greatly appreciated. Here is that video clip.
Steve Hager introduces Loretta Nall to crowd
After that introduction and as soon as the event concluded literally hundreds of students packed our part of the room asking how they could get involved with ACC and drug policy reform in Alabama in general. Around 200 signed up and three different young ladies volunteered to head up an ACC chapter on campus. I am also going to get them started with an SSDP chapter and a NORML chapter.
I only saw 6 or 8 people lined up to talk to the DEA agent.
Our crew went over and talked to Steve for a little bit and had some photos taken with him. There are other pics out there and I will track them down later.
Pictured left to right: DJ Butts, Chris Butts, Steven Fancher, Philip Nettles and Loretta Nall (standing)
Sam Barksdale, Christie O'Brien, Chris Butts
Irish MC and Loretta Nall
Christ Butts, Steve Hager, Sam Barksdale, Philip Nettles, Christie O'Brien and Loretta Nall
DJ Butts, Chris Butts and Steve Hager
I had a chance to speak to the moderator of the event afterward. She thanked me for kicking the Q&A off. She is a communications professor and has done work with some anti-drug groups. I told her that I would have very much enjoyed being allowed to counter the DEA agents claims and to have had more of a discussion with him. She agreed and said that the next time they present the program they will have me on a panel along with some other members of the audience and perhaps a local policeman. We exchanged info. I am looking forward to her call.
All in all the event was worth spending 10 hours in a car to get there and back. If you have a chance to attend a Heads vs. Feds event I strongly recommend that you do so.
Representing for Alabamians for Compassionate Care were yours truly, Christie O'Brien, Chris and DJ Butts, Sam Barksdale, Phillip Nettles and my son Alex Nall (who is a supporter but not a consumer). We arrived early and got front row seats. I had inquired the day before how many people were expected to attend and the lady at Jaguar Productions told me that the student ballroom had been set up to seat 150. Chris Butts printed out 250 Compassionate Care flyers...just to be safe... and Alex voluntarily stationed himself outside the entrance and made sure everyone who came through the door got a flyer. However, there wound up being about 400 people who attended the event so we ran out fairly quickly. I was joyously surprised to see that much interest in the topic of marijuana legalization. Judging from the response throughout the debate a good 99% of attendees want marijuana legalized. There is some very real momentum in the great state of Alabama right now!
Phillip had brought a video camera and tri-pod to film the event but we were told that only NORML would be allowed to film. Not sure whose rule that was, but they were serious about it. A local TV news crew showed up and was not allowed to film either. However, it provided a very good opportunity for me to demonstrate to the ACC members how to bum rush the media and get them the information that they need to cover this issue in Alabama. As soon as I realized the media would not be allowed to film I grabbed Sam Barksdale, who is a Mobile resident, patient, and the Alabama Compassionate Care coordinator for South Alabama, and took him over to meet the reporter. I introduced them, gave the reporter one of our flyers (they were incredible BTW THANKS CHRIS!), told her about the bill and that we expected it to come up in committee on either the 24th or 31st of March. I then presented Sam to her as a local patient to interview. I'm pretty sure Sam will be getting a call as we get closer to time for the bill to drop.
However, all chance for video was not lost. A few of our members used their digital cameras and cell phones to record as much of the event as possible. And, one of our members, Sam Barksdale was chosen by Steve Hager to film with his personal video camera.
About ten minutes before the event started Steve Hager and Robert Stutman arrived. I introduced myself to Steve who said he knew me and he inquired about the latest with Marc Emery. At one time Cannabis Culture and High Times were rivals and not always on the best of terms. However, we all support Marc Emery and completely disagree with how he is being treated by both the American and Canadian governments. Steve asked for my card and said he would introduce me to the audience during the debate. He then asked Sam Barksdale to film the event with his personal video camera, which was a very neat thing for him to do. Sam was very excited.
The debate began with a short film giving the backgrounds of Hager and Stutman. Hager was presented as the hippie and Stutman as the hard charging government agent, who is obviously opposed to anything hippie. My only real critique with the whole event is the portrayal of cannabis consumers as 'hippies'....even if some of us are. I realize and respect that Steve Hager is of the 60's generation (I often wish I was) and mean no disrespect by my critique. It's just that people who consume cannabis are a very diverse bunch. Yet, when this issue comes up in politics or in public we are all forced to fight the damn culture war instead of focusing on the drug war. Not everyone who consumes cannabis dresses in tie-dye, wears Jesus sandals, and burns patchouli incense. That being said, the film was giving backgrounds on the participants and that is Steve Hager's background and it was interesting.
After the film the debate began with the moderator laying out the rules and informing the audience that they could participate by asking questions at the end. However, she said, there would be no discussion or back and forth on the questions. Basically, it was ask your question and sit down.
Steve and Robert each started out by saying that they are actually friends, respect each other, and have been doing this show for ten years. They each asked that the audience be respectful and not boo either party.
Steve started by giving the history of marijuana, talking about its numerous medicinal qualities, about why it is illegal (racist policy, big pharma etc), industrial hemp, prisons etc. Here is a video of part of his opening statement. You must have a facebook account to view it. Hopefully it will be on YouTube shortly. Steve Hager opening statements video.
Robert Stutman opened by telling the audience about his life as a DEA agent, about how he had a close friend and fellow agent killed by the mob over drugs and how that affected him. He also told the audience that he did not think prison was the place for drug users, that he preferred forced treatment instead. I felt like that was an attempt to counter any hard questions from the audience before we even had a chance to ask them...a sort of "I'm really on your side, so don't be too hard on me" kind of thing. He countered Steve Hager's opening remarks by saying that Steve wasn't telling everyone the truth.
In response to Steve's argument about marijuana being kept illegal (by big pharma) because it can be grown by anyone and is free medicine Stutman said, "Well penicillin can be grown by anyone too for free and it hasn't been outlawed and there aren't millions of people growing it for free medicine."
Not kidding. That is what he said. Despite the glaring reasons why growing penicillin at home and using it as medicine are impractical to the point of impossibility. With marijuana all you have to do is dry the plant and smoke it, cook with it etc...The audience didn't buy it for a second.
In response to the medicinal qualities it was the same ol' same ol' one would expect from a government official who has made his living off the drug war. Stutman asserted that; "Marijuana has no medicinal value, there is no research that proves anything, there is Marinol for sick people, that only two chemicals found in marijuana have ever been proven to have any medical value, it's a gateway drug, that it leads to schizophrenia and there was an article coming out in the New York Times the next day about that very thing."
Of course, what he didn't say is that the same study comes out of Australia every year, that no one with any credibility in the medical community will say they know what causes schizophrenia or that schizophrenia symptoms usually present right after the onset of puberty or in the early 20's and that those are the age groups used for this study.
In response to Hager's assertion that industrial hemp could really help save the environment, produce jobs, and be a boon to the economy Stutman replied; "What Steve didn't tell you is that Canada legalized industrial hemp a few years ago. In the beginning there were (over 300 I think he said) farmers growing it and now there are only 6. He also said if hemp was such great stuff then why, in countries where it is legal, isn't everyone wearing it?
The back and forth went on for about 15 minutes. I can't remember the whole thing verbatim so here are 8 video clips from the event HERE.
Finally, my favorite part of the program arrived....Q & A. As soon as the moderator said GO I was out of my chair and at the mic. I had decided to ask the DEA agent a question often posed by my friend and fellow reformer Dean Becker of the Drug Truth Network. Here is the video of me asking the question and the unbelievable non-response given by Stutman.
Name one Drug War objective that has ever been met.
As you can see, Mr. Stutman was unable to answer the question so he got on his bike and rode it round and round the room. When they do that you know you have won. Since we were not able to ask follow up questions or discuss the issue further I was not able to counter his claim that the Drug War isn't actually a war. Had I been able to I would have asked him how he defined war. In my definition of war armed paramilitary SWAT teams riding in armored personnel carriers, kicking in doors at 3 a.m., using flash bang grenades and summarily extra-judicially executing non-violent drug offenders or cramming them in POW camps (US prisons) IS WAR. Except, in this war, the 'enemy' (American citizens) aren't allowed to fight back or defend themselves.
I would have also asked him that if 45% fewer American's smoked marijuana now than in the 70's how come arrests for marijuana are at an all time high with over 800,000 being arrested last year and 90% of those for simple possession for personal use.
At that time I had to leave and get my son back on his campus before 9 p.m. so I missed whatever other questions were asked. I do know that Chris Butts asked Steve to tell the audience why there is such a dismal amount of medical research in the US and who was blocking it. When I arrived back the event was still going on so I returned to my seat to finish it out. During the closing remarks Steve introduced me to the audience, which I greatly appreciated. Here is that video clip.
Steve Hager introduces Loretta Nall to crowd
After that introduction and as soon as the event concluded literally hundreds of students packed our part of the room asking how they could get involved with ACC and drug policy reform in Alabama in general. Around 200 signed up and three different young ladies volunteered to head up an ACC chapter on campus. I am also going to get them started with an SSDP chapter and a NORML chapter.
I only saw 6 or 8 people lined up to talk to the DEA agent.
Our crew went over and talked to Steve for a little bit and had some photos taken with him. There are other pics out there and I will track them down later.
Pictured left to right: DJ Butts, Chris Butts, Steven Fancher, Philip Nettles and Loretta Nall (standing)
Sam Barksdale, Christie O'Brien, Chris Butts
Irish MC and Loretta Nall
Christ Butts, Steve Hager, Sam Barksdale, Philip Nettles, Christie O'Brien and Loretta Nall
DJ Butts, Chris Butts and Steve HagerI had a chance to speak to the moderator of the event afterward. She thanked me for kicking the Q&A off. She is a communications professor and has done work with some anti-drug groups. I told her that I would have very much enjoyed being allowed to counter the DEA agents claims and to have had more of a discussion with him. She agreed and said that the next time they present the program they will have me on a panel along with some other members of the audience and perhaps a local policeman. We exchanged info. I am looking forward to her call.
All in all the event was worth spending 10 hours in a car to get there and back. If you have a chance to attend a Heads vs. Feds event I strongly recommend that you do so.
Sunday, March 07, 2010
Video of Poppy the baby goat
A couple of short videos of my tiny precious goat, Poppy. We had named her Mary Jane, but as soon as my daughter got home on Friday she had picked out the name Poppy and it stuck. I want to put pink bows on her ears but she would eat them...she is a goat after all. She is nursing good and full of spunk. In the following videos she introduces herself to her neighbor Mr. Pig.
Friday, March 05, 2010
I'z haz a new baby mini-goat
UPDATE: It's a girl! And I have named her Mary Jane. Couple of new pics added.
Yesterday, while I was in Mobile with a group of ACC patients attending the Heads vs. Feds event at the University of South Alabama, my female mini-goat Fig had a baby. We had suspected that she was pregnant seeing as how she was about to split like a grape! I told my husband last week that I bet she would give birth in March...and damn if she didn't pick the day I was gone to do it. Anyway, I got a couple shots of the little feller (I think it's a feller...haven't looked) this morning. If this isn't the cutest damn thing you ever saw then there is something very different about our version of what cute is.
Yesterday, while I was in Mobile with a group of ACC patients attending the Heads vs. Feds event at the University of South Alabama, my female mini-goat Fig had a baby. We had suspected that she was pregnant seeing as how she was about to split like a grape! I told my husband last week that I bet she would give birth in March...and damn if she didn't pick the day I was gone to do it. Anyway, I got a couple shots of the little feller (I think it's a feller...haven't looked) this morning. If this isn't the cutest damn thing you ever saw then there is something very different about our version of what cute is.
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Re-Elect Patricia Todd
I don't often make public endorsements of candidates for office in Alabama. That's mainly because I am a very controversial figure and my endorsement can be a double-edged sword. However, there are a few candidates that have no problem associating with me or having me endorse their campaigns.
One of those candidates is Rep. Patricia Todd (D-54 Jefferson). Rep. Todd is our medical marijuana bill sponsor this year, as she was last year. She believes in this particular issue as much as I do and as much as the patients who make up Alabamians for Compassionate Care do. We couldn't ask for a better champion for our cause.
Rep. Todd is also a champion of what I consider to be other great causes like affordable housing, reducing homelessness, mass transit in our large cities, constitutional reform and ballot access reform.
I am asking all of my readers and everyone in Alabama who supports medical marijuana or any of the other issues I mentioned to please make a campaign contribution to re-elect Rep. Patricia Todd in November 2010. You can do that by mailing a check or money order to:
Patricia Todd
1320 58th Street South
Birmingham, AL 35222
Please make a notation on your check or money order that you are a Compassionate Care supporter and include a note thanking Rep. Todd for having the courage to take up this controversial issue during an election year. She is one of the few elected officials in Alabama that actually has guts...and a lot of them. Let's show our appreciation in the form of a campaign contribution.
One of those candidates is Rep. Patricia Todd (D-54 Jefferson). Rep. Todd is our medical marijuana bill sponsor this year, as she was last year. She believes in this particular issue as much as I do and as much as the patients who make up Alabamians for Compassionate Care do. We couldn't ask for a better champion for our cause.
Rep. Todd is also a champion of what I consider to be other great causes like affordable housing, reducing homelessness, mass transit in our large cities, constitutional reform and ballot access reform.
I am asking all of my readers and everyone in Alabama who supports medical marijuana or any of the other issues I mentioned to please make a campaign contribution to re-elect Rep. Patricia Todd in November 2010. You can do that by mailing a check or money order to:
Patricia Todd
1320 58th Street South
Birmingham, AL 35222
Please make a notation on your check or money order that you are a Compassionate Care supporter and include a note thanking Rep. Todd for having the courage to take up this controversial issue during an election year. She is one of the few elected officials in Alabama that actually has guts...and a lot of them. Let's show our appreciation in the form of a campaign contribution.
HB642 The Michael Phillips Compassionate Care Act
Folks we now have a new bill number for the medical marijuana bill.
HB642 The Michael Phillips Compassionate Care Act will replace HB207. We expect this bill to come before the House Judiciary Committee on either March 24 or March 31. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend the hearing to show your support for patients across Alabama.
HB642 The Michael Phillips Compassionate Care Act will replace HB207. We expect this bill to come before the House Judiciary Committee on either March 24 or March 31. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend the hearing to show your support for patients across Alabama.
Join Loretta Nall and Alabama Compassionate Care at Heads vs. Feds
This Thursday March 4, 2010 at 7:30 pm The University of South Alabama is sponsoring the annual face off between High Times Editor Steve Hager and DEA agent Robert Stutman. Mr. Hager and Mr. Stutman will debate the pros and cons of marijuana.
This event is called Heads vs. Feds.
Members of Alabamians for Compassionate Care, including yours truly, will be attending and disseminating information on the Michael Phillips Compassionate Care Act which is set to come before the Judiciary Committee the week of March 22.
More information about the event can be found HERE.
If you plan to attend and would like to help ACC hand out info or if you are in the central part of Alabama and need a ride down please contact me at lorettanall@gmail.com or Christie O'Brien at reederchristie@yahoo.com
This event is called Heads vs. Feds.
Members of Alabamians for Compassionate Care, including yours truly, will be attending and disseminating information on the Michael Phillips Compassionate Care Act which is set to come before the Judiciary Committee the week of March 22.
More information about the event can be found HERE.
If you plan to attend and would like to help ACC hand out info or if you are in the central part of Alabama and need a ride down please contact me at lorettanall@gmail.com or Christie O'Brien at reederchristie@yahoo.com
Friday, February 26, 2010
Loretta Nall on Uncle Henry Show at 8 am today
If you missed the show you can listen to the podcast of it HERE
Many, many thanks to Uncle Henry for having me on for the entire hour this morning and for being such a great host. I look forward to the next time.
I will be a guest on The Uncle Henry Show this morning at 8 a.m. to discuss medical marijuana in Alabama. You can tune in at the link above.
Many, many thanks to Uncle Henry for having me on for the entire hour this morning and for being such a great host. I look forward to the next time.
I will be a guest on The Uncle Henry Show this morning at 8 a.m. to discuss medical marijuana in Alabama. You can tune in at the link above.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Yet another Clay County Drug Bust
From the Clay Times Journal
Except this wasn't a 'routine stop'. I refuse to believe that just because an officer does not recognize an automobile that he has grounds to make a stop. It would be near impossible for any cop to memorize all vehicles within a town....even a small one like Millerville. What happens when someone gets a new car or truck? Do they get stopped and searched? What about all the different people from various parts of the state driving through Millerville, which is located on Hwy. 9. Since when is it illegal for a cop to not recognize a vehicle? And why would that be illegal?
Any lawyer worth his/her salt ought to be able to get this case thrown out due to lack of probable cause. However, this is Clay County we are talking about.... home of The Rochester Clan and a place sorely lacking in competent legal minds.
Routine stop leads to bust
Thursday, February 25, 2010 3:00 PM EST
Recently, while on routine patrol, Clay County Sheriffs Deputy Sgt. Henry Lambert noticed a suspicious vehicle in the Millerville area.
Because of the suspicious nature of time, and the fact that Sgt. Lambert didn't recognize the vehicle, he stopped to check the vehicle out. After a brief interview with the occupant, Sgt. Lambert asked and received consent to search the vehicle.
During the search Sgt. Lambert found an unlicensed pistol, drug paraphernalia, alcohol, and marijuana.
The driver of the vehicle was arrested and charged with 1- carrying pistol without a permit, 2- violation of the prohibition law; 3- possession of drug paraphernalia; 4 - possession of marijuana 1st degree.
Arrested was Benjamin Jordan Powell, 36, of Alexander City, Alabama.
Mr. Powell was transported to the Clay County Jail and released to corrections staff for booking.
Except this wasn't a 'routine stop'. I refuse to believe that just because an officer does not recognize an automobile that he has grounds to make a stop. It would be near impossible for any cop to memorize all vehicles within a town....even a small one like Millerville. What happens when someone gets a new car or truck? Do they get stopped and searched? What about all the different people from various parts of the state driving through Millerville, which is located on Hwy. 9. Since when is it illegal for a cop to not recognize a vehicle? And why would that be illegal?
Any lawyer worth his/her salt ought to be able to get this case thrown out due to lack of probable cause. However, this is Clay County we are talking about.... home of The Rochester Clan and a place sorely lacking in competent legal minds.
Riley to be Alabama's Next US Senator????
Word on the street (a couple of different streets actually) is that Senator Richard Shelby is going to retire from the US Senate after he wins the upcoming election. The reason I have heard for his pending retirement is that he is in ill health. He will run again in the upcoming election and he will win. He has too much money and political influence to lose. The only reason he is running again is that he wants to hand pick who gets appointed to replace him. Which takes me to the next point...
It is being said that if Bradley Byrne becomes the next Governor of Alabama (and I certainly believe that will be the case...barring some huge and embarrassing scandal) that he will appoint current Governor Bob Riley to fill Senator Shelby's seat.
And that really ticks me off! Why can't we have a special election so that the people get the chance to fill that seat instead of it being given to Riley? Seems Alabama citizen's can't be trusted to vote on bingo, constitutional reform or even who gets to represent us in the US Senate.I guess when Riley said he was self-imposing term limits that only applied to his former seat in the US House. I don't know about y'all...but I've had about enough of Bob 'Elvis' Riley.
It is being said that if Bradley Byrne becomes the next Governor of Alabama (and I certainly believe that will be the case...barring some huge and embarrassing scandal) that he will appoint current Governor Bob Riley to fill Senator Shelby's seat.
And that really ticks me off! Why can't we have a special election so that the people get the chance to fill that seat instead of it being given to Riley? Seems Alabama citizen's can't be trusted to vote on bingo, constitutional reform or even who gets to represent us in the US Senate.I guess when Riley said he was self-imposing term limits that only applied to his former seat in the US House. I don't know about y'all...but I've had about enough of Bob 'Elvis' Riley.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Aging MeMaw's & PePaw's frequently turning to Marijuana
Fascinating story on MSNBC about baby boomers more frequently turning to marijuana to ease their aches and pains. Great read.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Largest drug bust in Clay County History?
The Clay Times Journal is reporting the largest drug bust in Clay Count History. That is a title I thought for sure was held by Clay County Circuit Court Judge John E. Rochester's son, Alex Rochester who was arrested in the Ashland City Park in March of 2008 after he was found to be in possession of the following;
1. Two baggies, envelope, one vial, crack cocaine, powder cocaine Total: 32 grams (1 ounce give or take)
2. Two 1 gallon bags containing marijuana
3. 5 sandwich baggies containing marijuana. 4 were corners of bags packaged for resale.
4. 1100 Extacy pills in 11 baggies (Alex said he had bought 2500 in Atlanta the week before and had already sold 1400 at $10 a piece)
5. 2 straws, 2 rolled up dollar bills and two pipes.
6. 26 Xanax pills
The online version of today's Clay Times Journal article does not list amounts of drugs recovered...only that there were 34 arrests. I'll be in Clay County later today and will pick up a copy and see what other details are available.
Alex Rochester only got his name mentioned in the police blotter after his arrest. He also was only given 5 years probation even though he admitted dealing, interstate drug trafficking and was caught with all those drugs at the park and within three miles of schools, churches, daycare centers and public housing facilities.....each of which carry an additional 5 year mandatory minimum sentence. There was also a 19 year old in the car with him. He was not charged with anything in connection to his passenger.
I hope that the lawyers for these defendants will use the Alex Rochester defense in John E. Rochester's courtroom.
I plan to write a letter to the editor about the unfair and downright unethical 'journalism' practices taking place at the Clay Times Journal. At any real newspaper the story of the Judge's son getting busted for that amount of drugs and the preferential treatment he received would have been front page news for months. But, in the Alex Rochester case, that is a story that was never written. Yet, every other person to be arrested for drugs in Clay County since that time has been front page news. I encourage all of my readers to send them an email as well.
Here are the contact email addresses. I tried to use the online form for sending an LTE, but it has never worked and does not work today.
Ray Stansell - claytimes@centurytel.net
Sherry Mattox - timesjournal@centurytel.net
Tammy Griffin - timesjournal@centurytel.net
1. Two baggies, envelope, one vial, crack cocaine, powder cocaine Total: 32 grams (1 ounce give or take)
2. Two 1 gallon bags containing marijuana
3. 5 sandwich baggies containing marijuana. 4 were corners of bags packaged for resale.
4. 1100 Extacy pills in 11 baggies (Alex said he had bought 2500 in Atlanta the week before and had already sold 1400 at $10 a piece)
5. 2 straws, 2 rolled up dollar bills and two pipes.
6. 26 Xanax pills
The online version of today's Clay Times Journal article does not list amounts of drugs recovered...only that there were 34 arrests. I'll be in Clay County later today and will pick up a copy and see what other details are available.
Alex Rochester only got his name mentioned in the police blotter after his arrest. He also was only given 5 years probation even though he admitted dealing, interstate drug trafficking and was caught with all those drugs at the park and within three miles of schools, churches, daycare centers and public housing facilities.....each of which carry an additional 5 year mandatory minimum sentence. There was also a 19 year old in the car with him. He was not charged with anything in connection to his passenger.
I hope that the lawyers for these defendants will use the Alex Rochester defense in John E. Rochester's courtroom.
I plan to write a letter to the editor about the unfair and downright unethical 'journalism' practices taking place at the Clay Times Journal. At any real newspaper the story of the Judge's son getting busted for that amount of drugs and the preferential treatment he received would have been front page news for months. But, in the Alex Rochester case, that is a story that was never written. Yet, every other person to be arrested for drugs in Clay County since that time has been front page news. I encourage all of my readers to send them an email as well.
Here are the contact email addresses. I tried to use the online form for sending an LTE, but it has never worked and does not work today.
Ray Stansell - claytimes@centurytel.net
Sherry Mattox - timesjournal@centurytel.net
Tammy Griffin - timesjournal@centurytel.net
Thursday, February 18, 2010
HB253 & HB483 Pass Judiciary Committee
I've just learned from a member of the House Judiciary Committee that both HB253 & HB483 passed the house judiciary committee yesterday with relative ease.
HB253 is the bill that mandates that any public agency testing urine or blood samples of probationers and parolees for drugs hold those samples for a longer period of time to allow for independent testing when a positive result occurs.
HB483 is the records expungement bill that will allow people who have been arrested/charged with a crime but never convicted to have all court records, fingerprints, photos etc removed from the criminal offender database.
Many, many thanks to all of you who took action on these bills and helped them pass. That's three bills this week that have passed because you, readers, took action. Together we can do great things.
HB253 is the bill that mandates that any public agency testing urine or blood samples of probationers and parolees for drugs hold those samples for a longer period of time to allow for independent testing when a positive result occurs.
HB483 is the records expungement bill that will allow people who have been arrested/charged with a crime but never convicted to have all court records, fingerprints, photos etc removed from the criminal offender database.
Many, many thanks to all of you who took action on these bills and helped them pass. That's three bills this week that have passed because you, readers, took action. Together we can do great things.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
HB407 "Stop Starving AL Prisoners" bill passes committee
Many thanks to all of you who wrote/called/visited your legislator and asked for their support on HB407, the "STOP STARVING ALABAMA INMATES" bill, which was, believe it or not, sponsored by police officer/legislator Re. Allen Treadaway (R- Jefferson). HB497 passed the House County and Municipal Government committee today. We did it! Later, I will post updates about what action needs to be taken next to get this bill on the Governor's desk.
Currently, all I know about HB253 (drug testing bill) and HB483 (criminal records expungement bill) are that they were both read a second time in the house of origin....and to be perfectly honest I am not sure what that means exactly. The Tuscaloosa News and other newspapers generally post a legislative action summary around this time of day, so, hopefully I will know more soon.
Currently, all I know about HB253 (drug testing bill) and HB483 (criminal records expungement bill) are that they were both read a second time in the house of origin....and to be perfectly honest I am not sure what that means exactly. The Tuscaloosa News and other newspapers generally post a legislative action summary around this time of day, so, hopefully I will know more soon.
Alex Nall Accepted to Auburn University Honors College
I am one extremely proud parent today (again!). Not only did my son Alex earn a full tuition 4 year scholarship to Auburn University a few months ago, today he learned that he has been accepted into the Auburn University Honors College. That is an amazing accomplishment! Only 200 students are selected each year into Honors College each year. It's more challenging than just regular curriculum and a certain grade point average has to be maintained in order to remain in...but Alex never met a challenge he didn't like.
Congratulations Alex! You have made your mama the proudest human being on the face of the earth.
Troy's Statement on Bingo..
Interesting speech Attorney General Troy King just gave on the armed standoff bingo raids that have been carried out at the behest of Governor Riley's task force. The first five minutes were spent with Troy kissing Riley's ass so hard that he now has bits of un-chewed corn stuck between his teeth.
The last five minutes were spent condemning the strong arm tactics and the use of 'force, fear and intimidation' to settle this issue. He also indicated that he had the power and to superintend John Tyson and the task force and hasn't used it...YET...which means he will if this situation continues to deteriorate. Then he wouldn't say he would use it when the media questioned him....you know how it goes...
However, all I could think about while watching Troy give his spiel was his own participation in a gambling hall raid by armed storm troopers in Troy, AL back in 2004. Wonder when Troy changed his mind and decided that 'force, fear and intimidation' were the wrong tactics to use to settle misdemeanor infractions of state law.
Here is the story from 2004.
HEADLINE: Officers raid Troy gambling hall; AG says more may follow
BYLINE: By PHILLIP RAWLS, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: TROY, Ala.
BODY:
Law enforcement officers raided a plain metal building on the outskirts of Troy Friday, seizing 60 video gambling machines and surprising customers who were feeding dollar bills into the machines.
"Bad day. Friday the 13th," customer James Johnson said as he left.
Johnson, a retiree, said he played the games for recreation. "I guess I'll have to start fishing," he said.
District Attorney Gary McAliley said officers arrested Ray Grant, 58, of Troy. They accused him of being one of the operators and charged him with misdemeanor possession of gambling devices and possession of gambling records. Each is punishable by up to a year in jail and a $2,000 fine.
McAliley said the case will be reviewed by a grand jury and more charges are possible against Grant and others.
Attorney General Troy King, who participated in the raid, said his office has received complaints about similar businesses in other parts of the state, and his office will work with local law enforcement to review the complaints. He indicated the Troy raid would not be his last.
"This sends an important message to people who have machines that pay out in cash and violate state law," he said. "Illegal gambling will not be tolerated in Alabama."
Police Chief Anthony Everage said his department seized 47 video gambling machines in raids in July 2003. After several months of quiet, he started getting complaints about a new operation about two months ago, he said.
Among those complaining were people who had operated video gambling halls, citing an Alabama law, but had to close them last year after a state appeals court ruled that games of chance were illegal.
"Other people have asked us, 'If these people can reopen, why can't we?"' McAliley said.
The business was in a normal-looking metal building with no sign and a grass parking lot. A handwritten piece of paper on the door listed the hours of operation for the six-day-a-week business but gave no indication what was inside. Officers said customers learned of the business through word of mouth.
Inside, 60 video gambling machines - named Queen Bee, Funny Fruit and Alabama Nudge - were arranged in four rows. A counter offered free soft drinks and snacks.
Troy officials said proving gambling charges is difficult and that's why they relied on the attorney general to bring in two gaming experts - one from his staff and one from New Jersey - to examine the machines and prepare evidence for court.
As D.R. Sertell took apart the first machine, he carefully pulled out pieces of paper folded behind the money container and said, "This is the smoking gun."
Sertell, chairman of Casino Horizons Corp. in Vineland, N.J., unfolded the manufacturer's directions, which he said described how to set the payout between 65 percent and 90 percent of the money put in by customers.
"That proves the computer controls the outcome," rather than the skill of the player, which is illegal in Alabama, he said.
The last five minutes were spent condemning the strong arm tactics and the use of 'force, fear and intimidation' to settle this issue. He also indicated that he had the power and to superintend John Tyson and the task force and hasn't used it...YET...which means he will if this situation continues to deteriorate. Then he wouldn't say he would use it when the media questioned him....you know how it goes...
However, all I could think about while watching Troy give his spiel was his own participation in a gambling hall raid by armed storm troopers in Troy, AL back in 2004. Wonder when Troy changed his mind and decided that 'force, fear and intimidation' were the wrong tactics to use to settle misdemeanor infractions of state law.
Here is the story from 2004.
HEADLINE: Officers raid Troy gambling hall; AG says more may follow
BYLINE: By PHILLIP RAWLS, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: TROY, Ala.
BODY:
Law enforcement officers raided a plain metal building on the outskirts of Troy Friday, seizing 60 video gambling machines and surprising customers who were feeding dollar bills into the machines.
"Bad day. Friday the 13th," customer James Johnson said as he left.
Johnson, a retiree, said he played the games for recreation. "I guess I'll have to start fishing," he said.
District Attorney Gary McAliley said officers arrested Ray Grant, 58, of Troy. They accused him of being one of the operators and charged him with misdemeanor possession of gambling devices and possession of gambling records. Each is punishable by up to a year in jail and a $2,000 fine.
McAliley said the case will be reviewed by a grand jury and more charges are possible against Grant and others.
Attorney General Troy King, who participated in the raid, said his office has received complaints about similar businesses in other parts of the state, and his office will work with local law enforcement to review the complaints. He indicated the Troy raid would not be his last.
"This sends an important message to people who have machines that pay out in cash and violate state law," he said. "Illegal gambling will not be tolerated in Alabama."
Police Chief Anthony Everage said his department seized 47 video gambling machines in raids in July 2003. After several months of quiet, he started getting complaints about a new operation about two months ago, he said.
Among those complaining were people who had operated video gambling halls, citing an Alabama law, but had to close them last year after a state appeals court ruled that games of chance were illegal.
"Other people have asked us, 'If these people can reopen, why can't we?"' McAliley said.
The business was in a normal-looking metal building with no sign and a grass parking lot. A handwritten piece of paper on the door listed the hours of operation for the six-day-a-week business but gave no indication what was inside. Officers said customers learned of the business through word of mouth.
Inside, 60 video gambling machines - named Queen Bee, Funny Fruit and Alabama Nudge - were arranged in four rows. A counter offered free soft drinks and snacks.
Troy officials said proving gambling charges is difficult and that's why they relied on the attorney general to bring in two gaming experts - one from his staff and one from New Jersey - to examine the machines and prepare evidence for court.
As D.R. Sertell took apart the first machine, he carefully pulled out pieces of paper folded behind the money container and said, "This is the smoking gun."
Sertell, chairman of Casino Horizons Corp. in Vineland, N.J., unfolded the manufacturer's directions, which he said described how to set the payout between 65 percent and 90 percent of the money put in by customers.
"That proves the computer controls the outcome," rather than the skill of the player, which is illegal in Alabama, he said.
If you support Public Transportation in Alabama TAKE ACTION
From: Patricia Todd
Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 3:06 PM
To: Patricia Todd
Subject: IMPORTANT NOTE ON TRANSIT FUNDING! Please distribute to your lists
My bill that would amend the state constitution to allow for road funds be
used for pubic transportation is on the calendar in the Government
Appropriations Committee and the Road Builders have called for a public
hearing.
THIS IS THE TIME FOR YOUR VOICE TO BE HEARD!
Call the members of the Committee and let them know that you support my
bill, you can call the main number, fax them, email them and better yet,
come to Montgomery for the hearing tomorrow. It is 1:30 p.m. in Room 617.
Members of the Committee are:
And these are the members of the Committee:
John Knight, (77 - Chair)
Jack Page (29 - DeKalb/Etowah)
Gerald Allen (62 - Tuscaloosa),
Locy Baker (85 - Henry/Houston)
Billy Beasley (84 - Barbour/Bullock/Russell)
Greg Canfied (48 - Jefferson)
Ron Grantland (9 - Cullman/Morgan)
Laura Hall (19 - Madison)
Charles Newton (90 - Butler/Conecuh/Crenshaw)
Jody Letson (7 - Lawrence)
Jay Love (74 - Montgomery)
Yusuf Salaam (67 - Dallas )
Tommy Sherer (13 - Walker)
Elwin Thomas (34 - Blount/Jefferson)
The main number of the House where you can leave a message for members is
334-242-7600.
Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 3:06 PM
To: Patricia Todd
Subject: IMPORTANT NOTE ON TRANSIT FUNDING! Please distribute to your lists
My bill that would amend the state constitution to allow for road funds be
used for pubic transportation is on the calendar in the Government
Appropriations Committee and the Road Builders have called for a public
hearing.
THIS IS THE TIME FOR YOUR VOICE TO BE HEARD!
Call the members of the Committee and let them know that you support my
bill, you can call the main number, fax them, email them and better yet,
come to Montgomery for the hearing tomorrow. It is 1:30 p.m. in Room 617.
Members of the Committee are:
And these are the members of the Committee:
John Knight, (77 - Chair)
Jack Page (29 - DeKalb/Etowah)
Gerald Allen (62 - Tuscaloosa),
Locy Baker (85 - Henry/Houston)
Billy Beasley (84 - Barbour/Bullock/Russell)
Greg Canfied (48 - Jefferson)
Ron Grantland (9 - Cullman/Morgan)
Laura Hall (19 - Madison)
Charles Newton (90 - Butler/Conecuh/Crenshaw)
Jody Letson (7 - Lawrence)
Jay Love (74 - Montgomery)
Yusuf Salaam (67 - Dallas )
Tommy Sherer (13 - Walker)
Elwin Thomas (34 - Blount/Jefferson)
The main number of the House where you can leave a message for members is
334-242-7600.
Look at that MONSTER DOG!
From a story in the Clanton Advertiser
Super Dog Found Along Jemison Roadside
Click on the pic...you won't believe the size of this big boy!
I'm not so sure about the American Tundra Shepherd dog theory. He just looks like a massive German Shepherd to me. There is a breed of German Shepherd called King Shepherds that are huge like that. The sire of the female German Shepherd I bought last year was about that big though colored differently. He was only a year old and weighed 120 pounds. Largest GSD I have ever seen. The female turned out to be a monster dominate/aggressive beast who almost drove my Saul crazy so I had to get rid of her.
Someone commenting on the story at the Clanton Advertiser website thinks this may be their dog that went missing last year. I'm hoping that's the case and that there will be a happy reunion. I'd go crazy if my Saul went missing.
Super Dog Found Along Jemison Roadside
Click on the pic...you won't believe the size of this big boy!
I'm not so sure about the American Tundra Shepherd dog theory. He just looks like a massive German Shepherd to me. There is a breed of German Shepherd called King Shepherds that are huge like that. The sire of the female German Shepherd I bought last year was about that big though colored differently. He was only a year old and weighed 120 pounds. Largest GSD I have ever seen. The female turned out to be a monster dominate/aggressive beast who almost drove my Saul crazy so I had to get rid of her.
Someone commenting on the story at the Clanton Advertiser website thinks this may be their dog that went missing last year. I'm hoping that's the case and that there will be a happy reunion. I'd go crazy if my Saul went missing.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Another Good Bill to Support this Week
HB407 would put an end to the disgraceful practice of county sheriff's getting rich by starving prisoners. Currently in Alabama there is a law (it's in the Alabama Constitution) that whatever money is left over from feeding inmates the sheriff gets to put in his pocket. Morgan Co. Sheriff Greg Bartlett pocketed over $200,000. Since there is only a $1.75 day allowance per prisoner per day one wonders how any money would be left over at all. That $1.75 covers all three meals. Can you eat or feed your family members three meals a day on $1.75?
In Jan. on 2009 Judge UW Clemon locked up Morgan County Sheriff Greg Bartlett in his own jail for starving the inmates under his care.
HB407 would mandate that any monies left over be deposited into an account to be used ONLY for feeding inmates.
Please contact the County and Municipal Government Committee and ask them to pass HB407.
In Jan. on 2009 Judge UW Clemon locked up Morgan County Sheriff Greg Bartlett in his own jail for starving the inmates under his care.
HB407 would mandate that any monies left over be deposited into an account to be used ONLY for feeding inmates.
Please contact the County and Municipal Government Committee and ask them to pass HB407.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Two Very Important Bills to Support This Week
There are two very important bills coming up in the House Judiciary Committee this week that I need all of my readers to write/call/visit about.
The first bill, sponsored by Rep. Steve Hurst is HB253. This bill would require any public agency testing blood or urine samples to determine if an individual is in compliance with the terms of his or her parole or probation to retain the samples for a certain period of time to allow independent testing at the cost to the individual when the samples test positive.
Currently, if a probationer or parolee test positive for drugs or alcohol they are immediately sent back to jail with no recourse to get an independent test conducted on their urine sample. Here is a link to a page that lists all of the different things that can cause a false positive on a urine screen. The long list is near the bottom of the page. According to Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb's recent address to the joint session of the House and Senate there are 1,600 in Alabama prison for technical violations such as a false positive on a drug screen. That is costing Alabama taxpayers nearly $25 million a year just to house them in prison. Also, here is an excellent article by the BHAM News in 2004 that is being used by the Alabama Sentencing Commission which covers this very subject.
Next up is Rep. Chris England's records expungement bill. HB483. Existing law does not authorize the criminal record related to a charge to be sealed or expunged if the person is found not guilty of a crime or if the charges are dismissed or for a conviction record to be sealed or expunged.
This bill would authorize a person charged or convicted of certain felony or misdemeanor criminal offenses, a violation, or a traffic violation to petition the court in which the charges where filed or in which the conviction occurred to have his or her records expunged, including, but not limited to, arrest records, fingerprints, photographs, or index references in documentary or electronic form, relating to the arrest or charge, or both, and conviction in certain instances.
The House Judiciary Committee contact info is here.
The first bill, sponsored by Rep. Steve Hurst is HB253. This bill would require any public agency testing blood or urine samples to determine if an individual is in compliance with the terms of his or her parole or probation to retain the samples for a certain period of time to allow independent testing at the cost to the individual when the samples test positive.
Currently, if a probationer or parolee test positive for drugs or alcohol they are immediately sent back to jail with no recourse to get an independent test conducted on their urine sample. Here is a link to a page that lists all of the different things that can cause a false positive on a urine screen. The long list is near the bottom of the page. According to Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb's recent address to the joint session of the House and Senate there are 1,600 in Alabama prison for technical violations such as a false positive on a drug screen. That is costing Alabama taxpayers nearly $25 million a year just to house them in prison. Also, here is an excellent article by the BHAM News in 2004 that is being used by the Alabama Sentencing Commission which covers this very subject.
Next up is Rep. Chris England's records expungement bill. HB483. Existing law does not authorize the criminal record related to a charge to be sealed or expunged if the person is found not guilty of a crime or if the charges are dismissed or for a conviction record to be sealed or expunged.
This bill would authorize a person charged or convicted of certain felony or misdemeanor criminal offenses, a violation, or a traffic violation to petition the court in which the charges where filed or in which the conviction occurred to have his or her records expunged, including, but not limited to, arrest records, fingerprints, photographs, or index references in documentary or electronic form, relating to the arrest or charge, or both, and conviction in certain instances.
The House Judiciary Committee contact info is here.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Group urging legalization of medical marijuana rallies in Birmingham
About two dozen members of Alabamians for Compassionate Care, a medical marijuana advocacy group, staged a march from Caldwell Park to Five Points South in Birmingham this afternoon.
The group was urging the public to support a bill that aims to legalize the drug's use by patients suffering from seizures and chronic pain.
The Michael Philips Compassionate Care Act, which the group hopes will be introduced to the state Legislature in early March, would allow doctors to prescribe marijuana for seriously ill patients in Alabama. Similar to laws in effect in 14 states and the District of Columbia, the bill also would provide protection from arrest under state law for doctors who recommend it and patients who use marijuana as medicine.
"Patients in Alabama should not be locked in prison for trying to ease their pain and suffering," said Loretta Nall of Alexander City, executive director of Alabamians for Compassionate Care. "We shouldn't have to buy marijuana on the streets. Alabama needs to join the other states that recognize the benefits of marijuana for medical purposes. It's better than all those legal drugs out there for pain that have terrible side effects."
The group, many holding signs saying "Stop arresting patients" and "Support legal marijuana," staged a rally in Five Points South for 30 minutes before marching back to Caldwell Park.
GO LEAVE COMMENTS!!!
Friday, February 12, 2010
Come Celebrate International Medical Marijuana Week with ACC
UPDATE: Due to inclement weather conditions the time of this event has been pushed back by one hour. We will meet at 2330 Highland Avenue at 2 pm and begin our march to the Fountain at 5 Points South between 2:30 and 3:00 pm. The Birmingham News has confirmed that they will be coming out to report on our event. If road conditions are still problematic in your area at noon then do not attempt to attend. However, if you can safely make it to this event please come and bring as many people as you can.
Dear Friends and Supporters of Medical Marijuana in Alabama,
On Feb. 13, 2010 beginning at 1 p.m. members of Alabamians for Compassionate Care will kick off International Medical Marijuana Week with a celebration in Birmingham, Alabama with a pot luck dinner, fellowship, speakers and a short demonstration. If you plan to attend please bring a covered dish to share with other attendees. Later on we plan to have individual patients tell their stories about why they use medical marijuana, what they have to endure to get their medicine and how such obstacles have negatively impacted their lives. We will conclude our event by marching from 2330 Highland Ave. down to the fountain at 5 Points South and the back to the Hwy 280 overpass. Please make and bring signs about medical marijuana. Possible slogans include
I am a PATIENT not a criminal
My other medicine is addictive
STOP ARRESTING PATIENTS
MAKE MEDICAL MARIJUANA LEGAL
Please feel free to make up your own sign slogans so long as they have to do with medical marijuana.
The address of our celebration is
2330 Highland Ave. South (on Southside)
This location is right next to Caldwell Park. Should our group become too large for the location we have selected we can and will spill over into the park, weather permitting.
Load your cars and trucks up with as many people as you can find and we look forward to seeing you there.
If you have questions or need further information please feel free to email me at lorettanall@gmail.com. You can also contact our Outreach coordinator Christie O'Brien at 205-907-6131 reederchristie@yahoo.com or by contacting our Web Coordinator Penny Vaughan at 256-276-0083 or luvlavender@yahoo.com
Dear Friends and Supporters of Medical Marijuana in Alabama,
On Feb. 13, 2010 beginning at 1 p.m. members of Alabamians for Compassionate Care will kick off International Medical Marijuana Week with a celebration in Birmingham, Alabama with a pot luck dinner, fellowship, speakers and a short demonstration. If you plan to attend please bring a covered dish to share with other attendees. Later on we plan to have individual patients tell their stories about why they use medical marijuana, what they have to endure to get their medicine and how such obstacles have negatively impacted their lives. We will conclude our event by marching from 2330 Highland Ave. down to the fountain at 5 Points South and the back to the Hwy 280 overpass. Please make and bring signs about medical marijuana. Possible slogans include
I am a PATIENT not a criminal
My other medicine is addictive
STOP ARRESTING PATIENTS
MAKE MEDICAL MARIJUANA LEGAL
Please feel free to make up your own sign slogans so long as they have to do with medical marijuana.
The address of our celebration is
2330 Highland Ave. South (on Southside)
This location is right next to Caldwell Park. Should our group become too large for the location we have selected we can and will spill over into the park, weather permitting.
Load your cars and trucks up with as many people as you can find and we look forward to seeing you there.
If you have questions or need further information please feel free to email me at lorettanall@gmail.com. You can also contact our Outreach coordinator Christie O'Brien at 205-907-6131 reederchristie@yahoo.com or by contacting our Web Coordinator Penny Vaughan at 256-276-0083 or luvlavender@yahoo.com
Major Career Change for Me
As most of my readers know I have been trying to get into nursing school for the last year. For the last three semesters I have been taking the prerequisites in an attempt to acquire one of the coveted nursing school spots available every term.
But, truth is I never wanted to be a nurse. I respect the profession. My mother was a nurse for over 30 years and two of my best friends are nurses....but I wasn't cut out for that profession. I have no desire to handle fecal matter and other bodily fluids of strangers...or anyone else for that matter. My heart isn't in it.
So, after giving it a great deal of thought I have decided to follow my dream and become a lawyer. It is what I have wanted to do since I was a kid. Either that or be a rock star and, since the rock star thing hasn't panned out and never will, it looks like law school for me.
Starting next semester I will be changing my major to law. Not sure where I will go or how I will get it done...but I will. The current plan is to take as many pre-law courses as I can at the community college I attend, then transfer to a four year university for my minor, which will either be political science or journalism, and then attend nigh classes at Faulkner or Jones School of Law.
I am very excited about my future as a defense attorney in the State of Alabama.
But, truth is I never wanted to be a nurse. I respect the profession. My mother was a nurse for over 30 years and two of my best friends are nurses....but I wasn't cut out for that profession. I have no desire to handle fecal matter and other bodily fluids of strangers...or anyone else for that matter. My heart isn't in it.
So, after giving it a great deal of thought I have decided to follow my dream and become a lawyer. It is what I have wanted to do since I was a kid. Either that or be a rock star and, since the rock star thing hasn't panned out and never will, it looks like law school for me.
Starting next semester I will be changing my major to law. Not sure where I will go or how I will get it done...but I will. The current plan is to take as many pre-law courses as I can at the community college I attend, then transfer to a four year university for my minor, which will either be political science or journalism, and then attend nigh classes at Faulkner or Jones School of Law.
I am very excited about my future as a defense attorney in the State of Alabama.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Striking Parallels Between Drug War and Gambling War
The meth lab/bingo hall analogy has been brought up in a few different media sources recently. The argument goes like this;
(quote from Mobile Press Register) We've heard the governor say several times that the state wouldn't condone a meth lab even if it provided 500 jobs. That comparison doesn't work, because no one disputes that meth is illegal and no law-abiding citizen would work for a meth lab."
Unfortunately, for those bringing it up, what it does is point out parallels between the failed drug war and this stupid bingo war.
Adult drug users/alcohol drinkers and people who like to gamble aren't much different in many respects. Most of them use/drink/gamble responsibly and do not harm anyone else or deny anyone else in their pursuit of life, liberty and happiness by doing those things. A small percentage of both drug users/alcohol drinkers/gamblers do become addicted or exhibit other problems that cause harm to others. But you will always have idiots in every group of people. However, making behaviors such as using drugs/drinking alcohol/gambling illegal punishes all those who engage in these behaviors responsibly and not just the idiots. That is why our prison system is so horribly overcrowded. Alcohol prohibition failed because our ancestors finally realized the simple fact that you can't punish everyone for the bad behavior of a few. It's time those of us in the 21st century revisited that simple lesson that history taught us and that we have ignored.
Drug use and gambling will never be eliminated and the negatives of both could be reduced with regulation of the industries with the monies from tax revenue going to our deplorable education system and other worthy programs in Alabama. Both would create jobs. Thousands of Alabama farmers could be back in business tomorrow if marijuana were legalized for adult use.
As for meth....that's nasty stuff and I don't use it. However, if it were regulated and controlled then there would be no people with enough deadly, toxic chemicals in their basements (or car trunks) to level six city blocks. No children would be around the manufacture of it because all of that would be done in a safe, laboratory environment with trained chemists....just as is done now with Desoxyn...that's prescription meth. People who became addicted would have more options for treatment and chances to recover from addiction and put their lives and families back together. And, when you look at the numbers the 'meth epidemic' is way overblown. It is estimated that there are 1.4 million meth users in the US. The US has a population of 308,664,392 That comes out to 0.45%
(quote from Mobile Press Register) We've heard the governor say several times that the state wouldn't condone a meth lab even if it provided 500 jobs. That comparison doesn't work, because no one disputes that meth is illegal and no law-abiding citizen would work for a meth lab."
Unfortunately, for those bringing it up, what it does is point out parallels between the failed drug war and this stupid bingo war.
Adult drug users/alcohol drinkers and people who like to gamble aren't much different in many respects. Most of them use/drink/gamble responsibly and do not harm anyone else or deny anyone else in their pursuit of life, liberty and happiness by doing those things. A small percentage of both drug users/alcohol drinkers/gamblers do become addicted or exhibit other problems that cause harm to others. But you will always have idiots in every group of people. However, making behaviors such as using drugs/drinking alcohol/gambling illegal punishes all those who engage in these behaviors responsibly and not just the idiots. That is why our prison system is so horribly overcrowded. Alcohol prohibition failed because our ancestors finally realized the simple fact that you can't punish everyone for the bad behavior of a few. It's time those of us in the 21st century revisited that simple lesson that history taught us and that we have ignored.
Drug use and gambling will never be eliminated and the negatives of both could be reduced with regulation of the industries with the monies from tax revenue going to our deplorable education system and other worthy programs in Alabama. Both would create jobs. Thousands of Alabama farmers could be back in business tomorrow if marijuana were legalized for adult use.
As for meth....that's nasty stuff and I don't use it. However, if it were regulated and controlled then there would be no people with enough deadly, toxic chemicals in their basements (or car trunks) to level six city blocks. No children would be around the manufacture of it because all of that would be done in a safe, laboratory environment with trained chemists....just as is done now with Desoxyn...that's prescription meth. People who became addicted would have more options for treatment and chances to recover from addiction and put their lives and families back together. And, when you look at the numbers the 'meth epidemic' is way overblown. It is estimated that there are 1.4 million meth users in the US. The US has a population of 308,664,392 That comes out to 0.45%
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
I Volunteer
There is a war of words and threats emerging in this retarded Bob 'Elvis' Riley bingo dispute. Yesterday the sheriff of Greene Co. Thomas Ison and Senator Bobby Singleton stated that, should the state sanctioned armed goons show up to close down Greene Track that the sheriff would deputize citizens to stand them down.
While a lot of people are completely freaking out over those statements I think they are fabulous! So fabulous, in fact, that I have written both the Sheriff and Sen. Singleton and volunteered to be deputized in the event that the armed state invaders show up.
That would be grand fun.
While a lot of people are completely freaking out over those statements I think they are fabulous! So fabulous, in fact, that I have written both the Sheriff and Sen. Singleton and volunteered to be deputized in the event that the armed state invaders show up.
That would be grand fun.
Monday, February 08, 2010
Bills to Support This Week
Coming up on this week's House Judiciary Committee Calendar are the following bills that need our support.
HB270 sponsored by Rep. James Fields (D-Cullman) would allow for a judge to use discretion when handing down a sentence for a third felony offense. Under current law someone who has three felony convictions for writing bad checks would receive a mandatory life in prison without parole sentence. There have been a few high profile cases where people convicted of non-violent felonies have been sentenced to life in Alabama with no parole. One such case involved a mentally ill man whose third felony was taking a bicycle off of someone's porch. Please read more about the bill HERE Also, Equal Justice Initiative is working to pass this bill and has numerous examples of those who were sentenced under Three Strikes You're Out laws that EJI has helped available online.
Another excellent bill is HB441 sponsored by Rep. Marcel Black (D-Tuscambia). Under existing law, there is no prohibition on the imposition of consecutive split sentences or the stacking of split sentences to require a defendant to serve more than one mandatory imprisonment portion of a split sentence for more than one offense.
This bill would expressly prohibit sentencing a defendant to serve multiple consecutive incarceration portions of split sentences upon conviction for more than one offense at the same sentencing event.
This bill would clarify that for a split sentence of 15 years or less, during the maximum term of imprisonment imposed, which is up to three years, a defendant would not be eligible for good time or parole.
This bill would apply the maximum probation limitations of 2 years for misdemeanor convictions and 5 years for felony offenses to sentences imposed under a split sentence.
The probation limits are major. Currently a judge can sentence someone to 10 or more years of probation for something as minor as marijuana possession. Probation, as it is currently meted out, is not designed for successful completion. It is designed to make people fail and return to prison. This bill is a major step in overhauling our antiquated probationary system.
Finally we have HB442 also sponsored by Rep. Marcel Black.
This bill would include the boards of nonprofit entities in the definition of board under the act. The bill would also authorize county commissions to provide liability coverage to authorities and nonprofit entities under the act.
Under existing law, persons convicted of selling drugs are excluded from participation in the programs.
The bill would delete the exclusion of persons convicted of selling drugs from participation in the programs.
This is an important bill because it would allow non-profits to be on the board of any community corrections association. That means that citizens would have a direct say in how things are run. Another major component of this bill is the inclusion of those charged with selling drugs in a community corrections program. Since police generally only go after small fish who sell quarter bags to their friends or who sell to support their own habit. These are not drug trafficking king pins. They are are sons, daughters, college and high school students and by all means they should be able to participate in community corrections instead of rotting away in a government cage.
Please take a moment and call/write the members of the House Judiciary Committee. That information can be found by clicking on the link above and then by clicking on each individual name.
HB270 sponsored by Rep. James Fields (D-Cullman) would allow for a judge to use discretion when handing down a sentence for a third felony offense. Under current law someone who has three felony convictions for writing bad checks would receive a mandatory life in prison without parole sentence. There have been a few high profile cases where people convicted of non-violent felonies have been sentenced to life in Alabama with no parole. One such case involved a mentally ill man whose third felony was taking a bicycle off of someone's porch. Please read more about the bill HERE Also, Equal Justice Initiative is working to pass this bill and has numerous examples of those who were sentenced under Three Strikes You're Out laws that EJI has helped available online.
Another excellent bill is HB441 sponsored by Rep. Marcel Black (D-Tuscambia). Under existing law, there is no prohibition on the imposition of consecutive split sentences or the stacking of split sentences to require a defendant to serve more than one mandatory imprisonment portion of a split sentence for more than one offense.
This bill would expressly prohibit sentencing a defendant to serve multiple consecutive incarceration portions of split sentences upon conviction for more than one offense at the same sentencing event.
This bill would clarify that for a split sentence of 15 years or less, during the maximum term of imprisonment imposed, which is up to three years, a defendant would not be eligible for good time or parole.
This bill would apply the maximum probation limitations of 2 years for misdemeanor convictions and 5 years for felony offenses to sentences imposed under a split sentence.
The probation limits are major. Currently a judge can sentence someone to 10 or more years of probation for something as minor as marijuana possession. Probation, as it is currently meted out, is not designed for successful completion. It is designed to make people fail and return to prison. This bill is a major step in overhauling our antiquated probationary system.
Finally we have HB442 also sponsored by Rep. Marcel Black.
This bill would include the boards of nonprofit entities in the definition of board under the act. The bill would also authorize county commissions to provide liability coverage to authorities and nonprofit entities under the act.
Under existing law, persons convicted of selling drugs are excluded from participation in the programs.
The bill would delete the exclusion of persons convicted of selling drugs from participation in the programs.
This is an important bill because it would allow non-profits to be on the board of any community corrections association. That means that citizens would have a direct say in how things are run. Another major component of this bill is the inclusion of those charged with selling drugs in a community corrections program. Since police generally only go after small fish who sell quarter bags to their friends or who sell to support their own habit. These are not drug trafficking king pins. They are are sons, daughters, college and high school students and by all means they should be able to participate in community corrections instead of rotting away in a government cage.
Please take a moment and call/write the members of the House Judiciary Committee. That information can be found by clicking on the link above and then by clicking on each individual name.
Marijuana Nonsense
And yet another fabulous medical marijuana letter in today's Opinion pages round up. This one is a masterpiece from Don Seibold of Wetumpka and appeared in today's Anniston Star. Don is 74, a war veteran and suffers from chronic pain. However, he will not break the law in order to see if medical marijuana would alleviate his suffering.
Way to go Don!!
Readers, please read the letter on the Anniston Star website, leave a comment and then write your own letter to the Star at speakout@annistonstar.com
Marijuana Nonsense
Marijuana nonsense
by our readers
Feb 08, 2010
Re “Drugs lead to more drugs” (Speak Out letter, Jan. 28):
Tonya Curvin wrote in her recent Speak Out letter to The Star, “There are other ways to live a painful life without drugs: Therapists, chiropractors, counselors, pastors and exercises are examples. It’s also sad to say, but some chronic pain sufferers got hurt under the influence of drugs and that’s why they are now in chronic pain.”
Note that she said “live a painful life” instead of “alleviate their pain.”
I’ve tried most of the examples she cited plus prescribed pain relief drugs, and none of them helped me. The only relief I get is from a non-prescribed legal drug called alcohol, which probably does more harm to my body than marijuana ever could, and I imagine it costs more, too.
My chronic pain didn’t come about as a result of being under the influence of drugs. It came about while I was serving in the military protecting Curvin’s freedom and her right to spout her nonsense.
Don Seibold
Wetumpka
Way to go Don!!
Readers, please read the letter on the Anniston Star website, leave a comment and then write your own letter to the Star at speakout@annistonstar.com
Marijuana Nonsense
Marijuana nonsense
by our readers
Feb 08, 2010
Re “Drugs lead to more drugs” (Speak Out letter, Jan. 28):
Tonya Curvin wrote in her recent Speak Out letter to The Star, “There are other ways to live a painful life without drugs: Therapists, chiropractors, counselors, pastors and exercises are examples. It’s also sad to say, but some chronic pain sufferers got hurt under the influence of drugs and that’s why they are now in chronic pain.”
Note that she said “live a painful life” instead of “alleviate their pain.”
I’ve tried most of the examples she cited plus prescribed pain relief drugs, and none of them helped me. The only relief I get is from a non-prescribed legal drug called alcohol, which probably does more harm to my body than marijuana ever could, and I imagine it costs more, too.
My chronic pain didn’t come about as a result of being under the influence of drugs. It came about while I was serving in the military protecting Curvin’s freedom and her right to spout her nonsense.
Don Seibold
Wetumpka
Medical Marijuana: Bill would legalize use
My close friend, medical marijuana patient, and Outreach Coordinator for Alabamians for Compassionate Care, Christie O'Brien had an excellent letter published today in the Birmingham News.
Way to go Christie!!
Readers, read the letter at the link below, leave a comment on the BHAM News website then please write a response and send it to
epage@bhamnews.com
Medical Marijuana: Bill would legalize use
Way to go Christie!!
Readers, read the letter at the link below, leave a comment on the BHAM News website then please write a response and send it to
epage@bhamnews.com
Medical Marijuana: Bill would legalize use
Ballot Access Editorial in BHAM News
The Birmingham News has a great editorial on ballot access and Rep. Cam Ward's bill HB142 to change it.
Go Read it Here and leave a comment when you are done. Also, please call/visit the members of the Constitution and Elections committee and ask for their support of this bill when Rep. Ward brings it back up in a few weeks.
Thanks BHAM News for supporting desperately needed changes in Alabama's ballot access laws and thanks to Rep. Cam Ward who is courageous enough to bring this bill back year after year. It will eventually pass.
Go Read it Here and leave a comment when you are done. Also, please call/visit the members of the Constitution and Elections committee and ask for their support of this bill when Rep. Ward brings it back up in a few weeks.
Thanks BHAM News for supporting desperately needed changes in Alabama's ballot access laws and thanks to Rep. Cam Ward who is courageous enough to bring this bill back year after year. It will eventually pass.
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
SB295 in Senate Health Committee...Please Write/Call
Today SB295 (the senate companion bill to HB214)a bill which would allow those convicted of drug felonies to be eligible for food stamps and TANF once they get out of prison is coming up in the Senate Health Committee. Please take a moment and send and email or call the members of the Senate Health Committee and ask them to pass this bill. Below is the letter I sent along with the email addresses. Please feel free to copy mine or write your own.
Dear Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee,
I am writing today to ask for your support of SB295, which would allow those convicted of felony drug charges, who have served their time in prison, to be eligible for food stamps and TANF. Currently, under federal law, those convicted of drug offenses are the only persons denied food assistance. Child molesters, murderers and rapists are eligible for food assistance upon release from prison but not someone whose crime involved taking a substance and not harming anyone else in the process.
When the laws keep people starving it raises the chances that they will resort to crime to in order to simply survive. If that happens they will go back to prison where it will cost taxpayers far more to house them for one year than it would have if we had enabled them to eat to begin with. This law also adversely affects children. Children have no control over what their parents might do, but under current law, they too, are denied food if their parents can't get state assistance while they struggle with reentry and readjustment to society after spending time in prison.
Please do the compassionate, humane, Christian thing and pass this bill.
Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.
Loretta Nall
lindacoleman60@bellsouth.net,
senbutler@aol.com,
larry.means@alsenate.gov,
senbedford@aol.com,
larry.dixon@alsenate.gov,
priscilla.dunn@alsenate.gov,
steve.french@alsenate.gov,
hinton.mitchem@alsenate.gov,
myron.penn@alsenate.gov,
quinton.ross@alsenate.gov,
harriannesmith@graceba.net,
zeb.little@alsenate.gov,
jabo.waggoner@alsenate.gov
Dear Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee,
I am writing today to ask for your support of SB295, which would allow those convicted of felony drug charges, who have served their time in prison, to be eligible for food stamps and TANF. Currently, under federal law, those convicted of drug offenses are the only persons denied food assistance. Child molesters, murderers and rapists are eligible for food assistance upon release from prison but not someone whose crime involved taking a substance and not harming anyone else in the process.
When the laws keep people starving it raises the chances that they will resort to crime to in order to simply survive. If that happens they will go back to prison where it will cost taxpayers far more to house them for one year than it would have if we had enabled them to eat to begin with. This law also adversely affects children. Children have no control over what their parents might do, but under current law, they too, are denied food if their parents can't get state assistance while they struggle with reentry and readjustment to society after spending time in prison.
Please do the compassionate, humane, Christian thing and pass this bill.
Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.
Loretta Nall
lindacoleman60@bellsouth.net,
senbutler@aol.com,
larry.means@alsenate.gov,
senbedford@aol.com,
larry.dixon@alsenate.gov,
priscilla.dunn@alsenate.gov,
steve.french@alsenate.gov,
hinton.mitchem@alsenate.gov,
myron.penn@alsenate.gov,
quinton.ross@alsenate.gov,
harriannesmith@graceba.net,
zeb.little@alsenate.gov,
jabo.waggoner@alsenate.gov
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?
From a story about a marijuana bust in Tuscaloosa
What planet are cops from? No one I know in Alabama pays anywhere near $380 for one ounce of weed unless it is certified-kick-ass from Canada or California/West Coast. And, I NEVER see that kind of weed in Alabama.
Even worse than the cops jacking of the prices is the fact that another young man, 25, will now be sent to rot and be sexually assaulted in an overcrowded, dangerous and inhumane Alabama prison....all for selling something that grows naturally on this earth.
Where do these mother fuckers get off outlawing nature?
when figuring that individuals pay mid-level dealers around $380 for one ounce.
What planet are cops from? No one I know in Alabama pays anywhere near $380 for one ounce of weed unless it is certified-kick-ass from Canada or California/West Coast. And, I NEVER see that kind of weed in Alabama.
Even worse than the cops jacking of the prices is the fact that another young man, 25, will now be sent to rot and be sexually assaulted in an overcrowded, dangerous and inhumane Alabama prison....all for selling something that grows naturally on this earth.
Where do these mother fuckers get off outlawing nature?
Monday, February 01, 2010
Mobile Press Register: Alabama a Police State
Editorial: Raids are embarrassing and didn't accomplish anything
The Mobile Press Register issued a scathing rebuke against Governor Riley and Mobile DA (and anti-illegal gambling task force commander) John Tyson over the failed raids last week of Country Crossing and Victoryland. I especially liked this line;
And this one;
I've never seen the Press Register say anything negative about Riley. Nor have I ever seen them use the words Police State.
I can't help but be reminded of the failed drug war and the parallels with this issue of bingo/gambling. The 'crime' of gambling is victimless. In the drug war the police show up at 3 am with a hundred armed men in balaclavas, break in doors, throw flash bang grenades and do not identify themselves.....all over a joint or two. The money being wasted on that failed policy is in the hundreds of millions a year just for Alabama. Talk about police state........
The Mobile Press Register issued a scathing rebuke against Governor Riley and Mobile DA (and anti-illegal gambling task force commander) John Tyson over the failed raids last week of Country Crossing and Victoryland. I especially liked this line;
If they had been hunting down bomb-toting terrorists instead of trying to shut down electronic bingo machines, the show of force might have made sense. As it was, the attempted raids of Country Crossing near Dothan and VictoryLand in Shorter looked like an abuse of power more suited to a police state than the state of Alabama.
And this one;
Their justification for the massive raids is that electronic bingo gambling is illegal. So is entering and trying to confiscate property without a search warrant.
I've never seen the Press Register say anything negative about Riley. Nor have I ever seen them use the words Police State.
I can't help but be reminded of the failed drug war and the parallels with this issue of bingo/gambling. The 'crime' of gambling is victimless. In the drug war the police show up at 3 am with a hundred armed men in balaclavas, break in doors, throw flash bang grenades and do not identify themselves.....all over a joint or two. The money being wasted on that failed policy is in the hundreds of millions a year just for Alabama. Talk about police state........
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