[PAA-Discuss] What a crock from Lampson - again

[Tami]

It would also help if all of the Democrats would get behind it.  Of course
we replaced Tom Delay but have DINOs (Democrat in name only) like his
replacement Nick Lampson (there were many Democrats who got behind Lampson
but would have rather had a real Democrat) who voted against the
Hinchey-Rohrabacher and we also have DINO Gene Green who also has voted
against it every time.  Other Texas Democrats that voted against it are
Henry Cuellar and Ruben Hinojosa.  Democrats in Texas actually passed a
medical marijuana resolution and put wording into the Texas Democratic
Platform in support of medical marijuana, yet our Democratic representatives
continue to either be afraid to vote for it or aren't themselves for it.

Being someone who is active in both Democratic party politics and Drug
Policy Reform, a big part of the problem is that many in the
"peace/anti-war" movement don't consider it to be as important as opposing
the war in Iraq.  Until Bush is gone and we are out of Iraq, I don't see how
we can change this situation a whole lot.  Even if we replace the
Republicans with Democrats, they aren't necessarily on our side.  I have
even gotten unpleasant feedback from a few on this list regarding drug
policy issues.  So until actual progressives get behind this and see it as
an important issue I don't see how this will pass.

Every other week I work camera for a media source show (Channel 95 on
Comcast) called Drugs, Crime and Politics.  Yesterday we had one of our best
shows in a while.  We played 2 clips that illustrate the harm that the drug
war does.

The first clip is Lynn Paltrow, cousin of actress Gwyneth Paltrow. She is
Director of Advocates for Pregnant Women  -
http://www.advocatesforpregnantwomen.org/
The clip is both informative and she injects a little humor on this subject

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-9amUyx0YI

The second clip is Sanho Tree, director of Drug Policy Project for the
Institute for Policy Studies ( http://www.ips-dc.org/ ) in Wash DC speaking
to Students for Sensible Drug Policy convention about Plan Colombia and the
human and environmental devastation that our drug policies abroad are
causing.  This has actual footage filmed in Colombia that may shock you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9kpC1XneKA

I hope these clips serve to broaden progressive views to the real issues of
drug policy reform and convince leaners that this is an important issue and
not just some frivolous issue which should be pushed aside since we have
more pressing worries such as the war in Iraq and the Bush administration.
Drug war grandstanding is somewhat of a bi-partisan issue.  Both Democrat
and Republican elected officials are capable of being drug war idiots.









On 7/26/07, zappa2004 < zappa2004 at earthlink.net> wrote:
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> *From:* Representative Nick Lampson [mailto:tx22ima at mail.house.gov]
> *Sent:* Wednesday, July 25, 2007 5:21 PM
> *To:* zappa2004 at earthlink.net
> *Subject:* Responding to your message
>
>
>
> July 25, 2007
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Dear Kathryn,
>
>
>
> Thank you for contacting me in support of the Hinchey Medical Marijuana
> Amendment.
>
>
>
> Marijuana lacks accepted safety requirements even for use under
> supervision by a physician and currently has no accepted medical need in the
> United States. While I do appreciate the material that you sent me, I
> believe that any change in the legal status of marijuana will serve as a
> great detriment to society. Currently there are problems with prescription
> medication addiction and I feel that legalizing the medical use of marijuana
> will only increase those problems.
>
>
>
> Marijuana is currently classified by the US Drug Enforcement Agency as a
> schedule drug, which notes its a high potential for abuse, no approved
> medical use in the United States, and lacks accepted safety for use under a
> physician. Additionally, physicians do have the ability to prescribe safe
> and effective medications to alleviate a patient's pain. While I am aware
> that the medical conditions you mentioned cause great discomfort to
> patients, I do not believe marijuana use is the answer.
>
>
>
> Again, thank you for taking the time to share your views with me. If I can
> ever be of assistance to you in the future, please do not hesitate to be in
> touch.
>
>
>
> I look forward to hearing from you again soon.
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
> NICK LAMPSON
>
> Member of Congress
>
> Please be sure to visit my website at http://www.lampson.house.gov to sign
> up for my e-newsletter, and to learn more about our district and how I may
> be of service to you.
>
>
> ---------------
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-- 
Tammera Halphen

The Democratic Party is a BIG TENT, but there is NO ROOM for those
who advance the agenda of THE RICH (Corporate Owners) at the EXPENSE of
LABOR and the POOR.

In EVERY case, "Barriers to Trade" and "Restrictions on Corporations" were
created to protect something valuable!
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