420 protests and the medical marijuana override

[Sam A. Robrin]

ROCKETMAN   

COPYRIGHT 2009 by Sam A. Robrin or whoever the hell it is who writes these things. Go ahead and use it (Hey, I lifted the melody!), but if you make a little money on it, I want some!

I got my case just right--air-tight.
To the State House, 9 A.M.
And I'm going to show sweet reason's light to them.
They'll see it's logical, they'll see it's right--
Of course, they always do,
State pols are fair and bright.

And I know it's going to be a slam-dunk win,
Unless the smoke-ins in the park begin
To taint state senators' integrity.
I'll turn them in--I'm the Rocketman.
Rocketman knows what's best for you to do and be.

Laws change, diminishing the power base.
We see it happen all the time.
But they won't if freeee folks get too in-your-face.
So they'll just have to be locked up today.
Trust me, I know it's for the best.
I'm Rocketman, I'm Rocketman . . .

[Mike Barskey]

Sam, I think most of your songs are brilliant (this one especially, because of the original song). It would sure be great to have a CD of all of these. Are there any musicians out there, and singers, who would like to record a few songs? I'll make the CDs. We can then have them to hand out at events or sell or give away on the web, etc.

[dalebert]

But enough about me. You just called a bill that will enable seriously ill cancer patients legal access to marijuana to treat their deadly illnesses "a huge sacrifice for a small thing" and remarked earlier that it would be a "substantial price to pay" if it passes. Please, elaborate on that.

*sigh* It's getting tedious but I'll elaborate on it once more. It feels like we're beating a dead horse here because we clearly are entrenched in our own positions after what is now years of debate about effective tactics. I would very much like for us to acknowledge that reality and respect our differences and LIVE AND LET LIVE, just as the empty rhetoric in Matt's signature proposes.

As I understand it, it will enable legal (but not convenient) access to SOME seriously ill people but not a lot who didn't make the list. For those who do, it sounds like the bureaucracy and actual physical effort associated with obtaining their medicine from a limited number of state centers will be substantial. The power will remain with the state to determine who gets a prescription and we have no idea how arbitrary they will be in the exercise of such power so it's a LONG way from any sort of guarantee. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if many sick people continued through illegal channels just due to how daunting that bureaucracy could be. The Federal government is capable of issuing permits (stamps) to grow and sell MJ right now and they simply choose not to.

Even all that aside, I would not sacrifice an activism that's in line with MY personal views of effective activism in favor of piece of paper that may as well be a part of some kooky religion. I'm just saying that's what it is in MY eyes. The debate about our differences in those areas will likely be endless, but in the meantime, the evangelism for this (IMHO) irrational belief in a flawed tactic has gone far beyond obnoxious. Matt has now employed scapegoating, guilt-tripping, name-calling, and ultimatums in this tantrum over other people's choices of activities that are none of his business.

I'm not even interested at this point in continuing a discussion about the topic at hand because there appears to be nothing new to say in the immediate future and it has been clearly demonstrated that such a discussion cannot take place in a mutually respectful way. The schism belongs to the politicos. They have claimed it and I am damn near ready to let them dig it as deep as they care to.

[dalebert]

Matt had a very simple request and I don't think it was truly unreasonable.

The request wasn't unreasonable. The scapegoating, name-calling, guilt-tripping, and ultimatum that came with it, on the other hand, go far beyond unreasonable.

But that said, is it really too much to ask to just hold off the protests for a short period of time until the medical bill is dealt with one way or the other?

Yes. How many times do we have to answer that before you guys will get on with your own lives and let us get on with ours?

Keep that in mind even if you disagree with one another on the method of achieving that goal.

I acknowledge that. I know he's doing what HE feels is the best course of action. I don't believe in it, but I have no desire to stand in his way. I have no desire to punish him for his disagreements with me. Maybe you should be talking with him about expressing that same respect despite our differences.

[FTL_Ian]

I also want to say that I think Rich Paul is an decent guy who seems to have kind of gotten caught up in this.  Ian is the person who has always argued for the dubious merits of smoking pot in public.  I haven't met Big Mike, but I'm open to thinking he's a decent guy as well.

This isn't something personal I have against Ian.  He and I have debated the merits of this kind of civil disobedience many times (prior to the schism).  Now he has finally gotten his way, and yes, I am quite thoroughly annoyed about the timing.  Oh right, nobody cares...

But does anybody remember Andrew Carroll?  Although I hated to see him get a criminal record and I doubted much good would come of it, his marijuana protest actually made a clear point.  He wanted to enlighten people, not confirm the stereotype that marijuana users are antisocial jerks.  Too bad some people can't see the difference.

Rich Paul is the hero who started this - he didn't get "caught up" in anything.  I'll have you know that I didn't even have a clue about it until its fourth day in.  It is bigger and better than I could have imagined, but it's not my event even if fingers are being pointed at me.

That said, I'd suggested a public smokeout at the state house and you shot the idea down.  I'm glad to see you've at least come to accept that it would be good for the medical patients to do it.

Now then, to address your original post. 

I think you really stepped in it, Matt.  I forgive you for being so nasty to a group of people who are acting free.  If you want to unfriend me, I'll leave that to you.  I think it's interesting that it's the impressions of a few politicians that have led you to alienate and ostracize many people who have helped aid you and your cause in the past (I've called politicians, and given out hundreds of your organization's matchbooks) over a little civil disobedience.  You're throwing allies out of your life because some politician threatens to vote down the weakest medical cannabis bill ever?  To your patients that are elderly and frightened, I invite them to come to the parks in Keene and Manchester.  I imagine it wouldn't be hard for medical patients to get some medicine and a connection AT these events.

This is what I hear from you, in a nutshell:
"Hey brothers, if you don't anger massa jus' this once he might help the sick, obedient slaves!"

Maybe those slaves should just get the help they need.  Considering they aren't arresting teenage pot smokers at these events, do they really believe THEY, the elderly and infirmed will be targeted by police?  If that's what they think, they need a reality check.  I'd suggest they come out to one of these events and join in. 

The people at these events are not cowering in the shadows anymore, and I'm sorry that has upset you to the point of irrationality.  I forgive you, Matt.

[KBCraig]

Lil Dog, there is no way to stop the 420 protest in Keene. It is completely organic, and will die when its time comes, but no one can shoot it dead. Any effort to kill it, will only make it stronger.

That's why the Keene PD is leaving it alone. They know that most participants will get over the novelty and it will start dwindling, but if they start arresting people, the participant numbers will explode.

[Rocketman]

Please people show the politicians and media that you want the laws changed go to or start a 420 in your town. Start as soon as possible.

Laws can only be changed by the legislature.  There are 424 individuals who can submit a bill to be considered next year.  Have you met with any legislators to get any bills submitted?  I have.  Maybe you will like some of those bills better than these bills, but I won't hold my breath. 

Right now there is only one bill being considered, and the vote is Oct. 28.  Do whatever makes you happy, but don't persist in the illusion that smoking pot in front of people's kids is going to help build a majority of support for reform.

[Rocketman]

Thanks, guys, I'm going to delete my account after I'm finished lecturing.  It will be much easier to change the laws we are all forced to live under when I am no longer associated with a bunch of disrespectful turds. 

If you want to further marginalize yourselves in the public square and call that activism, marginalize away!  Gee, I sure wish I had time to smoke pot in the park every day!

[dalebert]

Thanks, guys, I'm going to delete my account after I'm finished lecturing.

Thank you. I've un-friended you on Facebook. I will consider this reciprocation for the favor.

[Mike Barskey]

Is calling someone else a "disrespectful turd" an oxymoron?

Matt, do you think I'm a disrespectful turd?

Also, if deleting your account will remove your posts on this forum, please don't do it! Please leave these posts for others to read and learn from. If that's the case, maybe you could change the name from "Rocketman" to "Deleted In Disgust" or something.

[Rocketman]

Lil Dog, there is no way to stop the 420 protest in Keene. It is completely organic, and will die when its time comes, but no one can shoot it dead. Any effort to kill it, will only make it stronger.

That's why the Keene PD is leaving it alone. They know that most participants will get over the novelty and it will start dwindling, but if they start arresting people, the participant numbers will explode.

Actually, Kevin, I think what we're hearing is that these protesters will now redouble their efforts in order to spite me.  Nice to see that I am so important, after all!

[FTL_Ian]

Lil Dog, there is no way to stop the 420 protest in Keene. It is completely organic, and will die when its time comes, but no one can shoot it dead. Any effort to kill it, will only make it stronger.

That's why the Keene PD is leaving it alone. They know that most participants will get over the novelty and it will start dwindling, but if they start arresting people, the participant numbers will explode.

Actually, Kevin, I think what we're hearing is that these protesters will now redouble their efforts in order to spite me.  Nice to see that I am so important, after all!

I don't see Curtis saying that at all.  I think what he's telling you that is they won't be stopping is all.  You're choosing to take it personally.

[AntonLee]

Thanks, guys, I'm going to delete my account after I'm finished lecturing.  It will be much easier to change the laws we are all forced to live under when I am no longer associated with a bunch of disrespectful turds. 

If you want to further marginalize yourselves in the public square and call that activism, marginalize away!  Gee, I sure wish I had time to smoke pot in the park every day!

you've sure had plenty of time to come on here and go on about the activism you don't agree with Matt.  I do agree with you, however, that 4:20 is really a horrible time for the working stoner to do this sort of thing.  I heard at the celebration that I went to that some people choose to take the 4, 2, and 0 and add them together to get an hour, 6. . .

it gives you plenty of time to come home, start dinner, bring the barrels out to the curb, check the email, eat, and then enjoy a nice after dinner toke (or before dinner toke which is just as good in my opinion).

of course, you mentioning 4:20 is one of those statist anti-drug talking points.  "oh what do these stoners do, they need to get jaaabs!"   Of course, as has been mentioned by everyone by now and yet still seems to fall on deaf ears, is that many people do work other hours.  Those people that, for instance, make the t-shirts you like to wear might start working as early as  5am.  Sometimes they have to work past the 4:20.  Some people, such as myself, never smoke at 4:20 because it's just simply not in my schedule at that time.

I personally wish I had the time to sometimes.  I also wished at one point in my life that I had the time to just take days off and go hang out at the circle jerk factory (the Concord statehouse) to help support your activism.  The great people at the circle jerk factory don't seem to really care about when it is I can make it to voice my opinion.

why is your activism more important to come out and help with than the 420 celebrations?   

sorry you feel so disrespected Matt.  Calling people 'turds' most likely will not gain you any new friends or respect.   Very sad because when I met you, I couldn't have asked for a friendlier, more professional, or courteous free-stater willing to take a few minutes to chit chat with some prospective mover and make me feel welcome (besides Mike Barskey)

[Rocketman]

I don't see Curtis saying that at all.  I think what he's telling you that is they won't be stopping is all.  You're choosing to take it personally.

Curtis said nothing of the sort.  However, many others have made exactly that suggestion in the last couple days (in private).  Criticizing the 420 protesters might cause me to wind up with hundreds of them smoking joints in front of the Capitol Oct. 28.  I decided that I want to call that bluff and find out just how disrespectful you people are willing to be in the presence of seriously ill patients who are working to change an unjust law.

[KBCraig]

Lil Dog, there is no way to stop the 420 protest in Keene. It is completely organic, and will die when its time comes, but no one can shoot it dead. Any effort to kill it, will only make it stronger.

That's why the Keene PD is leaving it alone. They know that most participants will get over the novelty and it will start dwindling, but if they start arresting people, the participant numbers will explode.

Actually, Kevin, I think what we're hearing is that these protesters will now redouble their efforts in order to spite me.  Nice to see that I am so important, after all!

It kind of proves my point: when someone tries to shut it down, it gets stronger.