The five times that this was posted when it was actually new weren't enough for you, so you have to go around pulling out month-old bullshit articles?

That way, you'll only have to deal with people who agree with you.

And yes, posting old information multiple times is bullshit.

I completely agree. But apparently, the 54 special souls that felt compelled to rec this month old article disagree.

I respectfully agree with Better Believe It and will back him anytime. This article is too important to ignore or insult people. I speak in support of states rights and as a MMJ red card member.

I believe that Obama is wrong on this issue and needs to back off and go back to Candidate Obamas promise to support MMJ. The DOJ is a joke, due to a recent issue not to go after rummy for war crimes.

Most recently, the Boulder County DA wrote a brilliant letter to the US Attorney John Walsh to back off, stating the city and county of Boulder will not comply with any warnings from them about MMJ because they have found the state constitution valid enough for the feds to not find a way to raide the legitimate MMJ dispensaries. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/15/stan-garnett-medical-marijuana-letter_n_1348204.html

I am now boycotting American Express and it's associates because they refused to accept any MMJ charges on their card in "fear of the RICO statues" and yet accepts illicit charges from questionable sources.

Post it until Obama changes things and it's no longer true. Truth has no shelf life.

Thanks!

The shtick is growing tiresome.


All of it. Really.

Edited to add: 37
Just sayin'.....pot/kettle, glass houses/stones, etc....

Or are you still trying to find a defense for the indefensible? Because so long as Obama insists on proving himself to be a liar, I have no problem with it being rubbed in his face.

One-hit wonder.

Link here

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/26/obama-administration-medical-marijuana-crackdown-california_n_1033482.html

OK, so what this is saying is that Obama has ZERO control over his DoJ. It's hard to imagine, but that's actually worse than him being an out and out liar. Nice defense there, Obama's not a damned liar, he's just insanely incompetent!

defended by insisting that he has absolutely no power, knowledge, or connection whatsoever to what his administration is doing. And when that fails, you deny the administration is doing it.

"He didn't give the green light to that." Well, does he ever give a RED light?

This is the same nonsense we hear in response to the brutal crackdowns on Occupy, the bank settlements...and so much more.


Obama 2012: The Buck Stops...I had nothing to do with that.

These apologists seem to me to be like the really bad salesman on The Simpsons.

"Now let's talk rust proofing. These Colecos will rust on you like that! Errr, shut up Gil!"

the DOJ's handling of the late Ted Stevens and Don Sigelman cases always comes first to mind.

He could stop this with a snap of his fingers, or a memo to Holder to rein in his goons.

but Obama's war on pot users is continuing today..

the FACTS in the article rather than attacking a DUer who links to a site known for top-notch investigative reporting. Some people's kids, I tell ya.....

and then sold here as if they are new, and not "pre-owned" or "refurbished".

is now manufactured outrage? Are progressives not allowed to be pissed that Obama has done a complete 180 on this issue?

Or is your argument that he's closing every medical MJ location?

What % has he closed?

It appears that some are pushing the limits, probably to press the debate forward, which is fine ... but to say Obama has gone "180", is false.

He's done exactly that. So yes, that is the exact definition of a 180. He's doing exactly what he said he wouldn't. He also nominated Michelle Leonhart to DEA Administrator. She quickly updated the DEA's position on MMJ with headings such as "THE FALLACY OF MARIJUANA FOR MEDICINAL USE". She's been absolutely vicious toward MMJ and the reason she has the power that she does now is because of Obama. Obama has absolutely escalated the war on MMJ. He's been worse than Bush on this issue. He couldn't be any further from his position that he maintained in 2008.

I think Obama is in the wrong about this

and come to California or Colorado or Montana. I can introduce you to a whole bunch of people whose outrage over this is most definitely not manufactured.

I grew up in Philly, but do not live their currently. Actually have not lived there in over 25 years. But Philly will always ne home.

I have lived in TX, MD, NJ, VA, and I currently reside in NC.

I've also done multi-month stays in CA, CO, and the UK.

While I agree that the medical MJ cause is a good one, its not about to change any elections, particularly in any of the states you reference. Or, do you suggest that folks in those states will stay home in 2012, as the GOP ramps up it war on women.

If we make a list of top priority issues, this one is not near the top.

CA is not going to vote for Romney on this issue. Or Santorum.

And yes, some of the outrage IS manufactured. The rhetoric in the article is way over the top.

But it makes sense ... Obama's numbers are UP ... the economy is improving ... and so the effort to discourage den voters will continue in the media.

The last thing they want is an Obama landslide. If the election stops being close, many pundits will lose their jobs. And so, the media will do what it can to discourage the left, enrage the right, and keep the election close.

and the economy is not improving.

But, other than that, great points.

That's hilarious!!!

UE is down from a high of 10.2%, and Obama's approval is at about 50%.

And then past that, those he faces are insane maniacs who appear to be deliberately trying to lose in 2012.

He'll get a second term, and the economy will continue to improve, and the far right wing will go even crazier.

All good.

Have I got that right?
It reminds me of FAUX News saying Media Matters is anti-FOX because they simply replay what was aired on FOX that day.

month-old: So he has stopped infringing on States decisions on this now?

bullshit: links?

majorities, and we do not forget the clearly weasel words of the candidate who is now President, who claims he is a huge Christian when he opposes equality for minorities he does not care for, yet allows himself to speak with great mendacity in order to get what he wants. The hypocrisy, the lies, all are noted. Sure, most of us will oppose the GOP so much that he'll get support anyway. What he has lost is our respect. As a person.

Occupy. None of this will stop, until we get the corporate money out of government.

Oh wait, you haven't defended anything. You think attacking a fellow progressive is more important than, you know, actually defending progressive legislation. If you wanted to provide a defense of this bullshit, you're more than welcome to. But that's not going to happen because this is absolutely indefensible.

It is anti-Obama propaganda used by people who want Obama defeated.

I would elucidate, but apparently you think you can simply respond to objective facts with "It's bullshit" and that's sufficient. People who are capable of actual, independent thought know that Obama is full of shit on this matter. People whose best argument is "It's bullshit" are very likely to be fooled.

--that he step up the War on Some Drugs by an order of magnitude. What his DoJ is doing is incredibly unpopular, and the people who approve of it are mostly those who would never vote for him in the first place.

Obama administration supports medical marijuana. And nothing has changed . Did you recently take off that rose colored glasses of yours?

It's all about protecting Obama, every single time. The policies could be marked out with a black pen so you can't even see them. All you need to know is whether he is for or against.

There's a serious problem there.

you and the rest of your ilk who continue to defend each and every Republican like thing Obama does..Drones, drug wars..who gives a fuck, right? It's all good...for the president has a "D" after his name.

Was it Plato who first coined the term "IknowyouarebutwhatamI"? I've become accustomed to engaging in intelligent debate, but your defend-Obama-at-all-costs tactic is just brilliant. Don't even bother attempting to inject any logic into the debate, I wouldn't want you to strain your brain cell.

How many times do the same points need to be made about this one article?

The Administration closed down only those MMJ dispensaries that did not keep valid inventories. There was one in particular that was having a 'sale' for MMJ. That's against federal law.

It's easy to see that the majority of dispensaries were left alone which means if this is a 'war' on MMJ, it's a very poorly fought one.

In addition, some of the state attorney generals specifically asked the Administration to step in.

I'm not saying I remember all the details off the top of my head but to say that Obama is engaged in a 'war' against MMJ dispensaries is absurd.

It was absurd when this info was debunked months ago.

US attorneys in California have moved against some of the most-loved, most-respected, most-law abiding dispensaries in th state. They are using a federal law that enhances criminal penalties for drug offenses near schools as an excuse, but that has nothing to do with the state laws that enable dispensaries to operate. Those dispensaries were NOT operating in violation of state law. You might want to talk to the mayor of Berkeley about how thrilled he is that the feds are forcing the Berkeley Patients Group out of its longtime home. Maybe it will find another one, maybe not, especially with federal prosecutors sending letters to landlords threatening them with asset forfeiture and even criminal prosecution if they rent to dispensaries.

DEA thugs are hitting dispensaries in California every week. Pulling guns on patients, stealing inventories, and generally acting like the goons they are.

The US attorney in Colorado is pulling the same shit. He's forced 23 dispensaries to close over this 1,000-foot bullshit, which has absolutely nothing to do with the state's medical marijuana law.

Which state attorney generals asked the administration to step in? Not Kamala Harris in California.

Some recalcitrant cops and local elected officials have worked with the feds to get dispensaries shut down. It's all they've got, since the people of their state voted against them and their fear-mongering.

What is absurd is your trying to pretend this isn't going on.

You can try to pretend the crackdown isn't happening, but that doesn't have anything to do with reality.

Ask the DA up in Boulder.

That, at least, would be a valid position, although one I disagree with.

But trying to pretend it isn't happening is just pathetic.

It is your responsibility to show that it has been debunked, and you are one of those who waves their hands dismissively and say "debunked" without providing proof

The Berkeley Patients Group, well-respected and a model dispensary, may have to shut down after the federal prosecutors threatened its landlord.

The DEA is raiding one or two dispensaries in California a week these days.

The federal prosecutors have forced several San Francisco dispensaries to close and have sent threat letters to another dozen or so.

They've forced 23 dispensaries to close in Colorado, with more threat letters promised.

They've intimidated several governors back East from going ahead with very strict dispensary programs.

This is not the will of the people in these states. This is the federal bully stomping out the will of the people.

Oppressive feds, fuck off!

Obama, these are your boys. What are you going to do about it? Do you want to lose Colorado in November? Can you afford that?

That I have suffered pain for the last two years thanks to broken bones and conservativet treatment. Since the first Bonedid heal, I was still having pains and we found an undiagnosed broken bone that required surgical intervention, and after three days of Vicodin at max, I dumped the VICODIN in favor for marijuana that I had to call to get it delivered. The MMJ dispensary people are wonderful and I would be very pissed to see this dispensaries shut down. I meet all kinds of people there, young, old, black, white, Hispanic, people of all walks of life come to the dispensaries,and they have needs just like I do.

When Obama injures himself, it is my hope that the understanding of the pain and the PHARMA drugs always have nasty side effects that marijuana does not cause.

I am taking Vicodin right now for a bad back, and because I am out of town in Chicago, I pray that Obama will listen to the will of the people and finally do the right thing and declare cannabis safe for use, taxed accordingly (like cigarettes and alcohol). I wish I didn't have to pay taxes to use my weed, but I do. I get taxed for the purchase, and the. I get taxed for obtaining a legitimate red card, although the fees have dropped from 90 to 35 to acquire the red card.

if and when I decide to smoke pot or stop it, it is not the federal right to take away legitimate medication or take away my choices to smoke or not

I know Obama has had two different petitions on MMJ, and both ranked #1 in tms of support. What did the administration decide to do? Ignore the petitions. That is not right, so while I am not a single issue voter, I consider this issue as one of the top 5, and he has failed one. The rest he barely squeaks by because of Obama's continued capitulation of the Republican party's demands. He still has my vote but I am disgusted about this.

You should be too!!!!!

Marijuana needs to be legalized period for a multitude of reasons.

However, there has a been a war on pot for over a hundred years. It's not anything new, and it's not Obama's war..it's a war that is over a century old.

well just because....

But those are his underlings. He is in charge of the executive branch, including the Justice Department. At the least, Obama is passively complicit in this crap. That's why he is now met with medical marijuana demonstrators every time he comes to California.

Selling medical marijuana to other states would be fair game under the DOJ memos, but they do not typically allege that. They are going after numerous California dispensaries on the basis that they're within 1,000 feet of a school, which is weird.

It's weird because that's not a state law. It's based on the federal "drug free school zone" law, and that law doesn't make selling drugs illegal, only punishes it more severely than if it occurred in other locations.

It's the same thing with the "but they're selling it!" argument. The prosecutor is suggesting they are violating California state law by doing that. To be frank, the law is very murky right now; some DAs say it is illegal to sell medical marijuana, some say it is legal. The California Supreme Court is currently reviewing four cases that should bring some clarity to the issue.

If local prosecutors feel it is a violation of state law, they can try to prosecute. The feds should butt out.

That's ignoring the whole bizarre notion that you can sell anything in capitalist America except medical marijuana. But that's another issue.

he must have received your letter by now.

The % of inmates due to drug convictions may be dropping, but that's just because more people are being incarcerated for other reasons.

Perhaps for whistle blowing.

Do you know that they both use the same methodology?

Best bet is the table showing change over time from a single source. That shows a continued upward trend through at least 2010.

more good info: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002430710

Facts are much better than outrage widgets.

Sid

if he'd just committed early on to govern like candidate Obama, he'd have more than enough people to get reelected.

He focuses more on the agenda of those who hate him than those of us who worked so hard to elect him.

though I wonder if the "candidate" was ever the actual person we voted for. Anyways, I think you are right on the money... he actually legitimizes the prohibition of Marijuana by not making a cut clear stance on this issue. Sorry, can't have it both ways...

He is giving everything the economic Royals want with just enough thrown in to make the rush to the right more palatable.
The reason to vote for him? He is less bad than the alternative.
Any criticism of his policies? I guess you wanted President McCain/Romney/Santorum
Complain when he preemptively concedes every position? He is just pragmatic and that damned congress wouldn't pass

For example we know SSI never added a dime to the deficit. His cut to boost the economy takes that argument away.
How CONVENIENT

America needs to wake up and smell the collusion.

save their ire and ridicule for actual progressive ideas that are truly sensible and pragmatic.

Thank you very much!!

Since they seem incapable on their own to actually defend the Presidents actions to stamp out this evil Devil weed cloaked in the guise of actually helping ease suffering (what a joke, right?) I feel a little sorry for them and have come to their defense with these brilliant, peer reviewed (I'm sure) counter points for them:







You're welcome!

and considering Obama won by only about 14,000 votes, pandering to older voters on this issue could backfire. Legalization is about *the* only issue my Republican co-workers/neighbors and I agree on, and we range in age from 20s to 60s. Sure, there are older, conservative voters in NC, but I believe the top six groups listed below outnumber them:

Record-High 50% of Americans Favor Legalizing Marijuana Use
http://www.gallup.com/poll/150149/Record-High-Americans-Favor-Legalizing-Marijuana.aspx



Death panels for Granny got seniors running to the polls in 2010, but I doubt legalization of weed would do the same in 2012.

--than medical MJ. The culture warriors in our demographic would never vote for Obama anyway.

...but I am completely fine with Obama being to the right of Rolling Stone on it. There is nothing Obama can do. Anything he tried to do to argue for legalization or turn a blind eye to the law right now would backfire. An Obama presidency is an opportunity for legalization, but doesn't equate to it. The people have to make this happen.

and the majority of the population.

And despite what some polls may say, there are not enough people who are ENERGIZED enough to make this happen.

It's easy to respond to a poll an say the War on Drugs has failed and something needs to change. But that's completely different from taking to the streets and demanding a specific change.

I don't see hordes of people in the streets demanding that marijuana be legalized. I don't think we ever will.

and focus more on pleasing his core base, and everyone on the Left. What on Earth is he thinking opposing marijuana legalization when a handful of people in the nation support it? Even Ron Paul has a more liberal stance on marijuana than he does.

The problem with Marijuana is that the movement for legalization has likely hurt itself by pushing the "medical" aspect instead of the prohibition aspect.

It has nothing to do with the stupidity of the medical marijuana movement.

Would you care to elaborate?

I have my issues with some parts of the industry...

Take a stand for what's right already.

Why can't the President say:
I'm tired of seeing good innocent people turned into criminals by this failed useless war on marijuana. It's time to legalize it.

Is it naive to think that would actually be pretty easy to do?

Take a stand. It makes you look good.

It's a shame.

counties. I believe that they can do this.

For the executive to enforce the law, what a shocker!

Since when did Democrats support the failed, racist, Republican War on Drugs btw?

He could just stop the welfare programs from being implemented. From his view, that's a bad law.

change the law and then the President would sign it, if he agreed with it.

The DOJ does not have to enforce Federal laws where the states have passed their own laws. That is a choice.

I wish people would stop trying to excuse every wrong decision made by this administration. It does nothing to change the facts nor does it change anyone's mind. In fact it makes people angry and probably has the opposite effect.

It is our job to push politicians to do what is right. You seem willing to just follow wherever your party leads you. If women had done that, if Blacks had done that, if Gays had done that, if Labor had done it, this country would still be back in the last century.

So please, you go along with every bad decision if you choose, let the rest of us do our duty and push this Party to do what it promised. That is the only way things will change. Lobbyists are pushing them to do what Corporations want. We have to push them or they will just take the easy way out.

funny, war on pot.

ban ghe hoa phat | ghe van phong

Slavery used to be the law of the land, would you defend that? How about disenfranchising women and minorities from voting? Used to be the law. Plessy v. Ferguson? Another law.

If you think the executive is just enforcing the law like a robot, why hasn't Eric Holder prosecuted any bankers?

Slavery as a comparison to the choice of whether or not to smoke pot? If Obama was trying to close ALL medical marijuana dispensaries, I might give you some leeway on that but he isn't.

How many dispensaries are currently operating? Thousands. The DOJ is NOT going after them all, it's as simple as that. They are going after the ones that violate federal law.

no matter what. I was merely pointing out that your point is incorrect by using slavery as an example. Law enforcement is discretionary.

The DOJ now insists (since Obama installed a Bush Republican at the DEA) that it will no longer respect state law with respect to MMJ. That was not the case for the first two years of his term.

Because federal law does not recognize medical marijuana, EVERY DISPENSARY IS IN VIOLATION OF FEDERAL LAW. So is every cancer granny smoking her medicine.

The number of dispensaries is rapidly declining in the face of the federal onslaught. Hundreds have closed in California alone in the past year. The Montana dispensaries have been wiped out. The Colorado dispenaries are under federal assault.

I suppose they're not going after all dispensaries (yet) is that DOJ has other issues to deal with, too.

There will never be enough resources to enforce every law, and it is thus very instructive to look at what laws the executive chooses to enforce.

Can we hire another 2 million or so DEA agents to enforce it?

We have more laws on the books than we know what to do with. Law enforcement is a matter of resource allocation. Is this really how you want the DOJ spending your tax dollars?

Going after medical marijuana in states that have approved it--usually by direct popular vote--is not only wrong, it's stupid.

When laws are selectively used to benefit special interest and create wedge issues that divide masses, it's a good sign that there's a predatory character trait influencing the law maker and law enforcer.

I know, what a shocker that must be.

medical relief.... The harassment of those needing/wanting M.J. is one area that I wish the President would stop going backwards on and move forward on...

I've felt this way ever since he jocularly spoke of "not pulling the plug on Granny," a very callous way to refer to many people's heart-breaking reality.

I literally cannot understand how a person who admitted to smoking pot and snorting coke as a youth could prosecute other people for crimes that he has committed. That must require such an ability to lie to oneself that I can't believe it.

When you consider that they are actually going after med. marijuana it just makes me sick.

But your to busy attacking Obama.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002434929

Or I'll kick his ass when I see him.

inalienable rights, it doesn't matter if they use it or not.

and yes, it is a war on the People, it has been used to begin the destruction of our rights and that destruction has escalated over the decades that this so-called war was first declared. And it is a Racist War.

It has probably done more to our 'freedoms' than all the terrorists who supposedly hate us for our freedoms put together. I do recall telling Rightwingers that we did not need terrorists to take away our freedoms, our elected officials had been doing a great job of removing them, with their assistance, for decades. Back then I thought it was only Rightwingers who were so willing to give away their freedoms. But sadly that has turned out not to be true.

to oppose this crap. I have never smoked a joint in my life. But I recognize an assault on freedom and a corporate moneymaking scheme when I see it.