Activist Angela Fairless (thats me!) tells Seaside City Council that it is time to end the war on drugs!
Sorry its sideways, I didn't have time to tell the 16 year old to turn the phone around! Check out the first in that series here, http://northcoastoregon.com/chronicles-of-coming-out-of-the-cannabis-closet-i...
"Councilors,
It has been over two years now that I have been a public advocate for the therapeutic use of cannabis. This is the fifth time in those two years that I have come before this council with the intent of starting a community conversation about cannabis. I have hosted 3 events, both here at City Hall and the local community center. I have written in every local newspaper, and been on every local radio station IMPLORING you to do your job as community leaders and take a look at this VERY serious issue which requires your attention.
I have the smallest handful of general public and media come to these events, but not a single official or media member came to my most recent one. In spite of the fact that I expressed to a few top officials and reporters that I have reason to be in fear of danger and that is why I insisted on having it in a public building and asked for someone, ANYONE official to be here. Thank you for allowing me to use the building, but that was really the bare minimum of what you ought to have done. The fact that no one came made me realize I needed to step my activism up a notch. So, I am here to explain the violent underbelly of prohibition that you all seem to be ignoring.
Now, I have done my best to make sure that you understand the reason I feel such an intense sense of urgency on this issue is because the cannabis plant has LIFE-SAVING abilities and people are dying unnecessarily! Not to mention, those dying in more pain than need be, or the millions of people LIVING in more pain than they ought. I know many of you have been affected by cancer or some other often-terminal illness, (the irony of it being brought up tonight is priceless) because I wonder how long we will run for the cure, while the government and corporations are sitting on one!
But for now, since you don't seem to care about that part,
never mind the life-saving and life-improving aspect of cannabis,
lets talk about the murder and violence and other negative social consequences that happen because of prohibition.
In spite of how dangerous, and toxic alcohol can be, Americans came the rational conclusion in the 30's that prohibiting it created MORE violence and negative social consequences than simply allowing adults to freely make their own, hopefully educated, choices. It only took us 13 years to figure that out with alcohol...the WAR ON DRUGS has now been going on for 40 years!
The violence that the war on drugs has created FAR outweighs any negative consequences of drug use, and we can see plainly that it is NOT working. Drugs are more readily available to today's youth than they are to you, or they were to youth before prohibition began.
Prohibition of alcohol was ended at the urgency expressed by mothers because they started to understand the violence and crime that prohibition itself creates. Now there are thousands of people being killed down south and if you don't think that is on its way here, or rather here already than you are being blatantly ignorant to the facts that are plainly before you. If you want to end drug ABUSE, and violence that drug trafficking creates, than end the war on drugs.
The War on Drugs is not a war on drugs it is a war on ME! & because of my efforts to end this war, it is law enforcement officials and violent black market drug dealers that I have to fear the most!
I am tired of feeling as though my community has failed me. But let's be clear, it is not the average citizen of this town, it is the leaders. The media, the active community members, and government officials especially, both elected and appointed. I have done a great deal for this community and for me to be left so out in the open and alone by all of you is beyond politically lackadaisical, it was personally offensive and hurtful to me. I do not feel safe in this town right now, and I do not, and have not for years felt like my local police would protect me if need be, nor do I believe that they are well enough educated on the laws they are supposed to enforce. This is a sad testament to the community leaders and exemplary of why we are NOT an "All-American city!"
I refuse to accept ignorance and fear as excuses for ignoring injustice any longer!
The local media, government officials, law enforcement, and community leaders need to take a look at the issue of cannabis as medicine and the negative effects of prohibition!"
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Angela the activist speaks for OCCUPY SEASIDEby 2LoveLiberty137 views
@2LoveLiberty You are awesome, bless your heart..more people should realize this issue starts at the city level, then expands throughout the state, which ultimately can effect the whole country. Yeah that dude was trying to cover his ass, he knows damn well what he's doing, it's these brain warped bush generation scumbags that refuse to turn up their hearing aids for the people! It's all about them and I deal with the same old assholes here in my small town. Don't give up, you have support!
Kokadocadotcom 8 months ago 2
stoners arent very good when it comes to running video equipment
BlankUberAlles 8 months ago