Don't Bogart that joint, my friend

oh yeah barney

w00t!

You guys cheering him on are going to get denied entry into the U.S. next time you're overseas. lol

Shouldn't the economy, and that fake war, be more important?

Nearly one in 10 Ohioans now receives food stamps, the highest number in the state's history.

Caseloads have almost doubled just since 2001, with 1.1 million residents now collecting benefits, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

Low wages, unemployment and the rising cost of groceries, gasoline and other necessities are to blame for financial hardships facing many Ohio families.

Caseloads have been rising steadily in the past seven years, said Brian Harter, spokesman for the state agency which oversees the food-stamp program.

"Look at unemployment during this time," he said.

Ohio's jobless rate is 5.3 percent, up from 4.4 percent in 2001.

"The economy and loss of manufacturing jobs are at the root of what's going on. But lately (it's) the rising cost of transportation and food -- people who were barely getting by, are not getting by," said Jack Frech, director of the Athens County Department of Job and Family Services.

"It has pressed folks to the edge to have to rely on food stamps."

Advocates estimate another 500,000 Ohioans are eligible but not enrolled in the food-stamp program.

Hay BAHNEE yo da mon! :/

"I am totally for legalization of marijuana, but I have to differ with Frank on this: to think that at this time with this administration that you could get away with a bill legalizing pot actually is what sounds silly."

Uh oh.

You just offended the burn outs.

Is Frank a Clinton supporter?

yay,about time barney.

WHat's with the lame "Lucky Visitor" Ad? The new intrusive ad system is bad enough - I'm willing to live with it and not complain generally - but this shit is lame. Its designed to fool users into clicking. These kind of ads are absurd time and bandwidth wasters and should not be found on C&L!

If the 1% US incarceration rate is brought back to the front pages with the bill, it could get the right support. It's probably going to come down to how the MSM frames it:

Fox: "Terrorist-funding drug sales proposed by Democrats"

Lou Dobbs: "Mexicans to hide in bales of ditch-weed"

Wolf Blitzer: "Barack Obama's minister (blah, blah, blah)... Let's watch the clip again."

Colbert: "It's the Doritos 'Let's Support This Bill Campaign'!"

I think it's great timing for the bill. Everyone seems to trivialize the issue, but the huge percentage of the population we deem as criminals (horribly stigmatizing) in a country that has some serious problems systemically needs to get real about issues like this.

Good with that, but 'merica loves its third eye unsqueegeed.

Bonkers Hussein @ 20:

Do any of you jumping on Nicole get that she snarking about the notion of getting pot legalized with BUSH IN OFFICE is what is silly? Christ, obviously you need to fire up a joint and mellow out.

edit:
she *was snarking about

I like Barney too, but I think this is never going to pass with the crowd we have in Washington.

The pharmaceutical companies would never allow us to use a treatment that they can't get a part of.

Legalizing marijuana could *save* the economy.

ConcernedCanuck @ 7:

Shouldn't the economy, and that fake war, be more important?

Nearly one in 10 Ohioans now receives food stamps, the highest number in the state's history.

Caseloads have almost doubled just since 2001, with 1.1 million residents now collecting benefits, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

Low wages, unemployment and the rising cost of groceries, gasoline and other necessities are to blame for financial hardships facing many Ohio families.

Caseloads have been rising steadily in the past seven years, said Brian Harter, spokesman for the state agency which oversees the food-stamp program.

"Look at unemployment during this time," he said.

Ohio's jobless rate is 5.3 percent, up from 4.4 percent in 2001.

"The economy and loss of manufacturing jobs are at the root of what's going on. But lately (it's) the rising cost of transportation and food -- people who were barely getting by, are not getting by," said Jack Frech, director of the Athens County Department of Job and Family Services.

"It has pressed folks to the edge to have to rely on food stamps."

Advocates estimate another 500,000 Ohioans are eligible but not enrolled in the food-stamp program.

Bonkers Hussein @ 23:

Bonkers Hussein @ 20:

Do any of you jumping on Nicole get that she snarking about the notion of getting pot legalized with BUSH IN OFFICE is what is silly? Christ, obviously you need to fire up a joint and mellow out.

edit:
she *was snarking about

Thank you, I wasn't one of the people going after Nicole or her statement, but I will follow your advice and light up! thanx!!!

Does anybody have some donuts?

JC @ 18:

I agree. Even if Democrats don't win the Presidency (I believe they will), they will pick up house and senate seats.

Why Frank thinks the tail end of a lame duck presidency is the time to make such a humongous policy change is beyond me.

I think he moved from smoking herb after work to smoking crack.

I want it legalized bad as I am a huge pothead. The savings for me would be astronomical.

But, to claim now is the time is beyond retarded. It almost makes me feel like he just wants to go through the motions and actually wants to lose.

If it's legalized, will it not be taxed? Where's the savings?

chris @ 32:

Two words: Secular. Progressive.

Hello Western Europe

You watch Bill O LyingBastardly don't you? NOBODY uses those two words but that idiot.

Dude!
Umm, who did what now?

At least Frank is bringing up this scary and taboo subject. Bring on the "Reefer Madness" scenarios.

chris @ 32:

Two words: Secular. Progressive.

Hello Western Europe

Yes, things are improving. Just keep those fingers crossed, chris!

I hope thay don't bogart that bill in committee.

Widespread facts:
I believe that the U.S. Supreme Court (totally lamely) abused the Commerce Act as the basis for the right to override states' rights (h/t Reagan).
Sandra Day O'Connor (who had just retired) decried said ruling as an obvious abuse of the Commerce Act.
The smaller the quantity, the weaker the argument that the Commerce Act (by definition an economic statute, and hence informed by economic results) can be claimed to supercede states' rights.
Thus, Frank is aiming squarely at the Republican mantra that generally speaking, most things that can be settled at a local level, should be.

Our corrupt system needs to keep the "private prison" industry in place and profitable in order to help with the continuation of oppression in this country. The government has used the drug war to shred part of the Constitution long before 9/11 came along. Legalization? This won't happen. Nice thought, however.
The private prison system in America was touted a few years ago on a program I saw on TV called "The West". It was a program devoted to issues of the western part of the U.S. They made the comment that private prisons are the fastest growing industry in the west. Attempting to legalize weed to put this "industry" out of business ain't gonna happen. There are the lawyers, and bondsmen, and drug testing facilities, and local and state governments needing revenue from your unlucky ass too. And these money making prisons and all the aforementioned others aren't going to give up easily. Besides, there are still some things that government can't or shouldn't be doing that private industry can do to you because it is private industry and not government. I resent this arrangement and I have never worked a job or for any company or organization that requires piss worthiness.

gumby @ 42:

Bently @ 37:

Dude!
Umm, who did what now?

There was one?

.........................................what do want?
my car keys. shit! I'm late.

Cheers to Barney Frank, one of the greatest legislators of all time!

Can you imagine McCain on pot?

I don't even have a joke, just.... can you imagine?

Just more dumbing down of America.

Where are my doritos????

Ron Paul will co sponsor so its "bipartisan".

Look@me....I'mABug!!! >:)**********<

Pot should be decriminalized, but it won't, and now is one of the worst times to try.

Barney must have a contact high from sitting too close to Maher.

CD @ 11:

"I am totally for legalization of marijuana, but I have to differ with Frank on this: to think that at this time with this administration that you could get away with a bill legalizing pot actually is what sounds silly."

Uh oh.

You just offended the burn outs.

I think it is a great idea and also great strategy to force the GOP to deal with many 'brushfire' issues that most people agree on. Those who don't won't switch anyway.

Won't be long til you guys want to teach the kids in school about it.

Seriously, this will turn out to be another gay marriage thing. Republicans will be "outraged" and "mortified" that Democrats have the audacity to legalize marijuana/gay marriage. Fox News will preach about the moral decadence of American due to the Democrats. Can he just wait 12 more months? What is a year compared to 30 years, especially when that bill is voted down overwhelmingly. Are the Democrats trying to lose…again?

Doesn't stand a chance of passage but I'm glad he's filing it. The bill will be killed by those southern conservative tobacco states hypocrites who peddle one of the most deadly and addictive drugs known to man accross the planet. Yet these same southern "pro tobacco drugs" congressmen and women will vote against Frank's bill saying they are protecting Americans from a drug far less dangerous than the poison they peddle for their big tobacco masters.

Chris H. @ 69:

Seriously, this will turn out to be another gay marriage thing. Republicans will be "outraged" and "mortified" that Democrats have the audacity to legalize marijuana/gay marriage. Fox News will preach about the moral decadence of American due to the Democrats. Can he just wait 12 more months? What is a year compared to 30 years, especially when that bill is voted down overwhelmingly. Are the Democrats trying to lose…again?

"Marijuana use leads to gay marriage"-Republican argument against

chris @ 73:

dingus2000 @ 70:

chris @ 67:

Won't be long til you guys want to teach the kids in school about it.

We DO teach the kids that if enough people want to change something THEY CAN. CA prop 215 case in point. Isn't that what our freekin' country is about?

positive change, not smoking pot, no wonder the country is going to hell in a hand basket.

I thought it was due to the lack of reasoned argumentation. Shoot, time to fix my head...

chris @ 67:

Won't be long til you guys want to teach the kids in school about it.

Excellent idea. I would like to volunteer to write the cirriculum.

nanderson @ 65:

CD @ 11:

"I am totally for legalization of marijuana, but I have to differ with Frank on this: to think that at this time with this administration that you could get away with a bill legalizing pot actually is what sounds silly."

Uh oh.

You just offended the burn outs.

I think it is a great idea and also great strategy to force the GOP to deal with many 'brushfire' issues that most people agree on. Those who don't won't switch anyway.

Oh yeah it's such an important issue it's not like there's a war going on or 4,000+ dead.

Jesus Hussein Christ @ 75:

Of course this is a post by Nicole.

Obviously you don't understand the difference between "legalizing" and "decriminalizing". There's a gaping, enormous difference. It is what sets the US apart from countries such as Belgium and Germany, where marijuana an hashish is decriminalized, not legal.

Here in California, it is not decriminalized, but you can legally obtain a license to buy and smoke it. But for the common citizen without that license, it is still illegal.

Frank wants to remove the "federal" criminalization of the drug, and leave the states to mandate how they want (which is exactly what should happen)

Exactly. The feds can (and do) bust medical MJ users in CA.

chris @ 67:

Won't be long til you guys want to teach the kids in school about it.

Everyone point at the troll and laugh!

miss_kitty Hussein @ 72:

Chris H. @ 69:

Seriously, this will turn out to be another gay marriage thing. Republicans will be "outraged" and "mortified" that Democrats have the audacity to legalize marijuana/gay marriage. Fox News will preach about the moral decadence of American due to the Democrats. Can he just wait 12 more months? What is a year compared to 30 years, especially when that bill is voted down overwhelmingly. Are the Democrats trying to lose…again?

"Marijuana use leads to gay marriage"-Republican argument against

And miscegenation!

Really, Barney, you think now is the right time to do this?

And, chris, "secular progressive"? You act like either or both of those is a bad thing.

I am investing my money in Zig Zag's.
not to mention......
The tax revenue alone will solve the health care issue Democratic style.
let's not forget the 743,964 citizens that are sitting in jail on marijuana charges.
set them free Barney.....woohoo

and one more thing.

I am high right now watching the Daily show..
:)

I love Barney Frank. He was so good on Bill Maher last Friday. He really put the professor from Princeton in her place. In order to answer one question, she stated that she was not only a professor at Princeton, but a TENURED professor. Barney said "I don't care about that".. Loved it!!

The mere fact that people are serving time for smoking pot and Bush and Cheney (along with the CEOs of Bear Stearns, Halliburton, Exxon Mobil, among hundreds of notable others) are still running free should be cause to legalize it.

There are city ordinances everywhere decriminalizing small amounts of green, its will get you a ticket in alot of places instead of the incredibly wastreful trip to jail.

To be in possession of a plant is illegal?

Wow, another brilliant law in the land of the free

Regarding Nicole's comment at the end of the post:

I believe by "get away with it" he simply meant that in 2008 he thinks he will not suffer negative political repercussions at home for taking this position.

Of course he knows the bill won't pass. He's just saying that the time is now ripe to start mentioning this subject again -- after 26 years of uncomfortable silence.

I admit to using for chronic pain from a car v bike accident and its better (better side effects too) than anything big pharma can offer..... also if governments get involved it wont be as cheap or as good. I hope its just to decriminalize, legalize has Tax written all over it..... Oh ya, impeach the bums already! there should be at least a dozen from this regime headed for the gallows.

Beefy McManstick @ 90:

Hell Yeah! Captain Hussein Kangaroo I know im not the only one who remembers what real fun is. Kids are just lazy lil fuckers. playin video games and what not. I hope they put an age limit on the weed if i does get legalized. Last thing I want is them lil mother fuckers runnin around screwin up my day.

And riding around drunk in the back of a pickup truck hitting peoples mailboxes with a baseball bat wasn't screwing up someones day? Like they say in day care, you need a time out to reflect on your stupidity.

If they ever actually write this legislation I hope it is retroactive. It should be.

No please stop...ugh. Don't say legalization of drugs of the cultural and religious fanatics (on both sides) will get on this like yogi bear and picnic baskets.

Use the term decriminalizing marijuana. This is an especially important as a selling point. That's my two cents.

Do this after the election.

Attach it as an amendment to the defense budget, or attach it as an amendment to the supplemental budget for Iraq.

LOL

Chris @ 102:

No please stop...ugh. Don't say legalization of drugs of the cultural and religious fanatics (on both sides) will get on this like yogi bear and picnic baskets.

Use the term decriminalizing marijuana. This is an especially important as a selling point. That's my two cents.

I'll tell you how you deal with christians;

When they knock on my door, You tell them straight up. You knock on my door again and I will beat the living cr@p out of you.

When they show up at the planned parenthood; you get a group of people together and you follow one of them home. Trust me; they are all a bunch of dorks, losers, and cowards. It's easy to punk them out.

When they show up at the local PTA meetings demanding that their religous B.S. be taught in school. You tell your kids it's o.k. to take care of business at school.

Hey Barney - wanna join us in Pamsterdams?

legalize it!

Jesse Says: nm, ty Google. This is just an underhanded way to bring up Obama’s past drug use again. That’s the only probable reason why he’s bringing this legislation now.

yes, Jesse. You caught him. That is exactly why. I'm sure he was thinking about Obama the whole time. Thank goodness you exposed him!

/no more bong hits for Jesse

first things first
and second of all
obama
et cetera

now is the the time:
to restore and rejuvenate the constitution -our covenant with ourselves.
to dismantle the american empire as chalmers johnson notes.
to recognize and honor the sovereignty and dignity of all individuals, all consciences and consciousnesses.
to recall what protestantism was about.
to recognize the spirits in cannabis and alcohol as antithetical to each other.
to remove a law of Control, and to stem the mass incarceration of US citizens.
to recognize the work ethic and facility cannabis does instill.
to revigorate the creative imperative now so disdained.
to do what should have been done decades ago and do it Now as it so desperately needs be done.
now is the time.

look at alternet's drugreporter tag collection of articles:
here

barney frank is doing the single most important thing that can do so much good on so many fronts.

you want realpolitik considerations? -for all our involvement in the middle east, there is south america to consider just as well if not more -really.

borev.net
ipsnews

stephen marshall of GNN can tell you more about CIA history down there. google up 'crack the CIA'...

it is soooo way past time to do this, and the will is here. nicole may not believe it or understand, and many of you all may not, but for those many for whom it is recognized as a central topic now and so care, this is easily known as the time and frank's move is not only unsurprising to say the least but very much expected. catch up.

Canada came 'this close' (really close), but then Harper (bu$h's other poodle) got elected. Maybe next Liberal governement. Most Canadians approve, or don't care

Sweeeeeeet.

But hasn't Barney Frank seen "Children of Men"? In the year 2027 the government will be giving out suicide kits and antidepressants in rations, but ganja will still be illegal. Just ask Michael Caine.

I do think that if everyone smoked an occasional joint or pipe, the world would be a better place. It's a well known fact that marijuana amplifies that rudder effect in the brain. The part that has to sort through wether it's right or wrong to do what your about to do. It's also known to open up new thought processes and insights. People who don't try things, and only base their lives off instilled prejudices end up turning out like chris: A sad, pathetic human being who only loves oneself and couldn't put themselves in someone else's shoes if their lives depended on it.

But he'll outlaw Twinkies, right?

I don't use drugs or alcohol, so it doesn't really directly affect me. But, I think all drugs ought to be legalized and made available to adults. Not because somebody can get away with it, but because it's the only way that ever existed to control usage. Make it cheaply available, give the government the sole monopoly over ditribution similar to ABC stores. It takes the crooks and gangsters out of the picture, because the profit motive disappears. Tax it, and use part of the income to establish drug rehabilitation centers. People - including doctors, cops, prosecutors judges and clergy - would no longer stigmatized for using drugs and could seek help without ruining their lives and lively hood. Crimes committed to maintain expensive addictions would evaporate - as has been demonstrrated in Amsterdam. Billions could be saved on the "war on drugs" scam that gives a complete monopoly to the most vicious cartels (and to the CIA which peddles drugs to finance unauthorized activities).

Prohibition never work, and control of alcohol was never achieved until it was legalized. The same thing is true with drugs. People have the right to pursue their own vision of happiness. If that means killing themselves, so long as nobody else is hurt, it's nobody's business but their own. If they want to alter their awareness, that also is nobody's business but their own. It doesn't really effect me, but I always questioned just exactly what gives or ever gave the government the right to say that an adult can or cannot drink or get stoned from the drug of their chosing. The concept is absurd.

CD @ 78:

nanderson @ 65:

CD @ 11:

"I am totally for legalization of marijuana, but I have to differ with Frank on this: to think that at this time with this administration that you could get away with a bill legalizing pot actually is what sounds silly."

Uh oh.

You just offended the burn outs.

I think it is a great idea and also great strategy to force the GOP to deal with many 'brushfire' issues that most people agree on. Those who don't won't switch anyway.

Oh yeah it's such an important issue it's not like there's a war going on or 4,000+ dead.

The War on Cannabis has claimed far more lives then this current Oil war...

And yes it is DIRECTLY RELATED to our current problems...

You see... It is not because Pot makes us feel good... Or that black men will step on white mens shadows.. or black men will smoke it and look at a white woman TWICE! (*two of the bullshit claims that helped render it illegal in 1938!! thats a fact go look it up~!)

No Cannabis is not illegal because of its effects..

It is illegal because its close cousin HEMP is so fucking useful....

Thats why its illegal.. Thats why people lose their homes..have their kids taken from them... get put into prison for 20 years... forced to go to drug counseling crap courses... forced to pee in a cup for a job..

Thats why we arrest and ruin over 1 million LIVES every year...

Because HEMP can save the world.. IT was touted as the next BILLION dollar crop in 1937.. Back when a Billion dollar crop ... was like a TRILLION dollar crop today...

Hemp can meet our energy needs.. Hemp can get us off Oil.. Hemp money would actually last for longer then a few years... Hemp can do these things.. Corn cant.. Soy cant.. Switch grass cant..

Hemp is why recreational Cannabis is illegal..

Wake up!

Go read some of Jacks Facts..

www.jackherer.com

They are painting us into a corner for their own profit... It is time to end this now...

ysbaddaden @ 126:

But he'll outlaw Twinkies, right?

No way! Barney Frank LOVES his Twinks.

geez, barney, that's trivializing all that is really important that is being done to us. that will give the repubs a big laugh. Was that your intent. He sounded a bit off center on Maher's show especially when he embarrasingly referred to the guest on his left on several occasions with the prefix, "of course, I'm no Princeton grad..."or words to that effect. It was hard to listen to, just embarrassing. And I normally like what Barney has to say. This time, it was like he trying to monopolize the conversation.

I agree ^.^. If this doesn't go through then the people will have a chance to stand up and fight for what they want. This is supposed to be the " Land of The Free". Obviously thats another line of the government's BULLSHIT. What the hell is wrong with pot anyways? God Made Marijuana, Man Made Beer. Pot is illegal, beer isn't. YET people die from drunk driving or go to jail for it all the time. What does weed do? get you a little goofy. As far as I'm concerned, This bill should be passed, not looked down upon just because it is a "drug", a drug that they use in hospitals to cure, or help people.

CD @ 78:

nanderson @ 65:

CD @ 11:

"I am totally for legalization of marijuana, but I have to differ with Frank on this: to think that at this time with this administration that you could get away with a bill legalizing pot actually is what sounds silly."

Uh oh.

You just offended the burn outs.

I think it is a great idea and also great strategy to force the GOP to deal with many 'brushfire' issues that most people agree on. Those who don't won't switch anyway.

Oh yeah it's such an important issue it's not like there's a war going on or 4,000+ dead.

Oh no not 4,000+ dead. This country kills and imprisions people all the time because of a plant. Not to mention the strain that this "WAR" on drugs is putting on our economy and more importantly our constitutional rights.
Its people like you that make this world a fucking shit hole.