The 'Conspiracy Theorist' take on this is pretty logical.

Big Pharma sees the writing on the wall with regard to cannabis legalization,
medical or otherwise. If it stays in Schedule I, they can't synthesize medicines
based on various substances in cannabis. So, it will be available to improve the
lives of those that take it, without a dime going to them.

If it goes to Sched 2 or 3, they can offer drugs ( like they do now with the
narrow permission of the government with drugs like Marinol) (which, BTW, shows
that they and our government know that it has medical value and should have
never been in Sched 1 anyway).

Plus the governments and prison corporations can still keep their money flow
from the arrest of over 750000 Americans a year for a weed that grows naturally
just about everywhere. Because now with drugs that allegedly do the same thing (
with the usual side effects that come with most of the drugs they sell), the
issue of legalization will be dead.

So this decision was not based on the logic of recognizing that cannabis is
effective medicine for millions of people and feeling some compassion for the
sick and dying. Or even the hypocrisy of allowing alcohol and cigarettes but not
cannabis. It was based on 'if we don't act now to open the door for us to
monopolize this substance, it will become de-facto without us.'  The usual
greed.

Just one "Conspiracy Theorist's" take on the matter.

--- In midlothiantexas@yahoogroups.com, "midlcitizen" <webmaster@...> wrote:
>
> from Marijuana Policy Project Alert - www.mpp.org
>
>
> Yesterday, the American Medical Association — the U.S.'s largest and most
influential medical association — passed a new policy stance calling for a
government review of marijuana's legal status.
>
> Marijuana is currently classified by the federal government as a Schedule I
drug, grouping marijuana with drugs like heroin, LSD, and PCP, which are deemed
to have no accepted medical uses and considered unsafe for use even under
medical supervision.
>
> The AMA's new policy "urges that marijuana's status as a federal Schedule I
controlled substance be reviewed with the goal of facilitating the conduct of
clinical research and development of cannabinoid-based medicines, and alternate
delivery methods." It goes on to explain that this position should not be
construed as an endorsement of state medical marijuana programs.
>
> This is a major shift from the AMA's previous position, which recommended that
marijuana be kept in Schedule I. What's more, the AMA also rejected an attempt
to urge doctors not to participate in state medical marijuana programs by
recommending marijuana to their patients.
>
> This shift, coming from America's most cautious and conservative major medical
organization, is historic. The AMA's previous position was often cited by our
opponents as evidence that medical marijuana's utility was not widely accepted.
This change will make the opposition's argument significantly more difficult to
make.
>

Pre-Christian Blasphemy:
Irreverence toward something considered sacred or inviolable; The act of
insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for any religion's deity
or deities (living in the world of reason, where evidence is required for
belief, is made illegal in the laws against blasphemy)
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/blasphemy
-------------------------

Blasphemy Laws:
Secular Sunday School by Norwonk
October 25, 2009
http://open.salon.com/blog/norwonk/2009/10/24/secular_sunday_school_blasphemy_la\
ws

I'm afraid the Obama administration embarrassed itself recently. How? By
siding with Egypt in an attempt to limit criticism of religion. At the UN,
the US actually joined with a ragged band of Muslim dictatorships to pass a
resolution which condemns "attacks on religion". And it's not violent
attacks they are worried about. They are talking about the kind of "attacks"
I serve up here in my Sunday School:

In the resolution, the administration aligned itself with Egypt, which has
long been criticized for prosecuting artists, activists and journalists for
insulting Islam. For example, Egypt recently banned a journal that published
respected poet Helmi Salem merely because one of his poems compared God to a
villager who feeds ducks and milks cows. The Egyptian ambassador to the
U.N., Hisham Badr, wasted no time in heralding the new consensus with the
U.S. that "freedom of expression has been sometimes misused" and showing
that the "true nature of this right" must yield government limitations.

His U.S. counterpart, Douglas Griffiths, heralded "this joint project with
Egypt" and supported the resolution to achieve "tolerance and the dignity of
all human beings." While not expressly endorsing blasphemy prosecutions, the
administration departed from other Western allies in supporting efforts to
balance free speech against the protecting of religious groups.

This is the latest push in an effort to immunize religious extremists from
criticism that has been noted before by British columnist Johann Hari:
Starting in 1999, a coalition of Islamist tyrants, led by Saudi Arabia,
demanded the rules be rewritten. The demand for everyone to be able to think
and speak freely failed to "respect" the "unique sensitivities" of the
religious, they decided - so they issued an alternative Islamic Declaration
of Human Rights. It insisted that you can only speak within "the limits set
by the shariah [law]. It is not permitted to spread falsehood or disseminate
that which involves encouraging abomination or forsaking the Islamic
community".

In other words, you can say anything you like, as long as it precisely what
the reactionary mullahs tell you to say. The declaration makes it clear
there is no equality for women, gays, non-Muslims, or apostates. It has been
backed by the Vatican and a bevy of Christian fundamentalists.

Incredibly, they are succeeding. The UN's Rapporteur on Human Rights has
always been tasked with exposing and shaming those who prevent free speech -
including the religious. But the Pakistani delegate recently demanded that
his job description be changed so he can seek out and condemn "abuses of
free expression" including "defamation of religions and prophets". The
council agreed - so the job has been turned on its head. Instead of
condemning the people who wanted to murder Salman Rushdie, they will be
condemning Salman Rushdie himself.

Anything which can be deemed "religious" is no longer allowed to be a
subject of discussion at the UN - and almost everything is deemed religious.
Roy Brown of the International Humanist and Ethical Union has tried to raise
topics like the stoning of women accused of adultery or child marriage. The
Egyptian delegate stood up to announce discussion of shariah "will not
happen" and "Islam will not be crucified in this council" - and Brown was
ordered to be silent. Of course, the first victims of locking down free
speech about Islam with the imprimatur of the UN are ordinary Muslims.

Here is a random smattering of events that have taken place in the past week
in countries that demanded this change. In Nigeria, divorced women are
routinely thrown out of their homes and left destitute, unable to see their
children, so a large group of them wanted to stage a protest - but the
Shariah police declared it was "un-Islamic" and the marchers would be beaten
and whipped. In Saudi Arabia, the country's most senior government-approved
cleric said it was perfectly acceptable for old men to marry 10-year-old
girls, and those who disagree should be silenced. In Egypt, a 27-year-old
Muslim blogger Abdel Rahman was seized, jailed and tortured for arguing for
a reformed Islam that does not enforce shariah.

To the people who demand respect for Muslim culture, I ask: which Muslim
culture? Those women's, those children's, this blogger's - or their
oppressors'?

The new UN resolution is directed against "negative racial and religious
stereotyping". What falls under this heading? Quite a lot, judging from
recent miscarriages of justice around the world, as documented by Jonathan
Turley, Professor of Public Interest Law at George Washington University:
Consider just a few such Western "blasphemy" cases in the past two years:

. In Holland, Dutch prosecutors arrested cartoonist Gregorius Nekschot for
insulting Christians and Muslims with cartoons, including one that
caricatured a Christian fundamentalist and a Muslim fundamentalist as
zombies who want to marry and attend gay rallies.

. In Canada, the Alberta human rights commission punished the Rev. Stephen
Boission and the Concerned Christian Coalition for anti-gay speech, not only
awarding damages but also censuring future speech that the commission deems
inappropriate.

. In Italy, comedian Sabina Guzzanti was put under criminal investigation
for joking at a rally that "in 20 years, the pope will be where he ought to
be - in hell, tormented by great big poofter (gay) devils, and very active
ones."

. In London, an aide to British Foreign Secretary David Miliband was
arrested for "inciting religious hatred" at his gym by shouting obscenities
about Jews while watching news reports of Israel's bombardment of Gaza.Also,
Dutch politician Geert Wilders was barred from entering Britain as a "threat
to public policy, public security or public health" because he made a movie
describing the Quran as a "fascist" book and Islam as a violent religion.

. In Poland, Catholic magazine Gosc Niedzielny was fined $11,000 for
inciting "contempt, hostility and malice" by comparing the abortion of a
woman to the medical experiments at Auschwitz.

The "blasphemy" cases include the prosecution of writers for calling
Mohammed a "pedophile" because of his marriage to 6-year-old Aisha (which
was consummated when she was 9). A far-right legislator in Austria, a
publisher in India and a city councilman in Finland have been prosecuted for
repeating this view of the historical record.

In the flipside of the cartoon controversy, Dutch prosecutors this year have
brought charges against the Arab European League for a cartoon questioning
the Holocaust.

What's next? Private companies and institutions are following suit in what
could be seen as responding to the Egyptian-U.S. call for greater
"responsibility" in controlling speech. For example, in an act of
unprecedented cowardice and self-censorship, Yale University Press published
The Cartoons That Shook the World, a book by Jytte Klausen on the original
Mohammed cartoons. Yale, however, (over Klausen's objections) cut the actual
pictures of the cartoons. It was akin to publishing a book on the Sistine
Chapel while barring any images of the paintings.

I wish I had a dollar for every time I've heard people say: "Of course I
want freedom of speech, but there has to be a limit..."

Well, I call bullshit. Free speech is already limited. We have libel laws,
which prevent you from spreading harmful lies. We have confidentiality
clauses which keep information about your private affairs out of public
view. And we have laws that prohibit you from inciting others to commit
criminal acts. We do not need any restrictions on blasphemy. It is simply
ludicrous hypocrisy to say that you want free speech - but not for people
who say things you find disgusting. It is not illegal to be an asshole, nor
should it be. The whole point of free speech is to protect those who voice
opinions that are unpopular.

Johann Hari puts it rather well:
All people deserve respect, but not all ideas do. I don't respect the idea
that a man was born of a virgin, walked on water and rose from the dead. I
don't respect the idea that we should follow a "Prophet" who at the age of
53 had sex with a nine-year old girl, and ordered the murder of whole
villages of Jews because they wouldn't follow him.

I don't respect the idea that the West Bank was handed to Jews by God and
the Palestinians should be bombed or bullied into surrendering it. I don't
respect the idea that we may have lived before as goats, and could live
again as woodlice. This is not because of "prejudice" or "ignorance", but
because there is no evidence for these claims. They belong to the childhood
of our species, and will in time look as preposterous as believing in Zeus
or Thor or Baal.

When you demand "respect", you are demanding we lie to you. I have too much
real respect for you as a human being to engage in that charade.

But why are religious sensitivities so much more likely to provoke demands
for censorship than, say, political sensitivities? The answer lies in the
nature of faith. If my views are challenged I can, in the end, check them
against reality. If you deregulate markets, will they collapse? If you
increase carbon dioxide emissions, does the climate become destabilised? If
my views are wrong, I can correct them; if they are right, I am soothed.

But when the religious are challenged, there is no evidence for them to
consult. By definition, if you have faith, you are choosing to believe in
the absence of evidence. Nobody has "faith" that fire hurts, or Australia
exists; they know it, based on proof. But it is psychologically painful to
be confronted with the fact that your core beliefs are based on thin air, or
on the empty shells of revelation or contorted parodies of reason. It's
easier to demand the source of the pesky doubt be silenced.

But a free society cannot be structured to soothe the hardcore faithful. It
is based on a deal. You have an absolute right to voice your beliefs - but
the price is that I too have a right to respond as I wish. Neither of us can
set aside the rules and demand to be protected from offence.

You have no inalienable right to go through life without being offended. If
you can't stand the fact that others don't respect your religion, you can
crawl back to the middle ages where you belong.

=================

the Blasphemy Debate, chaired by Joan Bakewell
Christopher Hitchens and Stephen Fry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfmqiBfoPwA

The Bible and the defense of slavery
http://open.salon.com/blog/norwonk/2009/11/08/secular_sunday_school_in_defense_o\
f_slavery

----------------------

Parents and schools do not teach critical thinking,
which leaves the majority of people in the USA living in the world of myth,
superstition and unreason.  Children have to be carefully taught.
http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/5561/ifriendsk8.gif

God: generic term for any of 2,500+ imaginary supernatural beings in human
history. Note:the majority of voters in the United States believe in
imaginary supernatural beings and expect their elected leaders to do the
same. No agnostics or atheists (god-free rationalists) need apply. I want my
leaders to live in the world of reason where evidence is required for
belief. In the world of faith, NO evidence is required for belief in
imaginary supernatural beings.  Faith-based policies start with the
conclusions, then "fit the facts" around the apriori policies. For
instance,the earth is 6,000 years old...or Iraq has WMD...or only the
"right" kind of Christians are acceptable for public office.
--C Hamilton

When will we decide that maintaining affluence is worth destroying our world,
preceded by our own dismal and irreversible decline.

http://www.radio4all.net/index.php/program/37368

If you have a strong heart and stable blood pressure, go back and listen to as
many of these episodes as possible. Only then will it sink in, we better wise
up. - ed

from Marijuana Policy Project Alert - www.mpp.org


Yesterday, the American Medical Association — the U.S.'s largest and most
influential medical association — passed a new policy stance calling for a
government review of marijuana's legal status.

Marijuana is currently classified by the federal government as a Schedule I
drug, grouping marijuana with drugs like heroin, LSD, and PCP, which are deemed
to have no accepted medical uses and considered unsafe for use even under
medical supervision.

The AMA's new policy "urges that marijuana's status as a federal Schedule I
controlled substance be reviewed with the goal of facilitating the conduct of
clinical research and development of cannabinoid-based medicines, and alternate
delivery methods." It goes on to explain that this position should not be
construed as an endorsement of state medical marijuana programs.

This is a major shift from the AMA's previous position, which recommended that
marijuana be kept in Schedule I. What's more, the AMA also rejected an attempt
to urge doctors not to participate in state medical marijuana programs by
recommending marijuana to their patients.

This shift, coming from America's most cautious and conservative major medical
organization, is historic. The AMA's previous position was often cited by our
opponents as evidence that medical marijuana's utility was not widely accepted.
This change will make the opposition's argument significantly more difficult to
make.

From Congress.Org

November 9, 2009

In this MegaVote for Texas' 6th Congressional District:

Recent Congressional Votes

     * Senate: Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009
     * Senate: Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations
Act, 2010
     * House: Expedited CARD Reform for Consumers Act of 2009
     * House: Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009
     * House: Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act of 2009
     * House: Affordable Health Care for America Act

Upcoming Congressional Bills

     * Senate: Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act,
2010

Editor's Note: Congress will be on a short recess for Veterans Day starting no
later than Wednesday, November 11. Both chambers are expected to reassemble on
Monday, November 16.

Recent Senate Votes
Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 - Vote Passed (98-0,
2 Not Voting)

The Senate passed this bill that would extend unemployment benefits in states
with a jobless rate over 8.5% and tax credits for some homebuyers and
businesses. The bill was sent back to the House for final approval.

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
Sen. John Cornyn voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 - Vote
Passed (71-28, 1 Not Voting)

The Senate completed its work on this $64.9 billion legislation funding the
Justice Department, Commerce Department, National Science Foundation and related
agencies and programs. The House and Senate will now go to conference to work
out differences between their versions of the bill.

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
Sen. John Cornyn voted NO......send e-mail or see bio

Recent House Votes
Expedited CARD Reform for Consumers Act of 2009 - Vote Passed (331-92, 9 Not
Voting)

The House passed this bill that would move the date credit card companies would
have to comply with new credit card regulations from February 22, 2010 to
December 1, 2009. The Senate has a similar bill, though it is unclear whether it
will take action on either bill.

Rep. Joe Barton voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 - Vote Passed
(403-12, 18 Not Voting)

The House gave final approval to this bill extending unemployment benefits and
tax credits for some homebuyers and businesses, sending it to the President. The
President signed it on Friday.

Rep. Joe Barton voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act of 2009 - Vote Passed (230-193, 11 Not
Voting)

The House passed this bill intended to bolster security at chemical plants. It
now goes to the Senate.

Rep. Joe Barton voted NO......send e-mail or see bio

Affordable Health Care for America Act - Vote Passed (220-215)

On Saturday the House approved this health care reform bill by a slim margin.
The Senate is expected to begin work on its own health care reform bill soon.

Rep. Joe Barton voted NO......send e-mail or see bio

Upcoming Votes
Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2010 - H.R.3082

The Senate is scheduled to start work on this $133.9 billion bill funding
military construction projects and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/96.html

Ok, let's get this out of the way.

Fort Hood - tragic.

Now let's look at some reality.

ONE guy shooting a hand gun killed
HOW many people - and on a military
base? Ae you serious?

And the one shooter is now in a coma?

And, as of now at least, there's no
surveillance camera footage?

And he's a Muslim who also happens
to be a serviceman with a mental
disorder involving gunplay who did
it with privately owned weapons?

This thing could not have been scripted or
casted better if Hollywood had produced it.

Let's see:

1. Private gun ownership demonized - check
2. Muslims demonized - check
3. Military personnel demonized - check
4. Base dwelling troops at home terrorized
by a fellow American - check
5. Yet another chance to distract the public - check

If this really happened the way it's been spun,
there have to be a lot of social engineers
high fiving each other at their good luck.

And what about the logic of the gunman?

He was afraid of being deployed to a combat
zone...so he created one at home so he
could be killed sooner? I realize the man
was "crazy" but come on.

(I wonder what prescribed medically-endorsed
pharmaceutical substance(s) he was one. We'll
never know because it would violate his privacy.
Score another one for Big Pharma.)

13 killed and 30 wounded by one man with
two pistols.

Nearly a 50% kill rate.

Ever fired a handgun? Ever tried aiming
and firing two at a time? Under pressure?
Ever reload a handgun under pressure?
There were people shooting at him. That's
a little pressure.

We're talking about yet *another* superhuman
performance by a "lone gunman" who is
conveniently not conscious to tell the tale.

Caliber doesn't matter and the bogus
non-fact that these were "automatic"
pistols is bull**** as well.

Meanwhile, we're being drowned in
flags, memorials and interviews with
the victims' families - and a total
absence of any information that makes
sense.

"But the government would never
do such a thing to its own troops!"

Uh, excuse me. It's putting thousands
of them through a meat grinder in
a pointless, unwinnable charade of
a war as we speak - in two countries,
while gearing up for two more (Iran
and Pakistan.)

Do you think the dead and wounded
from overseas are any less dead and
wounded victims from Fort Hood?

Assume the gunman was crazy. What
does that make the Bush-Bama regime?

Here's a news report about *another*
mass shooting by a lone gunman with two
pistols that sneaked its way onto the air
before it was pulled off and never replayed.

Reality please, just a little reality.

http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/96.html

Surely our leaders wouldn't use 'Fear for Profit'. Oh, wait, nevermind.

http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/731.html

Getting your daily ration of rGBH from bovine milk?
It must be good, it's Monsanto.

http://www.organicconsumers.org/bytes/ob198.htm

http://www.organicconsumers.org/sludge.cfm

Processed sewage sludge is commonly sold as fertilizer.
Guess what they don't have to tell you on your food labels.

From Congress.org


November 2, 2009

In this MegaVote for Texas' 6th Congressional District:

Recent Congressional Votes

     * Senate: Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 2010
     * House: Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 2010
     * House: Small Business Financing and Investment Act of 2009

Upcoming Congressional Bills

     * Senate: Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009
     * Senate: Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations
Act, 2010
     * Senate: Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act,
2010
     * House: Expedited CARD Reform for Consumers Act of 2009
     * House: Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act of 2009
     * House: Affordable Health Care for America Act

Recent Senate Votes
Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations
Act, 2010 - Vote Agreed to (72-28)

The Senate gave final approval to this $32.3 billion bill funding the Department
of the Interior, Environmental Protection Agency and related agencies for the
2010 fiscal year. The bill also includes a continuing resolution funding
government operations through December 18, 2010 as 7 of the 12 annual spending
bills remain to be completed.

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison voted NO......send e-mail or see bio
Sen. John Cornyn voted NO......send e-mail or see bio

Recent House Votes
Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations
Act, 2010 - Vote Passed (247-178, 7 Not Voting)

The House passed this $32.3 billion bill funding the Department of the Interior,
Environmental Protection Agency and related agencies for the 2010 fiscal year.
The bill also includes a continuing resolution funding government operations
through December 18, 2010 as 7 of the 12 annual spending bills remain to be
completed.

Rep. Joe Barton voted NO......send e-mail or see bio

Small Business Financing and Investment Act of 2009 - Vote Passed (389-32, 11
Not Voting)

This House bill would reauthorize several Small Business Administration loan
programs.

Rep. Joe Barton voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Upcoming Votes
Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009 - H.R.3548

The Senate is scheduled to work on this bill that would extend unemployment
benefits in states with a jobless rate over 8.5%.


Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 -
H.R.2847

The Senate may return to this $64.9 billion legislation funding the Justice
Department, Commerce Department, National Science Foundation and related
agencies and programs.


Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2010 - H.R.3082

The Senate may also take up this $133.9 billion bill funding military
construction projects and the Department of Veterans Affairs.


Expedited CARD Reform for Consumers Act of 2009 - H.R.3639

This House bill would move the date credit card companies would have to comply
with new credit card regulations from February 22, 2010 to December 1, 2009.


Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act of 2009 - H.R.2868

The House is scheduled to work on this bill intended to bolster security at
chemical plants.


Affordable Health Care for America Act - H.R.3962

The House is expected to begin debate on health care reform this week.

Property that was appraised at $24,243 that then-Mayor Pro-Tem/Councilwoman Jamie Wickliffe and her husband owned was settled for $60,000, a "247% increase."

How'd this happen? The blockquoted material and the .PDF were provided to The Ellis County Observer this morning. Wickliffe recused herself from the vote in 2001, by the way.

Wickliffe faces Bill Redding in tomorrow's special city council election in Midlothian. An interesting note about the three-member panel that county commissioners appointed in this case includes Mike Hendrix Sr., the father of Mike Hendrix, who ran for Midlothian ISD school board when he was 18 and who later went on to start his own political  consulting company. Hendrix (Jr.) also served as Texas Young Republicans Federation chairman in the early to mid-90s.

PDF | Jamie Wickliffe's Eminent Domain Condemnation Case 01-C-3329

The information we received this morning:

The appraiser's (Atwood) opinion of total award is $24,243.  Settled amount is $60,000, which is 247% over the only appraisal the city gave in the Texas Open Records Act request for appraisals.  If there is another appraisal out there, the city did not provide it. Do you think the city would have settled to that high amount without an additional appraisal?  Or did they willfully agree to the higher amount without one?

The appraisal included two $75 temporary easements and $6,320 for part of a fence which would have to be rebuilt due to the eminent domain.

There is a copy of a check which was issued to County Clerk Cindy Polley of Ellis County for $60,000 by the city stating "for use of Edward G. Wickliffe, Jr. and wife, Jamie S. Wickliffe."  Perhaps all eminent domain judgments are paid through the court in relation to the case and then disbursed to the property owner. This judgment was approved through the county.

County commissioner’s fees totaled $1,500, paid separately by the city.  The appraiser alone cost $2,500 have not located the receipt, only the invoice.


Commissioners set by the court regarding the case include:


Don Jolly

Heather Federewisch

Michael Hendrix, Sr.



Ellis County Condemnation Case 01-C-3329

Just ran across this article again. Amazing what people don't know about
themselves, and we never stop to think about those that know us all too well.
What do those people and groups do with that knowledge, and what will we do
about it.

One of the first questions I ask of people who are confounded by the state of
our society today, "Do you believe the official myth of 9/11".
Their answer gives substantial clues to how they decipher current events.

This does not change a great deal in government at the local level, they are as
much a victim as the individual. But each individual has built the world we have
today, and I'm not so sure most people want to accept the blame. It's always the
collective, never me.

To those that still believe the myth of 19 hijackers with box cutters,
"You're living in a dream world Neo". But a dream world crafted on substantial
human psychology that most people aren't required to know, so don't feel too
bad.

But, if your going to rattle on about the state of national and world affairs (
and to a lesser extent, local ), don't be surprised if I shake my head and
mutter something about red or blue pill. There is not much to be said to counter
complaints about a well crafted illusion. Hey, a job well done is a job well
done.

So, lets talk about how the ( insert diversion of choice ).

--- In midlothiantexas@yahoogroups.com, "midlcitizen" <webmaster@...> wrote:
>
> Peoples Voice - Paul Roberts
> <http://www.thepeoplesvoice.org/TPV3/Voices.php/2009/09/17/why-propagand\
> a-trumps-truth>
>

And you were afraid nobody was listening. - ed

http://www.democracynow.org/2009/10/22/cia_invests_in_software_firm_monitoring#a\
t

Cross-posted from Congress.org


Recent Congressional Votes

     * Senate: Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2010
     * Senate: Medicare Physician Fairness Act of 2009
     * Senate: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010
     * House: Solar Technology Roadmap Act
     * House: Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010

Upcoming Congressional Bills

     * Senate: Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009
     * Senate: Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations
Act, 2010
     * House: Small Business Financing and Investment Act of 2009
     * House: Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 2010
     * House: Making Continuing Appropriations for the Fiscal Year 2010



Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2010 - Vote Agreed to
(79-19, 2 Not Voting)

The Senate passed the conference report of this $42.8 billion bill funding the
Department of Homeland Security, sending it to the President.

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison voted NO......send e-mail or see bio
Sen. John Cornyn voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Medicare Physician Fairness Act of 2009 - Vote Rejected (47-53)

The Senate failed to garner the necessary votes to begin debate on this bill
that would repeal the Medicare physician payment formula that results in annual
cuts that Congress reverses every year.

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison voted NO......send e-mail or see bio
Sen. John Cornyn voted NO......send e-mail or see bio

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 - Vote Agreed to (68-29,
3 Not Voting)

The Senate gave final approval to this bill authorizing defense spending, which
also contains a provision that extends the definition of federal hate crimes to
include crimes in which victims are targeted because of their sexual orientation
and gender identity.

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
Sen. John Cornyn voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Recent House Votes
Solar Technology Roadmap Act - Vote Passed (310-106, 16 Not Voting)

The House passed this bill that intends to guide research, development, and
demonstration of solar energy technologies.

Rep. Joe Barton voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 - Vote Passed (385-11, 36 Not Voting)

The House approved this bill that authorizes $10 billion for the Coast Guard for
fiscal year 2010.

Rep. Joe Barton voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Upcoming Votes
Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009 - H.R.3548

The Senate is scheduled to work on this bill that would extend by 13 weeks
unemployment benefits in states with a jobless rate over 8.5%.


Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 -
H.R.2847

The Senate is again expected to work on this $64.9 billion legislation funding
the Justice Department, Commerce Department, National Science Foundation and
related agencies and programs.


Small Business Financing and Investment Act of 2009 - H.R.3854

The House is scheduled to vote on this bill intended to improve programs that
provide small businesses access to capital.


Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations
Act, 2010 - H.R.2996

The House is expected to vote on this $32 billion bill funding the Department of
Interior and Environmental Protection Agency.


Making Continuing Appropriations for the Fiscal Year 2010 - H.J.Res.___

The House is also scheduled to vote on this resolution to continue funding
government operations, as only four of the 12 annual appropriations bills have
been completed for FY 2010. This continuing resolution may be included as a part
of the Interior and Environment appropriations bill.

Interesting web site about law enforcements increased use of asset forfeiture to
replace cuts in operating budgets. - ed
-------------

Why do we FEAR asset forfeiture?
Incredible as it sounds, civil asset forfeiture laws allow the government to
seize property without charging anyone with a crime.  Until FEAR achieved the
nation's first major federal forfeiture law reform at the turn of the millenium,
the government was allowed to keep whatever property it seized without ever
having to prove a case. Seized property was presumed guilty and could be
forfeited based upon mere hearsay—even a tip supplied by by an informant who
stood to gain up to 25% of the forfeited assets.  Owners were forced into the
untenable situation of trying to prove a negative—that something never happened,
even though no proof of any illegal act had been offered at trial.

http://fear.org/

TEXAS PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT Request

Date: Oct. 14, 2009

Attn: Public Information Officer
Dear Officer for Public Records:

This request is made under the Texas Public Information Act, Chapter 552, Texas Government Code, which guarantees the public’s access to information in the custody of governmental agencies. I respectfully request a copy of the the following information:

1) List of all known vehicles that the ECSO or any agency working with the ECSO has obtained in drug seizures, traffic stops or any other law enforcement action that "seized" vehicle property, including but not limited to: trucks, cars, vans, recreational vehicles, sport utility vehicles, vehicles that run, vehicles that don't run, bicycles, tricycles, motorized carts, scooters, Mopeds, etc.

2) List of all retirements, resignations, firings, promotions, demotions within the ECSO with any full-time, part-time, commissioned employee within the past six calendar months;

3) List of all properties owned, maintained by, operated by, controlled by the ECSO including jail, jail annex, buildings, machine shops, mechanics sheds, garages, underground bunkers, shooting ranges, labs, property rooms and/or storage areas, garages for squad cars, camp sites, underground missile silos, or any other property run and owned by the ECSO (i.e., taxpayer-funded properties);

4) List of any memo, drawings, doodlings, notes, electronic communications, posters, wall art, or any other communication distributed, sent, e-mailed, faxed or written/drafted pertaining to open records procedures, protocols, policies in dealing with the media, both print and broadcast, etc.;

In the interest of expediency, and to minimize the research and/or duplication burden on your staff, I would be pleased to personally examine the relevant records if you would grant me immediate access to the requested material (exception due to traveling conflicts). Additionally, and since time is a factor, please communicate with me by telephone and e-mail rather than by mail. My telephone number is: 972-544-2369 or joeygdauben@....

Disclosure of this information is in the public interest because providing a copy of the information primarily benefits the general public. I therefore request a waiver of all fees and charges pursuant to Section 552.267 of the act.

I shall look forward to hearing from you promptly, as specified in the law. Thank you for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

Joey G. Dauben

Due to trouble uploading the MP3 to Here, I have put it at
www.midlothinatexas.net/wod.htm

--- In midlothiantexas@yahoogroups.com, "midlcitizen" <webmaster@...> wrote:
>
> Sorry, this was not NORML, it's 'Time 4 Hemp'.
>
> Plus at 63meg, it's out of reach for DIAL-UP.
>
> You can subscribe/download the podcast at TIME4HEMP.com
>
> --- In midlothiantexas@yahoogroups.com, "midlcitizen" <webmaster@> wrote:
> >
> > LEAP ( Law Enforcement Against Prohibition ) speaker/guest makes an
excellent case for legalization and regulation of all drugs. Eliminate the
profit motive for underground markets, decrease access by minors, and treatment
for those that need it.
> >
> > Granted, our government has not shown the needed wisdom and resistance to
negative forces to do things like this correctly, but it has got to do better
than 40 years of a failed drug war.
> >
> > Anyone can brew beer if they want to, they should be able to grow pot. Just
keep it out of the hands of minors.
> >
> > The MP3 file is in the files section of this group
> >
>

Sorry, this was not NORML, it's 'Time 4 Hemp'.

Plus at 63meg, it's out of reach for DIAL-UP.

You can subscribe/download the podcast at TIME4HEMP.com

--- In midlothiantexas@yahoogroups.com, "midlcitizen" <webmaster@...> wrote:
>
> LEAP ( Law Enforcement Against Prohibition ) speaker/guest makes an excellent
case for legalization and regulation of all drugs. Eliminate the profit motive
for underground markets, decrease access by minors, and treatment for those that
need it.
>
> Granted, our government has not shown the needed wisdom and resistance to
negative forces to do things like this correctly, but it has got to do better
than 40 years of a failed drug war.
>
> Anyone can brew beer if they want to, they should be able to grow pot. Just
keep it out of the hands of minors.
>
> The MP3 file is in the files section of this group
>

LEAP ( Law Enforcement Against Prohibition ) speaker/guest makes an excellent
case for legalization and regulation of all drugs. Eliminate the profit motive
for underground markets, decrease access by minors, and treatment for those that
need it.

Granted, our government has not shown the needed wisdom and resistance to
negative forces to do things like this correctly, but it has got to do better
than 40 years of a failed drug war.

Anyone can brew beer if they want to, they should be able to grow pot. Just keep
it out of the hands of minors.

The MP3 file is in the files section of this group

Cross Posted - ed
------------------------
Camp Wolfgang, a reputable German Shepherd Rescue in Ennis, Texas, is closing
down because of financial issues (not family issues as was initially but
erroneously thought) on October 31, 2009.

Camp Wolfgang (CW) has nearly 200 adoptable dogs, who are healthy, friendly,
vetted, spayed/neutered, micro-chipped, and well cared for.  Many have had
training.   All dogs must be placed prior to October  31.  CW told me that they
don't want to euthanize dogs who remain after October 31, but it appears this
will be their only option.

CW is asking rescue organizations to take any dogs whom they can.   They are
asking individuals to adopt or foster.

Adoption fee is $75.00.  Dogs are FREE to verifiable rescue groups.
Current dogs: (approximate)
120 PB German Shepherds
2 Akitas
1 Anatolian/Great Pyrenees
4 Purebred Rottweiler
1 Great Dane/Lab
1 Boxer/Mastiff
1 St. Bernard/Akita
1 Wolf Dog (We know there is actually no such thing as a wolf dog)
45 Other mixed breeds

Dogs are available for viewing.  Time is of the essence!

If you know anyone who can adopt, accept a dog into their rescue, or help in any
way, call or email Neisha Livengood,  Please call/email Camp Wolfgang only if
you are interested in adopting, fostering, or rescuing a dog (s), or can help in
some other tangible way.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Neisha Livengood, Kennel Master at Camp Wolfgang.
windigo1966@...
wally@...
campwolfgang@...
telephone: 214-755-1627
Camp Wolfgang
6234 FM 879
Ennis, Texas 75119
www.campwolfgang.petfinder.com

RELIGION IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

A new book published by Americans United for Separation of Church and
State offers educators and families detailed information about the law
governing religion and the public schools -- and the topic of teaching
evolution is not neglected. Chapter 4 of Religion in the Public
Schools: A Road Map for Avoiding Lawsuits and Respecting Parents'
Legal Rights, by Anne Marie Lofaso, a professor of law at West
Virginia University, contains a detailed review of the legal issues
surrounding the teaching of evolution. Its central points:

* Schools can neither outlaw the teaching of evolution nor give "equal
time" for discussion of evolution and "creation science"
* The theory of evolution meets the definition of science
* It is long settled that public schools cannot forbid the teaching of
evolution as part of their high school science curriculum
* It is equally well settled that public schools cannot compel the
teaching of creationism alongside evolution as part of the high school
science curriculum
* Public schools may not teach "intelligent design" alongside
evolution as part of the high school science curriculum
* Nor may public school teachers claim an "academic freedom" right to
teach about "intelligent design"
* Public schools may limit the extent to which students raise
religious evidence against evolution in science class discussion in
the same manner by which those schools limit other class discussions
* Creationism and intelligent design cannot be taught in public
schools, but objective, academic discussion about religion, such as
its role in history, is permissible in some contexts as long as the
approach is educational and not devotional

"Religion in the Public Schools effectively explains the ins and outs
of how religion should be handled in the school setting. A must-read
for parents and educators alike!" writes someone who should know --
Tammy Kitzmiller, the lead plaintiff in the 2005 case establishing the
unconstitutionality of teaching "intelligent design" creationism in
the public schools. Barbara Forrest, a member of NCSE's board of
directors, adds, "This book should be on the desk of every public
school teacher, principal, and school board member."

For information about the book, including its full text, visit:
http://religioninthepublicschools.com

For information about Americans United, visit:
http://www.au.org

and with a more serious presentation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd2MsBqzraw&feature=related

--- In midlothiantexas@yahoogroups.com, "midlcitizen" <webmaster@...> wrote:
>
> When you know the truth, it looks so silly to see us paying good tax dollars
to eradicate it. Such as the recent Ellis county effort that netted thousands of
plants. ( http://www.elliscountyobserver.com/index.php?s=pot+confiscated)
>
> This video pays the appropriate respect to the insanity.
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJ4MauvhRxM&feature=related
>

When you know the truth, it looks so silly to see us paying good tax dollars to
eradicate it. Such as the recent Ellis county effort that netted thousands of
plants. ( http://www.elliscountyobserver.com/index.php?s=pot+confiscated)

This video pays the appropriate respect to the insanity.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJ4MauvhRxM&feature=related