Human rights violations and torture are un-American activities!
Activists nationwide will place calls to the White House throughout this week to mark the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on June 26th. We are calling on President Obama to demonstrate his commitment to accountability by ensuring the establishment of an independent commission of inquiry into torture and other human rights violations in the "war on terror."
Our world seems senselessly full of inconsistency, incompetence, ghastly mistakes, atrocious dishonor and horrifying shame. Big government and big churches (in God's name) often do more harm than good. Too, many of these folks want to serve God, but only as advisors. "God loves everyone," but probably prefers fruits of the spirit (those with ethics) over religious nuts and morally bankrupt profiteers!
Join the Easy Revolution. The web is the fastest growing communications medium in the history of the world. A powerful tool, a window of opportunity, in our war of good over evil; the Internet continues to revolutionize the way we communicate and has enormous potential for reshaping the political process.
"Perhaps nothing better illustrates the awesome power of the emerging news technologies of our times — Facebook, YouTube, blogs and, mightiest of all, Twitter — than the shocking images arising from the brutal police crackdowns in Iran over the hotly disputed election between cleric-backed hardline incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and reform-minded ex-Prime Minister Mir Hossein Mousavi." Since the uprising Human Rights Watch says the Iran government banned most foreign press, heavily censored domestic media, arrested reporters and photographers, intimidated bloggers and has tried to block or censor Web sites.
Most major newspapers here have cut their staffs, particularly foreign bureaus,so we and much of the world learned of the the possible overthrow of the government of Iran, a revolution in the streets through the Internet practically as it happened, with the graphic videos of disturbing violence.
Citizen journalism is very important in places where it is obvious information is being suppressed but they will also serve the purpose of keeping our "free press" honest! Literally hundreds of thousands of people post their raw data now that they have camera phones to capture images of whatever they see. In order to use these social networks as viable sources of news, we have to be able to tell the the valid material from the BS! Same goes for major media we have to be able to see through the propaganda and outright lies!
It is downright sinister, a crime against humanity for the medicinal uses of cannabis to be suppressed. Scientists have discovered that one of Bob Dylan's most famous lines, "everybody must get stoned," tells it like it is. They have found that our brains manufacture proteins (canabinoids) that act like marijuana (THC) at specific receptors in the brain itself. Some scientists speculate that cannabinoids play a protective role in the brain, slowing the rate of disease.
US Representative Barney Frank has reintroduced a bipartisan federal bill to legalize "small amounts" of marijuana (cannabis) and make room for serious criminals. Representative Ron Paul is a cosponsor. This Texas straight talker says we are "politicizing pain." "The Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults Act of 2009"- H.R. 2943.
“Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act”- H.R. 2835 which would allow the medical use of marijuana in states that have chosen to make its use for medical purposes legal with a doctor's recommendation. The debate over medical marijuana or cannabis is really a scandalous controversy over whether this very safe, effective, easy-to-grow herb should be allowed to compete with expensive dangerous pharmaceuticals.
Unless the medication is approved by a physician within federal guidelines, drug warriors are against anyone feeling good, being at ease, being pain free. The people believe in self-government and self-medication. Warriors can get their adrenaline rush making us all safer, catching violent predators! Harassing the sick and dying is an un-American activity.
According to nationwide polls, three out of four voters believe that adults who possess marijuana should not face arrest or jail, and one out of two now say that cannabis should be regulated like alcohol. The just-released World Drug Report 2009 has the world's Drug Czar, Antonio Maria Costa, admitting that the public is increasingly aware the "war on drugs" isn't working. Help LEAP educate our new drug czar!
"The US Congress has a definite choice," said St. Pierre. "They can choose the path of compassion, fiscal responsibility, and common sense by supporting Barney Frank's and Ron Paul's efforts, or they can continue down America's failed drug war path by endorsing Rep. Kirk's draconian legislation. It is abundantly clear which direction the voters wish to go; will their elected officials follow?"
Help restore justice. Please contact your Legislators: US Senate, House.
Human rights violations abound in the misguided war on drugs. Take morally bankrupt profiteers, servants of tyranny, gun control fanatics and racists a step closer to being politically dead bodies. Help construct better, safer drug policies for society and the individual. The violence, official lawlessness and prison over population are a policy created nightmare. Help restore justice! TX Senate, House.
Governor Perry had received 17,373 calls and letters against Senate Bill 1440 and 455 supporting it as of 4:30 p.m. Friday - June 19th, said Allison Castle, a spokeswoman for the governor. That comes out to 97.44% AGAINST! Governor Perry's veto was won by your contacts. Thank you!
The DPA Reform Conference 2009 will be held November 12-14 in Albuquerque, NM. Help continue the unprecedented momentum toward positive change. "The energy of this gathering is like no other. You will meet people who challenge you, who inspire you and who could be partners in your reform efforts. Register now to attend the Reform Conference and experience all of this in person. Thanks for all you do," Ethan Nadelmann, Executive Director - Drug Policy Alliance.
Educate the powerful, be brave and end the terror by changing our intrusive, big-bully policies, both foreign and domestic. The monetary and environmental costs are staggering and the human suffering unconscionable.
Celebrate your independence from big government tyranny and oppression even if our goal is not quit reached this July 4, 2009. Have a safe and liberating Independence Day! Follow your bliss!
Compiled and written by Colleen McCool
I agree with some of the things you said but why did you put the "war on terror" in quotes? Who do you think we're fighting against? Santa Claus? No we are fighting terrorists for the survival of freedom, peace, and tolerance in the world. We need to crush Islamic fascism by killing Muslim terrorists because if we don't its going to be WW2 all over again in a few decades. Torture is perfect to use on terrorists. The fascist pigs are pure evil and they should be tortured for info and then executed on the spot. But you think we should instead think of terrorists as victims?
You're right about almost everything else though. Iran, gun control foreign and domestic big bully policies , etc. We should be isolationists but, if attacked by terrorists, we would quickly retaliate with nuclear weapons or whatever other awesome weapons may be necessary and then keep to ourselves again. After the 2nd or 3rd time I think they'd stop f***ing with us. I hate fascism. Whether it be Nazism or its nearly identical twin Islamic fascism, we must not tolerate intolerance.
...freedom...
...peace...
...tolerance...
Even though I agree that islamist terrorism is a very real threat to our nation, this kind or hyperbole completely destroys your credibility as a rational commentator. Tirades of this sort are at best incredibly childish, and at worst counterproductive to the ideals you claim to support, but do not actually demonstrate with your opinions.
TTFN,
Blackout
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Marriage in the Bible
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Check out Progressive PRIDE, a Gay-Straight Alliance for the Progressive U community.
Hyperbole? No nothing you say about these scumbags can never capture the pure evil violence, intolerance, and hatred that drives their actions and words. Also take note that I said "retaliate with nuclear weapons OR whatever other awesome weapons may be necessary" clearly recognizing that nuclear weapons are not always going to be appropriate to use against the enemy and thus should resort to other weapons. But if nuclear weapons can be appropriately used then there should be no hesitation to use them.As I've said before, despite my comments here, if I were the president I would seriously scrutinize and dwell over deciding to actually order a nuclear attack when the time comes because of how serious such a decision is. I would only do it if it could be exhaustively justified which, the use of one in today's world cannot. I can't predict the future though and we should be open to the use of nuclear weapons if appropriate.
As far as my ideals go you have failed to show hypocrisy. You quoted me as saying "crush Islamic fascism by killing Muslim terrorists" as if that were evidence that my ideals for freedom are not genuine. It ironically shows that they are though. Freedom cannot survive with Islamic fascism and the only way to end Islamic fascism is to kill Muslim terrorists. If you don't believe me, the pigs themselves have expressed their hatred for freedom and what they are willing to do to prevent freedom from succeeding - like what they do now. You question my ideal of tolerance by citing a comment about Muslim terrorists "fascist pigs are pure evil and they should be tortured for info and then executed on the spot." The first thing we need to do to build a tolerant world is to not tolerate intolerance. Tolerating intolerance is such a stupid idea and is counterproductive to building a tolerant world and will result in a more intolerant world.
Hyperbole? No nothing you say about these scumbags can never capture the pure evil violence, intolerance, and hatred that drives their actions and words.
Yes, hyperbole...and thanks for proving my point with your continued over-the-top ranting.
TTFN,
Blackout
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Marriage in the Bible
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Check out Progressive PRIDE, a Gay-Straight Alliance for the Progressive U community.
Okay you can just keep up your baseless insults about my comments OR you can choose to explain what your opinion on the subject is and why you think I am wrong. You claim your point is proved because of what you, without explanation, perceive as my "over-the-top ranting." You, without giving a reason, label my comments as hyperbole and childish, and seem to think such absurd accusations are sufficient to "destroy my credibility as a rational commentator" and prove your point. Just saying someone's comments are childish and hyperbole is NOT sufficient to prove that they are wrong and you are right. It does show, however, that you'd rather throw out personal insults than address the topic. I expect you to respond to this appropriately but I think you will just continue the baseless personal attacks. It's a shame because you are better than that.
I illustrated my point quite clearly in my original comment. Your casual tossing out of the idea of using nuclear weapons, an option which would require destruction on such a scale that it would be IMPOSSIBLE to limit the damage to those who are actually responsible for the crimes of these terrorists, is both CHILDISH and, and bespeaks a greater disprespect for human life and freedom than even the terrorists whom you judge. It is also completely monumentally HYPOCRITICAL for you to claim an allegieance to "peace" and "tolerance" when you contionually refer to your opponents as "pure evil" and carry on and on about how you want to KILL them. To be frank, I don't really care if YOU understand my point here. You're (obviously) a lost cause. I hope, however, to USE you as an object lesson to our readers to demonstrate why we have so much trouble in the rest of the world in seeking REAL solutions to our problems, as opposed to relying on psychotic rhetoric that does NOTHING except inflame these conflicts.
TTFN,
Blackout
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Marriage in the Bible
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Check out Progressive PRIDE, a Gay-Straight Alliance for the Progressive U community.
Your casual tossing out of the idea of using nuclear weapons, an option which would require destruction on such a scale that it would be IMPOSSIBLE to limit the damage to those who are actually responsible for the crimes of these terrorists, is both CHILDISH and, and bespeaks a greater disprespect for human life and freedom than even the terrorists whom you judge.
I tossed out the idea of using nuclear weapons but made it very clear that if I were making those decisions they would not be mad lightly at all. I concede that with our current enemies (well at least the enemies of freedom loving people I'm not sure about you) it is unlikely that the use of nuclear weapons would ever be justified but it is close-minded to take the option off the table. I explained all of this on my other comments on this thread but, as usual, you chose to misrepresent what I said in order to make me look bad. Also, are you really willing to stoop so low as to accuse me of having a greater disrespect for human life than terrorists? That is absurd and shows that you are delusional as to the real nature of the evil acts Muslim terrorists have, and are willing, to commit against other humans out of hatred, bigotry, and intolerance.
It is also completely monumentally HYPOCRITICAL for you to claim an allegieance to "peace" and "tolerance" when you contionually refer to your opponents as "pure evil" and carry on and on about how you want to KILL them.
Well Einstein, you tell me how we achieve peace and tolerance in the world without first killing terrorists? Because if you have a solution than I will reconsider. And Muslim terrorists are pure evil. There is nothing else left in their wretched souls than hatred and violence and desire to inflict pain, suffering, and death. Just because you, for some unknown reason, fail to see the clear evidence for this doesn't make it less true. The fact that you so lightly refer to them as (my) "opponents" is an indicator of your failure to realize the nature of the enemy. They may technically be opponents in the sense of the word but they are so much more. This isn't a Middle School soccer game Blackout. We are in an epic struggle against those who wish to take over the world and bring us back to the dark ages, strip away all our freedom, impose their morally perverted Sharia Law, and go around brutalizing and killing people as they desire. The stakes are real. You'll stand up to Christians and their nonsense why not take a stand against extremist Muslims and their violent, hateful, and deadly desires and actions? Muslim fascists are like Nazis. Do you understand what Nazis are and what they did and how they almost conquered the entire world? Do you think it was a bad idea to kill Nazis too?
To be frank, I don't really care if YOU understand my point here. You're (obviously) a lost cause. I hope, however, to USE you as an object lesson to our readers to demonstrate why we have so much trouble in the rest of the world in seeking REAL solutions to our problems, as opposed to relying on psychotic rhetoric that does NOTHING except inflame these conflicts.
Once again, I challenge you to share some of those "real" solutions we should be seeking. We have so much trouble in the world because of the ignorance and delusion about our "opponents" that you have fell prey to. Rhetoric will anger terrorists but they are already as evil as possible and do, and will do, anything they have the means to do to make good people suffer and die. More importantly however, is that, "rhetoric" turns into action and we seriously start to focus our efforts on killing as many terrorists as possible without more innocent casualties. Yes KILL terrorists. By the way, I do understand your point. You're the one who rarely (perhaps purposefully) understands my points and "puts words in my mouth" so to speak.
Ironically I will use you and YOUR comments to demonstrate to people how even educated, intelligent people can fail to understand the seriousness of terrorism. We are, for now, well insulated from many evil acts that Muslim terrorists wish to carry out on our soil but don't let this fool you. As soon as they can, they will attack us and it could be one of your loved ones who falls victim to the violence and ruthlessness that such an attack will consist of. Tell me too, are you one of those people who think that American Christians who support second amendment freedoms and oppose the killing of unborn children (commonly termed abortion) are a bigger threat than Muslim fascist terrorists? I wouldn't be surprised!
I never said that islamist terrorists were anything other than deplorable criminals who need to be stopped. I merely pointed out the (typical, it seems) hypocrisy of pursing hawkish war policies in the name of "peace." And, it doesn't matter than you think your decision to use nuclear weapons would "not be mad[e] lightly." The mere fact that you see that option as being "on the table" just shows how arrogantly naive you are about what it means to use a weapon of that magnitude.
As for your "rheoritic," here's another perfect example of your insane hyperbole...
And Muslim terrorists are pure evil. There is nothing else left in their wretched souls than hatred and violence and desire to inflict pain, suffering, and death.
This is the kind of oversimplified "thinking" that actually causes a great many of the problems that the U.S. faces around the world. All you are doing is excusing yourself from the burden of having to justify your own brutality. The reason I call it CHILDISH is that it is the exact same argument that is heard in schoolyards every day, when children cry to their teacher because, "he hit me first."
As for the Einstein comment, I'll let Dr. Einstein respond for me...
TTFN,
Blackout
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Marriage in the Bible
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Check out Progressive PRIDE, a Gay-Straight Alliance for the Progressive U community.
All you are doing is excusing yourself from the burden of having to justify your own brutality.
Yes pardon me while I go find an innocent person to behead to make a perverted, hateful political statement. What a ridiculous thing to say. I'm a very righteous and good person and your childish antics of accusing me of brutality would be funny if you weren't serious. Ha Ha.
the mere fact that you see that option as being "on the table" just shows how arrogantly naive you are about what it means to use a weapon of that magnitude.
That is a matter of pure opinion on your part backed by nothing other than your desire discredit me. The fact that I see the option of using nuclear weapons on the table says nothing of the sort about me. You say I am "arrogantly naive" but surely you realize that type of comment is just empty hyped up words to take unfair shots at me. How does leaving the nuclear option on the table suggest that I am not aware of the consequences of using a nuclear weapon? Stop making these absurd opinionated hyped up statements as if they were fact. By the way, even Lord Obama, to some degree, leaves the option of nuclear weapons on the table.
And for my statement you point to as an example of my alleged rhetoric, do you disagree with it? If so, why don't you explain why? That would be more productive than your fancy worded smears backed by nothing but your desire to discredit my well thought out viewpoints. I've asked you several important questions that you should be answering if you wish to put something behind your words insulting my points of view. Shall we review those questions that you are mysteriously avoiding? Your delusional world view, is an example of why, when it comes to the grind, Islamic fascism may cause much more pain, suffering, destruction and carnage than necessary. We have a moral duty to crush Islamic fascism and we should do it now while we still can. I don't want another WW2 scenario but with your thinking that is the direction we are headed into. Is that your definition of peace. If so then you are a lost cause.
1. Are you really willing to stoop so low as to accuse me of having a greater disrespect for human life than terrorists?
2. How do we achieve peace and tolerance in the world without first killing terrorists?
3.You'll stand up to Christians and their nonsense why not take a stand against extremist Muslims and their violent, hateful, and deadly desires and actions?
4.Do you understand what Nazis are and what they did and how they almost conquered the entire world?
5. Do you think it was a bad idea to kill Nazis too?
6.Are you one of those people who think that American Christians who support second amendment freedoms and oppose the killing of unborn children (commonly termed abortion) are a bigger threat than Muslim fascist terrorists?
7. And for my statement you point out as an example of my alleged rhetoric, do you disagree with it? If so, explain why.
1. Are you really willing to stoop so low as to accuse me of having a greater disrespect for human life than terrorists?
Greater? Perhaps not, but AS GREAT, certainly. For example...
Yes pardon me while I go find an innocent person to behead to make a perverted, hateful political statement. What a ridiculous thing to say.
The fascist pigs are pure evil and they should be tortured for info and then executed on the spot.
What you say you want to do to them doesn't sound any less brutal or disrespectful towards human life than what you say they want to do to you.
2. How do we achieve peace and tolerance in the world without first killing terrorists?
Of course, YOU want an EASY answer, and there's not one. Its too late for EASY answers. We're at a point of active, violent conflict NOW because we failed to recognized, understand and respond to the root causes of terrorism BEFORE it got so far out of hand. "Killing the terrorists" is a convenient political euphamism, but that's a tact that hasn't got us any further than it did the British (who were doing it long before we jumped into the mix).
We might try using our not insignificant resources to undermine the socio-economic sources that fuel this kind of response...poverty, lack of education, hunger and religious fundamendalism. We might also stop supporting military dictatorships in the middle-east when its convenient to our interests, and then turning a blind eye when those dictatorships use the power we helped them grap to oppress their own people. We might try holding our allies in the region accountable to the same standards of conduct that we accuse and condemn our enemies for, rather than excusing territorial grabs and violence against civilian targets simply because the aggressor happens to be our "friend."
3.You'll stand up to Christians and their nonsense why not take a stand against extremist Muslims and their violent, hateful, and deadly desires and actions?
For one, you are falsely suggesting that I don't think we should stand up to muslim terrorists. I do. However, the idea that we can just wave a magic nuke and kill all the terrorists is a rediculous strategy for doing that. It if were an effective tactic, 9/11 would never have happened in the first place. In my opinion, a terrorist should be treated just like any other violent criminal. We should respond only with the force that is necessary in order to stop the crime in the act, and we should use our resources to combat the reasons that people turn to violent crime in order so that fewer people make the decision to turn to violent crime as a way to solve their problems.
4.Do you understand what Nazis are and what they did and how they almost conquered the entire world?
5. Do you think it was a bad idea to kill Nazis too?
Nazis? Sigh...
Let me be clear...I think it is a "bad idea" to kill ANYONE...and I think that it is unfortunate that more people are willing to explore other options before a situation is so far gone that violence becomes inescapable.
6.Are you one of those people who think that American Christians who support second amendment freedoms and oppose the killing of unborn children (commonly termed abortion) are a bigger threat than Muslim fascist terrorists?
A bigger threat to what? If you're talking about American Lives, the islamist terrorists have a bigger body count, so in that regard they are a "bigger" threat (here in the States, anyway). But if you're talking about the First Amendment and similarly supported Freedoms enjoyed on a daily basis by American Citizens, then the bigger threat is indeed the radical christian right (though supporting the second amendment doesn't really have anything to do with that). After all, the radical christian right in this country can actually vote and has the potential to effect real change in our system of government.
7. And for my statement you point out as an example of my alleged rhetoric, do you disagree with it? If so, explain why.
Obviously you aren't paying attention, because I've been doing that for several comments.
TTFN,
Blackout
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Marriage in the Bible
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Check out Progressive PRIDE, a Gay-Straight Alliance for the Progressive U community.
How is legalizing marijuana an American activity? Do you really want to be compared to the pothead Europeans whose lack of productivity and efficiency has continued to increase poverty and hamper economic prosperity? Do we want to invite land-owners to devote agricultural land to growing profitable marijuana and end our dominant surplus of produce which has driven American growth, like countries such as Yemen?Not surprisingly you fail to mention gun ownership rights, the freedom and right to life, and the un-American support of governments which support and terrorism and human rights violations such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia where Obama has apologized for the War Against Islamic Extremism and caution towards Muslims.
Government has no other end, but the preservation of property. - John Locke
Not surprisingly you fail to mention gun ownership rights
To be fair ksullivan, gun ownership rights were mentioned by the author of the blog. If you see my posts you will see that I would likely agree with you more about the terrorism part but that doesn't mean I'm not gonna hold you accountable for the inaccurate part of your comment. Please go back and read the entire blog if you did not. Here is what the reference to gun ownership rights in this blog is:
Human rights violations abound in the misguided war on drugs. Take morally bankrupt profiteers, servants of tyranny, gun control fanatics and racists a step closer to being politically dead bodies.
I'm sorry if I was harsh about it but I'm just trying to be fair. You and I however would agree about these issues pretty well it seems so maybe you'll help me out in my futile back and forth exchange with Blackout? I mean, he seriously suggested that I have a "greater disrespect for human life and freedom than even the terrorists whom you judge." That was a malicious attack on my character and was intentional but I know what I pointed out in your comment was just an honest mistake. Not too bad considering the garbage I have to tolerate from the keyboard of ProgressiveU idol (he seriously is idolized here and it is quite disturbing) Blackout
Do you really want to be compared to the pothead Europeans whose lack of productivity and efficiency has continued to increase poverty and hamper economic prosperity?
Surely, you've heard of Amsterdam, The Netherlands? It is probably the most well known city in which marijuana is legal.
So much for the implication that legalizing marijuana lowers the wealth and productivity of a country or society.
TTFN,
Blackout
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Marriage in the Bible
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Check out Progressive PRIDE, a Gay-Straight Alliance for the Progressive U community.
You know I agree with you. It seems common sense that ceasing to use billions of taxpayer dollars to fight drugs, the government could actually make billions from the drug business. Common sense drug laws could help us pay a significant portion of the debt our federal government is now in. Of course, politicians will continue to spend money that we don't have and drive us further into debt. So maybe we could elect good leaders along with instituting common sense drug policies?
Using marijuana, whether you agree with it or not, is a choice, and with choices come responsibility. We are constantly roaring for freedom, yet some do think that immoral or unethical actions should be outlawed. People take this victimless crime, and turn it into a murder like felony.
I find it funny how you have that quote on the bottom:
Government has no other end, but the preservation of property. - John Locke
yet still have the courage to say this. Marijuana is something you can physically possess, therefore property.
I enjoyed reading your discussion.
Start a new tradition in your family this July 4th, spend 10 minutes reading the Declaration of Independence aloud together or listen to my friend in Liberty, Roy Lamb's (from New Castle, IN) audio files. He also offers a 50 minute audio file of the Constitution! http://www.liberty-alliance.net/Pages/Audio.html
"It is my living sentiment, and by the blessing of God,
it shall be my dying sentiment.
Independence now, and independence forever."
Daniel Webster, in an August 2, 1826 eulogy to Thomas Jefferson and John Adams;
both had died on July 4th.
The Cato Institute offers copies of its popular Constitution booklet. It contains a copy of the Declaration as well.
Phone Order: 1-800-767-1241
http://www.catostore.org/index.asp?fa=ProductDetails&method=&pid=144278-...
Celebrate your independence from big government tyranny and oppression even if our goal is not quit reached this July 4, 2009. Have a safe and liberating Independence Day! Follow your bliss!
Colleen McCool is a portrait artist, poet and peace activist.
http://mccoolportraits.com/2008rebelwithjustcause.htm
Member - Law Enforcement Against Prohibition
http://www.leap.cc/
& Drug Policy Forum of Texas