PHOTO: Douglas County deputy Evan O’Malley carries guns away from a house Wednesday southeast of Rock Island. The county’s special response team raided the property early in the morning and seized about marijuana plants guns and four vehicles.
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LiveFREEorDIE 2 years, 4 months ago
Oh no! It's that terrible green plant again! What will we do??? Get real people! Cannabis is not the root of all evil; it never was and never shall be. The reason why you hate cannabis so much is because you are told to hate it by your parents, by the media, and by your know-it-all government cronies. Cannabis is only a problem for folks who use it as a crutch to deal with day-to-day life, much like alcoholics or methamphetamine addicts. There are, however, some of us out there who are NOT addicts and can use it responsibly! Not only are pot plants useful, but they smell WONDERFUL and make nice foliage. What's there to hate about them?
Norm 2 years, 4 months ago
What's to hate about them?
Nicole 2 years, 4 months ago
Norm, you seem pretty well educated in facts regarding the prohibition of marijuana. Thank you so much for helping to spread the truth and not just arbitrary opinions and emotions.
LiveFREEorDIE 2 years, 3 months ago
What a shame....I hate to see good pot get wasted like this. Damn that evil green plant!
francis 2 years, 2 months ago
I am a legal grower.And raided months ago.When i blew a hole in there case (Douglas Co) with a script They criminally charged me for load music "on badger Mt" Let the snitch get away with shooting my dog while walking him to the mail boxes with an eye witness (neighbor) and bullet in the dog.He admits in the report that he does have a rifle as described by the witness wearing the cloths as described and has contact from the sheriff for shooting a dog a year ago and admits it.The SPCA is demanding action... Lets the snitch/dog killer, that has a anti harassment order against me for music twice in three yeas. walk my property line with a gun over and over because he has a letter from the adjacent property owner saying he has permission to do so. harassing me and scaring my kids.Ticketing me as i leave my home. daily following behind me.He has told the sheriff that he is going to kill me,and its in the sheriffs writing!(report) and they grant him a anti harassment for noise against me.I was told by the sheriffs i am to use a mp3 player and head phones to watch TV in my home.on five acres.The prosecutor in a criminal. there supposed to uphold the law not brake it! I have notarized letters from all of my neighbors,saying i am a quite and good neighbor minus the snitch.and no criminal record or tickets prier!
Gator 2 years, 2 months ago
Uh, what you say, francis?
LiveFREEorDIE 2 years, 2 months ago
Francis, it is your right as a human being to be able to grow your own food and medicine. Nobody, and I mean nobody, can keep you from exercising that right. Anyone who does attempt to stop you is in violation of your right to be free, healthy, and prosperous. Go down fighting, my friend......
Annsboy 2 years, 2 months ago
Actually it's not Kyle, when what your growing is illegal. Whatever your position is about pot, work through legal means to change the laws and you won't get in trouble. BTW what do you do for a living? I could be wrong but my guess is you work a low pay, dead end job, if you have one at all. No offense I may wrong but my experience has been most pot smokers are not the sharpest crayons in the box and have even less motivation to excel in life. Few just stick with pot, it's meth, coke and whatever else turns their crank, want to see what many end up like? check out the street bums in Wenatchee....many are druggies and alcoholics, the fact that many don't become completely worthless does not lessen that fact that they are less than they could be.
girlfawkes 2 years, 2 months ago
Actually, Jerald, marijuana is being shown in many published studies to not be the gateway drug you are claiming. Of course in some cases a user will progress to other forms of illicit drug abuse, but the majority of pot smokers stick with their drug of choice. The more prevalent pattern of gateway use? Alcohol first, then a progression. The most common "gateway" drug is ALCOHOL. . In any case, I can say with all seriousness that many of the fine police on our Douglas County and city of East Wenatchee force dabbled in pot and more in their past. Some did more than just dabble. Yup, once you get to an age where you recall going to high school and hanging out socially with some of these people you tend to laugh at their drug busts when they themselves could have been the target once upon a time. The hypocrisy is astounding. . Good job, guys! (LOL)
2 years, 2 months ago
Jerald spewed; "BTW what do you do for a living? I could be wrong but my guess is you work a low pay, dead end job, if you have one at all. No offense I may wrong but my experience has been most pot smokers are not the sharpest crayons in the box and have even less motivation to excel in life."
*Let me get this straight. You piss test everyone, and don't allow casual pot smokers to have jobs, then complain that they don't have jobs. This sounds more than a little disingenuous to me. This is EXACTLY the type of thing that Hitler pulled on the Jews. He persecuted the Jews, then used the inevitable RESULTS of that persecution to justify persecuting the Jews in the first place. It angers me that America uses Hitler's tactics as a model for social engineering in the United States. It seems downright UN-American, if you ask me. If pot smokers were really so lazy that they don't want to work, what would be the necessity of piss testing in the first place? Hmmm? Can you say hypocrite? I thought you could.
Jerald continued puking; "Few just stick with pot, it's meth, coke and whatever else turns their crank, want to see what many end up like?"
*Over 102 Million Americans (41%) have tried marijuana. Only 3.79 Million Americans (1.5%) have tried heroin. If what you are saying about marijuana being a "gateway drug" had any validity whatsoever, we should expect to see 100 Million heroin junkies in the U.S. But in fact, only 213,000 Americans have used heroin in the last month. Apparently marijuana and even heroin are not nearly as addicting as you would have us believe. And as far as marijuana being a gateway drug, the facts plainly show that that is not the case. All statistics courtesy of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health 2008. Read 'em and weep, Jerald. But don't feel too bad; in America, it's quite common for people to wear their ignorance like a medal of honor. You're in good company, Jerald.
And as far as what pot smokers "end up like", it's quite interesting to note that three of them "ended up like" the last three Presidents of the United States of America. But then, I suppose you wouldn't have brought up those particular three illegal drug users and their career destinations as it wouldn't have served your point very well. You seem to exhibit selective thinking, Jerald.
2 years, 2 months ago
Jerald belched; "check out the street bums in Wenatchee....many are druggies and alcoholics, the fact that many don't become completely worthless does not lessen that fact that they are less than they could be."
*Many people who have never used an illegal drug are "less than they could be". Shall we imprison those people for decades long stretches as well? Are you really "all you could be"? What exactly is this job of yours that is the end-all and be-all of worthfulness, do tell?
2 years, 2 months ago
Are you really "all you could be"? What exactly is this job of yours that is the end-all and be-all of worthfulness, do tell?
Whatever this infinitely fulfilling job is, I'm guessing that it doesn't involve using grammatically correct sentences. I'm right, aren't I?
joanne 2 years, 2 months ago
I assumee that Me is attempting humor by saying "I'm right, aren't I?" instead of correctly saying, "I'm right, am I not?" And how many out there have NOT tried something IN THEIR YOUTH that was ill-advised, dangerous or downright illegal, or just plain dumb. And then they got smarter and made beter decisions about their lives.
girlfawkes 2 years, 2 months ago
Do as I say, not as I do (or did).
The fact that some of these people were able to change their surface actions and become members of law enforcement should prove that many of the very laws they enforce are not justified or based in reality. These are not guys that hit rock bottom and climbed out of a pit of despair to rise to the illustrious ranks of our fine police force. They are simply guys who got tired of partying all the time and wanted to make a good paycheck with minimal education. Now they do so by busting the very people that they themselves were 10 or 20 years ago. Believe me, I know exactly what some of these guys were up to and why they joined the force. It isn't a heartwarming story of triumph, it's pure hypocrisy and ego.
Annsboy 2 years, 2 months ago
Wow that's taking offense, perhaps my remarks hit the spot. However since you asked I do not currently "piss" test my employees. But is it so difficult for you to obey the laws of the land and refrain from using something which is illegal? I don't.
Making a mistake when you were young and stupid isn't that same as justifying it years later. If a cop once smoked pot and now sees how it held him back more power to him, he is reaping the rewards of a good change in his life. Seems your problem is you don't want to admit society has a right to deny you something based on your choices, good luck with that.
Annsboy 2 years, 2 months ago
I have to continue, "the last three presidents" OMG need you say more? all kidding aside, why are you fixated on what they USED to do? To make a mistake is human, those who rise above their mistakes can become presidents, those who don't? don't. it's your choice but quit complaining when you are unwilling to correct your behavior, expecting society to change to meet what you deem acceptable even though it's illegal. As I said work through legal means to get laws changed.
girlfawkes 2 years, 2 months ago
"why are you fixated on what they USED to do?" . Because you stated in very plain language that most pot smokers go on to "meth, coke, whatever" and have little motivation to excel, ending up in mostly dead end jobs with little future prospects. . Iam pointed out out the many who have excelled (most obviously the Presidents who have admitted their use, ALL of the last 3) and you then wonder why we're fixated on them? . Are you sure you aren't a pot smoker yourself? It really isn't too hard to stay with the thread of conversation here, especially when people are pointedly responding to what you yourself said. . "Seems your problem is you don't want to admit society has a right to deny you something based on your choices" . But society does not have that right. Safe use of marijuana in the comfort of your home should not be a social problem any more than alcohol is. People should be free to make questionable choices as long as those choices are harmful only to themselves. If you believe differently, are you for alcohol and cigarette prohibition as well? If not, why not?
Annsboy 2 years, 2 months ago
should, should, should, but it isn't, because it is illegal. I do not use any forms of the drugs you mentioned, never smoke pot or drank so yes I would be fine if those were banned as well, however SOCIETY has decided those are legal, what you are arguing for isn't. The previous presidents mentioned do not now smoke pot. Doing something stupid which you regret isn't the point you are using, your arguing that since they once did it they are in support of it being legal, is that the case? didn't think so.
I do agree with you on your main jist though, society shouldn't be enforcing seat belt, helmet laws etc... if you want to lump pot smoking in there fine, however now that there are seat belt laws I buckle up, and when I had a cycle I wore a helmet, how is it so difficult for you to obey the laws of the land while trying to change those laws you disagree with?
girlfawkes 2 years, 2 months ago
It is illegal, for now. However, that stated, your comparison to seat belt and helmet laws is a good one. . Take the case of Medocino county in California. Marijuana is estimated to account for 2/3rds of the county economy and local police have simply decided to turn their heads in most cases unless the growth and sale of MJ is associated with other crime. Where this fits in with other laws like seat belt/helmet, is if you get pulled over for either of these infractions there is no guarantee that you will be cited, and you definitely will not be going to jail. There is no reason why marijuana possession laws need to be enforced so strenuously, as simple possession is a misdemeanor crime in Washington state. Medocino county policy is an extreme example of this type of local police discretion, as they are allowing felony crime to pass under the radar, but there are many places that simply ticket for simple misdemeanor possession, much like a traffic infraction. I-75 in Seattle reclassified misdemeanor marijuana law to the absolute lowest priority for local police. This should be the case everywhere and it is not at odds with federal or state law. 90 percent of all prosecuted marijuana crime in the USA is for simple possession, not growing or sales. This costs taxpayers billions per year and is a ridiculous misuse of tax dollars and man power. . So in essence, this type of discourse in a public forum is not a waste of time or energy, since things can easily be changed on a local level, without being at odds with current law. Making local law enforcement aware that such misuse of our tax dollars is being met with increasing displeasure may well change things locally as it has elsewhere. . Personally it's encouraging to me to see such support of a change in the marijuana policy in this very conservative area. It's an indication that people are using critical thinking skills and arriving at the logical conclusion. Current policy is not working. . Lastly, you stated "how is it so difficult for you to obey the laws of the land while trying to change those laws you disagree with?" . My response? It isn't. I am a former marijuana smoker and haven't lit up for a few years now. It was a personal decision that I arrived at with no help from law enforcement. However, that stated, I still support the rights of the individual to not be prosecuted for a harmless activity they indulge in in the privacy of their home. Local law enforcement could easily arrive at the same conclusion.
Annsboy 2 years, 2 months ago
Nice reply, thank you. I have been told that quitting pot smoking is so much easier than cigarettes and frankly I really don't care if it's legal or not, it won't effect my behavior. But do we really want "stoned" people driving school buses, or for that matter holding a power tool? And before you bring up alcohol, it's a bit easier to spot slurred speech and wobbly legs than glazed eyes.
Can I ask you a question? Why did you quit? The only thing I can relate this to is me having long hair in the seventies and saw that in order to be taken seriously I would need to, hate to use this word....conform to society. But that is reality unless your a rock star.
Another point you tried to make is that it "hurts" no one. Really? Who lives in a vacuum? Parents grieve over their kids who are on drugs, wasting their money along with the example they set for their kids (grandkids) As a parent, it does hurt when our kids make wrong choices. Maturity often means we learn from our mistakes, sounds like you did when you chose to not indulge your desire. Good job.
girlfawkes 2 years, 2 months ago
You should care whether these things are legal though, because next it could be something you really enjoy that is arbitrarily deemed to be useless and/or harmful. Who knows what? It could be ATV's, Jet Ski's, Coffee, Trans Fats, ect...Who REALLY needs these things anyway? . I know you said not to bring up alcohol, but the comparison really is valid. There is such a thing as a functional alcoholic who's inebriation would be undetecable to the average person. Marijuana also has subtle physical effects that may not be noticeable to the layperson, but you can bet your fanny that a cop is almost certain to notice. . I quit because I just wasn't that into it anymore, simple as that. It wasn't difficult, in fact I hardly thought about it. I still have a lot of friends that smoke MJ, it isn't any big deal to me. There's a chance I may occasionally indulge again in the future. For now I'm perfectly content without. . Well, it hurts no one else besides the user in the sense of depriving them of their life, liberty, property, or pursuit of happiness. Parents and loved ones also grieve over alcoholics and smokers. In the end, the truth is that some people are going to engage in self destructive behavior regardless of their family's wishes, regardless of any legal penalty, and regardless of the money that us taxpayers have to throw at them. I for one don't want to waste my money prosecuting millions of college students toking up in their dorms or aging hippies doing so in their tree houses or yurts. I don't feel that it is any of my business and I definitely don't want to pay for it. It's ridiculous.
LiveFREEorDIE 2 years, 2 months ago
Jerald, the closed mind is the most dangerous mind. Several posts ago you were picking on me, saying "you work a low pay, dead end job, if you have one at all" and "most pot smokers are not the sharpest crayons in the box and have even less motivation to excel in life." To me, it sounds like your argument is completely based on your perception and not at all based on fact. To answer your question though, I do have a high paying job at a very prominent communications firm in East Wenatchee, and people actively seek my help on a regular basis. I fail to see how I fit into your ridiculous 'crayon box' metaphor. I do, however, believe in personal freedom, the bill of rights, the law of the land, and the Constitution written by our forefathers.
Annsboy 2 years, 2 months ago
Do you have children? are you ok with someone having just smoked a bowl driving the school bus with your kids in it?
Sounds like you believe in freedom without any responsibility to obey the laws of the land. Again if the law is wrong in your opinion it is your right to work to change it. Until then you (and I) are expected to live by them.
I did say "I could be wrong" about you, apparently this is the case. I also said "in my experience" which limits my remarks to "my experience" with pot smokers.
girlfawkes 2 years, 2 months ago
Not sure who your last comment was directed toward, Jerald. . No, I wouldn't be OK with that, who would? I believe that responsible use of mind altering substances in the privacy of one's home is fine. Just as with alcohol, one must use responsibly so as not to put others at risk.
2 years, 2 months ago
"Do you have children? are you ok with someone having just smoked a bowl driving the school bus with your kids in it?"
And what about the person that is hung over from drinking the night before. At least cannabis doesn't produce a hangover. If my choice is between bus drivers who drink when they get off work and bus drivers who smoke cannabis when they get off work, I'd go with the cannabis smokers every time.
No one should use any potentially debilitating drug prior to doing any potentially dangerous task, especially if that task could be dangerous to others (i.e. driving, flying a jet, driving a bus, etc.). That's just common sense.
What isn't common sense is choosing which drugs are potentially debilitating. I would have a more inclusive definition, including not just alcohol and cannabis, but also caffeine, nicotine, opiates, barbiturates, antihistamines, mushrooms, amphetamines, LSD, cocaine, inhalants, MDMA, Salvia divinorum, diet pills, all psychotropic drugs, khat, peyote, San Pedro cacti, and even many antibiotics such as doxycycline. I would even include natural imbalances in tryptophans, serotonin, dopamine, melatonin, and other brain chemicals which can cause bizarre behaviors when not properly balanced.
There are also many diseases which I would not want to see in bus drivers, etc. Diabetes is one obvious example. Some diseases and medical problems can be very distracting. On the other hand, some diseases/medical problems may actually be beneficial to a school bus driver, such as deafness.
But back to the bowl-toking school bus driver, he probably wouldn't drive over 8 MPH anyway, so the chance of the children getting hurt is pretty much non-existent.
Annsboy 2 years, 2 months ago
-I-am
ROFLMBO
don't forget being way too tired, I'm guilty of that one.
LiveFREEorDIE 2 years, 2 months ago
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francis 2 years, 2 months ago
Please read my first post,I need help.I was raided but produced a script,and made some powerful enemies.Weeks later they arrested me for having a band practice on badger mnt on five acres.I was warned once several months before that i was to use an MP3 player when working around the house! The Judge has sense fired my public defender,and i have an income of 330 a month on SSI,saying i work but with no evidence at all!!.I do not work! She threatens to hold me in contempt for my first cough,kicked me out of her court room for my second cough,while covering my mouth with tissue! Refused to grant me an extension with a fever and the flew, minutes before this. refused to let me read police reports, six certified letters from neighbors.and gave the snitch a no contact order against me,with absolutely no evidence at all.He claimed that i was playing my music load a mile away from him.The sheriffs moved in immediately to arrest me for disorderly house.I have no criminal or driving record at all and i am 46.If you want to see a travesty of justice fallow my case,I have court at 9 today the 10th.Come and be one of the people in the courtroom to drop there jaws on her EXTREME prejudice against me.This court has prejudice against me due to me firing the chief clerks husband as my drummer 5 years ago,and dissolved are painting Co. we had together! And the Judge in question was driven by me. to Elensberg to the collage for an after 9-11 class.We bought a bong while waiting for them! We had a hard break up,With court to get my deposit back as she was also my landlord! This lady should not be my Judge! Before separating me from a lawyer,I asked my lawyer if we could get a different Judge,and she said no,that i should have asked earlier...But i did in her office at my first appointment... also asked the court and they said no.I will be filling complaints with the Bar!
Annsboy 2 years, 2 months ago
Let me get this right, you can't work but you can rock all night?
2 years, 2 months ago
(Jerald Sargent) says... "Let me get this right, you can't work but you can rock all night?"
Where does he say he "rocked all night"? I didn't see that. It may have been during the day, but you just ASSUME.
Jerald, do you think disabled people should just lay down in a hole and die and never be seen? It is good for disabled people to do SOMETHING. Attempting to discourage them from even trying is just plain wrong, and very mean-spirited. I know numerous people who are disabled and play in bands. One friend of mine is in a wheelchair and another lost his arm to gangrene in childhood, back before they had the proper antibiotics to save it. And you're saying that it's somehow wrong for these disabled people to even try? I guess I shouldn't expect better thinking out of a 14-year-old boy.
I guess your idea of a disabled person is a person who can't do ANYTHING--Quadraplegic, blind, deaf, dumb, damaged nerves to the point they can't even blink their eyes to communicate.
Jerald, to me, you just seem like a mean-spirited little boy, who shouldn't be allowed on his parent's computer.
Annsboy 2 years, 2 months ago
Mad at something I said to you? I was injecting a bit of humor if you must know, didn't go after the spelling or anything else so back off. BTW, I have to say it is pathetic when some folks who hide behind fictitious names come after those who don't. Grow a set and put your real name out there bub. So I can use it in a rant five times.
francis 2 years, 2 months ago
Anny boy< or heroldo you dunt go aftor the speling or enything,O you ar a goughd boy :) You ore the deefinition of pathetic! BUB.O boy you use your real name.Wopty Doo,Whats that supose to mean. I gues your point is that if you dont use your real name you cant perticipat , thats just stupid. You have detention Anny Boy :(
Annsboy 2 years, 2 months ago
benny, we are all now stupider for having read your last two posts.
francis 2 years, 1 month ago
We are going to trial for having two band practices in 4 months on badger mnt.on over 5 acres.If you cant practice on Badger then were?This is what happens when you become friends/ with the head clerks Husband (also a Pot user)Drummer.Then we break up,Then you get the good old boy experience:( follow my posts) I just cant make myself say your honor when i talk to the judge.I am afraid she will see that I am lying to her! All over me growing my own med.Legally. I have no criminal on driving record! But they are insisted on giving me one!
onehottool 2 years, 1 month ago
Annsboy you sound like true blue I never break the law. Tell me have you ever driven a car preceded by a man carrying a red flag (daytime) or a red lantern (nighttime) fifty feet in front of said vehicle. Alot of people breaking that law. Or how about No person may walk about in public if he or she has the common cold. Or heres one that beats them all. A law to reduce crime states: “It is mandatory for a motorist with criminal intentions to stop at the city limits and telephone the chief of police as he is entering the town. Yes, they are stupid laws just like the marijuana laws. Here's some more for you to rethink there has been only one scientific test where they took ten straight drivers and tested them against ten people who just smoke the herb. The people on pot were the safer drivers. All you have to support your story is propaganda. Hitler was a master of propaganda!!!
Norm 2 years, 1 month ago
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin's_law
LiveFREEorDIE 2 years, 1 month ago
I've never heard of Godwin's Law, but after reading that I will be more attentive. And Jay is right about the pot smokers being the safer drivers! I watched a video once that was made in the UK which tested the straight vs. stoned drivers on a closed course. Video is located here:
francis 2 years, 1 month ago
Is that why i have a perfect driving record! I smoke pot all day.I had a Suzuki gsx750 for four years and could shift to third in a wheely,and never crashed.Own my own home with no mortgage,and have a 16 year old daughter in collage to be a nurse!Pot got me off heroin, meth Pills,and alcohol addiction. Its from God! and a none toxic medicine!
Cam 2 years, 1 month ago
Jerald a.k.a Annsboy. you just come right out with assumptions of people, job, pay etc.
A) you're either a young pup living on the heights that has spounged from his/her parents and have had a free ride.
B) you're some broke bumbling idiot with a good vocabulary.
regardless who are you to pass judgment? goodie too shoes are we? time to come out of the closet son.
ignorance is bliss!
Annsboy 2 years, 1 month ago
Cam, Actually, a local employer who has worked with a lot of pot smokers, making an observation about some of them. If it does not apply to all of them, and it doesn't, so what?
A. No Cam, I pay my own way in life, not broke, but yes, living on the heights. Both folks have passed. So your assumptions are wrong on all counts
BTW, your doing the same thing, passing judgment and making assumptions.
francis 2 years, 1 month ago
Merry Christmas everyone,And Emily :)
LiveFREEorDIE 2 years ago
"They always find an excuse to steal your cars and guns. Armed robbery is all that it is. The camo deputy should be doing 10 to 20 for armed robbery."
I agree. It's not their job to tell you what you can and can't grow in the dirt. I hope they learn their lesson the hard way at some point....
Olivia 2 years ago
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