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Issue IV, Volume II LEAP in Action September 2008 This issue… • Make the LEAP • Volunteer of the Month • State by State • Making Media • International Overtures Make the LEAP Volunteer of the Month “Tried and true activists bring LEAP into what they do” Rob Ryan is both tried and true. Rob works hard at his day job but always finds time for activism. As an experienced local reformer focusing on medical marijuana, he immediately recognized the impact of the LEAP message. Since our creation in 2002, Rob has been a savvy, hard-working supporter of our speakers. Rob regularly books civic gigs or finds other quality audiences for our messengers around his home town of Cincinnati, Ohio. Rob uses every opportunity to educate his friends about drug policy. In 2006 and 2007 he was instrumental in placing resolutions before the national convention of Amnesty International, calling for their support in ending prohibition. While at the conference he also created a table top display promoting LEAP. LEAP celebrates local activism and is honored to have Rob as our volunteer of the month. We value skilled activists who are using their talents to bring the LEAP message to their community leaders. State by State Contributed by Barb Humphrey (NY), Speakers Bureau Administrative Assistant The Leap Speakers Deliver Powerful Messages Heard ‘Round the World Following up with hosts of LEAP speaking engagements gives me the opportunity to not only thank them for the booking and put in a plug for a future engagement, but also to gauge the impact of the drug legalization message being delivered around the world by LEAP speakers. As expected, on college campuses, LEAP speakers, who often are guests of Students for Sensible Drug Policy, encounter receptive audiences. Speakers such as Rick Van Wickler, Peter Christ, Jay Fisher, and Jeff Kaufman we were well received earlier this year on college campuses in Texas, Ohio, Tennessee, New York, and elsewhere. Mixed reactions are expected from older audiences, especially if there are representatives of law enforcement in the audience. But a number of rotaries, such as Blairstown in New Jersey, expressed support for LEAP’s efforts to change drug policy as a better way to keep kids safe following Peter Christ’s presentation. Jim Doherty was pleasantly surprised to discover that Kiwanis members in Seattle were already on board with the drug policy reform movement, having already heard from the King County Bar Association and the organizer of the Seattle Hempfest. Nebraskans were appreciative that Tony Ryan’s message of drug legalization was delivered with credibility, professionalism and kindness, especially in response to audience misconceptions that drug legalization condones drug use. They appreciated the opportunity to hear his novel message and for the thoughtful discussion this message stimulated. Mike Gilbert’s host at the San Antonio Senior Citizens Walking Club told us he was relieved that “no one castigated me for arranging the program. Also, judging by the questions asked, he had some that agreed with him.” Reading the response to Russ Jones’ presentation to the New Braunfels Evening Lions Club reminded me why we all work so hard to book LEAP speakers: “Russ Jones was outstanding! His presentation was informative, professional and convincing. I have not been a supporter of legalizing drugs; however, Russ' program, followed by a question & answer period made one consider the “War on Drugs" from a whole new perspective. His power point presentation was easy to follow and contributed to the overall presentation. Russ is an impressive individual -- one you have to honor. I will be recommending Russ to other civic organizations for future speaking engagements.” In August, LEAP speakers went to Alaska and New Zealand; more about New Zealand in International Overtures. This from the Anchorage South Rotary in response to Mike Gilbert’s presentation in early August: “Mike's presentation was great. Our members were very interested and it was worth everyone's time. Thanks.” I am looking forward to sharing New Zealanders’ responses to Jerry Paradis’ presentations in next month’s LEAP Report. Making Media You don’t have to look far before you find LEAP in the media. The highlight of this month has to be the Colorado Springs Gazette editorial published during the height of the Democratic National Convention. The Gazette’s opinion piece “Decades of effort yield few results” published on August 25, 2008 and available on line at http://www.gazette.com/opinion/drug_39743___article.html/war_drugs.html has this to say about the other US war… “In this campaign season, critics often hammer Sen. John McCain for his comment that he could see U.S. troops in Iraq for another 100 years. Although the senator meant the U.S. role in Iraq would be similar to our role in Germany and South Korea, not actively fighting insurgents, as the critics would have voters believe, the criticism scores points because the average American doesn't have much interest in fighting a seemingly endless war. Yet this country and others have been fighting a war for four decades with limited or no success, and there is no end in sight. No less deadly than uniformed troops trading volleys with one another, the war on drugs has cost this country more than a trillion dollars so far, according to the Law Enforcement Against Prohibition Web site, and that figure increases more than $65 billion each year. (LEAP is an organization of former and current law enforcement officers who have recognized the futility of the drug war.) And the government's attempt to curtail human nature is costing more than money. Every year, innocent people are killed, wounded or traumatized because of the war on drugs.” International Overtures Jerry Paradis is getting “Kia ora”* from folks these days, as he treks across New Zealand for LEAP’s return visit to this “other” down-under country. He’s doing the “Tiki tour” and we’ll have him knackered by the end of his tour on September 10th. Blair Anderson is the Kiwi coordinating the trip, and he has Jerry speaking at civic clubs, at conferences, meeting legislators and other VIPs, speaking with the media and basically, being what Mark Twain once said was the definition of an expert: “The guy from out of town”. In this case, Jerry is DEFINITELY from out of town: 7057 miles, if the crow could fly it. See our website events page for all of the details. * “Kia ora” is Maori for “be well” and is a typical greeting across NZ. Jack Cole travels immediately after Labor Day…he is an invited speaker to the 26th Annual Symposium on Economic Crime being held at Jesus College at Cambridge, England. Numerous media interviews are being plugged in for this attendance, as well as several private meetings with local dignitaries. 2009 could be a big travel year, as plans are starting to develop for speaking opportunities in Bangkok Thailand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Puerto Rico, Haiti, and various points in Europe including Vienna.

I had an appointment today with Lismore police, Area Commander Bluey Lyons, Crime Manager Stephen Clark, and the applicant, Detective Sargent Michael Smith who is threatening the Museum’s landlord with the Restricted Premises Act 1943. It was agreed that we had common ground in that we all wanted “a Nimbin where mums and dads can walk with their kiddies without seeing any drug dealing” (Bluey’s words). The mutual understanding finished there though, because we had entirely different approaches to achieving that. I think we need regulated cannabis cafes or a cannabis market place, and an attitude that drug use is a health issue. The police believe in the war on drugs despite making no impact, or even going backwards, with street cameras live to their police station in Nimbin and nine permanent officers in the tiny village. As we have warned from Nimbin for over a decade, the increased policing of easy to bust cannabis has helped create a new illegal pharmaceutical drug industry with an unending supply of almost invisible, odourless pills with no quality control. At least with organic outdoor grown cannabis which Nimbin is famous for you know what you’re getting. I also talked to the landlord of the Museum today. I expect an eviction letter soon giving me one month’s notice. The police appear to have made this conditional if the landlord wants to avoid court and potential costs. They are also asking that the new tenants of the Museum building install surveillance cameras covering every room and the extensive back yard. Police want access to this footage at any time, perhaps if it was all live on the net they would be satisfied. It makes little sense even when you realize this discussion with the Crown Prosecutor, is happening in Sydney where the Museum landlord lives. He has never been to Nimbin. If the community is keen enough for the Museum to stay alive, we may find a willing taker but it is very disappointing we had no say in any discussions, because after all we do by far the majority of the police work in the village which resembles a refugee camp from the war on drugs. In fact the feeling in town is that closing the Museum will do little to stop any drug dealing but have a major impact on tourism. And anyway, if they can’t keep drug dealing out of jails, which are surely on CCTV, how can we be expected to? Further info Michael at the Museum 6689 1123 or home 6689 7525

Drug Truth Network Update: 4:20 Drug War NEWS from 90.1 FM in Houston and dozens of radio affiliates in the US, Canada and Australis & on the web at www.kpft.org. We provide the "unvarnished truth about the drug war" to scores of broadcast affiliates in the US, Canada and Australia. *** ETERNAL WAR - will be released this week in WAV, MP3 and video formats of AVI and WMV "DRUGS... the first eternal war" 4:20 Drug War NEWS 09/01/08 to 09/07/08 now online (3:00 ea:) Select online at www.drugtruth.net Sun - Wendy Chapkis, co autor of "Dying to Get High - Marijuana as Medicine" 2/2 Sat - Wendy Chapkis, co autor of "Dying to Get High - Marijuana as Medicine" 1/2 Fri - Graham Boyd of ACLU discusses states rights regarding medical marijuana Thu - Graham Boyd of the American Civil Liberties Union + Valerie Corral of Wo/Mens Alliance for Medical Marijuana Wed - Glenn Greenway with the Poppygate report on "progress in Afghanistan" Tue - Terry Nelson describes possible US Justice Dept discrimination against Law Enforcement Against Prohibition Mon - Valerie Corral of Wo/Men's Alliance for Medical Marijuana regarding their efforts over the years Next - Century of Lies on Tues, Cutural Baggage on Wed (Now With Transcripts): - Cultural Baggage 12:30 PM ET, 11:30 AM CT, 10:30 AM MT & 9:30 AM PT: Rick Van Wickler - Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP) - Century of Lies 12:30 PM ET, 11:30 AM CT, 10:30 AM MT & 9:30 AM PT: Peter Christ, Founding Member of LEAP Hundreds of our programs are available online at www.drugtruth.net, and www.audioport.org Check out our latest videos via www.youtube.com/fdbecker: Please become part of the solution, visit our website: www.endprohibition.org for links to the best of reform. "Prohibition is evil." - Reverend Dean Becker, Drug Truth Network Producer Dean Becker 713-849-6869 www.drugtruth.net

“Bottom line? I am asking you to leave.” This week began with such promise. I was representing LEAP at the NAPOA (National Asian Police Officers Association) conference in metro DC by staffing the booth for four days. Monday was good, though the DEA agent gave me the evil eye, when I visited his booth. Tuesday started well, chatting with a table full of cops at breakfast, one of whom took my role of convincing his brothers to support LEAP. Thus, I was resting my voice,….. Finishing my third cup of coffee and about to head to the booth, when NAPOA President Reagan Fong asked to speak to me in private. We went into a room and he closed the door. This can’t be good I thought. Two minutes later the obviously conflicted and anguished Fong needed a nudge. I asked him what the bottom line was. Explaining that several of the federal agents staffing their booths objected to the LEAP message and my presence, he was honoring their wish that I leave immediately. We shook hands and 90 minutes later, I headed home. Analysis: What a gift from the feds! Not only did everyone become exposed to the LEAP message before I left, I let several attendees know what had happened. The NCIS (Naval Criminal Intelligence Service) agent I chatted with as I broke down the display was openly annoyed with me being asked to leave. Thus, by now, everyone knows what happened. Given the controversy, I am sure the attendees will take what happened back to their 23 local orgs (organizations) & retell the story. All of this is a plus for LEAP. The press release from LEAP has already hit a couple of good blogs and ezines. From Gandhi: First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win. We are at stage three. Only one more to go. Same old, same old: Last week I was on the Senate side of the Hill and met with a good number of staffers. Instead of five minutes of follow-up, they all engaged me for a solid 30 minutes or more. This was a repeat of the week before and the week before that. I write this to remind myself that my mission is moving inexorably in the direction I want it to go. And it feels great!

The Unvarnished Truth About the Drug War From the Drug Truth Network: (To downlad these 29:00 files, click on links below. To simply listen, go to www.drugtruth.net and select the arrow below the shows description.) Cultural Baggage for 08/27/08 Wendy Chapkis, co-author of "Dying To Get High - Marijuana as Medicine" + Terry Nelson of LEAP, Official Govt Truth w/ Winston Francis, Ernesto Aguilar reports from Denver and the DNC MP3 LINK: http://www.drugtruth.net/cms/?q=audio/download/2024/FDBCB_082708.mp3 TRANSCRIPT: (To be posted by Friday) Century of Lies for 08/26/08 Graham Boyd of the American Civil Liberties Union + Valerie Corral of Wo/Mens Alliance for Medical Marijuana MP3 LINK: http://www.drugtruth.net/cms/?q=audio/download/2023/COL_082608.mp3 TRANSCRIPT: (Posted on Fri) PLEASE NOTE: We now have transcripts, potcasts, searchability, CMS, XML, sorts by guest name and by organization. Next - Century of Lies on Tues, Cutural Baggage on Wed, listen online at www.kpft.org: - Cultural Baggage 12:30 PM ET, 11:30 AM CT, 10:30 AM MT & 9:30 AM PT: TBD - Century of Lies 12:30 PM ET, 11:30 AM CT, 10:30 AM MT & 9:30 AM PT: TBD Hundreds of our programs are available online at www.drugtruth.net, www.audioport.org and at www.radio4all.net. We provide the "unvarnished truth about the drug war" to scores of broadcast affiliates in the US, Canada and Now Australia!!! Programs produced at Pacifica Radio Station KPFT in Houston. www.kpft.org Check out our latest videos via www.youtube.com/fdbecker: More than 55 Drug Policy Videos online) Please become part of the solution, visit our website: www.endprohibition.org for links to the best of reform. "Prohibition is evil." - Reverend Dean Becker, Drug Truth Network Producer Dean Becker 713-849-6869 www.drugtruth.net