Newsletter

4:20 Drug War NEWS + Century of Lies! From 90.1 FM in Houston 60+ radio affiliates in the US, Canada and Australia & at www.kpft.org. Century of Lies, 03/29/09: Dr. David Duncan, professor emeritus at Brown University details the contaminants contained in recreational drugs + Phil Smith of Stop the Drug War with the Corrupt Cop Story LINK: http://www.drugtruth.net/cms/?q=node/2356 4:20 Drug War NEWS 03/30/09 to 04/05/09 now online (3:00 ea:) Select online at www.drugtruth.net Sun - Jon Perri of Students for Sensible Drug Policy, on police shooting of unarmed teen pot user Sat - Nicholas Eyle of Reconsider, drug war editorial Fri - Bruce Mirken of MPP regarding 3 steps forward, one step back in marijuana reform Thu - Richard Lee, founder of Oaksterdam University regarding new poll in California with marjority for legalization Wed - Phil Smith with corrupt cop story + Abolitionists' Moment Tue - Terry Nelson of LEAP regarding drug war in Mexico Mon - President Obama & Paul Armentano of NORML Next - Century of Lies on Sunday, Cutural Baggage on Wednesday: - Cultural Baggage 12:30 PM ET, 11:30 AM CT, 10:30 MT & 9:30 AM PT: Cliff Shaffer - how do we end the drug war? - Century of Lies 8 PM ET, 7 PM CT, 6 PM MT, 5 PAM PT: Guest: TBD 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

The Unvarnished Truth About the Drug War From the Drug Truth Network NOTE: NEW DAY/TIME for CENTURY of LIES ! Century of Lies for 03/22/09, 29:00 Martin Jelsma director of Transnational Institute, interviewed at the UN Drug Conference in Vienna by Michael Krawitz + Terry Nelson Reports for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition LINK: http://www.drugtruth.net/cms/?q=node/2340 Cultural Baggage for 03/25/09, 29:00 UN Drug Conference NGO's speak in Vienna, with Professor Fredrick Polak, Terry Nelson of LEAP, Lennice Werth, Chris Conrad and Mikki Norris, courtesy Vienna Public RadioLINK: http://www.drugtruth.net/cms/?q=node/2339 Programs produced at Pacifica Radio Station KPFT in Houston, 90.1 FM. You can Listen Live Online at www.kpft.org - Century of Lies, SUN, 8 PM ET, 7 PM CT, 6 PM MT & 5 PM PT: NEXT: Dr. David Duncan - drugs & contaminants that kill - Cultural Baggage WED, 12:30 PM ET, 11:30 CT, 10:30 MT & 9:30 AM PT: NEXT: Guest TBD Hundreds of our programs are available online at www.drugtruth.net, www.audioport.org We have potcasts, searchability, CMS, XML, sorts by guest name and by organization. We provide the "unvarnished truth about the drug war" to scores of broadcast affiliates in the US, Canada and Australia! 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 713-849-6869, www.drugtruth.net

Dear Friends, During the months he has spent in jail (which will soon come to an end) our Director Dennis Sobin has completed the second book he set out to write at the beginning of his incarceration. Dennis was incarcerated for going to D.C. City Hall (by invitation) to testify at a public hearing in defiance of an unconstitutional court order that his son (an Assistant District Attorney General that works in City Hall) had placed against him. The case is in appeal and being reviewed (many thanks to James Butler Esq., the ACLU and the legal team from Georgetown). The first book Dennis completed in jail is entitled "Outsider Art On The Inside: Understanding and Helping Imprisoned Artists." It is being type-set and prepared for publication and will soon be available at the Prisons Foundation website: (www.prisonsfoundation.org). Dennis' second book, "From Prison to the Kennedy Center: Starting Over at the Top" profiles many individuals and organizations. Dennis also discusses encounters with the legal system and notable activists, artists, convicts and individuals he has met over the last forty years of his activism including: Bobby Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr. and ex prisoner philanthropist Lloyd S. Rubin among many others. Below are the final paragraphs from this book: Midway through the 66th year of my life, while still in jail, a dream came true when I was visited and interviewed by a feature writer for the prominent national Music magazine "Spin." Many established artists would kill to get into this popular and influential publication, much less go to jail for it. After writer David Peisner and I discussed my musical and Foundation goals and accomplishments, I mentioned my political plans. David asked, "Do you think you'd have much of a chance of making an impact since you don't have clean hands?" David knows about the false allegations and relentless persecution in Florida that earlier resulted in ten years of imprisonment, and the tricks my son and sister pulled to re-incarcerate me on my return (after asking them for an accounting of my inheritance and personal savings). I answered, "To me, clean hands are empty hands.....mine are experienced hands." David already knew they were musical ones, having listened to my numerous CD's that I had recorded both inside and outside the underbelly of society: prison. About that underbelly, our political leaders would do well to spend some time there. Perhaps not a lengthy amount as I have done, but at least some period. They would then see the results of the mindless laws, mistake-prone judges and socially insulated and politically motivated members of the establishment's "lock em up" crowd. And they would understand the words of the sad but wise ex con I met in 1965 that helped shape my life: "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." -Martin Luther King Jr. "Letter from Birmingham jail." Yours for justice, Dennis Sobin #206757 C.T.F. D-3B #10 1901 E Street SE Washington, D.C. 20003 A CALL FOR SUPPORT: The Prisons Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC that promotes the arts and education in prison and alternatives to incarceration. We are now accepting tax deductable donations. The support of our supporters, quite bluntly, is what keeps us going. Please consider making a tax deductible donation to the Prisons Foundation so that we may continue to promote the arts in prison and help encourage the wonderful atistic talent we cultivate everyday: *Note the views in this letter are those of Dennis Sobin. Please send your comments directly to him

Today Marks 36,560 Days of DRUG WAR! 4:20 Drug War NEWS from 90.1 FM in Houston 60+ radio affiliates in the US, Canada and Australia & at www.kpft.org. 4:20 DWN 03/23/09 to 03/29/09 now online (3:00 ea:) Select online at www.drugtruth.net Sun - Peru's shining path now a drug cartel 2/2 Sat - Martin Jelsma, director of the Transnational Institute is interviewed at the UN Drug Conference in Vienna by Michael Krawitz Fri - Fredrick Polak's perspective on the UN Drug Convention in Vienna Thu - Lady Neidpath regarding study of content of CBD and THC in cannabis Wed - Peru's shining path reinvents itself as a drug cartel 1/2, courtesy NY Times Tue - Terry Nelson of LEAP reports on Union Pacific's failure to stop drugs at the border Mon - Lady Neidpath, Amanda Fielding, director of the Beckley Foundation in the UK, interviewed at the UN conference on drugs by Michael Krawitz regarding the Beckley report on cannabis Next - Cutural Baggage on Wednesday, Century of Lies on Sunday: - Cultural Baggage 12:30 PM ET, 11:30 AM CT, 10:30 AM MT & 9:30 AM PT: TBD - Century of Lies 8 PM ET, 7 PM CT, 6 PM MT, 5 PM PT: TBD 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

Florida: More Reform Needed In light of delays in processing applications for the restoration of voting rights, the ACLU has requested that the state automatically restore voting rights to hundreds of thousands of residents with felony convictions who have completed sentence. "It's very hard for anyone to know what's going on," said Muslima Lewis, a senior lawyer for the ACLU was quoted as saying by the New York Times. "The rules are convoluted and hard to understand." Reforms in 2007 spearheaded by Governor Crist eased the restoration process, but it remains plagued by delays and a lack of clarity as to eligibility requirements and the protocol of applying. The Sentencing Project Executive Director Marc Mauer said that there have been improvements in the state, but he added, "depending on which estimate you look at, prior to these numbers, there were as many as 900,000 people who have completed their sentences but were still ineligible." In some cases, the rights of individuals have actually been restored, but they are unaware of this fact because they have not been contacted by officials. The ACLU recently released a report stating that the restoration process is bureaucratic and confusing even for state officials and that many people are improperly being denied the right to vote. Minnesota: Lawmakers Support Voting Rights Two bills aimed at restoring voting rights to individuals with a felony conviction upon release from prison and providing notification about voting rights both passed out of the Senate State and Local Government Committee. The bills will now go on to the Judiciary Committee in the Senate. Tennessee: Policymakers Approve of 'Poll Tax' The Senate State and Local Government Committee approved legislation requiring payment of all fines and court costs before an individual becomes eligible to have their voting rights restored. Currently, a person convicted of a felony must be pardoned, discharged from custody or supervision, and have paid all restitution to the victim of the offense to have their rights of suffrage restored, Clarksville Onlinereported. Virginia: April Symposium Discusses Effects of Disenfranchisement Marc Mauer will be speaking about the impact of disenfranchisement on communities of color as part of a symposium at the University of Virginia, April 16 and 17. Professor Angela Y. Davis of the University of California, Santa Cruz will headline the conference entitled, "The Problem of Punishment: Race, Inequality and Justice," hosted by the Carter G. Woodson Institute for African-American and African Studies. Wisconsin: Paroled Citizen Charged for Voting in November Election An elections task force has charged a 31 year old, formerly incarcerated Milwaukee man with unlawfully registering to vote and voting on November 4, 2008 without having had his rights restored. - - - - - - Help The Sentencing Project continue to bring you news and updates on disenfranchisement! Make a contribution today. Contact Information -- e-mail: [email protected], web: http://www.sentencingproject.org.

Dear Friends, The Prison Art Gallery is expanding in a way that will benefit up to ten nonprofits organizations across America. The success of the Prison Art Gallery in Washington D.C. has been overwhelming. We've sold an enormous amount of art over the last few years and our good reputation means that we have received even more art recently; hundreds of excellent pieces from the growing pool of imprisoned artists who have heard about our gallery and advocacy work. Rather than seek larger gallery space, we have decided to place this new art with up to ten established nonprofit organizations (at no cost to them) across the country. If your organization has office space and an active membership, you will qualify. The only expense incurred by these "satellite galleries" will be the packaging and shipping of the art pieces. There are no other expenses or obligations. When this gorgeous and unique art gets to you - complete with artist biography and prison location - you will display it in the reception areas of your offices and offer it to your membership, customer base or the general public. Each price has a suggested donation but you can negotiate any price you wish. Of the amount you receive, your organization will keep 40% while the remainder will be forwarded to us on a quarterly basis to be shared with the artists who created the art! We will send replacement art for the pieces you sell so you will always have a full and fresh display. Periodically their will be rotation of this art to make your collection new and interesting. More than an opportunity to earn excellent revenue at no expense or risk, you can expect good publicity as you will be tied into our national network of galleries. The Prison Art Gallery and the Prisons Foundation always generate interest from newspapers and journalists. We will also share with you press releases we have developed and grant proposals that have won us sizable grants from our city's grants agency (funds provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, now with a bigger than ever budget). All regions of the country have such agencies ready to give funds to nonprofits for unique, socially meaningful art. To be considered for this no-cost opportunity to have a branch of the Prison Art Gallery at your location under your organizations sponsorship, kindly provide the following information: 1. Name of your organization 2. Website 3. Location/Mailing address 4. Telephone number 5. Date founded 6. Square footage of your office 7. Hours and days your office is open 8. Mission Statement 9. Contact person/email/phone Please email this information to [email protected] or mail to: Prison Art Gallery, 1600 K Street NW, Suite 501, Washington, D.C. 20006. Yours for justice, Dennis Sobin #206757 C.T.F. D-3B #10 1901 E Street SE Washington, D.C. 20003

Today Marks 36,553 Days of DRUG WAR! 4:20 Drug War NEWS from 90.1 FM in Houston 60+ radio affiliates in the US, Canada and Australia & at www.kpft.org. 4:20 DWN 03/16/09 to 03/22/09 now online (3:00 ea:) Select online at www.drugtruth.net Sun - ABC III w/ Charles Lynch + CNN-Ron Paul Sat - Stossel w/ cannabis dispensary owner Charles Lynch Fri - ABC Special, John Stossel w/ Melissa Etheridge Thu - Terry Nelson of LEAP reports from UN conference in Vienna Wed - Mirken visits Maddow II + Liquid heroin for the kids? Tue - Bruce Mirken of MPP on the Rachael Maddows show Mon - Rachael Maddows takes a look at the drug war Next - Century of Lies on Sunday, Cutural Baggage on Wednesday: - Cultural Baggage 12:30 PM ET, 11:30 AM CT, 10:30 AM MT & 9:30 AM PT: Lady Niedpath of Beckley Foundation - Century of Lies 8 PM ET, 7 PM CT, 6 PM MT, 5 PM PT: TBD 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

The Unvarnished Truth About the Drug War From the Drug Truth Network NOTE: NEW DAY/TIME for CENTURY of LIES ! Cultural Baggage for 03/11/09, 29:00 Charles Lynch, cannabis dispensary operator aligned with the mayor and chamber of commerce now facing 5 years in federal prison & Cheryl Aichele, ally of Mr. Lynch + Doug McVay with Drug War Facts, Terry Nelson of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition & a DTN Editorial LINK: http://www.drugtruth.net/cms/?q=node/2330 Century of Lies for 03/10/09, 29:00 Time For YOU To Get Involved: Bruce Mirken of Marijuana Policy Project, Matt Simon of New Hampshire medical marijuana effort, Stephen Betzer of Texas' effort, editorial from Coleen McCool, UK's Guardian on Colombian coca & report on Australia's chopper raids on marijuana LINK: http://www.drugtruth.net/cms/?q=node/2329 Next - Century of Lies on Sunday, 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: Guest TBD - Century of Lies 8 PM ET, 7 PM CT, 6 PM MT & 5 PM PT: Russ Jones of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition Hundreds of our programs are available online at www.drugtruth.net, www.audioport.org We have potcasts, searchability, CMS, XML, sorts by guest name and by organization. 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 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

Today Marks 36,546 Days of DRUG WAR! 4:20 Drug War NEWS from 90.1 FM in Houston 60+ radio affiliates in the US, Canada and Australia & at www.kpft.org. 4:20 Drug War NEWS 03/09/09 to 03/15/09 now online (3:00 ea:) Select online at www.drugtruth.net Sun - Russell Jones of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition 2/2 Sat - Judge Michael McSpadden 3/3 Fri - Russell Jones of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition Thu - Judge Michael McSpadden 2/3 Wed - Judge Michael McSpadden, one of 16 Houston area judges calling for a new direction in the drug war 1/3 Tue - Terry Nelson headed to Vienna to speak to UN for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition Mon - Doug McVay with Drug War Facts + Abolitionist Moment Next - Century of Lies on Tues, Cutural Baggage on Wed: - Cultural Baggage 12:30 PM ET, 11:30 AM CT, 10:30 AM MT & 9:30 AM PT: Charles Lynch, facing Federal prison for MMJ - Century of Lies 12:30 PM ET, 11:30 AM CT, 10:30 AM MT, 9:30 AM PT: Bruce Mirken of Marijuana Policy Project NOTE: Starting March 15, Century of Lies will move to Sundays at 7 PM 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