TALK ABOUT IT

My pal Al Giordano is back and there's gonna be trouble. I have a feeling they won't be sleeping as soundly in the shadowed bedchambers of the mediated media tonight as they have been since NarcoNews fell temporarily silent. Yes, I say temporarily because NarcoNews is about to begin publishing again within the next few weeks.

Always a man with a new and evolving plan, Al is turning the ownership of the site over to civilized society - that would be us folks. Say what you will about him, and I think I've heard just about everything possible over the years, his boundless energy for and impeccable commitment to the concept of authentic journalism is unquestionable. No one I know has done more to foster the concept of freedom of speech than Al and this grand experiment in authentic democracy deserves support. Besides where else can you buy an equal voice in a 'collective company' for as little as a mere dollar?

I'm already an part owner of course due to my long association with Al and for contributions to his grand vision that predate even Narconews. I'm going to donate some money anyway though to help them meet the matching grant.

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Al's been challenging the power base of mass misinformation for many years. It's a battle that needs waging as our public airwaves increasingly become a virtual state run media under the burgeoning corporate consolidation of broadcasting companies into mega-conglomerates. These newly allowed 'MCO's not only encourage the proliferation of the drug war but they seek to suppress the dissenting information that would disprove the false assertions that cement the underpinnings of support for this grievous and needless assault against US citizens.

The refusal of Comcast to air MPPs pro-policy reform ads in New Hampshire underscores this point dramatically, particularly in light of the company's three-year advertising deal with Partnership for a Drug-Free America, valued at $50 million, increasing exposure for anti-drug advertising on Comcast's cable systems in 35 states. Comcast's charter requires the company to provide airspace for any public productions that do not otherwise violate FCC regulations. Promoting the officers' private agendas on public airwaves does not fulfill that requirement.

Their license to broadcast should be pulled for this. Instead the Granite Staters for Medical Marijuana will have to bring the matter before the courts. A process unlikely to be resolved in time for the primaries but could impact the actual election in November. MPP also needs funding help for this suit so for all of you who still have money left in your pocket at this time of year, please send in a few dollars to defend the First Amendment.

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On August 6th I sent this prediction for 04 in an email to one of John Kerry's junior speechwriters.

...don't discount the effect the anti-prohibition movement will have on this race. This movement is the best organized and most active I have been involved with in 20 years. It would not hurt him to come out strongly for medical marijuana and against federal persecution of medmar users acting legally under citizen enacted state laws.

I would modestly point out that history has proven my words to be true already and even obstacles like the Comcast censorship will not suppress our message, nor that of many other human rights groups.

The activists say they are simply exercising their right to be heard and are serving a valuable purpose. "These are issues we care about passionately, and we are trying to elevate their visibility through the campaign," said Martha Yager of the American Friends Service Committee.

Over the summer, Yager's group offered weeklong training sessions for volunteers in the art of effectively bringing their issue to the candidates' attention during campaign events -- or what she calls "bird-dogging."

From drug policy to health care, reform activists are opening the debate in New Hampshire with face to face dialogue. Some in more daring ways than others.

...Linda Macia, sneaked into the filming of a half-hour infomercial for Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman ( D-Conn. ) that aired in New Hampshire this month.

In response to her question about medical marijuana, Lieberman told her: "You know what? I'm glad you're here, 'cause you've asked me that three or four times, and I told you I was going to look at the evidence and give you an answer." He said he could accept doctor-prescribed marijuana use by patients who do not get relief from traditional painkillers.

Aaron Houston of the Washington-based Marijuana Policy Project, who is coordinating their effort in NH had this to say on Lieberman's remarks, "He's getting there. There's still a month to go."

I think 04 will be the most interesting election season we've seen in decades. I'm not going to post this on Tim Blair but my prediction for this race is that an unprecedented surge of reactivated 60s liberals and newly registered young voters will sweep Bush and his cronies unequivocally out of office. And I'm still predicting the Dean campaign will crash and burn before he gets to Boston. I'm not sure who I think will lead us to this victory but it won't be Dean.

This is not the first nor the last time I will say this between now and November. Whatever you're predicting, get involved in the process. Participatory democracy depends on your participation. Vote like your life depends on it. It does.