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Re: “The Straight Dope”
Real journalism seems to in fact have been used to deal with the issue of c.b.d strains of the remedy. Building a bridge between medical use and its recreational counterpart requires some looking at things the way they really are. The writer sounds like she has been in such places. I have and the description was dead on. The positive effects of medical and recreational don't have to be mutually exclusive. The gentle poke at the true nature of a dispensary seemed a mere tipping of the hat. An acknowledgment of the need for just such a bridge. Being prone to hyperbole I don't think she even came close. Where such shops are found sadly is true. As contrasted by alcohol which in most places can be vended within steps from court houses, places of worship and schools. Progress has been made in the medical marijuana movement and the writer struck me as a standard bearer doing what so sorely needs to be done. Look at and describe how things are. And look honestly. Having seen and overheard many a young person in the throes of arrested development high five a friend at getting a recommendation I can tell you this. As they return their baseball cap to the reversed position, insomnia or back pain are the frequent punch line. Many times exhaling. The writer stuck me as someone who truly wished to advance medical knowledge. Taking apart with humor some of the drags on the cause in a playful way. There was so much more to the story than this though. What came through loud and clear were the many things that C.B.D. strains of marijuana would help. Including back pain and insomnia. A mere dry description may have done nothing to heighten awareness. Where the real research is being done is in our own back yards. And by people who have dared. People who have risked. That we have have to wait as the flywheel of progress slowly turns is secondary. Legislation slowly turns favorable. Medical sanctioning and understanding slowly turns favorable. People learning what is responsible use and what is not slowly turns favorable. Turning the prism and taking a look through each facet brings such change. Writers such as this one cast the medical possibilities in new light. Heighten awareness and spur on favorable progress. — Tumbleweed
Re: “The Straight Dope”
At last! great news & straight scoop on pot -- well put together article, sounds like a must-have book.
Re: “The Straight Dope”
I could have done with less "yellow journalism" and "questionable" quotation marks and more solid facts. Next time, get a real journalist to write this kind of article, not a writer who is hypnotically in love with her own hyperbole (at best).
1) Cannibis dispensaries are found '...near adult video "shoppes" and liquor stores...' because that is where city and county ordinances will allow them. Can you imagine the hue and cry if one tried to open near a school?
2) Next time the writer has some real "back pain," I doubt she'll feel like it is some slippery excuse to seek pain relief. My friends who work for dispensaries are proud to provide tangible help to people with HIV and Cancer who find real effects from cannibis in getting their appetite back and pain relief and more.
3)...well I could go on, but this article is just a quaqmire; will people even get to the burning question of where and how is this research being done since it is illegal in the U.S. (even though the doctor quoted works at the California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute). GW Pharmaceuticals (in a secret location somewhere in Britain)? So, is this article trying to tell us something of value in a terribly misguided way or is it some kind of pharmaceutical shill?
Re: “Step by Step”
AA continually resists any efforts to quantify its results, claiming privacy for its members and that the program "works if you work it." That just means that if it works for you, credit goes to AA, but if it doesn't work for you, that's YOUR fault. Would you go for cancer treatment to a clinic that wouldn't tell you your chances, just point you to the people in the waiting room who claimed good results? The people who had bad experiences (or died) at that hypothetical clinic aren't there to warn you away!
If you're going to AA and it isn't working for you, you go out and drink and die in a crash, then AA doesn't claim you as an "AA failure," they claim that you "went out" and "weren't following the program." Members are supposed to remain in the program for life, and there are cultish warnings that, if you leave, you could die. Heck, you might die if you STAY.
I attended AA for 3 years while in psychotherapy and had a sponsor, but it sure was annoying to sit around in AA meetings while people talked about how grateful they were that Jesus changed the traffic light so they wouldn't be late to work, for instance. I don't believe in an interventionist God, and if you do, that's fine with me, but I sure hope the courts wouldn't order me to listen to all that blather. (Later I returned to responsible alcohol use and haven't had any problems for the past 15 years.)
However, if you look at the history of the founding of AA, it was designed as a way to bring people to Christianity. It's still steeped in that philosophy, FULL of fanatical believers, and -- worst of all -- uses anecdotal evidence rather than statistics to prove its effectiveness.
Re: “Laughing Matter”
Leilani, I'm SO IMPRESSED that you did this. What a wonderful article. I'm so glad you're giving props to these folks who willingly participate in one of the most vulnerable things in the world, for no pay, and very few rewards. I love them!! And I love that they are finally being supported in a big way. Also, I think Sonoma County's comedy scene owes a lot to Steve Jaxon of KSRO who regularly shines a spotlight on all of the funny people here and throughout the Bay Area.
Re: “Sandwiches!”
Love the article. But can I just say, that Chase is the new Ike?
Re: “Sandwiches!”
Great article! Two other amazing sandwich places I would add are Chloe's French Cafe (their jambon brie sandwich with warm ham, brie, pears, and brown mustard is amazing but so are a bunch of their other sandwiches). Pearson & Co is also an old favorite - love all their different foccacia bread sandwiches particularly, but their meatloaf sandwich on ciabatta is also a standout.
Re: “Step by Step”
LifeRing and AA are OK. I attend both from time to time, as do others, although I do not dwell on this in either group. I benefited from SMART prior to its folding in my locale; monitoring SMART's website is still an option.
But a turning point in my success is Rational Recovery's Addictive Voice Recognition Technique. AVRT is available online and on paper. Check it out and consider embracing a "Big Plan."
As relates to this article, the Rational Recovery Monitoring Program is available for those in a legal bind.
Re: “The Anchor-Outs”
Thank you to Ryan White for this compassionate and informative piece on this marginalized community. It is a pleasant reminder that quality journalism persists. Such work expands intelligent discourse and has lasting impact. May you thrive.
Re: “The Anchor-Outs”
I live in Sausalito and I love the character that anchor outs bring to this area. The author of this article did an excellent job of showing the perils, humor and grit of this group of people.
Re: “Step by Step”
I personally found AA to not be the best recovery fit for me. I did attend for four years and have worked the 12 steps with a sponsor. As it turns out, Life ring secular recovery and the emphasis on personal empowerment has actually been a better match for me. Many struggle with some of the concepts in AA and I think it is important to recognize and inform about alternate choices now available for people recovering from addiction. I quit drinking to improve the quality of my life and expand my world again. I’m glad Bill W wanted to help others addicted and I’m glad his plan for living has been helpful for so many. Whats not ok is the way Bill’s vision has come to dominate the recovery world. As AA says, “there’s a screw for every nut” and I believe this idea needs to extend out of AA to the other support approaches available for people who need a different approach for their recovery. This article is about choice and I am so grateful to have found that I have other choices available as well. I only wish for others to have equal access to the information they need to make an informed choice about the recovery support system that will be most helpful for them. Thank you for raising awareness on this subject and I would also like to point out I have friends who attend AA and I support their right to choose what works best for them as well.
Re: “Step by Step”
If you read the article carefully, you will see that Richard was speaking about the choices in his rehab program being limited, not to that AA itself . He says, "I'm not going to put down AA, because it's helped millions of people," says Richard. "They've inspired me and encouraged me. But I don't think it should be shoved down people's throat." As in, people should be given options other than 12 Step. In addition, AA has been ruled as being a religious program by the 9th circuit court. The 2007 United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruling Inouye v. Kemna specifically refers to AA as a "religion-based" treatment program.
Re: “Step by Step”
"These are some TYPICAL MIS-MISCONCEPTIONS about N.A., N.A. IS NOT A RELIGIOUS MOVEMENT, a temperance movement, a cure of or a cure all, N.A. does not prescribe or pay for the treatment of addicts, N.A. does not run recovery homes, rest homes or any other outside organization, THE SOLE PURPOSE OF N.A. IS TO HELP THE ADDICT WHO WANTS TO STOP USING" .
Meaning; regardless of anything else.
I also understand and agree the plight of having an option in the courts and it's end result, yet his bases of reasoning is incorrect...from prejudice.
Re: “Step by Step”
It is great that the county courts are expanding the options they'll provide, and I say that as someone who attends a lot of AA meetings. The saying around those rooms is, "AA works if you work it," and there is a lot of emphasis on the "if." Contrary to Richard S's impression, AA's traditions explicitly reject an insistence on participation in religion or (or being institutionalized within a court system), and I've certainly never experienced such insistence.
A lot of people are offended when confronted by the "G-O-D" word, and if that is a barrier for Richard S in finding his sobriety, I'm pleased that the county is working with him to find an alternative. I hope the zealotry of skeptics who doubt that he'll find an effective alternative doesn't cast a negative impression on AA as a whole.
I'm mostly just surprised that this story made the front page. And I wish Richard S well and the best of luck.
Re: “Step by Step”
Unfortunately AA is populated largely by zealous ranters, like "don't get me started". So is scientology.
Re: “Step by Step”
First of all, if Richard S. ever went to any 12 Step meetings and paid attention or read any 12 Step literature he would know that everything practiced in a 12 Step Program is "suggested" not "insisted" and/or has never been "shoved down anyone's throat" and more importantly, it is not now nor ever has been a "religious" program. AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution. There are thousands, if not millions, of atheist's and agnostic's who have stayed clean and sober for the rest of their lives using the 12 Step programs. Richard S. would also know that in all 12 Step Programs; the only requirement is the "desire" to quite drinking or using drugs; that it's primary purpose is to carry the its message to the alcoholic/addict that still suffers (that would obviously be Richard S.); that A.A. has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy and that our public relations are based on attraction rather than promotion; and most importantly that "Anonymity" is our "Spiritual" foundation ever reminding us to place principals before personalities!
So, I think it pretty safe to say that Richard S. if full of B.S. You might want to bring back to his attention and everyone else's that he was, in fact, "arrested" for a DUI! He is just an angry addict that got caught, was given a "choice" of jail or a "chance to get clean and sober". He chose what he thought was the easy way out and didn't like that choice either! And this is his selfish, self centered way of complaining about how unfair life is; just like any good little addict would. It's always about me, poor pitiful me. Yeah! I'm sheddin some tears for ya Richard S.
Well, here are a few more choice facts:
As of January 2012 there are over 2,133,842 members of Alcoholics Anonymous world wide and over 38,1664 in correctional institutions.
In 2010, 10,228 people died in drunk driving crashes — one every 52 minutes — and 345,000 were injured in drunk driving crashes.
In 2010, 211 children were killed in drunk driving crashes. Out of those 211 deaths, 131 (62%) were riding with the drunk driver.
About one-third of all drivers arrested or convicted of driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence of alcohol are repeat offenders.
As of January 2012 there are an estimated 2,133,842 killed by people driving while intoxicated!
2 of those people injured were my younger brother and sister, both suffered severe, irreversible brain injuries and one was also paralyzed on the right side…for the rest of his life!
Are you ready to take responsibility for your actions Richard S? You won't get a choice next time.
So, I'll be looking for Richard S. in the news and counting the days to see how "powerful" he is over his addictions and look forward to hearing how he is staying clean and sober. Hope that's workin for ya Richard S.
Oh! and one question…what make, model, and color of car do he drive? I want to make sure to tell all my friends and family stay clear of it while they are driving or walking the streets of Sonoma County.
Re: “Step by Step”
The statement that, "all references to 12 Step have been removed," is incorrect. The newly revised Participant's Guide to Drug Court says, "regular attendance at group self-help meetings such as a12 Step program or other alternative programs." Alternatives are not listed anywhere in County literature and are not mentioned specifically in this document. 12 Step
"Guillén likens the choices in Sonoma County to a cafeteria menu, where defendants are encouraged to choose their mode of self-help." There are zero options listed anywhere in county literature.
Re: “Ocean of Noise”
U.S. NAVY’S TWELVE 5-YEAR WARFARE TESTING PROGRAMS &
THE INCREASING & ONGOING THREAT TO THE GULF OF MEXICO,
A CALL TO TAKE ACTION
U.S. Navy PUBLIC COMMENT DUE BY JULY 10, 2012
ATLANTIC & PACIFIC OCEANS
HELP SAVE 11.7 Million MARINE MAMMALS & THEIR OCEAN HABITAT TODAY!
http://www.agriculturedefensecoalition.org/us-navy
In a letter to NOAA, dated June 19, 2009, several U.S. Senators, including U.S. Senator Feinstein and U.S. Congressman Henry Waxman, stated: “...In many regions, the Navy plans to increase the number of its exercises or expand the areas in which they may occur, and virtually every coastal state will be affected. Some exercises may occur in the nation's most biologically sensitive marine habitats, including National Marine Sanctuaries and breeding habitat for the endangered North Atlantic right whale. In all, the Navy anticipates more than 2.3 million takes (significant disruptions in marine mammal foraging, breeding, and other essential behaviors) per year, or 11.7 million takes over the course of a five-year permit..."
Help Protect 11.7 Million Marine Mammals Today by contacting your elected officials and adding your voice by making a public comment today before the July 10, 2012 deadline:
(The Public Comment period for the new U.S. Navy Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico 5-Year Warfare Testing Range that will use bomb blasts and Sonar is from May 11, 2012 through July 10, 2012). U.S. Navy Website: http://aftteis.com/Home.aspx
(The Public Comment period for the new U.S. Navy Pacific 5-Year Warfare Testing Range that will use bomb blasts and Sonar is from May 11, 2012 through July 10, 2012). U.S. Navy Website: http://hstteis.com/Home.aspx
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
The NOAA Definition of “Take”: “Defined under the MMPA (Marine Mammal Protection Act), as "harass, hunt, capture, kill or collect, or attempt to harass, hunt, capture, kill or collect." Defined under the ESA (Endangered Species Act) as "to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct…”
U.S. Navy is Using the Earth & Inhabitants as Test Subjects
Our oceans and land areas, in the Pacific, Atlantic, and the Gulf of Mexico along with all inhabitants, are being used as warfare test guinea pigs without public consent, debate, U.S. Congressional hearings or any public oversight.
Marine Mammal Mitigation Measures – Effective Only 9% of the Time
Mitigation measures, to protect marine mammals from sonar, are effective only 9% of the time according to NOAA & the U.S. Navy (See U.S. Congressman Mike Thompson's Letter regarding this subject-California 2009).
Fish, birds, ocean habitats, feeding and breeding grounds, biologically sensitive areas, and human health, are not protected by any government agency in most areas of the Gulf of Mexico, and in the Atlantic & Pacific Oceans, from military weapons testing. The U.S. Navy is using toxic chemicals, sonar, missile exercises, bomb blasts and other types of new weapons testing which threaten national marine sanctuaries, marine reserves, and biologically sensitive areas which ar e not protected in many regions from this type of activity.
You may read the U.S. Navy Environmental Impact Statements online or visit this website for more information and documents on this subject:
http://www.agriculturedefensecoalition.org/us-navy
No U.S. Congressional Hearing Held on this Issue & None Planned in the Future (WHY?)
Our U.S. Senators and members of the U.S. House have refused, so far, to postpone these disastrous “takings” or hold U.S. Congressional Hearings while pretending to be ocean environment friendly in their re-election speeches. In addition to refusing to be interviewed by the press with regard to this issue (only a few exceptions), all of our elected officials have steadfastly refused to hold U.S. Congressional hearings in order to protect our marine mammals, fish, birds, endangered species, and human health.
Expanding and initiating new warfare testing in more areas of the Pacific, the Atlantic, and the Gulf of Mexico, will also spell disaster for millions of marine mammals, and fish, and their habitats. We do not elect to be the guinea pigs for these experiments or to have our oceans used for massive warfare testing. Say “no” today…Ask for U.S. Congressional Hearings to protect human health and our marine mammals. (Call Your Elected Officials in Washington, D.C. Toll Free: (1866) 220-0044)
The U.S. Navy should be protecting our oceans and natural resources...not destroying them in the name of war practice.
Respectfully,
Rosalind Peterson
Agriculture Defense Coalition
Redwood Valley, California 95470
(707) 485-7520
E-Mail: info@californiaskywatch.com
Re: “We Are Family?”
Warehouse Demo Service Lost the civil suite!!!! They work supervisors over hours. I worked several 24 hour days!!!
This Week's Issue
Re: “The Straight Dope”
The first comment sounds like it was written by a dispensary owner who seriously needs a bong rip of CBD ;-)