The Home for Controlled Insanity
Issue #002, Saturday, August 21, 2004
From Command Central
Holy Shit, this is the second issue; to see the first issue click here!!! I'm on a roll now, baby!
Greetings, and welcome back. I hope you all enjoyed the first issue. I sure enjoyed writing it, and had very positive (although minimal) response.
Okay, so you're getting this newsletter and it's after Saturday. "What's gives," you say, having eagerly anticipated Issue #002 since 12am Saturday morning. Sorry to keep you up and waiting, but I've been busy feeding my brain. Believe it or not, I spent 7 hours yesterday reading articles, and now I'll reprint all of them for you. Ha! Feel lucky that you're getting the abridged version from inside the Asylum. Thank God for the padded walls.
Now it's 3am Sunday morning, and I'll spend the next few hours writing this issue and then head over to my buddy Matt's for NASCAR. Oh yeah, baby!
I'm dedicating this issue to my main man, the prince of pot, Marc Emery. A judge in the Canadian hotbed of Saskatoon just sentenced Marc to 3 months in jail. His offense...I'm not going to tell you just yet but you can skip to the Your Brain on Drugs section to find out.
Oh, and by the way, I was published! In Victoria's own Times Colonist, no less! More on that later.
Buckle up, buttercup--here we go...
Ranting and Raving
This week's topic: Shout Out to the Masses
Every once in a while, we have something called an election. It might be as big as federal or simply voting for the next mayor of your little township. We're told that's when you can let your views be known, by going out and voting. But that only happens every few years. Besides, only 60% voted in the last federal election, and I doubt it's much higher for provincial and local ones. While I am a big supporter of going out and voting, I'm not going to try and persuade you it's merits. I can sympathize with those who feel that voting is simply an exercise in showing support for a political system you don't believe in. By not voting then, you're "against the system".
Well perhaps that's the case, but I can't see how being against the system and not voting is going to change a damn thing. But even voting, you may say, won't change anything. Perhaps, perhaps not. What will change things, however, is letting your views known more than by simply ticking off a box next to a name on a ballot every so often. Frankly, that's the least effective way to create change.
Let me ask you something, and it's not a trick question...what's the most effective way to get a politician to decide to change the law, to change a part of the very system that they are a part of? Pressure, of course! How do you put pressure on a politician? Well, you can write to all the politicians about every issue you want addressed, but that would take a while and they'd probably dismiss you as being "just one person". Even if everyone in the Asylum were to write, it would still be a small group and unlikely to convince a politician to do something meaningful (although I certainly encourage anyone who wants to to write a certain politician, especially for specific situations like Emery being jailed.)
Going after the politicians directly, unless you've got a suitcase of money with you, likely won't work. You need to use a tool, one that's already out there and can create enough pressure for change. I'm talking, of course, about the media. I'm sorry to say, but I firmly believe most people are ignorant and just go with what they're told to go with and do what they're told to do. They put someone who sounds good into office for a few years, and then they bitch and moan when the media tells them to bitch and moan. I know you're not one of them (are you?), since you've checked into the Asylum (either by choice or by force!)
Use the "masses bitch & moan" strategy to your favour. Reaching out to the masses is the best way to have them bitch and moan loud enough for a politician to hear. Special interest groups do it all the time. So do editorial boards, think tanks, researchers, and even politicians to one another. They all know that with enough perceived pressure, politicians can decide to change the law this way or the other--whether or not that change is the best thing (in societal terms) to do.
What can you do?
Speak up, dammit! Use the best forum available to reach the masses--the newspaper. Letters to the Editor are the most effective way to have your point heard. And if it's a good point written in the right way, it'll cause people (hopefully many of them) to think. When the TV media and newspaper editors believe there's enough voices wanting change, they'll report on it (and maybe even support it).
So, at any time, if you see a story, or know of an issue, that you think someone would benefit from hearing your voice, speak up! Write a letter. With the Internet, you can reach newspapers anywhere in the world and quickly and cheaply be heard. To be published, though, you've got to give them your name, phone number, and address (which they won't print).
You can effect change in society. It's not a miracle that happens up in the clouds. It's not magic. Politicians deserve to hear your voice more than every four years.
It's your responsibility.
Big Brother BlahBlah
"What's happened in the US the past couple of weeks," your eager little minds want to know? New York City is gearing up for the Republican National Convention (RNC). So, the militaristic scene of Manhattan will become even more militarized (if that's possible.) To make sure things don't get out of control, Mayor Bloomberg came up with a great idea...a bribe to would-be protestors! In exchange for their personal information, the signing of a "peaceful demonstrator" pledge, and the wearing of a button saying "Peaceful Political Activist", protestors will get hotel, restaurant, and play discounts. I'm not kidding. No doubt protestors are lining up around the block to take up his offer. Ha!
Hey, quick fact I just learned: the state of New Hampshire is the only one that has no seatbelt laws, yet is considered to have the fifth safest streets in the country. Go figure?!?
There's a lot more going on in the nation of 300 million or so, but I don't like to write just about bad news, so I'll stop here.
Canunck Knocks
The Olympics are on, and I'd love to report our triumphant victories in every event. That ain't gonna happen. But, we do have a bronze on the trampoline (yeah!) and two silvers. Better than nothing. And, no positive drug tests (yet.)
Our National Parks are on strike...go there for free while you can!
Okay, enough of this yawnfest...lets get to the fun!
Your Brain on Drugs
This week, on Thursday, August 19, I had a Letter to the Editor published by the Victoria Times Colonist. As you might have guessed, it's about drugs. In particular, it was in a response to a story entitled The Pot Patrol published a few days earlier. We've got some nasty folks growing that devil weed, and the cops are hot on their trail. The article was from a reporter who spent a day flying in a helicopter with them. Want to read my letter? Of course you do...go to http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n1183/a03.html?53002
Canada
In absolutely insane retarded stupid idiotic overkill news, Vancouver, BC's own Marc Emery was sentenced to three months in prison. For those of you who don't know who he is, he's the self-described Prince of Pot. He's been a crusader for legalization for even longer than I have...and he makes a lot of money too. He's got a pot seed distribution company (Marc Emery Seed Sales), a magazine (Cannabis Culture), and a web site I'll talk about later (pot-tv.net). Although he seems to like pot a little too much sometimes, he's a really good guy who speaks his mind and isn't afraid of civil disobedience.
Marc's crime? Passing a joint. No joke. Last summer, Marc embarked on an epic journey called the Summer of Legalization Tour, one that had him smoking weed from coast to coast, province to province. Things went fine until he protested in Saskatchewan. I guess they really don't like weed there. He was arrested and charged with trafficking marijuana when he passed a joint to a fellow protestor. At his recent court hearing, he was found guilty and sentenced to three months in jail. Makes sense, no?
If you're like me and find this sentence a little ridiculous, do what I talked about earlier and speak out! Go to http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-2913.html and listen to an interview with Marc from his new home in a Saskatchewan prison. There's more info there too on what you can do to show your support.
US
A really good thing happened in US media. Have you heard of Walter Cronkite? He's the guy you see taking off his glasses and crying during the Apollo 11 moon landing broadcast footage way back in 1969. He's an extremely well-respected journalist. And, he recently wrote an article decrying the drug war! It went out to numerous newspapers. Read it for yourself at http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n1144/a02.html?123248
I emailed the police this week. "What," you shout, "you're crazy! Why would you want to talk to them?" Usually I'd take my lawyer's advice and never communicate with "the enemy." But, I found an article about a former US law enforcement official who is now a member of LEAP--Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. LEAP started two years ago and now has over 200 members, including former cops, Mounties, judges, and prison officials. Even Vancouver Mayor Larry Campbell is involved with the group.
I've got a couple of business cards of cops I've had "experiences" with in my recent past, so I figured maybe these people wouldn't mind reading a story about one of their own who's against the drug war. It's hard to believe sometimes, but not all cops think our current drug laws are for the best. That isn't exactly a popular opinion among police officers, but it can't hurt to present "the other side" of the argument from someone who's seen what they have. If only more police officers had this opinion and weren't afraid to share it! Read the article at http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n1179/a10.html?123249
World
There's a lot going on in the Philippines. It's by far the biggest contributor lately to the worldwide drug news I scan. They have a problem with shabu or what we call crystal meth. Their laws are a bit more strict there (someone just got sentenced to life for possessing 200g of it, and executions are permitted for trafficking larger amounts) and they experience a little more corruption (two police forces had a shootout with each other outside a city hall). In one part of the country there's a vigilante group called the Davao Death Squad (DDS) taking care of business. Shortly after drug suspects are let out of jail, DDS drops by and kills them. This has been going on for more than a decade, but has recently escalated due to the intensive media coverage of the Philippines' drug war. Apparently police haven't exactly made finding the DDS a priority (likely because some officers belong to the DDS.)
Fortunately, the increased media focus and pressure from international groups like Amnesty International are causing pressure on politicians to bring the DDS to justice. One member of the group was recently arrested. Hopefully more of them will follow. Of course, there's so much shit going on in the Philippines that this is just one of many drug war injustices in that country. As for drug reformers in that country, I haven't heard from them yet. As a whole, southeast Asia is very pro-drug war (even though they have a huge number of addicts and supply lots of drugs to other countries) and is not likely to change anytime soon. There are reform groups out there, no doubt, but aren't as free to speak out as they are here.
Getting to Know You
This week I'm profiling myself again, because no one submitted themselves! I hate being narcissistic, but until I hear more from you, I'll just have to write about me.
profile con't:
Favourite Colour: "It used to be brown when I was a kid (don't ask me why), then it changed to red and stayed that way for a long time. In the past couple of years, however I've done a lot of soul searching and speaking with various Great Masters on Earth. I've decided to change my favourite colour to green. It represents the environment, which I care about deeply, as well as my passion for legalizing cannabis sativa. Sorry red (although you're a close second.)"
Politics: "I started out as a big-time Federal Liberal supporter, back in high school and university. I was even a member of UVic's Young Liberals and volunteered for former Colwood Mayor John Bergbusch's unsuccessful political campaign during the '00 election. But I became despondent about all the corruption taking place, as well as the Liberal Government's tactics toward marijuana, and medical marijuana in particular (the Canadian Supreme Court had to force them to change the law allowing medical pot!)
"For the recent federal election I joined the NDP. Marc Emery made a call out to all the pot supporters in the country to support the NDP, since they were the only major party to want true drug reform. That's just what I did. I even met NDP leader Jack Layton during Victoria's Earth Day parade and told him why I'd joined. Then I volunteered for them on election day.
"Recently, though, I don't know what do call myself. I'm left-wing when it comes to social policies like health care and the environment, but am strongly against big government and overregulation, which puts me on the right side of the political spectrum. I'm libertarian when it comes to personal rights and freedoms, but also believe the government should be there to provide checks and balances against abuse in the system, whether by individuals or corporation. But now I'm considering that maybe the government is just a big corporation, a monopoly no less. Anyways, as you can tell, I'm currently all over the board."
Songs I Cry To: Dust in the Wind by Kansas (due to it being played in the Highlander episode where his lady Tessa is killed); Your Song sung by Elton John; Somebody to Love by Queen; Lady in Red by Chris Deburgh.
Favorite Animals: Cats, dogs (big ones only--no yappers), horses, tigers (wild ones only).
Favorite '80s Sitcoms: Silver Spoons, Different Strokes, Punky Brewster, Three's Company, Perfect Strangers, Alf, Night Court, The Facts of Life
Web Site of the Week
Pot-TV.net
This web site is a Mecca for the cannabis aficionado. It has several web-based TV Shows on cannabis culture, drug reform, and growing. As well, it has just about anything and everything related to pot. If you look, you can also find a clip of the Trailer Park Boys' Ricky, Julian, and Bubbles visiting Marc and taking a couple of bong hits. Check it out!
Word of the Week
Excoriate verb to strip, wear, or rub the skin off; to flay. excoriation noun.
Dan’s Book Club
The
Power of Intention: Learning to Co-Create Your World Your Way by Dr. Wayne
Dyer
This book is the most important book I've ever read. At the time I read it, I was not in good shape, mentally speaking. After reading this book I have a different outlook on life and feel much more at peace with my environment and my self. I truly believe in the power of connecting with higher energies. I can't recommend this book enough to anyone who is interested in self-development and learning more about themselves. In fact, I loved the book so much, I bought several copies for friends. Those of you with Costco memberships can get it there for cheap, or go to Amazon.ca.
TV Land
Da Ali G Show Thursdays from 10pm to 10:40pm on Showcase (Ch. 28 in Vic)
Picture
this: a British guy, with a heavy accent, decked out in Wu Tang Clan
rapper gear interviewing Donald Trump. Ali G is the host of an interview show.
In his hip-hop style, he interviews the likes of Trump along with Buzz Aldrin,
Newt Gingrich, and lots of stuck-up government and business officials. He also
talks to experts about drugs, sex, and other serious issues of the day. Also
along for the ride is an easily confused TV reporter from Kazakhstan as well as
a flaming fashion reporter from Austria. This show is absolutely hilarious!!!
Find out more at http://www.hbo.com/alig/
Music Mania
Tenacious
D: The Complete Master Works DVD
Have you heard of Jack Black? He's been in lots of comedy movies like Orange County, Shallow Hal, and most recently School of Rock. Along with his buddy Kyle Gass, "formed a band the likes of which had never been seen before!" They've got a CD out along with this DVD featuring a complete live performance along with extra goodies like three music videos and an HBO special. The D is a "joke" band, but don't be fooled--they play awesome rock. They truly are tenacious!
Product Placement
Goats
Milk Soap by Canus
I walked into a London Drugs one day needing liquid hand soap. I saw this new product and decided to try it. I will never use another soap again. I consider it a privilege to wash my hands now. I've never had softer skin, and it smells great too! Along with liquid soap, they also carry soap bars, lotions, bath foam, and more. Find out more at http://www.canusgoatsmilk.com/eng/html/maineng.html
For soap, there's nothing better than Goat's Milk!
Dan’s Learning Centre
Microwaves:
Faster Food and Faster to the Grave
I
remember that day...you know, when your parents brought home that shiny big
microwave oven back in the early '80s. All of a sudden, a meal that took 1 hour
to heat in the regular oven took only a few minutes! Oh My God--imagine all the
free time we would now enjoy!
At first, some people feared that microwave radiation would irradiate them and lead to all sorts of mutations. Of course, the industry countered these fears with studies showing that microwave ovens contained the radiation. Plus, the US Food and Drug Administration had approved it, so it must be safe. People eventually accepted the convenience and forgot what they were worried about. As long as the oven was in proper working condition, the only difference between microwave ovens and their traditional counterparts was the microwave were a helluva lot faster. Right? Wrong!
Microwaves work differently in that they heat the food by cooking the inside of the food molecules, using the water found inside. It weakens the cell membranes and causes what are called thermic and athermic effects. Essentially, the friction caused by the radiation heats the food, but other things happen as well. Genes of the food are altered. Nutrients like vitamins and proteins are destroyed or altered.
Proof of the differences seen in microwave cooking came long after microwaves became common in households. You see, the FDA only made sure that the radiation didn't escape the oven and hurt the human. They didn't bother checking what it did to the food, assuming that it just heated it up and that was that. It took a Swiss scientist named Hans Hertel to discover the true effects of microwaved foods on the human body.
In sum, Hans found that eating microwaved food:
increases cholesterol
increases white blood cell numbers
decreases red blood cell numbers
causes productions of radiolytic compounds (compounds not found in nature)
I haven't used a microwave since I found out about Hertel's results. I suggest that, if you can't stop using microwave ovens altogether, at least use them only sparingly, when you absolutely can't wait for food from the conventional oven (which tastes much better anyway!)
For more info and evidence, check out http://www.relfe.com/microwave.html and http://www.all-natural.com/microwa1.html
Master-debating: Question of the week
Last Week's Question: Should the federal government decriminalize marijuana, given the pros and cons?
Reponses to Last Week's Question: none
This Week's Question: Have you ever heard of the dangers of microwave ovens before? Now that you know, what are you planning to do? Stop? Cut down? Nothing? Does it concern you?
It's Quotation Not Quote!
A slave is someone who waits for someone to come and free him -- Ezra Pound
Kittie Corner
Tom just can't stay out of that box!
NASCAR Nellies
In NASCAR news...hold on to you seats, folks! This week we're racin' at Michigan. It's a great track, because it's really fast and multi-grooved, meaning cars can race side-by-side no problem. Qualifying was rained out, so the racers start in the order of their overall points. That means there's lots of drivers looking to eek into the top 10 who'll be right beside each other. Action should be intense!
And for the first time, my main man Jeff Burton, formerly in the 99 of Roush Racing, made a huge leap over to Richard Childress Racing. Now he'll be sharing the bed with the likes of 29 Kevin Harvick (holla') and the "good" Gordon, none other than number 31 Robbie Gordon. Now we all know the 29 and 31 aren't the greatest of bed buddies, but at least Burton's in the middle of 'em in the number 30. Good luck, my AOL sponsored buddy!
Ask Dada Dan
Question: "Dear Dada Dan: I think I have a gambling problem. I go to the casino at least five times a week, and I go to bed and wake up thinking about gambling. I know I should take a break from the casino, but I drive by it every day it's just too damn tempting. Please Help" -- Not knowing when to walk away
Answer: "Well, Not knowing when to walk away, I can sympathize. I share a similar enjoyment of gaming. I regularly play Texas Hold'em with some buddies, and play again and again and again even though I keep losing. At least we only bet 10 bucks a game! I make it a point not to ever go to the casino, or at least rarely (losing $100 in one night keeps me away for a year normally.)
"Anyway, it seems your main problem is lack of self-control. Don't be ashamed--everyone needs outside help sometimes. Because you go by the casino every day it makes it that much harder to say no. But there's a solution, and if you live in a city like Victoria, with only one casino, it's that much better.
"Believe it or not, you can ask the casino to ban you! It may sound strange, but upon request they will not allow you in the casino for a period of time. I don't know why they do it--it's not exactly good business to turn someone down who is addicted to something you sell. Maybe it's the law or something. Anyway, it's a great service that a lot of gaming enthusiasts use. Here's how it works: you go in and ask to be banned for a period of time, say six months (a good start for you). They take your info and a Polaroid snapshot. If you try and come in, they will notice you and immediately boot you out. A buddy of mine even tried wearing a hat and sunglasses, but even with that disguise, they figured him out and kicked him to the curb!
"By taking six months off, you can allow yourself to take a breather from the casino. If you so choose, read some books on self-control, self-development, and dealing with addictions. They're sure to help and may even allow you to return to the casino without it re-taking control of your life. Just be careful. Hope this helps!"
Letters from the Funny Farm
Praise for the Asylum:
"Dan I love it. I have sent it on to Mike and Laura and asked them if they wanna write columns about what's goin on in the UK and Japan. Consider me checked in to the asylum." --Matt Fischer, Colwood, BC, Canada
"Hi Dan,
Just wanted to say that I loved issue #1. I've been out of civilization
for a while, so I just got to read it today. Excellent work. I look forward
to issue #2! See you soon" -- Cheryl E. Peters, Victoria, BC, Canada
(writing from Vancouver, BC)
Keep them letters coming!!
Final Word to and from the Wise
Wow man, I'm out of breath...writing this is hard work. Well, at least I get to take a load off my mind! Thanks again to all for being checked into the Asylum. I hope the next issue (likely in two weeks) will have some more contributors. Come on now, get off your lazy asses y'all! Ha!
Until next time, remember to control the insanity! Dan.