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02-25-2005, 06:35 AM
Publication Date: February 24, 2005
Brent Battle
opinion columnist
Tea time for a church celebrating an estimated 4,000 year-old religious tradition is nothing like the daily afternoon English custom.
United States Attorney General Alberto Gonzales — or “Gonzo” as I prefer — wants a church in Santa Fe, N.M. to end the use of a mind-altering substance called “Hoasca.”
The herb has been brewed into a tea in Brazil for centuries. It is used to induce sacred religious experiences. Some lower courts, including one in Denver, have allowed the church’s practice.
The hallucinogenic substance is said to hurt those who use it and “threatens to inflict irreparable harm on international cooperation in combating transnational narcotics trafficking,” according to White House statements. This argument is really a meaningless public relations ploy meant to obscure the facts behind the story.
Gonzo is acting like he was booted from one of the church’s services. Does he not have anything better to do? Janet Reno, four-time “he-look-a-like-a-man” contest winner, had the gall to destroy the Koresh compound in Waco, Texas.
But seriously, what does Gonzo plan to do with the church members when they refuse to give up their sacred tea? Is he willing to place harmless people in jail, compounding our problems with overcrowded prisons?
If the government honestly wants to protect us from dangerous substances, they should ban the use of Robitussin and stop handing out mind-altering substances to foster children.
How does the government know the tea is harmful? Have the feds tried it for themselves or ordered a study to find out the scientific way?
“No department or agency of the US government shall conduct or finance, in whole or part, any study or research involving the legalization of drugs.” That’s the law. The government’s willful ignorance blocks any report at all.
During the ‘60s, Timothy Leary was notorious for conducting his own research and advocating the religious use of LSD, another hallucinogenic drug.
His findings along with those of his colleagues Aldous Huxley, Ralph Metzner and William S. Burroughs can be found in works like “High Priest” and “The Psychedelic Experience.”
When Leary ran for governor of California, the federal government panicked, charging him with drug trafficking — marijuana joints to be precise. In his defense, Leary claimed he was entitled as an American citizen to the free exercise of religion and scientific research. He said his motives were spiritual and interior, not ulterior.
Did the government think they had the next Jesus on their hands? This was nothing like Waco either.
Before evidence came out the joints were planted, Leary spent seven months in jail, bringing his campaign for governor to a halt. Everyone, even most of his followers, labeled him as a kook.
If Gonzo arrests a peaceful church community, that’s called persecution.
In addition to the $20 billion war on drugs in progress, he is requesting a law enforcement fiscal budget increase of $23.5 million for 2006 and 2007 at our expense.
Is this tax money worth harassing peaceful citizens? Thank God for that $300-dollar tax cut.
http://www.ocolly.com/new_ocollycom/show_s....php?a_id=25477 (http://www.ocolly.com/new_ocollycom/show_story.php?a_id=25477)
Brent Battle
opinion columnist
Tea time for a church celebrating an estimated 4,000 year-old religious tradition is nothing like the daily afternoon English custom.
United States Attorney General Alberto Gonzales — or “Gonzo” as I prefer — wants a church in Santa Fe, N.M. to end the use of a mind-altering substance called “Hoasca.”
The herb has been brewed into a tea in Brazil for centuries. It is used to induce sacred religious experiences. Some lower courts, including one in Denver, have allowed the church’s practice.
The hallucinogenic substance is said to hurt those who use it and “threatens to inflict irreparable harm on international cooperation in combating transnational narcotics trafficking,” according to White House statements. This argument is really a meaningless public relations ploy meant to obscure the facts behind the story.
Gonzo is acting like he was booted from one of the church’s services. Does he not have anything better to do? Janet Reno, four-time “he-look-a-like-a-man” contest winner, had the gall to destroy the Koresh compound in Waco, Texas.
But seriously, what does Gonzo plan to do with the church members when they refuse to give up their sacred tea? Is he willing to place harmless people in jail, compounding our problems with overcrowded prisons?
If the government honestly wants to protect us from dangerous substances, they should ban the use of Robitussin and stop handing out mind-altering substances to foster children.
How does the government know the tea is harmful? Have the feds tried it for themselves or ordered a study to find out the scientific way?
“No department or agency of the US government shall conduct or finance, in whole or part, any study or research involving the legalization of drugs.” That’s the law. The government’s willful ignorance blocks any report at all.
During the ‘60s, Timothy Leary was notorious for conducting his own research and advocating the religious use of LSD, another hallucinogenic drug.
His findings along with those of his colleagues Aldous Huxley, Ralph Metzner and William S. Burroughs can be found in works like “High Priest” and “The Psychedelic Experience.”
When Leary ran for governor of California, the federal government panicked, charging him with drug trafficking — marijuana joints to be precise. In his defense, Leary claimed he was entitled as an American citizen to the free exercise of religion and scientific research. He said his motives were spiritual and interior, not ulterior.
Did the government think they had the next Jesus on their hands? This was nothing like Waco either.
Before evidence came out the joints were planted, Leary spent seven months in jail, bringing his campaign for governor to a halt. Everyone, even most of his followers, labeled him as a kook.
If Gonzo arrests a peaceful church community, that’s called persecution.
In addition to the $20 billion war on drugs in progress, he is requesting a law enforcement fiscal budget increase of $23.5 million for 2006 and 2007 at our expense.
Is this tax money worth harassing peaceful citizens? Thank God for that $300-dollar tax cut.
http://www.ocolly.com/new_ocollycom/show_s....php?a_id=25477 (http://www.ocolly.com/new_ocollycom/show_story.php?a_id=25477)