TV Networks Refuse to Allow Discussion of Marijuana Laws
One of the few remaining tactics for effectively defending our marijuana laws is to prevent them from even being discussed:
The TV program is titled "Marijuana: It's Time for a Conversation," but it's unlikely many viewers of network stations will be talking about it.Of the three local network stations, only one agreed to run the show, produced by the American Civil Liberties Union and hosted by travel writer Rick Steves. [Seattle Times]
Ack, we mustn't expose anyone to the crazy ideas of Rick Steves! Wait, isn't he that really nice Lutheran guy who hosts a popular travel show on public television? So then why should we be terrified of him?
Jim Clayton, vice president and general manager at KOMO, the ABC affiliate, refused to sell time. The show, he said, promoted marijuana use."The last I checked, it's illegal," Clayton said. "We don't use our public airways to promote illegal things."
Um, pardon me sir, but we're actually trying to massively reduce illegal activity. I wouldn’t have thought this to be intellectually challenging, but if we were to change our marijuana laws, then it wouldn't be illegal. See? This doesn’t promote illegal activity. Marijuana laws create illegal activity and we'd like to discuss that.
Of course, marijuana reformers are constantly accused of childishness. We are dismissed as self-interested hippies waiving the banner of personal freedom whenever it suits us, while refusing to engage in serious conversations about empirical data and sound public policy. Yet, what can be said about those who serve as gatekeepers in the marketplace of ideas and abuse their authority by arbitrarily blocking discussion of ideas they find objectionable?
In truth, it is often opponents of the reform argument who act childishly, feigning irrational concerns that simply permitting debate will somehow aggravate the drug problem. Such behavior must be recognized for what it is: a great insult to the intelligence of the public.
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redditAlcohol Industry keeps drug reformers off the air
Comment posted by Anonymous on Tue, 08/12/2008 - 7:00amThe decision to keep the debate over marijuana off the air isn't just a political one. The alcohol industry profits from the drug war because they see the laws are helping to curb competition from it's product. Why do you think the alcohol inudustry helps fund groups like the Partnership for a Drug Free America? Do you see or hear any criticism concerning alcohol coming from PFDA? No.
This form of censorship is so deeply entrenched in broadcasting that it will be tough to break through. A good start would be writing the program managers that refuse to air program critical of the drug war. Also letters to the editor of the local newspaper will get the stations attention as well. Getting our message on the air ways is crucial to shaping public opinion against the never ending drug war and I hope the DRCNet continues to devote it's commentary to this extremely important issue.
Strong Branch
Comment posted by ph0ed1n on Tue, 08/12/2008 - 1:34pmThis is an excellent area of focus for the reform movement.
We need to continuously work hard to establish a presence equal to the drug prohibitionists in the mainstream spotlight.
Once established, with truth and Liberty clearly on our side (we are the good guys), drug prohibition doesn't stand a chance in sustaining public support. Without their support, political support fades out.
Public relations can help here. News outlets want what they consider newsworthy stories. We need to find the sharp news angles (again, from the journalists' perspective) in the context of drug prohibition, and send high-quality press releases accordingly.
Entertainment can also help. Music and videos conforming to the mainstream can help us get the message out on a mainstream level.
We must communicate with the public majority using concise, simple, and honest messages they can embrace.
It is never childish to oppose government abuse. Just ask our founding forefathers who sacrificed their lives for such opposition.
Our nation was born on opposition against government abuse. Our nation can only survive on opposition against government abuse.
It is unacceptable for "We the people" to blame the public servants for refusing to give "We the people" back the power those servants have stolen.
"We the people" are responsible for their actions.
Our public servants' method of stealing power is to disguise it by claiming such power is to "protect the children" (and/or in the name of morality and decency). "We the people" must stop falling for this by firmly understanding that defying naturally-given individual Rights (as clearly stated in the U.S. Declaration of Independence) is a fundamental harm against all people (including the children) and must never be tolerated.
Our public servants will comply with "We the people", but "We the people" need to organize (the Internet is a great tool for this -- another reason our public servants want to take control of it by wielding their power-stealing method) and wield our power appropriately.
Our victory is inevitable.
Re: "Of course, marijuana reformers are constantly accused..."
Comment posted by Anonymous on Tue, 08/12/2008 - 4:34pm"Of course, marijuana reformers are constantly accused of childishness. We are dismissed as self-interested hippies waiving the banner of personal freedom whenever it suits us,...... "
Who would have thought that with Tommy Chong (and previously Hunter S. "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" Thompson) on NORML's Advisory Board, along with Rick Steves?
Isn't NORML about normalizing marijuana use, i.e. promoting it?
What most of people don't
Comment posted by Anonymous on Wed, 08/13/2008 - 8:58amWhat most of people don't understand is that ngo's like norml only antagonize the prohibitionists. No one takes a hippie or a "lubril" seriously. We need more conservatives on our side. They are rare but they do exist. Screw hippies. Compare drug prohibition to gun control. Works beautifully and most will agree with you.
TV Networks Refuse to Allow Discussion of Marijuana Laws
Comment posted by Anonymous on Wed, 08/13/2008 - 12:14pmThat liberal news bias again.
RE:
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Undiagnosed Illness
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Comment posted by Anonymous on Mon, 08/11/2008 - 9:57pmhttp://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1156862632967780733