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Deadheads United™Peace, Love, Hippie Stuff DrugSense Alert - War Without BordersWAR WITHOUT BORDERS **********************************************************************  DrugSense FOCUS Alert #423 - Friday, 18 December 2009  The Media Awareness Project has archived almost 14 thousand articles that mention Mexico so far this year. Today's front page article, below, is one of them. Taking a page from the Los Angeles Times series 'Mexico Under Siege' the New York Times calls it's series War Without Borders. It is that. No single issue of the drug war is costing more in lives and resources. None leads to more corruption. None better illustrates the costs of the prohibition of some drugs. News clippings referencing Mexico are found at http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Mexico Many may be appropriate targets for your letters to the editor. ********************************************************************** Page: A1, Front Page Source: New York Times (NY) Copyright: 2009 The New York Times Company Contact: letters@nytimes.com Author: Randal C. Archibold War Without Borders HIRED BY CUSTOMS, BUT WORKING FOR THE CARTELS SAN DIEGO -- At first, Luis F. Alarid seemed well on his way to becoming a customs agency success story. He had risen from a childhood of poverty and foster homes, some of them abusive, earned praise and commendations while serving in the Army and the Marines, including two tours in Iraq, and returned to Southern California to fulfill a goal of serving in law enforcement. But, early last year, after just a few months as a customs inspector, he was waving in trucks from Mexico carrying loads of marijuana and illegal immigrants. He pocketed some $200,000 in cash that paid for, as far as the government could tell, a $15,000 motorcycle, flat-screen televisions, a laptop computer and more. Some investigators believe that Mr. Alarid, 32, who was paid off by a Mexican smuggling crew that included several members of his family, intended to work for smugglers all along. At one point, Mr. Alarid, who was sentenced to seven years in federal prison in February, told investigators that he had researched just how much prison time he might get for his crimes and believed, as investigators later reported, that he could do it "standing on his head." Mr. Alarid's case is not the only one that has law enforcement officials worried that Mexican traffickers -- facing beefed-up security on the border that now includes miles of new fencing, floodlights, drones, motion sensors and cameras -- have stepped up their efforts to corrupt the border police. They research potential targets, anticorruption investigators said, exploiting the cross-border clans and relationships that define the region, offering money, sex, whatever it takes. But, with the border police in the midst of a hiring boom, law enforcement officers believe that traffickers are pulling out the stops, even soliciting some of their own operatives to apply for jobs. "In some ways," said Keith Slotter, the agent in charge of the F.B.I.'s San Diego office, "it's like the old spy game between the old Soviet Union and the U.S. -- trying to compromise each other's spies." James Tomsheck, the assistant commissioner for internal affairs at Customs and Border Protection, and other investigators said they had seen many signs that the drug organizations were making a concerted effort to infiltrate the ranks. "We are very concerned," Mr. Tomsheck said. "There have been verifiable instances where people were directed to C.B.P. to apply for positions only for the purpose of enhancing the goals of criminal organizations. They had been selected because they had no criminal record; a background investigation would not develop derogatory information." During a federal trial of a recently hired Border Patrol agent this year, one drug trafficker with ties to organized crime in Mexico described how he had enticed the agent, a close friend from high school in Del Rio, Tex., who was entering the training academy, to join his crew smuggling tons of marijuana into Texas. The agent, Raquel Esquivel, 25, was sentenced to 15 years in prison last week for tipping smugglers on where border guards were and suggesting how they could avoid getting caught. The smuggler, Diego Esquivel, who is not related to the agent, said he told her that her decision to enter the academy was a good career move and, he said, "I thought it was good for me, too." Under the Bush administration, the United States has spent billions of dollars -- $11 billion this year alone for Customs and Border Protection -- to tighten the border between the United States and Mexico, building up physical barriers and going on a hiring spree to develop the nation's largest law enforcement agency to patrol the area. But the battle for survival among cartels in Mexico, in which thousands of people, mostly in the drug trade or fighting it, have been killed, has only led drug traffickers to redouble their efforts to get their drugs to market in the United States. Along the border, many residents have family members on both sides. Generations of residents have been accustomed to passing back and forth relatively freely, often daily, and exchanging goods, legal or not. Federal officials believe that drug traffickers are seeking to exploit those ties more than ever, urging family and friends on the American side to take advantage of the hiring rush for customs agents. The majority of agents and officers stay out of crime. But smuggling can be appealing. The average officer makes $70,000 a year, a sum that can be dwarfed by what smugglers pay to get just a few trucks full of drugs into the United States. Right now, only a fraction -- 10 percent or so -- of Customs and Border Protection recruits are given a polygraph screening that federal investigators say has proved effective in weeding out people with drug ties and other troublesome backgrounds. Officials say they do not have the money to test more recruits. In years past, new hires rarely served in the areas where they had grown up, but recently that practice has been relaxed somewhat to attract more recruits, said Thomas Frost, an assistant inspector general at the Department of Homeland Security. Mr. Frost and other internal affairs veterans say that has made it easier for traffickers. Mr. Tomsheck said that several prospective hires had been turned away after investigators suspected that they had been directed to Customs and Border Enforcement by drug trafficking organizations, and that several recent hires were under investigation as well, though he declined to provide details. As one exasperated investigator at the border put it, "There is so much hiring; if you have a warm body and pulse, you have a job." The F.B.I. is planning to add three multiagency corruption squads to the 10 already on the Southwest border, and the Department of Homeland Security's inspector general, the department's primary investigative arm, has also added agents. But such hiring has not kept up with the growth of the agency they are entrusted to keep watch over. Over all, arrests of Customs and Border Protection agents and officers have increased 40 percent in the last few years, outpacing the 24 percent growth in the agency itself, according to the Department of Homeland Security inspector general's office. The office has 400 open investigations, each often spanning a few years or more. Keith A. Byers, who supervises the F.B.I.'s border corruption units, said corruption posed a national security threat because guards seldom verify what is in the vehicles they have agreed to let pass, raising concerns "they could be letting something much more dangerous into the U.S." Most corrupt officers gravitate to smuggling illegal immigrants, rationalizing that is less onerous than getting involved with drugs, investigators say. But Mr. Byers and others point to a string of drug-related cases that make them wonder if the conventional wisdom is holding. Margarita Crispin, a former customs inspector in El Paso, pleaded guilty in April 2008 and received a 20-year prison sentence in what the F.B.I. considers one of the more egregious corruption cases. Through a succession of boyfriends and other associates with ties to major drug trafficking organizations in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Ms. Crispin helped smuggle thousands of pounds of marijuana over three years, almost from the time she began working for the agency. She waved off drug-sniffing dogs in her lane, complaining she was afraid of them, although investigators later learned she had had dogs as pets. "She is someone who from the beginning said this would be a good job to help the people I am associated with," Mr. Byers said. Just last month, Martha Garnica, a 12-year Customs and Border Protection employee near El Paso, was charged with bribery and marijuana smuggling in concert with traffickers in Ciudad Juarez. Ms. Garnica's 21-year-old daughter had also sought a job with the Border Patrol, in what investigators deemed a suspicious move given her mother's alleged involvement in the drug trade. The daughter, testifying in court last week, admitted she had lied on the application both about being a United States citizen and about owning property in Mexico. A spokesman for the United States Attorney's Office in El Paso declined to comment. Mr. Alarid's history in the military probably made him seem like a good candidate for the customs job. But he had a tangled family history. According to court papers, both his parents were drug addicts. Mr. Alarid was born in Tijuana, Mexico, but raised largely in foster homes in Southern California. He emerged from high school a track star and, over the next 10 years, did stints in the Marines and the Army, drawing praise from commanders for his dedication and service. "I would willingly trust Luis with my life," Sgt. Maj. Michael W. Abbey of the Army wrote in a letter to the judge before Mr. Alarid was sentenced in February. Mr. Alarid began working at the border in San Diego in October 2007. In his guilty plea, he admitted that he had started smuggling in February 2008. He was arrested three months later. Mr. Alarid would wave in vehicles that should have raised suspicion, either because their license plates were partly covered or because the plates did not belong to the vehicle, something he would have seen on the computer screen in his inspection booth. Before reporting to his lane, he would go out to the employee parking lot to use his cellphone, which federal agents believe was his way of telling the smugglers which lane to approach. At his sentencing, all involved -- the prosecutors, the judge, his lawyer -- expressed bewilderment at the turn in Mr. Alarid's life. But in an interview, a family member who was not part of the case said Mr. Alarid had mounting gambling debts and, despite it all, had always sought a bond with his biological mother. Still, Judge Janis L. Sammartino accepted the government's argument that a deterrent message needed to be sent. "I do think that the public, for a while at least, needs to be assured that who we have at the border are 100 percent individuals of integrity," she said. "I think you were at one time. I don't know what went wrong for you, sir, and I hope that you attain that again." ********************************************************************** Prepared by: Richard Lake, Senior Editor www.mapinc.org DrugSense provides many services at no charge, but they are not free to produce. Your contributions make DrugSense and its Media Awareness Project (MAP) happen. Please donate today. Our secure Web server at http://www.drugsense.org/donate.htm accepts credit cards and Paypal. Or, mail your check or money order to: DrugSense 14252 Culver Drive #328 Irvine, CA 92604-0326. (800) 266 5759 .DrugSense is a 501c(3) non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the expensive, ineffective, and destructive "War on Drugs." Donations are tax deductible to the extent provided by law. Cannabis Therapy Institute ~ Dear CTI Supporters: If you can, attend this historic hearing on Friday concerning Centennial's medical cannabis dispensary ban to show support for the patients and send a message to the Court that there are a lot of people concerned about this. Below is the announcement from the attorneys involved. Thanks!  Arapahoe District Court to Hear Landmark Challenge to Municipal Medical Marijuana Bans Friday Afternoon Contact: Jessica Peck Corry 720-628-5756/Jessica@JessicaCorry.com www.HobanandFeola.com Centennial, Colo. -- A coalition of medical marijuana patients and caregivers will get their day in court Friday. At an afternoon hearing in Arapahoe County District Court, plaintiffs will argue that the City of Centennial violated their rights under the Colorado Constitution, as well as a series of land use statutes, by forcing a Centennial medical marijuana wellness center to close last month. Three seriously-ill medical marijuana patients, together with their two caregivers, hope to reverse the City of Centennials decision to force CannaMart to shut its doors October 19th. The city's mandate just weeks after Centennial officials had approved CannaMart's business license. The case marks a first for Colorado as the inaugural challenge to a municipality's ability to impose land use restrictions that prohibit state-registered medical marijuana caregivers from dispensing medical marijuana within municipal boundaries. Relying on well established Colorado case law, the plaintiffs' attorneys argue that home rule municipalities, including Centennial, are prohibited from imposing prohibitions against rights, including medical marijuana, protected under the state Constitution as "matters of statewide concern." Medical marijuana has been legal in Colorado since 2000, when a majority of voters approved a constitutional amendment allowing individuals suffering from debilitating medical conditions to legally consume and purchase marijuana. The amendment also legalized the sale, distribution, storage, transportation, production, and cultivation of the medicine by caregivers. WHAT: Arapahoe County District Court Judge Christopher Cross to hear challenge to the City of Centennial's decision to shut down CannaMart. WHEN: Friday, December 18, 2009, 1:30 p.m. Plaintiffs and their team of four attorneys, led by Bob Hoban and Robert J. Corry, Jr., will be available for comment before and after the hearing. WHERE: Arapahoe County District Court, Courtroom 405, Judge Christopher Cross, 7325 S. Potomac St., Centennial, CO. Click here to read complaint: http://www.cannabistherapyinstitute.com/legal/centennial/centennial.complaint1.pdf Provided as a Public Service by the: Cannabis Therapy Institute P.O. Box 19084 Boulder, CO 80308 Phone: 877-420-4205 Web: http://www.cannabistherapyinstitute.com Email: info@cannabistherapyinstitute.com Mile High Showdown ~ Off Of The Steps & Into The House...!!! Hey Now Kidz, Krazys, and Kannabis Kampers,
I have been involved with the re-legalization of marijuana movement since 1968.
 Never before I have seen the momentum toward re-legalization of marijuana as I have in the last year, especially in my homestate of Colorado.
 We are in a place where actual re-legalization of marijuana just might be right around the corner.
I attended the Marijuana Activist Seminar and Bootcamp held at Regis Universary last year put on by S.A.F.E.R. and Sensible Colorado There were various panels of discussion, one was a legislative panel, the members of this panel told us how to approach them in a meaningful way.
That is the next approach for us here in Colorado...it is also a practice session for the Million Person March occuring this coming July in Washington, D.C.
Here's the game plan,
We have been rallying on the Colorado State House Westside steps for years.
This year, the state legislature is going to try to restrict patient's access to their Constitutionally protected medicine.
No longer are we going to throw our voices in protest to the wind with rally speeches. This year we getting "Off Of The Steps & Into The House!"
After holding a rally that starts at 11:30am and goes on until 2pm, we are going to the other side of the building and invade the offices of our elected officials.
Prior to our mass invasion there will be rallying speeches by
Rob Corry ~ Pro-Marijuana Attorney/Adovcate
Brian Vincente ~ Sensible Colorado
Mason Tvert ~ S.A.F.E.R.
Dr. Bob Melemede ~ Molecular Biologist/Marijuana Adovocate
&
a blessing by
Rev. James of the THC Minisrty
One of the main things when approaching your reps, you must dress for success. Looking like your on your way to a Grateful Dead, Slipknot, or Burning Spear shows doesn't make it. Appearance is 90% of the game before you even open your mouth. The mouth part although only 10% is the deal closer. Know your peaking points, keep everything you say positive. Have it your requests in writing. Be positive, remember you're meeting your reps to influence and effect change.
But most importantly just don't sit there and think, "Wow Maynard, that's a great idea I hope it works!"
Please join us in this moment of re-legalization history. Come and DO IT...!!!
This rally is sponsored by Mile High NORML & The Cannabis Therapy Institute and is endorsed by me,Wayward Bill, Yippie,The United States Marijuana Party of Colorado, and The Denver 420 Rally Team.
The time is right....
Wayward Bill
Cannabis Therapy Institute ~ Holiday Cannabis Health Fair Schedule, Sunday December 13For immediate release: Dec. 10, 2009
Contact: Cannabis Therapy Institute 877-420-4205  *Cannabis Holiday Health Fair Schedule of Events Announced*  {Boulder, CO} -- The Cannabis Therapy Institute is hosting a Cannabis Holiday Health Fair on Sunday, Dec. 13 at the Holiday Inn in Denver. The Cannabis Health Fair is a full-day public outreach event designed to answer questions about cannabis as medicine and how to become a legal patient in Colorado. There will be displays from medical cannabis dispensaries as well as other hemp and cannabis-related businesses, educational videos seminars, gifts, contests and prizes. For more information: http://www.CannabisHealthFair.com/ *LOCATION* Cannabis Holiday Health Fair "Meet Your Medical Cannabis Professionals" Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Location: Holiday Inn Denver-Central 4849 Bannock St., Denver, CO (Off I-25 and 48th Ave.) The event is free and open to the public. *** Absolutely no cannabis medicine is allowed at this event. Caregivers will be displaying photos and testimonials of their medicine only. *** *SCHEDULE OF EVENTS* *Meet Denver City Councilman Charlie Brown* Time: Noon to 1:00pm Thanks to Councilman Brown for being the only lawmaker so far who has promised to attend. *High Times Magazine Autograph Party* Time: 1:00 pm to 3:00pm: Be the first to see High Times Feb. 2010 issue with a 6-page spread called "Colorado's Medical Marijuana Mountains". Get your advanced copy autographed by the some of people featured in the article, including Zack Volk (cover bud), Jason Lauve (patient), Rob Corry (attorney), Jessica the Cheesecake Lady, Mark Rose from Grateful Meds, Robert Love from Grand County Co-op, Jeff Campbell from the Oriental Theatre, and more! Proceeds go to help indigent patients. Click here for preview pictures of some of our new High Times celebrities: http://www.CannabisHealthFair.com/ *List of Exhibitors* http://www.cannabistherapyinstitute.com/chf/chf.exhibitors.html *Video-Tape a Message to Senator Romer* Senator Chris Romer (D-Denver) was invited to attend the Cannabis Holiday Health Fair to meet some of the constituency he is trying to regulate, but has so far not responded. In his absence, there will be a video camera set up, and we will record short public comments to Sen. Romer, and all Colorado legislators, to be posted on YouTube as video testimonials. Come send af message to your lawmakers! *Cannabis Health News Magazine Debut* Jason Lauve will release his newest creation, Cannabis Health News Magazine, a magazine from the patient's perspective. Come get your free bundle of issues for your business!!! *Contest for Best Medical Cannabis Handout* Since the main purpose of this event is education of the public and lawmakers, we are encouraging all exhibitors to enter some literature in our "Best Medical Cannabis Handout" Contest. The public will be the judge. Each attendee will be given a scorecard and will be encouraged to visit the vendors' tables to receive their handouts. Click here for the complete contest rules. http://www.cannabistherapyinstitute.com/chf/handout.contest.html *Prizes* Bring your lawmaker to the event and receive a free gift! *Raffle* Win big prizes by participating in our indigent patient charity raffle of items donated by local dispensaries. Thanks to Randy Chase for organizing this. Get your raffle tickets at the CTI information table. *Holiday Gifts* Absolutely no cannabis medicine will be displayed or sold. However, exhibitors will have other products for sale, and patients will also be selling arts and crafts for the holiday season, so this will be a good place to pick up some unique gifts. *Video Seminars* Watch videos of Rob Corry (attorney), Dr. Robert Melamede (Biology Professor) , Timothy Tipton (patient advocate) and Jason Lauve (patient) recorded at the first Cannabis Health Fair in September. *Food* Teddy's Restaurant will be open at the Holiday Inn, serving a full line of food and beverages. *Vendor Spaces Still Available* Apply online: http://www.cannabistherapyinstitute.com/chf/vendors.html Cannabis Therapy Institute P.O. Box 19084 Boulder, CO 80308 Phone: 877-420-4205 Web: http://www.cannabistherapyinstitute.com Email: info@cannabistherapyinstitute.com (graphics and layout by Wayward Bill)
And be sure to stop by the Mile High NORML table and introduce yourself to me, Wayward Bill...got somethings to talk about here against the rising tide...!!! Cannabis Therapy Institute ~ Laura Kriho Of Cannabis Therapy Institute On KHOW Radio TommorowDenver talk radio show host Peter Boyles will interview Laura Kriho
 of theCannabis Therapy Institute on Wednesday morning at 7:00am MST on KHOW radio Denver.  This is a call-in show. The Studio Talk line is: (303) 713-8255 Listen online or at tune @ 630AM Radio in Denver. http://www.khow.com/ You can also download a podcast of the show later in the day from the KHOW website. http://www.khow.com/pages/boyles.html
Cannabis Therapy Institute P.O. Box 19084 Boulder, CO 80308 Phone: 877-420-4205 Web: http://www.cannabistherapyinstitute.com Email: info@cannabistherapyinstitute.com (layout and graphic by Wayward Bill, edited for content and corrections by Wayward Bill) |
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