Pubdate: Thu, 04 Aug 2005 Source: Westender (Vancouver, CN BC) Copyright: 2005 WestEnder Contact: http://www.westender.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1243 Author: Brian Peterson Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?196 (Emery, Marc) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) ARE OUR FREEDOMS GOING UP IN SMOKE? You wouldn't know it from all the rainbows, sunshine, fireworks and lollipoppery going on, but we are a nation at war, people! War! Our commitment to the War on Terror grows in Afghanistan. A new front is opening up against the Danes on Hans Island to the north. Terrorist cells could be multiplying in our midst, but do we ale-swilling, pot-puffing, decadent Canadians care? Huh? What? Exactly! That's why I'm mightily relieved that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency is stepping up to finger dangerous criminals in our midst like BC Marijuana Party leader Marc Emery. And I'm pleased as punch that our obedient pigs participated in last Friday's porking of the self-proclaimed Prince of Pot. Emery was taken down by RCMP in Nova Scotia, on his way to Hemp Fest 2005 in Lawrencetown. His associates Gregory Williams and Michelle Rainey-Fenkarek were also arrested in Vancouver. The busts came after an 18-month DEA investigation in which seeds from busted grow-ops across the U.S. were traced back to Emery's seed distribution company, Marc Emery Direct. The Vancouver Police became involved in the case a year ago, as part of the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Act. The DEA then requested a search warrant for BC Marijuana Party headquarters, which was granted by BC Supreme Court Associate Chief Justice Patrick Dohm. The DEA hopes to have all three remanded in custody while they seek to have them extradited to the States to face charges, which include conspiracy to manufacture marijuana, distribute seeds and engage in money laundering. The process could take up to two years. If and when it happens, they'll be looking at a drubbing from the iron glove of American drug justice that would make a weak-willed Canuck swoon! There were still more arrests on Friday, when a quickly assembled demonstration of pro-pot protesters tried to block the police from carrying off Emery's business records and other assorted bust booty. Ever since, witless potheads and civil libertarians have been banging bongos, desecrating flags, blazing herb, and babbling about encroachment on our sovereignty and the immorality of changing our enforcement priorities to ship off people to face appalling penalties. To those people I say, "Tell it to your children, who may one day take a toke of Mr. Emery's poison and, uh... cut school or eat too many tacos or do something bad, you better believe." According to the DEA, Emery and his ilk are common drug dealers and criminals, running a three-million-dollars-a-year enterprise that exports death and mayhem to anyone who can coax his death bombs to grow in the dark, dark soil! Sure, it's been all going on in plain view for 10 years with scarcely a yawn from our local cops, but the wheels of justice really take a long time to grind up here - although, according to VPD mouthpiece Howard Chow, there are no Canadian charges pending against any of them. Go figger.... I sure hope some liberal Canadian activist judge doesn't quash this extradition request. What a shame no one shivved Emery when he was held safely behind bars in the Saskatoon slammer for almost 90 days this year, for the crime of passing a heinous reefer... maybe to your son or daughter! Criminal masterminds are always getting away with this shite. I'm a little surprised Emery didn't sense the way the dope smoke was blowing and schedule some low-key vacation time and a crossover to legitimate business after his release. Anybody should know that when the momentum to change our outdated cannabis laws peaks and a bogus decrim bill promises to begin winding its way through Parliament again, that's when another series of high profile busts will hit the fan to give the lie to the whole process. Instead, Emery kept up his tireless marijuana legalization advocacy, scofflawery and seed peddling, and will reap the whirlwind. Mark my words, the DEA will hang his big brass balls from its rear view mirror. Then we'll all feel that teeny, tiny bit safer. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin