It is time to abolish laws making the use of Marijuana more dangerous than actually USING marijuana. Every other civilized country on Earth (no joke) does not see Marijuana use as an illegal act. What does that say about us as a culture? The United States of Prohibition and Social Discrimination.

Maybe in this current economic crisis we can finally find the strength to shed the stigma surrounding this plant. It seems to me that we can no longer afford to criminalize our youth, musicians, artists, patients, and citizens. When America was reeling from economic collapse in the 1930's the Victorian idea of Prohibition was abolished - not that it was working anyway. We have now been fighting for 70 years against a plant. Seems futile. It is futile. Shouldn't we be pumping money into education, revitalization, health care, and job creation?

We, the land of prohibition. We, the land of prescribed meth amphetamines. We, the land of propaganda criminalization. I believe in the march of history. I believe that time only moves forward. And, I believe that "Any law that the people do not want enforced, that CAN NOT be enforced, must be abolished". Mayor Laguardia said that of the criminalization of Marijuana in the 1930's. When President Obama was asked via the internet about the legalization of marijuana to help pull America out an economic tail-spin, he marginalized it's users even more, saying, "What does this tell us about the internet audience?" What he failed to mention was that it was the #1 question asked of him. He gave it a shrug, a sigh, and a joke - typical stoner moves. Evasion, denial, and humor. All so he can procrastinate an answer to a question that the citizens who elected him into office demanded to know. My major concern with President Obama is his ability to play to the middle. In other countries, when you win the election you govern the country.

Many superstitions should be abolished, this is one of them. It is time, friends, Americans, Countrymen. We must break free of the superstitions and sins of our fathers. It is time to step into the light of a new age of man - a better age of man. No longer can we bind ourselves with mystification and delusions, the time is to dire to align our selves with any idea or organization that doesn't contain TRUTH. We know enough about this plant now, and it's effects, to say roundly that the growing, cultivation, and use of this plant never has been, and should no longer be a criminal act.

This is an e-mail I wrote a while back.  I was reading through my old e-mails and was impressed by how well written this one was.  Names have been changed to protect the innocent...and the not-so-innocent.  ENJOY.

___________________________________________________________

Alright, _____, let's start at the beginning.

When I told you and ___ about what had happened between me and _____.  I also specifically said not to tell her.  I told you that in case I ever ran into her again. So, yes, there was exploitation there. I trusted you with a secret, and it was exploited, against my wishes. Blatantly and cruelly. So, whether or not _____ is a liar, that is besides the point. You both promised that it wouldn't be mentioned, and then at the first opportunity I was stabbed in the back. So, there really is no excuse for that.

Secondly, friend, I NEVER asked you for money!!!!!! HOW DARE YOU!!!! I never once asked you for any financial help. I needed a friend because my roommate had begun getting physically violent with me and I felt I was in danger. No, you never offered to come and get me. Yes, I would have taken it. I would have gladly let you save me, and this conversation would never be happening. But, you never offered. You ASSUMED I only wanted money from you because I had told _____ the reason I couldn't make it to her wedding is because I couldn't afford it. This is partly true... but mostly false. After seeing _____ a bit more before her wedding, I realized I still had feelings for her, and since I had no practical purpose IN the wedding, I thought it would be best for me, and her, if I was just not in attendance.

I came to California sporadically over the years to visit. When I did I would often take the bus because I DIDN'T HAVE A CAR and planes were too expensive. That left me with no transportation. However, when I did have it I came out to see you guys. Sure, not regularly, but, once again, how regularly did you come to Tucson? Oh yeah, never! When I was in town, how many times did you guys drive to see me? Oh yeah, never! Every time I've seen you guys since becoming an adult it's been because I came to you... not the other way around.

Then you have the balls to tell me that "I wanted you to confide in me, but I wasn't willing to make the same effort". Bullshit. When I confide in one or more of "the group" it is/was exploited behind my back. Effort, my ass! And the reason I would "pop-in" for a day and then "disappear" for months was because I LIVED IN ANOTHER FUCKING STATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would "pop-in" when I could. When did you "pop-in" to Tucson?

And you wanna keep talking about HS? OK, let's do that. At school, yes, we hung out together, and for one blissful summer we were all inseparable. But when it got harder to see me you guys stopped making the effort. And it's been that way since, ___. I was abandoned by you guys a long time ago. I stopped trying to be as close with you guys because you all made it very clear that I was not wanted in that way. When a friend of mine is being hurt by another friend, I talk to the one doing the hurting and tell them that it needs to stop. You never did that for me. Whenever ______ would be a dick to me I was the one that was told to suck it up and that maybe I should change the way I act around him. Fuck that. That's like telling an abused child that they need to suck it up, and that it's probably their fault they're being abused in the first place. But God forbid it was ___ or _____ on the firing line... then you'd go in guns a-blazin'!

If you were really willing to start fresh you wouldn't have mentioned the miscommunication last summer. The only two purposes that could have possibly served was to guilt trip me, or to anger me. Well, ___, neither has worked. It does suck that things have turned out this way. I miss my friends. Unfortunately I am not the same guy that felt OK being hurt all the time like I did in HS. I asked for an apology from you, ___ and others, and all I got was a series of excuses and ways that it was my fault. Well, it wasn't.

After all the times I've told you how hurt I felt in HS by "the group" I never heard, "I'm sorry I made you feel that way". Apologizing is not an admission of guilt, it's an expression of sympathy. I didn't want you guys to fall over yourselves to make me feel better, all I wanted was sympathy. Instead, I got excuses and blame. It's my fault... I left the group in our senior year... I'm hard to get a hold of... I never visit you... blah, blah, blah.

Excuse me if I don't jump at the chance to be close again, ___. I've been hurt. I still haven't had an apology. I've been lied to. I still haven't heard I'm sorry. And, I've been stabbed in the back. No apology.

Now you're in Virginia, how the hell am I supposed to go out there??? I'll get shit for not being in Virginia enough. Unfair!!!!

Call me if there is any desire to talk about this over the phone. Until we meet again...

Walter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wc4KNK8CSdM

Hey everyone, I'm a finalist in this competition...but they've been ridiculously tricky about this whole thing! So, I need everyone to go and watch AGAIN! PLEASE!!!!! Also, please give it 5 stars! Without your vote, I don't win...seriously.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Htv8njZJMQE

A young woman, annoyed with the current state of the world, looks to make a difference in the course of a day. Directed By Walter Ponce Starring Jenny Bokcoch Camera Rey Ramirez

This one's for you, Lainy...

--------------------------------------------------

go ahead go ahead
and smash it on the floor
take whatever's left
and take it with you out the door
see if i cry
see if i shed a single sorry tear
i can't say that it's been that great
no in fact it's been a wasted worried year

everybody sees
and everyone agrees
that you and i are wrong
and it's been that way too long
take it as it comes
and be thankful when it's done
there's so many ways to act
and there's many shades of black
there's so many shades of black
there's so many shades of black

let it out let it all out
say what's on your mind
you can kick and scream
and shout and say things
that are so unkind
yeah see if i care
see if i stand firm or if i fall
cause in the back of my mind
and on the tip of my tongue
is the answer to it all

and everybody sees
and everyone agrees
that you and i are wrong
and it's been that way too long
take it as it comes
and be thankful when it's done
there's so many ways to act
and there's many shades of black
there's so many shades of black
yeah there's many shades of black

yeah everybody sees
and everyone agrees
that you and i are wrong
and it's been that way too long
so take it as it comes
and be thankful when it's done
there's so many ways to act
and you cannot take it back
no you cannot take it back
there's so many shades of black
there's so many shades of black
yeah there's many shades of black
there's so many shades of black
there's so many shades of black
yeah there's many shades of black
there's so many shades of black
yeah there's many shades of black
there's so many shades of black

go ahead

--------------------------------------------------

There are many shades of black, but I have never been as dark as you just were...

Check out my new blog. 

http://centerofattentionltd.blogspot.com/

Do it! 

Wally

P.S. Leave a comment while you're there...

And I can't stop thinking about it.  All the music I heard, the memories I made and the expensive food I ate.  Already I am looking forward to next year and planning accordingly.

I saw so many amazing musicians and was moved to tears more than once.  Yes, some of the tears may have been from Heat Exhaustion, or lack of sleep, but they were tears nonetheless.  I laughed at so many performances and even got the chnce to hang out with one of my favorite performers...MIKA.

I wouldn't change a thing about this past weekend, except maybe Friday.  I can thank Sarah for keeping me up until 5 am on Thursday Night for my lack of energy on Friday.  I had to miss a couple of artists I was really looking forward to like Tilly and the Wall and Rufus Wainwright.  I didn't go in to the festival until about 9:45 pm on Friday Night because I had to sleep.

I am glad I slept however, because if not the entire weeked would have sucked.  Saturday and Sunday was filled with the most incredible music and the most rediculous clothes!  People were walking around in what can only be described as 'costumes'.  What a treat!

I am cordially inviting ALL of you to join me next year for Coachella '08.  I want to get enough people together to rent a house in the area instead of camping.  I will keep everyone updated on lineup, tickets and schedule as they appear...until then, Happy Days!!!

 

Miracles are usually so small in their presentation that we rarely notice them.  Today's miracle is no different...

I have a best friend.  No, that wasn't right.  I have THE best friend.  Since moving out of state to Tucson, AZ our phone time has dramatically gone down.  We live different schedules and everyone knows how hard it is to explain to someone a particular event when they weren't there, or even know any of the people.

I would say it's been 4 months since we last spoke.  We've corresponded, but 4 months since our last conversation.  And finally today, it happened.  To say it so simply is an act against the miracle it was.

Last night was a really bad night.  I was up until 9 am with my roommate as he continued to disrespect and physically threaten me.  I left, at 5 am and went for a walk with my Bible.  I came home and prayed for a few hours and really begged God for comfort.  I fell asleep on my knees. 

The ringing of the telephone woke me...

...at 4pm.

I was scheduled to work at 5 pm and jumped out of bed ready to pick up the phone, hang up quickly and get to work.  It was Allison.  She finally had a moment to talk with me.  I was so relieved.  She is the most comforting person in my life.  I'll even go so far as to say she's the most comforting person in YOUR life too.  All I could think while talking to her was how quickly this conversation would have to end.  I had to get to work.  As soon as I told her this my other line rang.  I asked her to hold for a moment and clicked over.

It was work.  My co-worker was asking if I really wanted to come to work.  Honestly, I said, "No, I really would rather not".  He went on to explain how dead it was there and I should just stay home.  I clicked back over to Allison and was able to speak to her until 5:30 pm.  A full hour longer than I had thought.

Often times miracles are so un-extraordinary, so mundane that we don't see them.  I don't want to miss a moment of God's movement in my life.  I want to live with my eyes open to God's grace and gifts.  From getting the seat on the airplane you want to getting the last of your favorite donut at the shop, these small, happy moments are filled with God's presence.  It's Him saying, "I love you, you're welcome"...

...Thank You