Smokin Moose
Fallen Cannabis Warrior & Ex Moderator
LEAP in Action September 2008
This issue...
- Make the LEAP
- Volunteer of the Month
- State by State
- Making Media
- International Overtures
Make the LEAP
Volunteer of the Month
"Tried and true activists bring LEAP into what they do"
Rob Ryan is both tried and true. Rob works hard at his day job but always finds time for activism. As an experienced local reformer focusing on medical marijuana, he immediately recognized the impact of the LEAP message. Since our creation in 2002, Rob has been a savvy, hard-working supporter of our speakers. Rob regularly books civic gigs or finds other quality audiences for our messengers around his home town of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Rob uses every opportunity to educate his friends about drug policy. In 2006 and 2007 he was instrumental in placing resolutions before the national convention of Amnesty International, calling for their support in ending prohibition. While at the conference he also created a table top display promoting LEAP.
LEAP celebrates local activism and is honored to have Rob as our volunteer of the month. We value skilled activists who are using their talents to bring the LEAP message to their community leaders.
State by State
Contributed by Barb Humphrey (NY), Speakers Bureau Administrative Assistant
The Leap Speakers Deliver Powerful Messages Heard 'Round the World
Following up with hosts of LEAP speaking engagements gives me the opportunity to not only thank them for the booking and put in a plug for a future engagement, but also to gauge the impact of the drug legalization message being delivered around the world by LEAP speakers. As expected, on college campuses, LEAP speakers, who often are guests of Students for Sensible Drug Policy, encounter receptive audiences. Speakers such as Rick Van Wickler, Peter Christ, Jay Fisher, and Jeff Kaufman we were well received earlier this year on college campuses in Texas, Ohio, Tennessee, New York, and elsewhere. Mixed reactions are expected from older audiences, especially if there are representatives of law enforcement in the audience. But a number of rotaries, such as Blairstown in New Jersey, expressed support for LEAP's efforts to change drug policy as a better way to keep kids safe following Peter Christ's presentation. Jim Doherty was pleasantly surprised to discover that Kiwanis members in Seattle were already on board with the drug policy reform movement, having already heard from the King County Bar Association and the organizer of the Seattle Hempfest. Nebraskans were appreciative that Tony Ryan's message of drug legalization was delivered with credibility, professionalism and kindness, especially in response to audience misconceptions that drug legalization condones drug use. They appreciated the opportunity to hear his novel message and for the thoughtful discussion this message stimulated. Mike Gilbert's host at the San Antonio Senior Citizens Walking Club told us he was relieved that "no one castigated me for arranging the program. Also, judging by the questions asked, he had some that agreed with him." Reading the response to Russ Jones' presentation to the New Braunfels Evening Lions Club reminded me why we all work so hard to book LEAP speakers:
"Russ Jones was outstanding! His presentation was informative, professional and convincing. I have not been a supporter of legalizing drugs; however, Russ' program, followed by a question & answer period made one consider the "War on Drugs" from a whole new perspective. His power point presentation was easy to follow and contributed to the overall presentation. Russ is an impressive individual -- one you have to honor. I will be recommending Russ to other civic organizations for future speaking engagements."
In August, LEAP speakers went to Alaska and New Zealand; more about New Zealand in International Overtures. This from the Anchorage South Rotary in response to Mike Gilbert's presentation in early August: "Mike's presentation was great. Our members were very interested and it was worth everyone's time. Thanks." I am looking forward to sharing New Zealanders' responses to Jerry Paradis' presentations in next month's LEAP Report.
Making Media
You don't have to look far before you find LEAP in the media. The highlight of this month has to be the Colorado Springs Gazette editorial published during the height of the Democratic National Convention.
The Gazette's opinion piece "Decades of effort yield few results" published on August 25, 2008 and available on line at Opinion: Our View - Monday | drug, war, drugs : Gazette.com has this to say about the other US war...
"In this campaign season, critics often hammer Sen. John McCain for his comment that he could see U.S. troops in Iraq for another 100 years. Although the senator meant the U.S. role in Iraq would be similar to our role in Germany and South Korea, not actively fighting insurgents, as the critics would have voters believe, the criticism scores points because the average American doesn't have much interest in fighting a seemingly endless war. Yet this country and others have been fighting a war for four decades with limited or no success, and there is no end in sight.
No less deadly than uniformed troops trading volleys with one another, the war on drugs has cost this country more than a trillion dollars so far, according to the Law Enforcement Against Prohibition Web site, and that figure increases more than $65 billion each year. (LEAP is an organization of former and current law enforcement officers who have recognized the futility of the drug war.) And the government's attempt to curtail human nature is costing more than money. Every year, innocent people are killed, wounded or traumatized because of the war on drugs."
International Overtures
Jerry Paradis is getting "Kia ora"* from folks these days, as he treks across New Zealand for LEAP's return visit to this "other" down-under country. He's doing the "Tiki tour" and we'll have him knackered by the end of his tour on September 10th. Blair Anderson is the Kiwi coordinating the trip, and he has Jerry speaking at civic clubs, at conferences, meeting legislators and other VIPs, speaking with the media and basically, being what Mark Twain once said was the definition of an expert: "The guy from out of town". In this case, Jerry is DEFINITELY from out of town: 7057 miles, if the crow could fly it. See our website events page for all of the details.
* "Kia ora" is Maori for "be well" and is a typical greeting across NZ.
Jack Cole travels immediately after Labor Day...he is an invited speaker to the 26th Annual Symposium on Economic Crime being held at Jesus College at Cambridge, England. Numerous media interviews are being plugged in for this attendance, as well as several private meetings with local dignitaries.
2009 could be a big travel year, as plans are starting to develop for speaking opportunities in Bangkok Thailand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Puerto Rico, Haiti, and various points in Europe including Vienna.
Posted in In the Trenches by David Guard on Fri, 09/05/2008 - 3:10pm
Issue IV, Volume II
This issue...
- Make the LEAP
- Volunteer of the Month
- State by State
- Making Media
- International Overtures
Make the LEAP
Volunteer of the Month
"Tried and true activists bring LEAP into what they do"
Rob Ryan is both tried and true. Rob works hard at his day job but always finds time for activism. As an experienced local reformer focusing on medical marijuana, he immediately recognized the impact of the LEAP message. Since our creation in 2002, Rob has been a savvy, hard-working supporter of our speakers. Rob regularly books civic gigs or finds other quality audiences for our messengers around his home town of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Rob uses every opportunity to educate his friends about drug policy. In 2006 and 2007 he was instrumental in placing resolutions before the national convention of Amnesty International, calling for their support in ending prohibition. While at the conference he also created a table top display promoting LEAP.
LEAP celebrates local activism and is honored to have Rob as our volunteer of the month. We value skilled activists who are using their talents to bring the LEAP message to their community leaders.
State by State
Contributed by Barb Humphrey (NY), Speakers Bureau Administrative Assistant
The Leap Speakers Deliver Powerful Messages Heard 'Round the World
Following up with hosts of LEAP speaking engagements gives me the opportunity to not only thank them for the booking and put in a plug for a future engagement, but also to gauge the impact of the drug legalization message being delivered around the world by LEAP speakers. As expected, on college campuses, LEAP speakers, who often are guests of Students for Sensible Drug Policy, encounter receptive audiences. Speakers such as Rick Van Wickler, Peter Christ, Jay Fisher, and Jeff Kaufman we were well received earlier this year on college campuses in Texas, Ohio, Tennessee, New York, and elsewhere. Mixed reactions are expected from older audiences, especially if there are representatives of law enforcement in the audience. But a number of rotaries, such as Blairstown in New Jersey, expressed support for LEAP's efforts to change drug policy as a better way to keep kids safe following Peter Christ's presentation. Jim Doherty was pleasantly surprised to discover that Kiwanis members in Seattle were already on board with the drug policy reform movement, having already heard from the King County Bar Association and the organizer of the Seattle Hempfest. Nebraskans were appreciative that Tony Ryan's message of drug legalization was delivered with credibility, professionalism and kindness, especially in response to audience misconceptions that drug legalization condones drug use. They appreciated the opportunity to hear his novel message and for the thoughtful discussion this message stimulated. Mike Gilbert's host at the San Antonio Senior Citizens Walking Club told us he was relieved that "no one castigated me for arranging the program. Also, judging by the questions asked, he had some that agreed with him." Reading the response to Russ Jones' presentation to the New Braunfels Evening Lions Club reminded me why we all work so hard to book LEAP speakers:
"Russ Jones was outstanding! His presentation was informative, professional and convincing. I have not been a supporter of legalizing drugs; however, Russ' program, followed by a question & answer period made one consider the "War on Drugs" from a whole new perspective. His power point presentation was easy to follow and contributed to the overall presentation. Russ is an impressive individual -- one you have to honor. I will be recommending Russ to other civic organizations for future speaking engagements."
In August, LEAP speakers went to Alaska and New Zealand; more about New Zealand in International Overtures. This from the Anchorage South Rotary in response to Mike Gilbert's presentation in early August: "Mike's presentation was great. Our members were very interested and it was worth everyone's time. Thanks." I am looking forward to sharing New Zealanders' responses to Jerry Paradis' presentations in next month's LEAP Report.
Making Media
You don't have to look far before you find LEAP in the media. The highlight of this month has to be the Colorado Springs Gazette editorial published during the height of the Democratic National Convention.
The Gazette's opinion piece "Decades of effort yield few results" published on August 25, 2008 and available on line at Opinion: Our View - Monday | drug, war, drugs : Gazette.com has this to say about the other US war...
"In this campaign season, critics often hammer Sen. John McCain for his comment that he could see U.S. troops in Iraq for another 100 years. Although the senator meant the U.S. role in Iraq would be similar to our role in Germany and South Korea, not actively fighting insurgents, as the critics would have voters believe, the criticism scores points because the average American doesn't have much interest in fighting a seemingly endless war. Yet this country and others have been fighting a war for four decades with limited or no success, and there is no end in sight.
No less deadly than uniformed troops trading volleys with one another, the war on drugs has cost this country more than a trillion dollars so far, according to the Law Enforcement Against Prohibition Web site, and that figure increases more than $65 billion each year. (LEAP is an organization of former and current law enforcement officers who have recognized the futility of the drug war.) And the government's attempt to curtail human nature is costing more than money. Every year, innocent people are killed, wounded or traumatized because of the war on drugs."
International Overtures
Jerry Paradis is getting "Kia ora"* from folks these days, as he treks across New Zealand for LEAP's return visit to this "other" down-under country. He's doing the "Tiki tour" and we'll have him knackered by the end of his tour on September 10th. Blair Anderson is the Kiwi coordinating the trip, and he has Jerry speaking at civic clubs, at conferences, meeting legislators and other VIPs, speaking with the media and basically, being what Mark Twain once said was the definition of an expert: "The guy from out of town". In this case, Jerry is DEFINITELY from out of town: 7057 miles, if the crow could fly it. See our website events page for all of the details.
* "Kia ora" is Maori for "be well" and is a typical greeting across NZ.
Jack Cole travels immediately after Labor Day...he is an invited speaker to the 26th Annual Symposium on Economic Crime being held at Jesus College at Cambridge, England. Numerous media interviews are being plugged in for this attendance, as well as several private meetings with local dignitaries.
2009 could be a big travel year, as plans are starting to develop for speaking opportunities in Bangkok Thailand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Puerto Rico, Haiti, and various points in Europe including Vienna.
Posted in In the Trenches by David Guard on Fri, 09/05/2008 - 3:10pm
Issue IV, Volume II
