MAPTalk-Digest Saturday, December 10 2005 Volume 05 : Number 147
001 Stop The Censorship
From: R Givens <>
002 Re: MAP: Stop The Censorship
From: Richard Lake <>
003 Re: MAP: Stop The Censorship
From: "SHeath(DPF Florida)" <>
004 Web: Ten Years of DrugSense
From: Richard Lake <>
005 Re: MAP: Stop The Censorship
From: Allan Erickson <>
006 Re: MAP: Stop The Censorship
From: "Larry Seguin" <>
007 fwd: Note to Stupes
From: Rick Steeb <>
008 Re: MAP: Stop The Censorship
From: Allan Erickson <>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subj: 001 Stop The Censorship
From: R Givens <>
Date: Fri, 9 Dec 2005 12:55:17 -0800
>Note: MAP archives articles exactly as published, except that our
>editors may redact the names and addresses of accused persons who
>have not been convicted of a crime, if those named are not otherwise
>public figures or officials.
Deleting the names of people accused of or convicted of "drug crimes"
does not help anybody, particularly the defendant.
Redacting is a practice done by Nazi based CIA agents when they make
their reports.
Why you do this is a mystery. Do you think the subscribers to this
forum are too infantile to take the truth.
What purpose does this redacting serve? The people involved have
already been publicly named in their communities.
I write many letters to editors every week and it is often necessary
to mention the name of the accused to make a sensible argument. That
means I have to go to the original paper and find the article (if it
is still available)- which devalues the service the MAP News forum
should deliver.
Censorship is an insulting form of lying.
Please stop this offensive practice.
R Givens
------------------------------
Subj: 002 Re: MAP: Stop The Censorship
From: Richard Lake <>
Date: Fri, 09 Dec 2005 16:29:44 -0500
Thank You for your opinion R. Givens.
For MAP redacting is simply being both ethical and responsible, and
for sure not censorship.
Recently we had a technical discussion on the issue among the editors
at MAP. Here is the non-technical part of my contribution:
*************************
Editors, Please Do Not Help the Media Punish Folks Not Yet Found Guilty.
Please remember that we decided some time ago that it is
inappropriate for us to add to the suffering of folks who have been
busted but not found guilty. Just because the media in some countries
allow it (better countries do not) we should not be helping.
Jack Lebowitz designed the following note for us to use:
- -------
Note: MAP archives articles exactly as published, except that our
editors may redact the names and addresses of accused persons who
have not been convicted of a crime, if those named are not otherwise
public figures or officials.
- ------
Please use it where appropriate.
Why should some 19 year old who has his name, age, and sometimes
where he lives which has been published in a local rag, which may in
fact not even keep the article on line for long, have that info in
our archive forever? What if the person is found innocent. Can we
guarantee that the article about that is found and archived. Of course not.
A couple years ago an Irish rock star (a web search proved he was
right) wrote to me about an article we had archived. Whenever his
fans would do a search on his name, guess what came up first? A story
about him being busted as a heroin pusher. BUT we did not have the
story about him being found innocent.
That is not right, and I felt bad about it, for sure. Oh, I simply
deleted the clipping from our archive.
Once and a while a medical cannabis patient may want what has
happened known. It's fairly easy for me to find out if that is the
case, so if you think it could be true, send me a note. If the
article makes it clear that the person is going to the press for
publicity themselves, well, then of course we can use it as is.
Thanks for your help on this, gang!
Richard
******************************************
The editors at MAP use redacting appropriately. We agree that to do
otherwise is to contribute to the punishment by press that goes on in
the U.S., and that is not either appropriate or ethical in our viewpoint.
After all MAP is far more popular than many of the papers that carry
these bust stories. They may archive the stories we redact for days
or weeks. No matter what happens in court, searches will find what we
MAP archive until the war on some drugs is over.
Assigning guilt automatically in the public mind, complete with
names, addresses, etc. before anybody has had their day in court is
something local papers do in the U.S., but it is not common practice
in more civilized countries.
You are, of course, as you indicate below, able to find the name(s)
on the newspaper website if it is important to you.
Richard Lake
Sr. Editor
DrugNews
www.mapinc.org
www.drugnews.org
At 03:55 PM 12/9/05, R Givens wrote:
>>Note: MAP archives articles exactly as published, except that our
>>editors may redact the names and addresses of accused persons who
>>have not been convicted of a crime, if those named are not
>>otherwise public figures or officials.
>
>Deleting the names of people accused of or convicted of "drug
>crimes" does not help anybody, particularly the defendant.
>
>Redacting is a practice done by Nazi based CIA agents when they make
>their reports.
>
>Why you do this is a mystery. Do you think the subscribers to this
>forum are too infantile to take the truth.
>
>What purpose does this redacting serve? The people involved have
>already been publicly named in their communities.
>
>I write many letters to editors every week and it is often necessary
>to mention the name of the accused to make a sensible argument. That
>means I have to go to the original paper and find the article (if it
>is still available)- which devalues the service the MAP News forum
>should deliver.
>
>Censorship is an insulting form of lying.
>
>Please stop this offensive practice.
>R Givens
------------------------------
Subj: 003 Re: MAP: Stop The Censorship
From: "SHeath(DPF Florida)" <>
Date: Fri, 09 Dec 2005 17:26:48 -0500
Hi Redford. I can appreciate how you formed your perceptions as written below.
I too questioned this tactic at MAP when I was a volunteer Editor, since it
was the only example of MAP altering content in a posted clipping from a
newspaper.
The best explanation I received was that our MAP URLs are permanently on
the web, whereas most newspapers story links are not (though more are
progressing that way).
Thus, John Smith may get accused in his local community and MAP picks up
the clipping and now its on the web forever.
If Mr. Smith is later acquitted, or worse, if the case is dropped entirely,
the local newspaper MIGHT carry an update, but it's very unlikely we would
receive it at MAP.
So for all future years, a simple Google Search of "John Smith" + HisTown
USA would result in the searcher being directed to the clipping with the
DRUG ARREST.
Yes, John could likely explain it if given a face to face opportunity, but
there's a great chance he would never get that chance and his name would be
forerver sullied in the eyes of that inquirer. If such a person is a
potential employer, or a child protective services employee etc, it could
severely damage John.
ANYONE who wants to know the name of the Redacted folks could with a single
click contact the newspaper and ask them directly.
Not an easy issue and I would understand if perhaps my explanation above
seems insufficient.
Your use of our resources at MAP and speficically your persistent effort to
use our site as an LTE conduit, are very very appreciated.
Steve in Clearwater
Media Activism Facilitator for DrugSense and
MAPinc http://www.mapinc.org/resource
------------------------------
Subj: 004 Web: Ten Years of DrugSense
From: Richard Lake <>
Date: Fri, 09 Dec 2005 19:44:59 -0500
Newshawk: Please Keep MAP On Line www.drugsense.org/donate.htm
Pubdate: Fri, 9 Dec 2005
Source: DrugSense Weekly (DSW)
Section: Feature Article
Webpage: http://www.drugsense.org/dsw/2005/ds05.n428.html#sec6
Website: http://www.drugsense.org/current.htm
Author: Philippe Lucas
TEN YEARS OF DRUGSENSE
DrugSense (www.drugsense.org), the world leader in online drug policy
research and reform, turns ten this year amid a flourish of kudos and awards.
Founded in November of 1995 by Director Mark Greer (who was later
joined by Webmaster and Senior Tech Support Specialist Matt Elrod),
the volunteer-driven organization has rapidly expanded from its
origin as an archive for drug policy related media to become a major
player in drug policy-related media activism, web hosting, and
grassroots organizing.
Following in the success of the Media Awareness Project (MAP)
(www.mapinc.org) - which archives over 150,000 news articles on drugs
and drug policy in searchable database used by researchers,
reporters, and reform organizers - DrugSense now hosts or provides
technical support for over 200 drug policy focused organizations all
over the world. Through its Focus Alerts initiative, DrugSense has
had over 20,000 Letters-to-the-Editor (LTEs) published worldwide,
representing over $20 million of advertising value in support of drug
policy reform.
Additionally, DrugSense staff have conducted over 250 radio and
television interviews to promote common sense and compassion in drug
policy, and trained dozens of local grassroots organizers and
activists to do the same. And for the last eight years, DrugSense has
published a weekly newsletter (http://www.drugsense.org/current.htm)
- - encapsulating major drug policy developments that now reaches over
30,000 readers a week.
In recognition of these many notable accomplishments, DrugSense was
recently awarded the Robert C. Randall Award for Achievement in the
Field of Citizen Action at the recent 2005 International Drug Policy
Reform Conference in Long Beach, California.
(http://www.drugsense.org/awards/randall.htm)
At the awards ceremony, Founder/Director Mark Greer illustrated the
importance of DrugSense to drug policy reform by asking members of
the audience who had used MAP or any other DrugSense services to
stand up, resulting in an impromptu standing ovation for the organization.
"Without such a dedicated group of volunteers and staff members and
the continued commitment of our funders, online drug policy research
and reform would still be in the stone-age," states Greer. "DrugSense
has brought Internet activism into the 21st Century, and with new
resources like the Community Audits and Initiatives Project
(http://www.drugsense.org/caip/), we look forward to ending the
ongoing abuses of prohibition and finally moving towards
evidence-based drug policy over our next 10 years of operation."
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, DrugSense is dedicated to
providing accurate information about drug policy. We heighten
awareness of the expensive, ineffective, and destructive "War on
Drugs." DrugSense informs the public about rational alternatives to
the drug war and helps citizens to take actions that encourage reform.
To help support the many services of DrugSense, please visit
http://www.drugsense.org/donate/
------------------------------
Subj: 005 Re: MAP: Stop The Censorship
From: Allan Erickson <>
Date: Fri, 9 Dec 2005 18:11:15 -0800
Redford Givens is one of those who compelled me to become involved w/
MAP thru the letters of his I read at Conde's in the DrugSense Weekly.
I am sure I am not the only one out there/here moved to act by seeing
someone put their name on a letter as strong as those of Redford's.
I too questioned the redacting but on a bit of reflection saw how it
made sense as I have friends here in Eugene who suffered thru a
disgusting raid by some 4 dozen peace officers and had the raid printed
in the local fishwrap along with their names and how they were
conducting a marijuana grow op.
Not.
In that light I am understanding and, as always, remain a loyal and
supportive MAPster. I am sure the decision was well thunk out and
passed thru many minds.
=E6
- -------
On Dec 9, 2005, at 2:26 PM, SHeath(DPF Florida) wrote:
> Hi Redford. I can appreciate how you formed your perceptions as
> written below.
>
> I too questioned this tactic at MAP when I was a volunteer Editor,
> since it was the only example of MAP altering content in a posted
> clipping from a newspaper.
>
> The best explanation I received was that our MAP URLs are permanently
> on the web, whereas most newspapers story links are not (though more
> are progressing that way).
>
> Thus, John Smith may get accused in his local community and MAP picks
> up the clipping and now its on the web forever.
>
> If Mr. Smith is later acquitted, or worse, if the case is dropped
> entirely, the local newspaper MIGHT carry an update, but it's very
> unlikely we would receive it at MAP.
>
> So for all future years, a simple Google Search of "John Smith" +
> HisTown USA would result in the searcher being directed to the
> clipping with the DRUG ARREST.
>
> Yes, John could likely explain it if given a face to face opportunity,
> but there's a great chance he would never get that chance and his name
> would be forerver sullied in the eyes of that inquirer. If such a
> person is a potential employer, or a child protective services
> employee etc, it could severely damage John.
>
> ANYONE who wants to know the name of the Redacted folks could with a
> single click contact the newspaper and ask them directly.
>
> Not an easy issue and I would understand if perhaps my explanation
> above seems insufficient.
>
> Your use of our resources at MAP and speficically your persistent
> effort to use our site as an LTE conduit, are very very appreciated.
>
> Steve in Clearwater
>
> Media Activism Facilitator for DrugSense and MAPinc
> http://www.mapinc.org/resource
>
------------------------------
Subj: 006 Re: MAP: Stop The Censorship
From: "Larry Seguin" <>
Date: Fri, 9 Dec 2005 21:42:58 -0500
I agree with Redford too!
Larry
- ----- Original Message -----
From: "SHeath(DPF Florida)" <>
To: <>
Sent: Friday, December 09, 2005 5:26 PM
Subject: Re: MAP: Stop The Censorship
> Hi Redford. I can appreciate how you formed your perceptions as written
below.
>
> I too questioned this tactic at MAP when I was a volunteer Editor, since
it
> was the only example of MAP altering content in a posted clipping from a
> newspaper.
>
> The best explanation I received was that our MAP URLs are permanently on
> the web, whereas most newspapers story links are not (though more are
> progressing that way).
>
> Thus, John Smith may get accused in his local community and MAP picks up
> the clipping and now its on the web forever.
>
> If Mr. Smith is later acquitted, or worse, if the case is dropped
entirely,
> the local newspaper MIGHT carry an update, but it's very unlikely we would
> receive it at MAP.
>
> So for all future years, a simple Google Search of "John Smith" + HisTown
> USA would result in the searcher being directed to the clipping with the
> DRUG ARREST.
>
> Yes, John could likely explain it if given a face to face opportunity, but
> there's a great chance he would never get that chance and his name would
be
> forerver sullied in the eyes of that inquirer. If such a person is a
> potential employer, or a child protective services employee etc, it could
> severely damage John.
>
> ANYONE who wants to know the name of the Redacted folks could with a
single
> click contact the newspaper and ask them directly.
>
> Not an easy issue and I would understand if perhaps my explanation above
> seems insufficient.
>
> Your use of our resources at MAP and speficically your persistent effort
to
> use our site as an LTE conduit, are very very appreciated.
>
> Steve in Clearwater
>
> Media Activism Facilitator for DrugSense and
> MAPinc http://www.mapinc.org/resource
>
>
------------------------------
Subj: 007 fwd: Note to Stupes
From: Rick Steeb <>
Date: Sat, 10 Dec 2005 09:52:11 -0800 (PST)
Sent: Sat, 10 Dec 2005 08:37:43 -0800
To: , ,
Subject: re Compassionate Use Act Lawsuit
CC: , , ,
Dear San Diego County Supervisors,
Here are two additional search strings that will help you in your quest
for enlightenment:
<http://www.google.com/search?&q=Anslinger+jazz+swing>
<http://www.google.com/search?&q=%22all+Mexicans+are+crazy%22>
We patients, whose emancipation you are attempting to reverse, await
your reply.
Thank you in advance,
Richard Paul Steeb
(408) 274-0775
- ---
On 12/8/05, Rick Steeb < > wrote:
Dear Supervisor Horn,
I see you are still troubled by the conflict between the 1996
Compassionate Use Act and the 1970 Controlled Substances Act.
I am ecstatic that a court case will be instituted to resolve said
conflict. It is unfortunate that you appear to have chosen the wrong
side.
Before you continue to make yourself look foolish, please educate
yourself with a five minute (maybe less) Google search (please include
the quote marks as shown):
"Jews Bob what"
<http://www.google.com/search?q=%22Jews+Bob+what%22>
and, separately:
"Francis L Young"
<http://www.google.com/search?q=%22Francis+L+Young%22>
Then please get back to me.
Sincerely,
Richard Paul Steeb
Glaucoma Patient
1848 Loch Ness Way
San Jose, California 95121
[I am sending you this message a second time, just in case my earlier
message failed to arrive. Please forgive any redundancy! -rps]
------------------------------
Subj: 008 Re: MAP: Stop The Censorship
From: Allan Erickson <>
Date: Sat, 10 Dec 2005 17:13:25 -0800
Heya Larry-
I'm interested in hearing more. When both Givens and Seguin question
something, I'm listening . Carry on! MAP is us all, after all...
=E6
- ---------
On Dec 9, 2005, at 6:42 PM, Larry Seguin wrote:
> I agree with Redford too!
>
> Larry
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "SHeath(DPF Florida)" <>
> To: <>
> Sent: Friday, December 09, 2005 5:26 PM
> Subject: Re: MAP: Stop The Censorship
>
>> Hi Redford. I can appreciate how you formed your perceptions as
>> written
> below.
>>
>> I too questioned this tactic at MAP when I was a volunteer Editor,
>> since
> it
>> was the only example of MAP altering content in a posted clipping
>> from a
>> newspaper.
>>
>> The best explanation I received was that our MAP URLs are permanently
>> on
>> the web, whereas most newspapers story links are not (though more are
>> progressing that way).
>>
>> Thus, John Smith may get accused in his local community and MAP picks
>> up
>> the clipping and now its on the web forever.
>>
>> If Mr. Smith is later acquitted, or worse, if the case is dropped
> entirely,
>> the local newspaper MIGHT carry an update, but it's very unlikely we
>> would
>> receive it at MAP.
>>
>> So for all future years, a simple Google Search of "John Smith" +
>> HisTown
>> USA would result in the searcher being directed to the clipping with
>> the
>> DRUG ARREST.
>>
>> Yes, John could likely explain it if given a face to face
>> opportunity, but
>> there's a great chance he would never get that chance and his name
>> would
> be
>> forerver sullied in the eyes of that inquirer. If such a person is a
>> potential employer, or a child protective services employee etc, it
>> could
>> severely damage John.
>>
>> ANYONE who wants to know the name of the Redacted folks could with a
> single
>> click contact the newspaper and ask them directly.
>>
>> Not an easy issue and I would understand if perhaps my explanation
>> above
>> seems insufficient.
>>
>> Your use of our resources at MAP and speficically your persistent
>> effort
> to
>> use our site as an LTE conduit, are very very appreciated.
>>
>> Steve in Clearwater
>>
>> Media Activism Facilitator for DrugSense and
>> MAPinc http://www.mapinc.org/resource
>>
>>
>
------------------------------
End of MAPTalk-Digest V05 #147
******************************
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Media Awareness Project /' _ ` _ `\ /'_`)('_`\
P. O. Box 651 | ( ) ( ) |( (_| || (_) )
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URL: http://www.mapinc.org/lists/ (_)
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