Last updated on 2014.08.27
I see South Dakotans Against Prohibition plan to disrupt the South Dakota State Fair with a protest parade in favor of medical marijuana and industrial hemp. Organizer Cody Gardner of Huron says he has 150 protesters ready to march and thinks he can get a full 1,000 to take over Third Street, the main city street that bisects the fairgrounds.
Protesters plan to cheer for Independent Mike Myers at the State Fair gubernatorial debate on Friday, then march east on Third Street to Dakota Avenue with most if not all of the Libertarian statewide candidates. They say it will take them 30 minutes to march those eight blocks... which makes me think part of the failure of the pro-hempers and Libertarians is an inability to get their rears in gear. (I hear pot does that to people.)
Another potential failure of the Libertarian-hemp movement: the inability to recognize good marketing synergy. They stage their march when everyone's at work on Friday morning, a slower day at the Fair with all those plain old candidates. They miss the chance to march on Saturday, when they could synergize with grandstand entertainer Stoney LaRue. Marketing, fellas... marketing.
p.s.: I support keeping government out of medical decisions. I also support growing hemp to boost South Dakota's economy and improve our soil and water quality. I have yet to see any South Dakota Libertarians capable of organizing an effective movement toward those policies.
Will they have an informational booth set up at the fair? Wouldn't a booth be far more effective at the fair than a parade? They would really need to present it well and professionally rather than reinforce a negative stereotype that has unfortunately been happening.
"Protest," or is it a "rally?"
Hopefully the Fair authorities and cops don't over react. A big over reaction to a bunch of people walking across the fair will bring more attention to the "cause" than the walkers could ever hope for.
Makes more sense every day why the Chanetteohan trio fit in, doesn't it? I'm all for the use of medical marijuana and the growing of hemp but, if it means supporting people like this to make it a reality, I will never vote in favor. I'm with you Cory, this is a perfect representation of why the Libertarian Party and those supporting these changes will never get it done; they need a different face and voice for this issue.
The James River is already a toilet of biblical proportions: more genetically engineered crops reliant on ChemAg is not the answer for land destroyed or decimated by SDGOP.
Burning diesel fuel to produce ethanol is ridiculous yet the lobbyist industry will resist losing their legislative pork. Until a refinery is built that would convert hemp oil to diesel fuel the subsidies that ethanol enjoys will continue.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_content_of_biofuel
JAMA put out a new study that claims states that legalized pot have seen a 25% decrease in prescription drug overdoses.
http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/215924-study-fewer-painkiller-deaths-in-states-with-medical-marijuana
http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2014/08/incarcerated-parents-childrens-mental-physical-health
http://www.performance-radio.com/blog/2014/08/25/medical-marijuana-supporters-to-protest-with-3rd-street-parade-during-state-fair/
Zach Nelson of Performance Radio wrote:
>>”Gardner claims most if not all candidates running under the Libertarian Party banner will be a part of the pot supporters protest.”
I’m the Libertarian candidate for South Dakota state auditor. Cody Gardner has never contacted me, and this is the first I’ve heard about his protest.
>>”The group intends to start their protest during the gubernatorial debate at the South Dakota State Fair, showing support for Libertarian candidate Mike Myers.”
Myers isn’t a Libertarian.
Cory Heidelberger wrote:
>"They say it will take them 30 minutes to march those eight blocks... which makes me think part of the failure of the pro-hempers and Libertarians is an inability to get their rears in gear. (I hear pot does that to people.)"
Cory seems to be suggesting all Libertarians use pot, but I doubt he really believes that.
You dont even want to know what I think about this!
The Blindman
Bill please enlighten us! What would you prefer happen in regards to advancing the cause at the state fair?
I agree with WestRiver in that if these people want to advance their cause, they need to drop the angry thug persona displayed at the Bosworth graffiti circus.
They could start by trying to have an intelligent discussion about the jurisdictions that have legalized it for medical or other purposes, and also try to understand the successes and failures of those campaigns. If all they are going to do is say "Yo yo yo, listen up...we gonna parade", many people who otherwise might support their view will be so turned off, the end goal is doomed. People want information on the issues, not air jordans and angst. Right now, people who might support their cause won't because the people behind the movement just don't come off as credible from a political standpoint. They should've just done a booth. Voters of South Dakota will reject this type of campaigning regardless of the issue.
Besides being articulate, looking and acting professional with handouts that back the benefits at a booth there could be a person or family there that could give testimony telling their own story of how medical marijuana helped. There really needs to be a coordinated effort with having the right people represent this and be the face for the cause.
The thing about this type of "parade" or demonstration is that most people will likely see it a bunch of pot heads demanding a right to get high.
That PUC candidate is the worst representative for this movement.
Dahlia Lithwick gives us a good lesson from McCullen v. Coakley, the abortion buffer zone case. Focusing on the troubles that the "protesters" in Ferguson, Missouri, are experiencing at the hands of police, she advises that they change their brand from "protesters" to "sidewalk counselors" to take full advantage of the protection developed in McCullen.
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2014/08/ferguson_protesters_rebrand_yourselves_as_sidewalk_counselors.html
Likewise, our marijuana and hemp advocates might also reconsider re-branding themselves as "sidewalk counselors" and enjoy the full protection of McCullen.
I cannot recall whether there is an initiative on the ballet relating to hemp or medical marijuana this year. Some have argued that putting such measures on the ballet is a sure-fire way to increase the number of young voters, during an off year midterm election.
http://www.salon.com/2014/08/26/the_lefts_secret_midterm_weapon_how_marijuana_ballot_initiatives_can_change_turnout/?source=newsletter
Do you reckon the activist wingnut Scotus will differentiate between the parties "sidewalk counselors"?
Lynn, you already know what I think the chances are of medical marijuana in SD. Now add to that the circus the group running the show now is bringing to the fair and even the possibility of that happening have been set back at least 5 and maybe 10 years.
The name of this game is, " high visibility, low profile." You have to start educating when the first big county fairs start. The Central States Fair, Brown County, Sioux Empire, The State Fair, Dakotafest, Cool Deadwood Nights, and you get the idea.
You find the most knowledgeable people you can and put them in a booth. They would need a WIFI connection if possible. These people need to actually know what their talking about with the ability to explain in simple english that the public "wants" to understand. No loud voices, no loud music, and dressed conservatively, tie die wont cut it in these booths. You need to let the people know that you are one of them. Never try to man a booth alone. When one person is busy making a presentation, the other is finding answers to questions and trying to anticipate what the next question will be.
Like Joe Friday used to say, "just the facts."
They would need to know why and how the cannabonoids in marrijuana work, and how CBDs in hemp work their magic. Oh ya you need to have a ready source of websites written down on both favorites, and paper and be ready to reference case studies to help make your case. Just a word here. Be careful what sites you reference, some pro pot sites are as fonny as the governments own studies.
When someone ask you a question either give them a straight answer, or tell them you will get it in ten minutes. Get on the damn net and find that answer and be ready for follow up. You talk to everyone like you would the nice little old neighbor lady.
You need to arm yourself with a fact sheet, and have a stack of them ready to hand out. This sheet should explain basic stuff, the whys, the how muches, anything that is simple that nobody seems to know. You will need to do the same with hemp, because the two seem to be related in every vote whether they are on the ballot together or not.
You need to know the facts about what diseases are being studied using marijuana or hemp and be able to reference those studies.
Now somthing that everybody can understand, money. You will need a dedicated monitor. On this monitor you put the Drug Sense Drug War Clock. It will show in real time the amount of money being spent at that exact time to fight the war on drugs. Build a sign describing what is being shown.
Let's face it, not everybody will feel comfortable talking in public, to you, about this subject. You need business cards with a toll free number they can call with the hours you will be there and a real name along with an email address.
Ice water is always a good idea, as are cheap cookies. And if you dont have a sense of humor, you dont belong there. You have to give the impression that you are a part of the community and to do that you will need to read at least two weeks worth of newspapers.
There are no shortcuts. If these people dont have the knowledge the days will seem endless. But if they are well read, well spoken, have an ease about them, and like the materials they are presenting, it will be fun.
These are only what I would do during fair time. There are many other projects the rest of the year to keep people thinking.
I told Lynn a couple of days ago how I saw SD and the legalization of any form of marijuana. It's a lot like getting a drunk to move. If you can get them leaning in the right direction and give em a little shove, they will go that direction. The trouble is that our drunk is leaning against a brick wall and will be hard to move. For this reason when a list of states is made showing when each legalized pot SD will be somewhere between 40th and 50th. Thats just the way it looks to me.
The Blindman
Bill
Thank you! I wish these advocates would read this thread rather than turning people off with their actions.
Nick or anyone that is involved in farming, would you grow hemp?
I hope my friend Bob is at the head of the crowd-busting wedge, as dapper as ever, carrying a banner on that long pointy stick.
"Do you reckon the activist wingnut Scotus will differentiate between the parties "sidewalk counselors"?"
Here's the deal Mike. The SCOTUS makes rulings that the lower courts have to read and try to follow, as do the police and local government officials. Dahlila's point is that we can take the language of the Court and use it to support activities that some members of the Court might not have considered and even find abhorrent. Thus a question of whether the SCOTUS members will differentiate between "sidewalk counselors" who counsel about abortions and "sidewalk counselors" who counsel about hemp overlooks the immediate impact of McCullen on local governments and lower courts. Somehow, the term "protester" has developed into a negative framing. "Sidewalk counselor," however, offers a different framing that actually sounds relatively positive, at least when trying to avoid law enforcement repression.
And the moniker of "sidewalk counselor" fits pretty well in Blindman's wise advice!
Blindman, you nailed that one.
MN passed medical marijuana when mothers and children showed up at the legislature. Their children were in strollers, wheelchairs, etc. The mothers were dressed in clean, respectable clothing. They were there for several days. They told their stories over and over, to any legislator or news microphone available. They were passionate, earnest, political novices.
When Governor Dayton declined to sign a bill based on police desires, the families came to his home and protested on the sidewalk. (Dayton wa recovering from hip surgery.) Because he is a compassionate Democrat, and was moved by their actions, Dayton asked his aids to bring a small delegation from the group into the governor's residence to meet directly with him.
After that meeting, Dayton directed the legislature to craft a bill within very tight parameters. He signed it the same day it reached his desk.
That is just exactly how a state legislature and governor should respond to the citizens. That's exactly how a democracy is supposed to work.
Of course, in MN, all those government parts are made up of Democrats. Makes a huge difference.
(That's only one of a whole boatload of reasons for South Dakotans to vote Democratic.)
Interesting, BCB. I can't help but point out the ironic difference of intention between the two types of "sidewalk counselors."
At the PP clinics, the "counselors" are trying to convince people that a legal medical practice should be illegal, or at least convince them that it's immoral.
The marijuana/hemp counsellors would be trying to convince people that a currently illegal practice is in many medical cases actually the best moral practice and thus should also be legal.
The Bundy ranchers barricaded themselves around their prophet and pointed weapons at federal officials with impunity yet anyone marching peacefully in Huron will be forever entered into Marty Jackley's database.
South Dakota: Land of Infinite Voyeurism.
BCB "sidewalk counselors" It's very non-threatening.
Let us hope no heads get knocked by the heinous state fair detention patrols. No more than usual, anyway.
Bear, at the risk of causing a Ferguson debate, I have to ask, during the protest last week over the Michael Brown death, the police were demanding that the protestors keep moving and arrested that couldn't or wouldn't.
Could those protestors have been protected McCullen if they called themselves sidewalk councilors?
bcb-I was thinking the Scotus may be reminded that there are different protests out there and decide to narrow their decision accordingly. I wouldn't put that past that mavericky bunch.
"Could those protestors have been protected McCullen if they called themselves sidewalk councilors?"
Roger, that seems to be the point of Dahlila's argument. And as I read McCullen, the argument makes a lot of sense. Had the SCOTUS deemed the abortion opponents to be "protesters," which was arguably justified after earlier anti-abortionists actually committed murder, then upholding the City's buffer zone should have been a no-brainer.
But by labeling the anti-abortionists "sidewalk counselors" the SCOTUS was able to minimize the threat of danger and grant the folks First Amendment protection. Since they were now called merely "sidewalk counselors," rather than "protesters," the City's buffer zone restricted free speech and was unconstitutional.
mike, I must agree with you. The politics of the demonstrations are going to affect the consistency of the SCOTUS. The best evidence I can currently muster is Scalia's sudden love of the federal government in the Reich case (medical marijuana), in contrast to his apparent thinking that state's rights should control in almost all other matters. To me, this was a disappointing, but true, message that neither the law nor the result is based upon a rational or consistent view of the Constitution. Instead, politics as usual seems to inform some of our SCOTUS Judges.
The Hempters are endorsing Mike Myers for Governor. Myers has no fear talking about industrial and agricultural hemp and medical marijuana. He will be speaking in Huron at the rally that he is for the legalization of hemp and medical marijuana.
Tara Hempsters? Is that a registered political group or PAC?
http://www.psypost.org/2014/08/study-finds-less-domestic-violence-among-married-couples-smoke-marijuana-27634
"But by labeling the anti-abortionists "sidewalk counselors" the SCOTUS was able to minimize the threat of danger and grant the folks First Amendment protection."
BCB, I dont read good anymore, did the SCOTUS define what a councilor was? Or was that decided in a lower court?
Doesnt saying your a councilor infer some sort of license was earned or at least bought?
The Blindman
Lynn, I don't think they have a pac in SD but if they wanted to start on I think the Hempsters would be a good name, what do you think?
grud: how much for your self-immolation at the fair?
Armenian, Ms. Geelsdottir?
http://decorumforum.blogspot.com/2010/12/pupu-revisited.html
http://decorumforum.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-south-dakota-libertarian-party-had.html
Nope, Winter White. They are a little slower and less aggressive than Armenians, Russians or Robos. The latter is the worst. My hamster is so cute! Costs about 2c per day to keep her. Seriously.
Look here and you can see how adorable my Gina Lollabridgida is.
http://www.oocities.org/florida_hamster/images/pair.jpg
Okay, now say "Awwww!"
Kurt, by no means do I suggest all Libertarians use pot. The "and" in the phrase you quote means I see two distinct, possibly overlapping but not identical groups.
Jim, I'd hate to exclude public protest from the tools available in my campaign toolbox. I'm all for some public demonstrations to draw press and shake people up. But I agree that protests need to be part of long-term organizing. The parade organizers need to get contact info from every marcher and seek commitments for further volunteer action. They need to work the spectators and promote specific action (notice that this protest comes at a particularly inopportune time, since they have no ballot measure or legislative candidates to promote).
The organizers also need to dissociate themselves entirely from the now-toxic Libertarian brand. Mildly attentive voters will say, "Libertarians? Those are the Chad Haber thugs, right? I'll have nothing to do with them."
Cory you forgot to mention that the hemp organization is backing Mike Myers for Governor. He will be speaking at the rally in Huron. Don't get offended from Cory Libertarians. Cory along with SDWC have been trashing Myers over the last year for supporting the legalization of hemp and medical marijuana.
"To me, this was a disappointing, but true, message that neither the law nor the result is based upon a rational or consistent view of the Constitution. Instead, politics as usual seems to inform some of our SCOTUS Judges."
BCB, does not sound like the arguments who made on other threads where your argued the SCOTUS judges were like gods.
Tara are these "Hempsters" organized outside of the protest parade and endorsing Mike Myers? Do they have a website? What are their numbers?
Tara, you misstate my position, which I make clear in my original text. I have not been trashing Myers for supporting hemp and medical marijuana. That's Pat's game. Get your facts straight.
Once Tara figures out that she's shooting at the wrong messenger, I will welcome answers to Lynn's practical questions.
Yes Lynn, there are websites and fb pages in SD. You would have to google them. KSFY, KELO along with many other media outlets had news story on it. They have all the permits for Huron. This movement has been going on for years. They even got hemp on the ballot in SD I think a couple of times. Emmett Reistroffer, Bob Newland and Ryan Gaddy are the guys to talk to. They are the experts and have done countless hours of work and lobbying in Pierre. Emmett led the charge in in Colorado to get it on the ballot.... [CAH: remainder of comment deleted for irrelevance and incorrect assertion.]
Tara are all those facebook pages associated with Ryan Gaddy? I noticed they have different ones but it looks like the same people are behind them.
Blindman, the SCOTUS did not explain what a "sidewalk counselor" is, nor did they give any criteria for such a label. Instead, the people challenging the buffer zone asserted they merely wanted to provide "sidewalk counseling" to all those people who were about to enter the clinic, and the Court accepted this description. In his concurring opinion Justice Alito labeled them "sidewalk counselors," again without identifying any reason for doing so. So as Dahlila argues, anyone can simply assert they are providing "sidewalk counseling" rather than protesting and under McCullen that should be enough to insulate them from governmental interference.
Sibby, let me be clear - I understand that Judges are human, and as humans they are influenced by all sorts of factors, including political opinions. Whether we like it or not, however, the SCOTUS has the authority to decide what the Constitution and laws mean and require. That does not make them godlike, rather that is simply the method our system of government uses to resolve disputes about what the Constitution and laws mean.
Lynn the SDAP is Ryan's. I talked to a couple of different guys that have sites but I can't remember their names. I think Emmett might have one too.
"That does not make them godlike, rather that is simply the method our system of government uses to resolve disputes about what the Constitution and laws mean."
BCB, you just admitted that it is not about the Constitution, but about their political opinions. So you can make that argument, but I can't? Who died and made you pope?
No Sibby, I said that judges are human and are influenced by their political opinions. I am unsure what you mean by "it is not about the Constitution, but about their political opinions." Surely you and I can agree that people have different views about the meaning of words in our Constitution? Indeed, our dialogs have often demonstrated that point.
If you have a masters degree then you already know that our system of government assigns human judges to resolve such differences of opinion, rather than allowing people who disagree to have duels to decide who is right.
I cannot even tell what other argument you are trying to make? And the pope cannot control your arguments nor mine, so even if I was pope you can still make whatever arguments you want. But when you make false or incorrect statements I reserve my right to attempt to correct the record so others are not mislead by you.
"But when you make false or incorrect statements I reserve my right to attempt to correct the record so others are not mislead by you."
And vice versa. I appreciate your efforts to keep me straight.
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2014/08/john-robertss-dream-of-a-unifying-court-has-dissolved/379220/
larry, thanks for the link.
I see Ryan Gaddy and pals did another bang up job in promoting the protest for legalization. Hardly anyone showed and the lack of participation was covered by KELO
http://www.keloland.com/newsdetail.cfm/few-attend-medical-marijuana-protest-at-state-fair/?id=168803
I just cringe watching this video and see how they represent that movement.
With Ryan Gaddy being the face of SDAP it appears that the movement is losing support among potential supporters.
Tara
How did the Mike Myers endorsement go by the "Hempters" yesterday?
Was it a different group than those few that showed up for the protest parade? If so, are these "Hempsters" farmers and I don't mean in your basement or in your house but have acreage and are looking to have it expanded to South Dakota? Maybe like a future Corngrowers or Wheatgrowers Co-op with less chemical input?
Lynn, yes it was a much different group than say the Farm Bureau who indorsed agricultural hemp during the 2014 legislative session. This was an interesting group of young people that are very excited to have a candidate speak out for medical marijuana and hemp. I am sure they got some strange looks from some fair goers. There are still a lot of people that are not educated on the hemp issues. I know my Dad would be one of those people who is very conservative and narrow-minded. There weren't a whole lot of protestors there, but they sure drew a lot of attention to their cause. We hung out with them for a while and KSFY interviewed Mike with the protesters in the background. It was pretty funny. Nice to have a little diversity at the fair.
Tara these so called "Hempsters" were those 10 kids in the parade including Ryan Gaddy? They were not actual farmers that own acreage? So Mike Myers was endorsed by those 10 protesters?
Yes Lynn, I would say there were around 10 including Ryan Gaddy. No I don't think there were any farmers. And yes, it looked like to me that Myers was definitely endorsed by these young people. I did give them some material to hand out.