He claims his study is more valid because his control group contained Rave attending non-Ecstasy users, where other studies didn't .
I have worked with numerous teens who use ecstasy for several years now, and only 1 or 2 of them have ever attended a rave, most just "Pop" while hanging out with friends, not dancing all night.
Regardless of whether it causes lasting "brain damage" (the article doesn't go into detail on how brain damage was defined), I have seen ecstasy using teens develop depression, anxiety, memory problems, and motor tics after even a small number of doses. These symptoms often persist for months after they stop using. Complicating matters is the fact that many pills sold as ecstasy have little or no MDMA in them, but contain "mimic" drugs such as the Phenylpiperazines BZP, TFMPP, and McPP. Go to www.ecstasydata.org to see the variety of substances in pills sold as ecstasy. Last time I checked, it was about 50% of samples tested had no MDMA at all.
In 2010, at least 7 people from the Silicon Valley (Santa Clara County) died from ecstasy related causes. I know it was ecstasy (and not other substances in pills sold as ecstasy) because I have spoken to the coroner who performed the autopsies.
I am concerned that the publicity over this study will lead some to believe the MDMA is "safe", and this study will overshadow the information out there about the real dangers of this drug.
For only the second time in around 16 years, we didn’t host Thanksgiving at our home. Instead, we traveled from California to Washington State to celebrate the holiday with my Father-In-Law and his wife and her adult children and grandchildren. The following day, Friday, November 27, my wife, my son, my daughter and myself, crossed the border into Canada and “landed” as Permanent Residents. Earlier in the week, while speaking with my mom on the phone, she asked “tell me again why you’re moving? Are you having a mid-life crisis? I know, it’s politics”. I told my mom it was much more than politics, which I define as the partisan competition for power and influence in government; I told her the short answer to explain why I was becoming a Canadian Permanent Resident was for my “peace of mind”.
Peace of mind.
That was the answer I gave over and over to friends, family, acquaintances and total strangers over this holiday weekend when they learned we had “landed” in Canada. In some cases, folks nodded knowingly, sympathetically. In most cases they understood “peace of mind” as code for “let’s not get into the nitty gritty details of this right now”. Of course, there’s much more behind the phrase “peace of mind”, as I will explain below.
After Bush was appointed to the Presidency by the Supreme Court in 2000, and following 9/11, the Patriot Act, and the media manipulation/complicity leading to the Iraq War, I felt more than anger over the ways things were going in the U.S.A. I felt the very foundations of what defines America were crumbling before my eyes- free and fair elections, the Rule of Law, separation of powers, the Constitution, were all being destroyed and rendered meaningless.
Then, in 2004, with another stolen election, and the revelations about Abu Graib and Gitmo, my despair over the death of America overflowed; I began researching the process of becoming a permanent legal resident of Canada. Both my kids were still in high school at the time, and my wife thought I was nuts, even though she agreed with me about all the important issues that brought me to the point of wanting to emigrate.
Although serious discussion of moving to Canada stayed on the back burner for a couple of years, I continued to research the immigration process, while recoiling in horror at each revelation of each new atrocity committed by the Bush/Cheney administration. As I would share the information about these war crimes and other civil rights desecrations with my wife, she would often jokingly affect a Canadian accent and remark “Eh?”. I could tell she was coming around to my way of thinking.
Finally, the passage of the Military Commissions Act of 2006, with the complicity of the Democrats in Congress, was the final straw. An unconstitutional law, giving the President the power to suspend habeas corpus for an individual at his discretion, as well as the power to define what torture is and isn’t, despite existing international definitions of torture. I began to speak openly, assertively about beginning the process to move to Canada.
During all the preceding events, I wasn’t just sitting at home silently wringing my hands or merely posting histrionic tirades on DU against the Bushies. I was actively lobbying my elected representatives about these issues I cared very much about. I even give myself some of the credit for badgering my Congressman into co-sponsoring Kucinich’s bill calling for the impeachment of Bush and Cheney. Finally, in the summer of 2007, on my 50th birthday, my wonderful wife consented to beginning the process to become Canadian residents.
We called an immigration lawyer and started to gather all the required documentation. Other than getting our immigration physicals, the process consisted of waiting, and waiting…and waiting. As the 2008 election unfolded, we hoped, as did many millions, for significant, tangible change from the arrogance and lawlessness of the previous eight years. Unfortunately, it has become clear in the this first year of Obama’s term, that any real change in the status quo is not forthcoming in the near future; no substantive action has been taken regarding the core critical issues I care so deeply about. In fact, on many of these issues, Obama is supporting or continuing the policies of the Bush administration.
In addition, my home state, California, is quickly disintegrating.
So, at the end of last summer (2009) we were informed that our visas had been approved. We would have to land before our medical exams expired in January 2010. With both kids in college now (one in Los Angeles, 5 hours from our home), there were only two windows where they would be available to travel to Canada with us- the week between Christmas and New Year’s, and Thanksgiving Weekend. We chose the latter. And so, in one day, November 27th, we landed, met with our lawyer, applied for our Social Insurance Numbers, and opened a Canadian bank account. Whew!
Peace of Mind, at last. Or at least the beginnings of it.
By moving to Canada, I’ll be living in a land where the following are guaranteed by law: • Universal, single payer healthcare for all • A woman’s right to choose • An individual’s freedom to marry whomever they choose
Nevertheless, I’m under no illusions that Canada is a Utopia offering refuge to a progressive like myself from the developing despotism and third-world, banana republic conditions in America. But it does offer me a way to avoid supporting the unconstitutional crimes committed in my name, with my taxes.
Call it the coward’s way out.
Yes, I guess I’m a coward for not being willing to face the consequences of tax evasion, or fomenting revolution (I’ll leave that to the teabaggers). I haven’t lost any loved ones from 9/11, Katrina or the Iraq/Afghanistan wars, but I’m traumatized nonetheless. By moving to Canada, I am getting some emotional distance from, and I am withdrawing my financial support* for the following :
• Illegal/immoral wars • Bank bailouts • Wiretaps • Elimination of the Rule of Law • Military Commissions Act/Elimination of habeas corpus • Lack of Government Transparency hiding behind “State Secrets” • Corporate control of both major parties and the media • The despicable cultural phenomena know as “virtuous cruelty” (term coined by another DU’er- I forget who, or I’d give credit)
And last but not least:
Torture- this is the big one. America gave up its role as the leader of the Good Guys for a little bloodthirsty revenge disguised as “enhanced interrogation”. Although the USA couldn’t claim a spotless record prior to the Global War on Terror, our conduct since 9/11 has erased any positive reputation for setting the standards for conduct during wartime.
So now, the waiting is over and the work begins: preparing our home for sale in the worst real estate market in decades; moving to a short term rental; looking for jobs in Canada; and finally, in the next year or so, moving to Canada permanently. I’ve been grateful for the advice, tips and support offered by Canadian DU’ers, and give thanks in advance for help I will ask for in the future regarding settling in British Columbia.
Until then, in the immortal words of the MacKenzie brothers:
Good Day, eh?
* Yes, I’m aware that I’ll still have to file US income taxes even though I’ll be living in Canada, but I expect we will be taking a hefty pay cut in our combined incomes, as much as 50%, at least in the beginning. Because of this, we will fall within the range for the “foreign tax credit” and thus will pay no US income taxes. In addition, we will do very little shopping in the US, and won’t be paying any money to the corporations (phone companies, energy/oil companies, insurance compamies, banks, etc.) that run this country and control most of our leaders.
It's taken about 18 mos. since we/our attorney submitted our paperwork. Of course, once we get our visas and "land" as legal residents, the waiting ends, and the clock starts ticking Immigrants have to reside in Canada for 2 out of every 5 years to maintain their status. You can apply for citizenship after 3 years in country; once a citizen, you can live out of country without any penalty. The challenge for us will be to sell our house in this poor real estate market and find new jobs in Canada within 3 years max of "landing".
I became determined to immigrate following the stolen election of 2004, but really started to put things in motion following the passage of the Military Commissions Act in 2006, an unconstitutional set of laws legalizing torture and eliminating habeas corpus, that would not have been passed without the complicity of the Democrats in Congress. Although we discussed suspending our plans following Obama's election, we have decided to continue because: 1) the state of California is quickly deteriorating beyond repair, 2)the messes Obama was left to clean up require bold, revolutionary interventions which he has so far been reluctant to pursue, 3)Obama is continuing many of Bush's pernicious policies, including the use of "state secrets" to block the transparency he promised in the campaign, and finally, 4) we're not getting any younger (we're in our 50's), and at this point it's not certain that Social Security, our pensions, or our 401k's will be there for us in a few years, and how big a bite paying off the Irag/Afghanistan wars and the TARP bailout will take.
It will be stressful, but in the long run, I'm certain it will be worth it. Although saddened to leave the country of my birth, as well as my friends and extended family, I will be relieved to escape to a country where Single payer healthcare, gay marriage, choice for women are all protected by law, and accepted by the majority. I look forward to the peace of mind that will come from knowing my taxes will no longer pay for illegal wars, torture, and billionaire bailouts. (I know I'll still have to file US tax returns, but I expect to be making less than the maximum income eligible for the foreign tax credit/exemption).
Go to the CIC website and take their screening test for a skilled worker and add up your points; I'm sure you're close if not over the minimum requirements. You may not be able to teach without taking additional classes/exams, but your degree may qualify you for other jobs in the meantime. Canada is a beautiful country, not without it's flaws, but with fewer obstacles to freedom and a clear conscience.
and privatize as much as possible, including switching the PERS pension plan to some sort of private 401k scheme. He's trying to get people riled up about our "unbelievable benefits" to create a division against govt. workers from the rest of the working class with the "logic" of "I'm not getting those kind of benefits, why should they?", when IMO, it should "if they get those kind of benefits, why can't I?" or "if they lose those benefits, I'll never get anything close to what they had".
The reason state and local govt. worker enjoy such generous benefits is one word : UNION
My local bargaining unit (Santa Clara County) is approx. 15,000 workers strong; can you imagine what kind of pay/benefits WalMart workers might negotiate if they were unionized? For the record, while SC county worker have good medical benefits and a defined benefit pension (PERS), we have not had a wage scale increase in 3 years, and we just agreed to extend our contract, maintaining benefits and freezing wages, for another 2 years.
I'd be glad to give up my medical benefits (mostly paid by my employer, with a small premium paid by me) if CA switched to a true Universal, Single Payer Health Care plan.
Glad to hear Arnold debunk the myths about immigrants- just yesterday my daughter's boyfriend's mom was spouting off about this very topic; that's when I chose to clean up the BBQ leftovers...
I look forward to the day when I can say I no longer pay for torture, no longer pay for this war, no longer pay for this war's deficits.
Despair over our shredded Constitution, and disillusion over the Democratic congress's cowardice and complicity drove me to apply for Canadian residency; despite the hardship that likely lies ahead, I look forward to the change...
To those who remain, by choice or circumstance, my best to you as you fight on...
BTW, someone posted above that Canada is tightening immigration; that's not true- Canada has a shortage of skilled labor and desparately wants immigrants. The problem is, they're not allocating enough resources to process the flood of applications from around the world (US visa applications have doubled during Bush's terms). The current wait time is about 18mos; we submitted our application in February 2008, and expect our visa to be ready next August. Then we have to sell our home and find new jobs ( and my wife has to take a licensing test for her job as a medical technologist), so although we hope to land in about a year, we don't expect to relocate permanently until sometime in 2010, probably after the Olympics.
So, to those who are considering Canada, don't give up! They have even recently lowered the application fees.
Maybe we could start a community of DU/BC expatriates (or, as I prefer, Patriots-In-Exile)!
and in the end, we will win (the battle, if not the war).
Airlines have lobbyists; Airline employees have lobbyists; travel agents/websites have lobbyists; so do auto makers and their employee's unions...perhaps some contributions could be sent to legislators who might draft some strict regulations to reign in the oil speculators? Does the banking/investor lobby really have that much clout? Hasn't anybody thought of this?
You'd think the Republicans would go along, at least quietly behind the scenes...if the price of oil & gas were to drop (or collapse if strict regulations popped the speculative bubble) it could only be good for everyone in Congress...would probably raise their approval rating at least into the 30's
Just got this email from Sam Farr (D-CA), my congressman:
Knowing of your interest in making the Bush Administration accountable for its actions, I wanted to let you know that I voted with Rep. Dennis Kucinich to bring impeachment charges against the president. That vote occurred on June 11, 2008 and passed the House by a vote of 251-166.
I am a cosponsor of this current resolution, H.Res. 1258, against the president. You may be aware that Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) previously introduced H.Res. 333 calling for impeachment proceedings against Vice President Cheney. I am a cosponsor of that resolution as well.
Impeachment proceedings may be commenced in the House of Representatives by a Member declaring a charge of impeachment on his or her own initiative, by a Member presenting a memorial listing charges under oath, or by a Member depositing a resolution in the hopper, which is then referred to the appropriate committee.
I feel strongly that President Bush has mislead the country and done so knowingly. His actions in my opinion have not been those of an upright public servant. He has been instrumental in entangling the United States in a war that has no clear exit strategy and has damaged this nation's standing among the world community.
Though this impeachment effort still has a way to go, we have taken a big step. I will continue to work to restore integrity in our government and bring transparency to our federal policies. I appreciate your input to this debate and your dedication to good government.
and less about removing Bush from office, at least at this late date. That's why impeachment proceedings should continue past 1/20/09 if needed, to erase the dangerous precedent the Bush/Cheney have set...(yes, you can impeach someone after they have left office).
Protecting the Constitution is never a waste of time or money, even if, at least in the beginning, you "don't have the votes"...
Wouldn't overturning the MCA as unconstitutional via the courts, using Youngstown as precedent, be a way to reverse the "Unitary Executive" and begin to restore the Constitution? This could be done after Bush leaves office, and would provide a number of benefits:
1) it would remove the blanket immunity for all involved in authorizing torture, allowing for prosecution in the US,
2) in destroying the Unitary Executive theory (by upholding Youngstown), it eliminates a legal precedent for future presidents,
3) it raises the consciousness of the general public on the issue of executive power; most Americans don't know about Youngstown, or have a clear understanding on the balance of powers. I believe most americans, relying on personal experience in their families and at their jobs, see the President as "Big Daddy"/CEO of the nation, which is a simpler concept than the "separate but equal" three branches of govt. Challenging the MCA would, hopefully, raise the average american's awareness of this.
Of course, the Roberts SCOTUS could uphold the MCA, in which case, we're all screwed.
But if we don't challenge the MCA (not just repeal it via legislation) aren't we in the same boat?
Including closing Gitmo, repealing the Patriot Act, repealing the Military Commissions Act, complying with FISA/ending warrantless wiretapping, complying with the Geneva Conventions...in short, rejecting the concept of the Unitary Executive- can anyone point me to Obama's plan for this MOST important issue, without which every other plan is meaningless?
P.S. I'm disappointed that neither Dem candidate is offering a single-payer health care plan.
Joel S. Hirschhorn, author of the intriguing, disturbing, "Evolution of Evil" article on the "New World Order" thread also wrote an essay on the revolutionary impact of refusing to vote, entitled, "U.S. non-voting: as powerful as using guns". Here's some excerpts:
Fast forward to Election Day 2008: Network anchors, cable pundits, and state and local election officials are going nuts as evening hours pass and voter turnout is hardly approaching 20 percent nearly everywhere. “What’s going on?” everyone is asking incredulously. TV and computer screens all over the planet show Americans in streets celebrating and shouting things like “We’ve had enough political corruption. We’re not going to take anymore!”
<snip>
America’s political system is a large and complex criminal conspiracy. Most voters enable it without benefiting from it. Voting is a ploy of the two-party power elites to keep the population docile, delusional and duped. Our government has been hijacked in plain sight, despite elections. We cannot get it back by voting. All the main candidates are part of the conspiracy. Voting only encourages them. In our fake democracy corrupt politicians use doses of voting as a political narcotic. We must free more Americans of the addiction. Otherwise they will keep hallucinating that some Democratic or Republican President or controlled Congress will actually give us the changes we crave for.
<snip>
In America’s fake democracy citizens are fooled by personal freedoms. It is a fake democracy because the will of the people is not respected by those elected to run the government, the rule of law is routinely violated by those in power, the Constitution is regularly dishonored and disobeyed by elected officials and judges, and all but the wealthy are sold out through government-assisted corporate globalization.
<snip>
Massive, unprecedented nonvoting has the power to produce systemic political reform by defiantly discrediting, dishonoring and de-legitimizing America’s fake democracy. When I choose not to vote I do not make the votes of others more important. Their votes already serve an evil system. The critical choice is to vote or not vote, not picking a particular Democrat or Republican. When I choose not to vote I embrace an honorable, patriotic rebellious act of civil disobedience. I no longer buy the BIG LIE that there still is an American democracy worth participating in. As James Madison said, “Conscience is the most sacred of all property.”
Depressing, fills me full of despair, yet provocative...did Ghandi or MLK ever support this kind of strategy? Any thoughts, especially from Edwards, Kucinich supporters?
I do not believe she would repeal any of the "evil policies" of the Bush/Cheney regime, including the Military Commissions act, habeas corpus, torture, extrordinary renditions, Gitmo, executive privilege, domestic spying, "unitary executive", etc. She has done nothing in the Senate, and said nothing on the campaign trail to suggest otherwise. (broadbrushed platitudes about "change" don't cut it).
Don't post the bills she's co-authored, or speeches about change she's given, when it comes to the illegal actions of the current administration, HRC has not been a voice for change; for example, she missed the Mukasey confirmation vote! Her single "no" vote could have stopped the nomination by preventing cloture!
She might appoint justices who are pro-choice, but they will almost certainly also be pro-corporate, and anti-consumer, anti-worker.
I'm through with holding my nose- I'm voting with my head and my heart, with my conscience clear.
