Radley Balko- Reason On Criminal Law Enforcement

An excellent source of information:

Senior Editor

rbalko@reason.com

Radley Balko is a senior editor at Reason magazine and Reason.com.

Previously, Balko was a policy analyst for the Cato Institute specializing in civil liberties issues, where he published a paper on alcohol policy and a groundbreaking study on paramilitary police raids.

He is a columnist for FoxNews.com and has been published in The Wall Street Journal, Playboy, Time, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Slate, Forbes, National Post, Worth and numerous other publications. Balko has also appeared on the BBC, CNN, CNBC, Fox News Channel, MSNBC and NPR.

Balko's work on paramilitary raids and the overuse of SWAT teams was featured by John Tierney in The New York Times, has been praised by outlets ranging from Human Events to the Daily Kos, and was cited by Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer's dissent in the case Hudson v. Michigan.

Balko is also credited with bringing national attention to the case of Cory Maye, a black man who prior to Balko's work was on death row in Mississippi for shooting and killing a white police officer during a raid on Maye's home. Balko's Reason feature on Maye was also cited in an opinion by the Mississippi State Supreme Court. National Journal also profiled Balko's coverage of the case.

Balko publishes the personal blog, TheAgitator.com. He graduated from Indiana University in 1997 with a degree in journalism and political science.

Bush Administration Accused Of Rigging Big Tobacco Verdicts

From the "Asha Music" political commentary blog just banned by WordPress

http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:GeqqRpivlTwJ:aishamusic.wordpress.com/category/dick-cheney/+http://aishamusic.wordpress.com/category/dick-cheney/&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us&client=firefox-a

Former U.S. Attorney Sharon Eubanks

Another example of this practice of yours in looking out for the corporations at the citizens’ expense is illustrated in Big Tobacco.

Last month, I read an excerpt of a book regarding how you “rigged Big Tobacco verdicts” via the court system to benefit your “Big Tobacco friends” in Texas.

Never mind tobacco killed off scores of Americans, who did not know how dangerous those little cancer sticks really were. But Big Tobacco knew, they had advance warning….but they didn’t bother to let everyone else in on what they’d discovered.

Rather than punishing them and giving the money to cancer victims who smoked for years, you protected the corporations. A U.S. attorney, Sharon Eubanks, even spoke out and stated she was instructed to rig award amounts to victims, reducing them by tens of billions of dollars, to protect Big Tobacco. That is unconscionable…and on your shift, Mr. President.

Sharon Eubanks March 25, 2007

Prosecutor Says Bush Appointees Interfered With Tobacco Case

Eye To Eye: Former Prosecutor Sharon Eubanks (CBS News)

Agricultural Politics of Drug Policy Plenary Panel Proposal

FREE Dana Beal: Interview From Jail

Activist Against Criminal Mercantilsm/Pharmacratic Inquisition/Drug Addiction
For Marijuana and the Anti-Addiction Herb/alkaloid- Iboga/Ibogaine

From:
http://weird-load.blogspot.com/2008/06/free-dana-beal-interview-from-jail-with.html

This morning I was able to speak with Dana from the Coles County Jail. Like a true warrior he spent most of the time explaining to me the benefits of Ibogaine still concerned more with the addicts he is trying to help than with saving his own skin. If you read yesterday's blog you understand that Dana was arrested in Illinois for having over $100,000.00 in his possession. The authorities there have charged him with attempted money laundering. About the cash Dana said:

The money in question was donations to set up a string of (Ibogaine) treatment clinics between Canada and Mexico. It takes money to set up a clinic. I went around and collected the money. It has been impounded and now it will need to be replaced.

He went on to say that his hearing tomorrow at 9:30am will be in part to see if there can be a reduction in his bond. (now set at $250,000.00- 10% of which he must pay to be released.) Less interested in his own current condition than still preaching the benefits of his cause he told me that:

New research has been done proving that Ibogaine switches on a growth factor that rebuilds dopamine neurons in the addicts brains. Neurons that are destroyed by the use of narcotics and meth-amphetamines. There is NO other cure for meth addiction but the methadone mafia has been against us from the start.

When I asked the 61 year old Beal how he is doing in lock up h replied with a note of sarcasm and weariness in his voice:

Terrible.There are no books in here and the other inmates just want to watch reality shows. I have no access to the television and I'd rally like to watch CNN.

The bond hearing is tomorrow and I will update when when I find out what the outcome is. Please keep checking back. Regarding the chances for this case to be dismissed his attorney seems optimistic. Cases like this have been dismissed in Illinois often and as the good barrister said, "You Can't just say the money smells like pot in Illinois."

Tomorrow I will be speaking with some of his attorneys right after the hearing so please stay tuned.

A new MySpace site has been started to get the word out and to collect comments and wishes for Dana. Simply sending your thoughts helps Dana. It is good to know that there are people on the outside who are there for him.

There is a benefit concert in the works, possibly to take place in Asheville, NC. More details will follow concerning a date (possibly in two weeks), location, and line-up. Below are some words of encouragement sent in by others. Please send some of your own if you don’t have the cash to help. Encouragement means a lot.


Thank you for your efforts to free Dana. From the smoke-ins to ibogaine research, Dana has been a vital voice for the counter-culture and social change movements for decades. He deserves our support. Rev. Bookburn - Radio Volta - Philadelphia

I send you all the strength, determination and patience you need in these times of hardship. Next week at the ENCOD* General Assembly we will see to if we can create some support campaign to send you some $

Best wishes, please let me know if you need anything else than money.

* EUROPEAN COALITION FOR JUST AND EFFECTIVE DRUG POLICIES

I'm deeply saddened by your recent bust. I'm tempted to say that once again, this filthy War on Drugs/Freedom has attempted to claim another victim. But I know that you are neither "claimed," nor a "victim." Your resistance to laying down for the Man has given us the legs with which we stand up in our own right. I wouldn't be able to do what I do for a living; I wouldn't be able to live my life even close to the way I dream to live it, if you and your compatriots were the kind to lay down.

Know that there's a whole globe of people who hoisting your flag for you while you're briefly unable; your spirit continues to lead, even while your body cannot. Know that there's a whole globe of people who are pulling for you and sending positive energy to both you and your incarcerators, so they may see the wrongs they've committed by the light of our will. - MamaKind, Senior Editor Skunk Magazine

You have been a selfless supporter of individual liberty that is an example and model freedom fighter that more people should emulate. While I remain a pauper, and am unfortunately unable to help in any significant financial way, I nevertheless feel deeply indebted to your activism in liberty. If I had the money you need, it would surely be yours. Unfortunately, all I can add is my heartfelt thanks for the great work you have done in the name of liberty. Stick with it, my brother in liberty. Don’t let the perverts in service to greed get you down. I hope my meager words help get you through a few moments of this imposition on your right to true liberty.
Yours in Activism - Richard J. Schimelfenig

My thoughts and prayers go out to you. I will never understand our government allowing these injustices to happen. There are murders, rapists, other violent offenders and REAL drug dealers being released everyday and they choose to punish people like you to the fullest extent. Why? What are they so afraid of? Why are they so scared of "pot heads"?! Don't they realize that if this "drug" was legalized, that it could help so many people. Not to get stoned, but actually help people in pain and suffering from numerous diseases. It's so sad. There are meth, coke, heroin, and even alcoholics out there everyday committing serious crimes and ruining lives, why are weed smokers even in the same category as these people? It is so frustrating and I think you are very brave to keep on the good fight. God Bless you and Thank you. - Amy Lynn Snyder

Dear Dana...I am sending you my love...stay strong!...this is all wrong! You have done so much for us all, we are all behind you! I am a new activist for legalizing marijuana...I am running the Edmonton, Alberta 420 Cannabis Community...if you have access to a computer, you can find us on facebook or another site.... Edmonton 420 Cannabis Community (on Facebook)..or www.edmonton420.ca

I'm sending you good and happy vibes......peace my friend......Marge Groenendyk

Dana Beal helped me find a way to get treated with Ibogaine. I feel like I owe him my life and I'm doing what I can to find some funds to help get him out of jail, and or, keep his atty. onboard his case. Having known him over the past few years and painting, hauling a bar top around town for him, and otherwize helping get the cafe together at #9, I can say that I've never met a person so driven to do what is rationally right for addicts all over the world. Thousands of addicts owe their life to him, I'm one of them. Let's do for Dana what he has done for us. Get him Free, he got a bunch of us free. - Anonymous

Thank you all for the kind words of support. As I have written before they are being forwarded to Dana. See bellow for more information on how you can help.

If you can assist with funds for the attorney fees please email me at Cnance@weird-load.com and I will put you in contact with his lawyers.

If you don’t have money please at least send Dana love, good wishes, and good vibes at freedanabeal@weird-load.com and they will be forwarded to him.

If you wish to send money to Dana directly it will be added to his jail account and can be used for his bond please send it to:



Irvin Beal

Coles County Jail

701 7th Street

Charleston, IL 61920

Stay tuned for more updates... Dana is in court tomorrow at 0930.

Ibogaine; A New Novel Anti-Addiction Compound

A Yippie Veteran Is In Jail Far From the East Village- NY Times

Anti-Addiction Herbalist (Ibogaine) Activist Kidnapped [arrested] By Criminal Government

Government Criminals Violate God's Law 'Thou Shalt Not Steal'

Dana Beal, an activist for using the God-Given Herbal Substance of Ibogaine has long been opposed by a criminal government in conspiracy with Big Pharm

Below from:
http://cannazine.co.uk/cannabis-news/united-states/breaking-news-new-york-marijuana-activist-dana-beal-jailed.html

Cures Not Wars founder and marijuana activist Dana Beal is currently in an an Illinois prison. He was charged with "alleged money laundering." Bail has been set at $250,000. Beal runs the annual Global Marijuana March from his New York office. Beal needs $25,000 to make bail. He also needs cash to make phone calls and use the commissary.

Dana Beal could really do with knowing who his friends are right now.

There are two ways you can help Dana Beal:

• Wire money to Nicole Ferguson. She works for attorney Ron Tulin. The number is 217-348-8955.

• Send money orders direrctly to:

Irvin Beal
Coles County Jail
701 7th St.
Charleston, IL 61920

More, from:

http://forum.grasscity.com/legalization-activism/239470-help-free-dana-beal-founder-worldwide-marijuana-march.html

(excerpt)

Dana Beal has been involved in every major social justice movement since his introduction to radical politics in the early 1960?s. In 1963 during a left-wing political rally he stated that should a tyrant ever become President of the United States he should be shot. While that seems like a pretty reasonable assertion to anyone he was informed on and there after whenever a sitting President or candidate came to New York City his whereabouts and activities were monitored and verified by the Secret Service. In 1967 before the 1968 Democratic Convention where the Yippies would become famous, Dana was charged with trying to sell acid to an undercover cop. Beal skipped out on the rap remaining on the run with help from various activist around the country including members of the Weather Underground only to later be apprehended by authorities in Wisconsin. He served a year in prison.

Upon his release he became more active than ever not only founding the Yipster Times but he also started Greenwich Villages Community Bail Fund a money collection that bailed out members of the counter culture who were arrested on various drug charges. This fund bailed out dozens of fellow activist and revolutionaries over the years including Beal himself.

When he was freed from the jail on Center Street hundreds of fellow hippies gathered then carried him on their shoulders back to his office. Dana has spent the last twenty years focusing on the legalization of marijuana and in an almost Quixotic attempt to have the African hallucinogen Ibogaine legalized as a cure for heroin, cocaine, and alcohol addictions. Howard Lotsof an activist/scientist who has done extensive work with Ibogaine as a cure for addiction stated this afternoon that, ?Dana?s support of Ibogaine has enabled thousands of people to walk away from addiction.?

Several days ago Dana Beal was arrested by local police in Coles County, Illinois after being stopped. According to a Sheriff?s department spokesperson, Beal was in possession of over $100,000.00 cash. Unable to verify where he obtained the money Beal has been incarcerated in the Coles County Jail- bail has been set at $250,000.00 (he has been deemed a flight risk due to his past record), and he is being charged with ?Laundering of criminally derived property with a value of $100,000.00.? Mr. Beal is yet to step into a courtroom, however, as his bail was set by a judge who evaluated his arrest and ruled that it was valid and with cause. Thursday morning (June 12th) at 9:30am Dana will appear in local circuit court, possibly to be formally charged with the offence. Meanwhile he remains incarcerated with bond set at $250,000.00 unable to come up with the 10% ($25,000.00) needed for bail.

Beal has obtained a local attorney, Ronald Tulin, and I spoke one of his representatives today. They do not want to comment on the case before they get into a courtroom but they have verified that they are representing Mr. Beal and further stated that no formal charges have been filed on Dana as of yet.

Over the next few days I will be posting news about the case and writing about who Dana Beal is. He needs our help now, brothers and sisters. Mr. Lotsof stated that Dana?s immediate need is to raise $10,000.00 dollars in order to keep his attorneys on retainer. After that an additional $25,000.00 is needed for his bail. As I have stated before, Dana Beal has given up much for his ideals and to protect your rights. The Community Bail Fund he organized in the 1960?s alone qualifies him as someone at least deserving of our respect and any help we can give him.

You can help financially in two ways:

If you can assist with funds for the attorney fees please email me at Cnance@weird-load.com and I will put you in contact with his lawyers.

If you don?t have money please at least send Dana love, good wishes, and good vibes at freedanabeal@weird-load.com and they will be forwarded to him.

If you wish to send money to Dana directly it will be added to his jail account and can be used for his bond please send it to:
Irvin Beal
Coles County Jail
701 7th Street
Charleston, IL 61920

Organizing has happened and it is the least we owe to a man who has given so much to us. Please stay tuned and let?s help this old warrior once again become a free man!

Res Ipsa Loqitor
Chad Nance
Myrtle Beach, SC
06.09.08
http://weird-load.blogspot.com/ __________________

FREE Dana Beal- Interview From Jail