Election 2009 13 Day Countdown - My Friends Took Bullets For Me
Had a pretty good conversation with Jeff Jardine the other day. He mentioned that I had torn him apart a couple of times on the Modesto Bee Blog Site. Especially the one in which I was disgusted with his sum-up piece regarding Craig Prescott and his family.
I thought this was going to be pay back time. Instead, Joe Cataline seemed to get the brunt of the damage with his professional glamour photo shoots being stretched to the borderline of porn by being displayed on a website with the name “deviant” in it. I know now that I should absolutely not post the “Vote For Stanford” campaign shot with me in a hot tub with the Budweiser girls.
Al Nava had a bullion cube made of his online ox and had the most poignant statements rebroadcast for the umpteenth millionth time. To those that follow Nava – none of this was really news and the story is getting old. There is much more to Al Nava then a few quotes from the internet. So much for the honor of being a Vet.
Dave Geer got his next event advertised and seemed to not understand the difference between voters and non-voters in his district. Very telling on how hard he has worked actually identifying who these people really are. Seems ironic that I know more about District 2’s voting base than a well backed candidate actually running in it.
And me? It did not go too bad. I thought it was right on target. Though seldom both sides of the story are given fair and equal treatment by the powers that Modesto Bee, I can’t argue with what was said about me. It’s very true. And it could have been much worse.
All in all, I guess I feel like a turkey pardoned on Thanksgiving Day. Or a sole survivor. It’s a toss up…
Here is the article:
Connected Candidates
By Jeff Jardine
jjardine@modbee.com
last updated: October 22, 2009 12:49:01 AM
During the last presidential campaign, Barack Obama played the Internet as masterfully as Itzhak Perlman plays the violin.
Obama used the cyberworld to generate support across the country, to advance his public appearances and rallies and to get his message out. He used it to recruit and motivate younger voters who get the majority of their information online. Perhaps most significantly, he used it to raise money.
And that worked great in a national campaign. But what about in local elections?
How are candidates employing the Internet and to what benefit?
All but two of the seven vying for the three open Modesto City Council seats have Web pages and use social networking sites, including Facebook, Twitter and MySpace.
Kristin Olsen (District 5), Joe Muratore (District 4) and Jeff Perine (District 4) all have campaign Web sites and make use of the various social networks to promote their campaigns and give voters insights into their personal life.
"The average voter age in Modesto is over 60," Olsen said. "It's a way to reach the other segment of the voting population."
Perine has a clever video campaign ad on YouTube, sending police dogs to the polls to vote for a candidate who campaigns as a strong supporter of the Modesto police.
Muratore claims 400 Facebook friends and, if he wins, plans to use it to keep in touch with younger voters.
"I use it to connect with a certain generation at a time in their lives when they are ready to get involved and get things done," he said.
Same goes for District 4 candidate Robert Stanford, who also blogs regularly on modbee.com's The Hive.
District 2 candidate Dave Geer claims to be the least connected among the candidates. He has a Facebook page, but said he didn't create it himself.
"Maybe my nieces in Connecticut set it up," he said. He signed up for LinkedIn, another social network, "because I wanted to know more about (a particular) person," he said.
Otherwise, "I'm not a big Internet social networking person," Geer said. "I don't think it's all that important in my district. These people don't have the time to spend looking at my Facebook account."
Geer's opponent, Al Nava, however, uses Facebook and Twitter to get his message out and to tell people all they need to know about him. He might shun The Bee by refusing to return typical campaign questionnaires or phone calls, but when it comes to online, he's a classic case of TMI (too much information).
Some of his Twitter postings:
• June 27 — "I'm making Politics sexy, cool, & exciting again!"
• May 6 — "Arnold Schwarzenegger wants to legalize Marijuana! Let him know he has our support by emailing his office."
And a Facebook entry:
• "Fox News should be renamed: 'Douche-bag News.' I already have."
This wasn't a case in which someone left a tape recording going and the candidate didn't know it. He generated these Web gems himself.
Stanford, who is a Web page programmer, said the Internet impact has been "pretty disappointing."
"We're an ag town," he said. "Behind the times. People don't look up the candidates on the Internet."
For the past few years, his blog entries on The Hive have at times been highly critical of public officials, including law enforcement, which is his right. But these blog threads — responses to and from other bloggers — often turn into personal attacks.
"The biggest struggle is not to get into the back and forth," he said. "I get baited on there."
If a candidate has Internet skeletons, rest assured someone will find them. Joe Cataline, who is challenging Olsen in District 5, is a 26-year-old photographer whose business, Destiny Productions, mostly involves wedding shoots. On occasion, he's taken other kinds of assignments, including some boudoir-type photography — photos of women in lingerie. He said the women wanted the photos for their husbands.
"I'm trying to grow my business," Cataline said. "From my standpoint, everything's been done on the up and up. In every case, they were married couples. They were done the right way, with the husbands right there."
A number of them ended up on a Web site called deviantart.com, along with several more of his photos.
Cataline confirmed he'd taken all of the photos on that gallery but said he didn't submit them. They were there under "ichabadkrane," a Web handle he said he hasn't used in at least two years.
Cataline said he plans to contact deviantart.com and demand his photos be removed from the gallery.
The "ichabadkrane" handle has appeared four times in the past month in the comments section below stories or opinion pieces on modbee.com. Each time, the comment supported Cataline.
The handle, according to our records, was created in September. Cataline said he knows no one by the name of the man who made the account.
On MySpace, you'll find photos of women pole dancing, and pictures of Cataline posing with them at the event. Hey, he's a single guy. There was nothing illegal about it. Many studios teach pole dancing as a form of exercise.
But if you want to hand your opponent some campaign fodder, posting a shot of a candidate next to some attractive and dressed-to-party young women (see Gary Hart) will do it.
Ultimately, the effectiveness of the Internet comes down to whether a local candidate uses it as a tool or a toy.
A violin? Perlman's job is safe.
Jeff Jardine's column appears Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays in Local News. He can be reached at 578-2383 or jjardine@modbee.com.
• • • WHERE TO LOOK
 
DISTRICT 2• Dave Geer — Google Dave Geer Modesto to find his Facebook entry or go to www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=143068764021&index=1
• Al Nava — On Facebook, enter Al Nava in search field or go to www.facebook.com/search/?q=Al+Nava&init=quick#/pages/Al-Nava/149612289967?ref=search&sid=1354476929.2968076337..1
DISTRICT 4
• Joe Muratore — www.joemuratore.com
• Jeff Perine — www.jeffperine.com
• Robert Stanford — stanford4modesto.blogspot.com
DISTRICT 5
• Joe Cataline — www.votejoecataline.com
• Kristin Olsen — kristinolsen.org
»
- Stanford4Modesto's blog
- Login or register to post comments
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Come on Cataline
Who cares about posting his art? Just don't lie to the people. I guess when you're young it may seem embarassing to admit you posted to deviantart.com, but no one would have thought much about that in a few days.
What a tangled web, ichabadkrane
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Nava....
Sorry, Robert, but the story with Nava and his postings on Facebook and Twitter do not get old.
I've never seen a Candidate for an elected seat throw so many F-Bombs and what many would consider foul language as loosely as Nava has. You may not think it has relevance to his potential performance on the City Council, but I think it speaks volumes as to how he may treat someone who doesn't share the same views as him.
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Come on airport
Joe has said on record with Jeff Jardine that those photos were posted by someone else. Joe's identity has compromised about 3-4 years ago...
Still who cares about NON-NUDE photo?
Cataline
As someone who will vote for Joe Cataline, today's revelation does not factor into my vote at all.
District 2
I just canvassed precincts Paradise 61 and Modesto 4 of almost 2,000 registered voters. 80% of the voters are supporting Nava. I believe that a 35% to 40% turnout. Voters said they had never been contacted personally and were very appreciative. Mail Flyers and phone calls (unless they are in Spanish)in this area do not work. When Mayor Sabatino ran these areas turned out at a 35%
Should have been a non-issue
Everyone can decide on their own if it is reasonable to believe someone stole those images, posted them on the web and later decided to post positive comments about Cataline on the Bee web site.
It should have been a simple case of stating that he is proud of his work and is trying to network. The issue I have has nothing to do with the art.
That's interesting
District Elections
These elections are going to change the way candidates campaign. It is going to take shoe leather(walking precincts) not slick mailers, hit pieces, robocalls or other politics of destruction of the Petralakis type of campaign. I believe this is positive,
Mailers and Robocalls - RFMAG
RFMAG....I am not sure District Elections will affect the type of campaigning candidates do. While I do agree that walking precincts will be more effective, mailers and robocalls still may be prominent in these elections. Take MID for example. I live in District 2 - Mike Serpa vs. Glen Wild. I am quite annoyed, but I receive a robocall from each of these Candidates almost daily, and I've received mailers from both candidates as well.
I've spoken to both Candidates when they were going door-to-door too.
Also, I don't think this type of campaigning is exclusive to the "Petrulakis" type of Campaign. No offense to the supporters of Robert Stanford, but they too have posted "hit pieces" (or at least what I would consider to be hit pieces....filled with inuendos, inferences, and the like) against Muratore here on the Hive, all the while professing their distaste towards Mr. Petrulakis.
That's just my opinion. Hey and thanks for the info. regarding District #2.
By Focusing
on the negative, almost exlusively, the Stanford supporters have left the door wide open for Perine. I guess they assumed if they trashed Muratore loudly enough, people would forget Perine. That it why positive campaigning is so much more effective. They still haven't made any case to vote for their candidate. Don't be surprised if Perine doesn't make a strong showing.
I have met both Perine and Muratore more than once or heard them speak. Neither said anything that could be even remotely derogatory about each other or their opponent. I think that is fabulous. They happen to be the two of the best candidates we have had in recent elections.
If shoe leather wins- Muratore probably takes it in District 4. If trash talk is effective, Nava, Cataline and Stanford will win by a large margin.
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If shoe leather wins
then Joe Cataline will take District Five.
Joe talks about Kristin's record, what she has voted on or not and the choices she made over the last four years.
It her record, no one elses.
Krisitn's supporters are the ones trash talking about Joe in the District 5 race here on the BEEHive. Joe supporters seem to running rumour control.
If shoe leather wins...
Stanford takes it in District 4. Developer money only buys so much.
TS
As valiant an effort as Bob Stanford has mounted, and I commend him for that, I see it going to a runoff with Muratore at the top.
mtber: MID vs City of Modesto Elections
MiD districts are much larger than city council districts. MID districts extend into large rural areas and into dense urban areas. That is why the "old politics" may work.
In the city districts where the precincts are actual "communities of interest", where there is actual neighborhoods that view that they have the same pluses and minuses and view themselves as in the same "boat", I think the new "high tech, high touch" of campaigning will work.
Focusing on the negative AP
AP, who are the ones that are focusing on the negative? The Hive is supposed to be a DMZ of opinion and hopefully touching our "better angels of our nature". Who of us have not transgressed? To say that we trash talk is to discount others opinions. I am of the opinion that voters will surprise all the those believe in negative election politics.
rfmag - I understand
I understand, and agree, the MID Districts are much larger than the Districts established for the City Council elections. I was just providing an example in the general sense of District Elections. Because these Districts have been established, I am not sure I can agree yet that they will have an impact on the type of political strategies these Candidates utilize.
I do hope you're right, as like you, I would like see more positive campaigning going on. Unfortunately, as it relates to the current City Council election, I don't know that everyone feels the way we do (i.e. Cataline's pictures posted earlier today, as well as continuous pieces implying both Olsen and Muratore have been "bought," and even some of the comments Robert Stanford has faced here on the Hive).
"High tech, high touch" - I like that line.
Have a good one, rfmag.
mtber
Thanks. You said it very well.
Robert you can win
Robert you have a chance because the La Loma district will not decide the election. The airport district could be the area that tilts the election.
If Robert does well in the El Vista neighbood. If he concentrates in the precincts bounded by EL Vista Ave. and Lakewood East to West: Briggsmore and Yosemite North to South, you, Robert Sanford could very well win. All those little streets like Carol Lane could put you over the top.
Robert
Have you supporters canvass the El Vista precinct/neighborhoods. You can win there!
Jardine's Article....
I though Jardine's article today was blah, really. It didn't say much of any value, in my opinion.
The one I didn't like to see was Robert's quote, "I get baited" when referencing blogging on the Hive. To me that was a cop out. One can easily choose to ignore the "back and forth" and such, just as much as one could choose to respond. I think Robert's an honorable guy and sincere in his concern for this City, but I was disappoined in that quote because it sends a message that he doesn't own up to what he's said.
Everyone gets baited at one point or another, but the question becomes, will you choose to take the bait?
We've all taken the bait before mtber
Do you always ignore the back and forth?
TS...
Absolutely, and sure, I've been involved in the "back and forth" as you put it. I'll be happy to to stand behind and take responsibility for anything and everything I say, even when I am wrong.
The difference is, when Robert says something to the effect that the Sheriff Deputies are murderers, will he own up to that, or pawn it off as something he got baited into, and therefore taking no responsibility for the words he stated.
That is basically how I read the quote. I read it as a cop out.
"Instead, Joe Cataline seemed to get the brunt of the damage "
Robert, sometimes what you do in your personal life can adversely affect your political career. If Jardine's article hurt "My Friends Took Bullets For Me" then you need to ask yourself this question before you blast Mr. Jardine: 'Is what a person is doing in their private life showing a lack of foresight/good judgment in what they did in private, and if so, just how may effect what they wish to do in a public life?' Sure, we all do some off the wall stuff when we're young (some even do it when they are older), however, if you're planning on running for a public office, especially knowing that in today's political atmosphere, what kind of judgment does it show of a person in the choices they make to present themselves in?
You said: "There was nothing illegal about it" and "Hey, he's a single guy"... but do you think he should have considered the area he wants to garner votes in before he "taken all of the photos on that gallery"? For a long time young people have been warned what they put on the Internet could affect their futures (college admissions, job searches, future relationships, careers, and yes - political aspirations). Even if deleted, it is not gone!
Robert, what a private citizen does on his or her off time is one thing, however, when you open you life history to public view (running for an office will do that you know), then you can’t complain that what you did in the recent past shouldn't effect how voters view how you might conduct yourself in public office. Just look at so many of our elected officials who have lost their jobs for just uttering words with a live microphone open)... Good judgment is one of the major things votes look for in picking a candidate.
While what has taken place (as stated above) may not be illegal and may well just be the exuberance of youth, it does matter to those who vote and who are looking for people to represent their values. This is Modesto... not San Francisco or Washington D.C... Robert, your friend said: “he plans to contact deviantart.com and demand his photos be removed from the gallery” – that is well and good, however, once the cat is out of the bag, it will be hard to get it back in. Forethought is better than hindsight. Maturity sometimes calls for some losses to understand the consequences of your past actions. I wish your friend well for his future, but for this race, a poor public display of past (recent) choice was made by him to start with. You can’t blame Jeff Jardine for that.
BM
The article by Jardine is insignificant.
First of all he portrays the ModBee Hive as having some real validity as a source of information. I have not been here to long, but I think Jardine has the Hive in a category that does not even fit in with other more honorable forums. For the most part the Hive is little more than small town bantering and trash talk. Like I said, I'm new here, but telling it like I see it. Hope I don't get kicked off for being honest.
Secondly, considering what is going on in all of America, Jardine would have been of better service to the community by talking about something of real value, such as how are we surviving in the community through the economic crisis and how do the candidates feel about what is being done right now.
Thirdly. The pictures can stand alone on their own without making a derogatory judgement call on anyone that took them. It's a business and they are not filthy pictures at all.
And last, the poster of the pictures should have not posted them in the first place as they do not have a legal right to do so.
I commend Mr. Cataline for running and considering his age especially, he is a pretty impressive guy, I would say.
Just the same, the Stanford man is more that what some say about him on the Hive. Anyone can see that by how involved he is in the community.
If Jesus Christ himself showed on the Hive, he would be called every name in the book by the time he left.
" I would appreciate it if you would whine on someone elses"e
A simple solution: Ya know Robert, I can recall, back in the day before you “cleaned up your on-line act” (about the time you decided to run for office) that I had made that same request of you (over and over and over again). However, I also recall that for a very long time (a couple of years I think), you ignored my request and at every opportunity, regardless of the subject (be it humor, photography, music, local events, politics, social issues)…. (gosh, you and ts have so much in common), you continued to troll along on my threads with silly pictures of cats or pigs or whatever else you could find and would just bombard what I wrote (even things that were complimentary about some of your posse – you would just see my name and without reading what I wrote, just post foolishness – I at least read your posts before commenting… I even check out what you wrote before commenting… ).... So, to answer your question (since you asked it so nicely), back in the day when I asked you nicely not to post on every one of my threads, I'll give you the same response you gave me... except for this one thing... I will not post nonsense just to be disruptive and annoying - just the facts. You'll note that when I post to your subject, I can stay on subject and point out errors in your writings. If you want me not to post to your threads, then just tell the truth and quite belittling and vilifying others the way you have (and tell your front man to stop the innuendo and fabrication of "facts" which are unfounded against other candidates). Until that happens (as Mariah Carey would sing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52d20PK_Kyk )…. I’ll post when I find you or the posse are smearing others, fabricating, insinuating (without evidence to back up what you say), when I know you’re out and out not being truthful and honest in what you write, and when you go after people I know who are honest, respectful, and ingenuous. If my responding to things you and your colleague say bothers you, it’s simple, knock off the baloney and claptrap and you will see less of me on your posts. Keep up the nonsense, and I’ll be there to show it for what it is…garbage – just plain trash talk... It does work both ways doesn’t it Robert! Difference will be, I won’t call you vile, despicable, degrading names or make up lies about you.
A troll caught in the act..Bm3
..
Quick; spray him TS!
before he does any more of his cacographic pompous rambling.
Hey ts, I see you misappropriated
Well gosh darn ts, I see you ARE capable of misappropriating someone’s Troll Spray. How did you do that.... copy the post I used it in then go to " delete · edit · reply " and delete my original posting?
Well, I see the "Malster" is back... "cacographic pompuos rambling"
Like in: "Bad Spelling? - better go back and respell "pompuos"... …….it’s “pompous”..... If that misspelling were not so ironic, that might even be sad! Now go back and try it again... you are most cacographic. LOL
"Quick; spray him TS!before he does any more of his cacographic pompuos rambling."
Bill Moore; practicaly all your posts are long-winded garbage
I just make the occasional typo, as I don't need to rely on a spell-checker; but you definitely need some form of logic and sincerity-check software.
Here's that real conservative again Bill, who you believe is "just a druggie":
I agree Malcolm
He is a blowhard.
I do use "Mal" ware...
Get it...?
You try to get this Bill Moore;
you have the blood of the innocent on your hands; there'll be time for personal insults once all the senseless killing & suffering stops; to just stand by and do nothing is immoral Bill, but to actually lend one's support to prohibition, like you do, is downright evil.
You're complicit in destroying the constitution and all that it stands for Bill Moore and you still dare to call yourself a conservative. So what is it in fact that you believe you're conserving? American organized crime? The American Gulag? Or the American corruption of public officials? You're not that stupid Bill Moore. You can't possibly be that unaware to the fact that you're actually complicit in promoting the destruction and/or corruption of every cherished American institution while attempting to vilify those of us who are rallying in their defense.
For shame on you!
You're as guilty as the people who pulled all those triggers, threw all those grenades and kidnapped and be-headed the sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, fathers and mothers of all the poor people left behind to greave their lost relatives:
"is downright evil"
I guess I should listen to the writing of Hierocles when he wrote: “We ought always to deal justly, not only with those who are just to us, but likewise to those who endeavor to injure us; and this, for fear lest by rendering them evil for evil, we should fall into the same vice.” Sorry Malcolmkyle…. I’m not going to slip into your world.
Hey BM
Who the heck is Hierocles?
Might the name be Hercules?
Get your info straight.
Hercules never said any such thing. If you could provide a link to the stone tablet Hercules used that would be helpful.
Hierocles is famous for a book called Elements of Ethics
Hierocles (Egyptian philosopher and student of Plutarch, fifth century A.D. This should give you a bit more on him)..... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hierocles_of_Alexandria ) ... catch his quote at: http://www.wisdomquotes.com/002595.html or http://keithdevens.com/quotes/Hierocles.justly or http://marylily.org/Justice%20Quotes.htm (about half way down the page)...
Yes "letmesaythis" about that..... it does not take much to get your info straight. Hierocles did say such a thing.... Please check your facts before you http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/put+your+foot+in+your+mouth.html ...
Oh, "letmesaythis".....Hierocles was a real person! "Hercules" ("if" real - but more like a good Greek story ~ and we all love to hear a great story - was about 500 B.C. )… 1000 years between the two.
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/Herakles/bio.html
BM
I never will be able to take a person who educates himself off of AM radio seriously.
I will not follow your links. Who knows what type of virus I might infect my computer with.
Hiercoles may have existed. Hercules existed BC. I know of him well, do you. BM, you might want to check him out on your own.
No links provided.
No guts - no knowledge
"I will not follow your links. Who knows what type of virus I might infect my computer with."
Paranoia “Fear, suspicion, mistrust, obsession, terror”… Those who will not venture to discover the truth, will never find it. And so it goes “letmesaythis”….
(Of course you know Hercules well... he was raised with the Greek gods on Olympus... way up there... he was really high... LOL) What a pathetic posting you made... a poor attempt at harassment. If you're not willing to check it out with my post links, just “TYPE IN HIS NAME: try – “Hierocles (Egyptian philosopher)” No risk there. That is unless you really are not a truthseeker.
No BM
I know Hercules well. Having been named after him I should.
I have read your rants for over a year hear on the HIVE.
You are a distubed person who had more time than wits.
You are not a worthy of debate.
But, by all means, please keep making a fool of yourself.
I chuckle when I read your posts. Then those posts you make, they just make me sad that so many people like you are still "out there". Just plain backassward idiots.
BillMoore3
You are a sort of enigma. I believe that apathy, like that which Heinrick Bonhoffer encountered in the 1940's "it couldn't happen to me which we now give the NIMBY acronym.
It's the my ball and you can't play mntality your post sometimes emit that have others place you into a box. Malcolm whom I have no knowledge but respect for the depth of his comvictions. What if i may imquire is the unpenetrable position taken on marijuana that is so confusing for an otherwise intelligent man?
I see as the decriminalization, senses take time its does seem, there are more stories on this or that felon on or in the vicinity of Marijuana now being reignited in 2009. Has someone you observed done things under this otherwise natural gift of our Creator created such a furor? Have you seen freinds at parties make fools of themselves at parties after too many drinks? I have but never seen carnaege of a similarly impaired marijuana user...where is the logic to the argument you chose to support.
It would appear that the crazies, and that's not placing you in a box, but the actions of congress in giving into the lunnie toons, we all know them...and hopefully pray for each, thie contempt for the Government doing something for the people who have fallen through the proverbial 'cracks" of the social networks. not at all in the "socialist manner" but in the Christian model of doing to one as you would have them do unto you. I believe thats compassions for others.
I am a capitalist Bill, made lots of money and now in my 60's am happyier in the lower income level, maybe because we raise two children who were taught well, in the familial sense, thelocal Public Schools suck.
I wish you well but some of the web sites you use to support your positions you should check out, people can rea the same bible as i and come out with two different conclusions...explain that one kind sir. That in itself seems to fuel tehse debates.
This quote by Hierocles was found etched in stone and
very carefully translated into English, before English was a language.
"We ought always to deal justly, not only with those who are just to us, but likewise to those who endeavor to injure us; and this, for fear lest by rendering them evil for evil, we should fall into the same vice."
"HERCULES" (and the BikeRack) have spoken....
That is funny.... such progressive minds!
MBM
Yep, I have a direct hook-up with the Herc. On my MP3 player.
Bye the way he says you are a t.u.r.d.
Joe - And sometimes the Hive progressive talking points
And sometimes the Hive progressive talking points reminds me of.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKsUlf20DF0.... (kind of like the link.....a lot about nothing ) Enjoy....
t.u.r.d.? Like in
Totally universal rad dude? Why thank you lmst... http://www.theraddudes.com/
You must have been doing that when you wrote your post... Just kidding (sorry for the coarseness and irrelevance of the link)... just trying to keep up with you boys.
But wait, you didn't see it, you don't click on links to find out what they are about.... LOL... Darn, a wasted link....
And a play on words…
Face it Bill Moore;
you are blatantly helping to increase robberies and assaults on innocent people. --The high prices of drugs caused by prohibition force many drug addicts to turn to robbery in order to pay for their drugs. Legalized regulation would drop drug prices. Drug users would no longer need to rob/assault innocent people in order to support their drug habit. This violence against innocent people would end if drugs were legally regulated.
Face it Bill Moore; you have helped clog prisons and jails with nonviolent people. --Nearly 50% of all people in prison and jail are serving time for nonviolent drug charges. To house just one prisoner for one year costs the taxpayer more than 40 thousand dollars! The result; Drug use has increased!
Face it Bill Moore; you obviously support organized crime, terrorists and drug cartels. --criminal organizations thrive off the enormous profits caused by drug prohibition. These organizations are responsible for thousands of murders! Many of the people killed or hurt are innocent people who "get in the way" These violent organizations will never be put out of business unless drugs are legally regulated.
Face it Bill Moore; you are aiding and abetting environmental destruction. --Underground illegal cocaine and methamphetamine labs use toxic chemicals to produce those drugs. The wastes are recklessly dumped in forests and streams. These highly toxic chemicals are causing major environmental damage in South American rain-forests and now also in the US. This environmental destruction will stop only if drugs are legally regulated.
Face it Bill Moore; you appear to help lure thousands of young people into quitting school. --It is a fact that thousands of inner-city youths drop out of school to make enormous profits by selling drugs. The incentive to drop out of school would end if drugs were legally regulated.
Face it Bill Moore; you are helping to make/keep drugs easily available for kids. --In spite of what you may believe, keeping drugs illegal does not keep drugs away from children! Drugs are easily obtainable in almost every school in the US. Legalized regulation would put schoolyard drug dealers out of business! There would be less drugs in US schools if drugs were legally regulated.
Face it Bill Moore; you are subsidizing criminals by letting them reap huge drug profits without paying taxes. --Since drugs are sold anyway, wouldn’t you rather have them heavily taxed so it would reduce everybody's tax burden? You are giving criminals a free ride and it’s coming out of your neighbor's pocket. Working people pay 100% of all taxes for the drug dealers! Why do you want everybody else to pay taxes for drug dealers?
Face it Bill Moore; the drug war harms/kills hundreds of thousands of innocent people and burdens all taxpayers. The drug war has not reduced, and never will reduce, drug use!
Face it Bill Moore; prohibition is not regulation; prohibition is a dangerous "free-for-all" where all the profits go to organized criminals and terrorists!
This is the world you've helped create Bill Moore; for shame on you sir!