.gif "IP Gear")
*****But this is more about our freedom than anything else. ****
Dear Drug War Task Force Subscriber,
PLEASE CALL CONGRESS THIS MORNING TO OPPOSE THE RAVE ACT!
The following message is forwarded from our friends at the Drug Policy Alliance.
Senator Joe Biden is attempting to insert provisions of the RAVE act into another
more popular piece of legislation. The RAVE act would attack free speech, property
rights, and musical events of all types.
I urge you to call your Members of Congress NOW and also to send this out to as many
people as you possible can. Nightclub owners, club promoters, DJs and others are
especially at risk. We must generate a wave of phone calls to Congress NOW or this
bad legislation will become law.
Ron Crickenberger
Political Director
Libertarian Party
==================================================
==========
SUPPORT DRUG POLICY REFORM!!! FORWARD THIS ALERT TO YOUR
FRIENDS, FAMILY AND COLLEAGUES
==================================================
==========
***EMERGENCY - JOE BIDEN TRYING TO SNEAK RAVE ACT INTO S151
Conference***
*** CALL YOUR SENATOR NOW ***
Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) is at this very moment attempting to sneak the
RAVE Act into conference committee on the National AMBER Alert Network Act of 2003
(S151). S151 is a popular bill about child abduction and has nothing to do with
drug issues. S151 has already been passed by the Senate and House and is now in
Conference. In contrast, the RAVE Act has not passed even one single committee this
year. It did pass a committee last year, but was so controversial two Senators
withdrew their sponsorship after the vote.
This means that if the RAVE Act passes the conference committee, it is likely to
become law without ever having a hearing, a debate or a vote.
Drug Policy Alliance has been told that Senator Biden has told other conference
committee members, incorrectly, that the ACLU is no longer in opposition to the
action. He also has told conferees that nightclub owners now support him (on the
basis of one group that switched sides).
If the act makes it into the conference language it is likely to become law. It
must be stopped now.
PHONE YOUR SENATORS and Conference Committee Members (Background information below).
DO IT NOW. If you do not respond to this alert, the controversial RAVE Act is
likely to become law and it will be much harder to fix.
ACTIONS TO TAKE:
1. The following Members of Congress are on the conference committee.
They need to hear from you IF AND ONLY IF you live in their district.
Please be polite. Just tell them that you oppose the RAVE Act, that it
is controversial and it should not be included in the conference
language of S151. Don't stay on the phone long. Ask as many people as
you can to call them.
HOUSE:
James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) - 202/225-5101
Howard Coble (R-NC) - 202/225-3065
Lamar Smith (R-TX) - 202/225-4236
Mark Green (R-WI)- 202/225-5665
Melissa Hart (R-PA)- 202/225-2565
John Conyers (D-MI) - 202/225-5126
Bobby Scott (D-VA) - - 202/225-8351
SENATE:
Orrin Hatch (R-UT) - 202/224-5251
Charles Grassley (R-IA) - 202/224-3744
Jeff Sessions (R-AL) - 202/224-4124
Lindsey Graham (R-SC) - 202/224-5972
Patrick Leahy (D-VT) - 202/224-4242
Ted Kennedy (D-MA) - 202/224-4543
Joseph Biden (D-DE) - 202/224-5042
2. Everyone in the U.S. - You have two Senators who can weigh in on this issue with
the conferees. A list of your Senators by state can be found at:
**broken link removed**
Please call your Senators NOW at the Capitol Switchboard at 202/224-3121. Please
tell them that the RAVE Act is very controversial. Senator Biden is holding up the
AMBER Act by placing the controversial bill in conference. Urge them to oppose the
RAVE Act by contacting the Senate conferees and asking them to leave it off the
measure so that there will at least be a hearing on this issue.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Congress is considering two pieces of legislation that could create disincentives
for club owners to have water, ambulances and paramedics available at large dance
events. The bills might also threaten live music and dancing. If enacted, either
bill could prevent you from hearing your favorite band or DJ live. Every musical
style would be affected, including rock and roll, Hip Hop, country, and electronic
music. The proposed laws could also shut down hemp festivals, circuit parties, and
other events government officials don't like. Both bills would allow overzealous
prosecutors to send innocent people to jail for the crimes of others.
The two bills are the RAVE Act (H.R. 718) and the CLEAN-UP Act (H.R.
834). The RAVE Act was first introduced last year in the Senate by
Senator Joe Biden (D-DE). A House version was introduced by Rep. Lamar
Smith (R-TX). Thanks to the support of thousands of voters like you,
Drug Policy Alliance and a coalition of friends and activists around the country was
able to stop both bills last year. Unfortunately, supporters of the RAVE Act are
even more determined to pass it this year. Rep. Howard Coble (R-NC) is sponsoring a
new RAVE Act in the House. Additionally, Senator Biden has introduced a Senate
version entitled the Illicit Drugs Anti-Proliferation Act.
If enacted, the RAVE Act would make it easier for the federal government to punish
property owners for any drug offense that their customers commit - even if they work
hard to stop such offenses. If enacted, nightclub and stadium owners would likely
stop holding events - such as rock or Hip Hop concerts - in which even one person
might use drugs.
The CLEAN-UP Act was also first introduced last year, but it failed to make it out
of committee. This year's bill has over 60 co-sponsors and could become law without
your help. Sponsored by Rep. Doug Ose (R-CA), the Clean, Learn, Educate, Abolish,
and Undermine Production (CLEAN-UP) of Methamphetamines Act is largely an innocuous
bill that provides more money and training for the clean up of illegal
methamphetamine lab. Hidden within the bill, however, is a draconian section that
could make dancing and live music federal crimes.
Section 305 of the CLEAN-UP Act stipulates that:
`Whoever, for a commercial purpose, knowingly promotes any rave, dance, music, or
other entertainment event, that takes place under circumstances where the promoter
knows or reasonably ought to know that a controlled substance will be used or
distributed in violation of Federal law or the law of the place where the event is
held, shall be fined under title 18, United States Code, or imprisoned for not more
than 9 years, or both.'
This provision will allow any concert promoter, event organizer, nightclub owner and
arena or stadium owner to be fined and jailed, since a reasonable person would know
some people use drugs at musical events.
Under both the RAVE Act and the CLEAN-UP Act, it doesn't matter if the event
promoter and property owner try to prevent people from using drugs. Nor does it
matter if the vast majority of people attending the event are law-abiding citizens
that want to listen to music not do drugs. If enacted, either bill could be used to
shut down raves, circuit parties, marijuana rallies, unpopular music concerts, and
any other event federal officials don't like.
########
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Libertarian Party http://www.lp.org/
2600 Virginia Ave. NW, Suite 100 voice: 202-333-0008
Washington DC 20037 fax: 202-333-0072
ALSO
********************************************************************************************************
You can also fax them this sample letter If you do this in the in the next 12 hours, By the Am of tommorrow (Thursday).
To find your Reps click here. By entering your zip and then clicking on 'info' under their name. Write your cooresponding representative and Senator. Below Johnny Isakson is mine so enter yours in the same field.
http://congress.org/congressorg/home/
Sample letter to House of Reps
Your Name
Your address
Your city State Zip
The honorable Johnny Isakson
United States House of Representatives
132 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-1006
To Representative Your Rep,
I oppose the Conference Committee's decision to add Section 609 to S151/HR1104, widely referred to as the AMBER Alert Act of 2003. I urge you to fight to remove Sec. 609 from this bill. Section 609, titled the "Illicit Drugs Anti-Proliferation Act", is a controversial proposal that is so broadly written that local authorities could use it to close down any event or venue that they don't like. Section 609 is almost identical to the "RAVE" Act that was introduced last year. The effect of the provisions on businesses and managers is so dire that two of the bills co-sponsors withdrew their support. This year, rather than channeling this legislation through the appropriate legislative process - including public hearings, debate and a vote - an attempt is being made to railroad this controversial legislation through the Congress by attaching it to a relatively uncontroversial bill. This is "backdoor" policy-making at its worst and in no way upholds the democratic principles rooted in our legislative process.
If enacted, Section 609 threatens free speech and musical expression while placing at risk any hotel/motel owner, concert promoter, event organizer, nightclub owner or arena/stadium owner for the drug violations of 3rd parties - real or alleged - even if the event promoter and/or property owner made a good-faith effort to keep their event drug-free. Section 609 applies not just to electronic-music parties, but any type of public gathering, including theatrical productions, rock concerts, DJ nights at local bars, and potentially even political rallies. Moreover, it gives heightened power and discretion to prosecutors, who may use it to target events they personally don't like - such as Hip-Hop events and gay and lesbian fundraisers.
I oppose the addition of Section 609 to S151/HR1104. If Senators can use "backdoor" maneuvers to add Section 609, then other Senators can work just as effectively to remove it. I urge you to continue to fight to remove Section 609 from this bill.
With due respect
Your Name
*****Sample letter to Senator***********
Your name
Your address
Your city State and zip
The honorable Johnny Isakson
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20515
To Senator Chambliss,
I oppose the Conference Committee's decision to add Section 609 to S151/HR1104, widely referred to as the AMBER Alert Act of 2003. I urge you to fight to remove Sec. 609 from this bill. Section 609, titled the "Illicit Drugs Anti-Proliferation Act", is a controversial proposal that is so broadly written that local authorities could use it to close down any event or venue that they don't like. Section 609 is almost identical to the "RAVE" Act that was introduced last year. The effect of the provisions on businesses and managers is so dire that two of the bills co-sponsors withdrew their support. This year, rather than channeling this legislation through the appropriate legislative process - including public hearings, debate and a vote - an attempt is being made to railroad this controversial legislation through the Congress by attaching it to a relatively uncontroversial bill. This is "backdoor" policy-making at its worst and in no way upholds the democratic principles rooted in our legislative process.
If enacted, Section 609 threatens free speech and musical expression while placing at risk any hotel/motel owner, concert promoter, event organizer, nightclub owner or arena/stadium owner for the drug violations of 3rd parties - real or alleged - even if the event promoter and/or property owner made a good-faith effort to keep their event drug-free. Section 609 applies not just to electronic-music parties, but any type of public gathering, including theatrical productions, rock concerts, DJ nights at local bars, and potentially even political rallies. Moreover, it gives heightened power and discretion to prosecutors, who may use it to target events they personally don't like - such as Hip-Hop events and gay and lesbian fundraisers.
I oppose the addition of Section 609 to S151/HR1104. If Senators can use "backdoor" maneuvers to add Section 609, then other Senators can work just as effectively to remove it. I urge you to continue to fight to remove Section 609 from this bill.
Finally, I asked the Drug Policy Alliance to alert me if a bill similar to last year's RAVE Act was introduced in this Congress. I'm extremely concerned about this issue. I urge you to contact Bill Piper at Drug Policy Alliance at 202-216-0035 to get more information about why I am asking you not support this legislation.
With due respect
Your name
Dear Drug War Task Force Subscriber,
PLEASE CALL CONGRESS THIS MORNING TO OPPOSE THE RAVE ACT!
The following message is forwarded from our friends at the Drug Policy Alliance.
Senator Joe Biden is attempting to insert provisions of the RAVE act into another
more popular piece of legislation. The RAVE act would attack free speech, property
rights, and musical events of all types.
I urge you to call your Members of Congress NOW and also to send this out to as many
people as you possible can. Nightclub owners, club promoters, DJs and others are
especially at risk. We must generate a wave of phone calls to Congress NOW or this
bad legislation will become law.
Ron Crickenberger
Political Director
Libertarian Party
==================================================
==========
SUPPORT DRUG POLICY REFORM!!! FORWARD THIS ALERT TO YOUR
FRIENDS, FAMILY AND COLLEAGUES
==================================================
==========
***EMERGENCY - JOE BIDEN TRYING TO SNEAK RAVE ACT INTO S151
Conference***
*** CALL YOUR SENATOR NOW ***
Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) is at this very moment attempting to sneak the
RAVE Act into conference committee on the National AMBER Alert Network Act of 2003
(S151). S151 is a popular bill about child abduction and has nothing to do with
drug issues. S151 has already been passed by the Senate and House and is now in
Conference. In contrast, the RAVE Act has not passed even one single committee this
year. It did pass a committee last year, but was so controversial two Senators
withdrew their sponsorship after the vote.
This means that if the RAVE Act passes the conference committee, it is likely to
become law without ever having a hearing, a debate or a vote.
Drug Policy Alliance has been told that Senator Biden has told other conference
committee members, incorrectly, that the ACLU is no longer in opposition to the
action. He also has told conferees that nightclub owners now support him (on the
basis of one group that switched sides).
If the act makes it into the conference language it is likely to become law. It
must be stopped now.
PHONE YOUR SENATORS and Conference Committee Members (Background information below).
DO IT NOW. If you do not respond to this alert, the controversial RAVE Act is
likely to become law and it will be much harder to fix.
ACTIONS TO TAKE:
1. The following Members of Congress are on the conference committee.
They need to hear from you IF AND ONLY IF you live in their district.
Please be polite. Just tell them that you oppose the RAVE Act, that it
is controversial and it should not be included in the conference
language of S151. Don't stay on the phone long. Ask as many people as
you can to call them.
HOUSE:
James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) - 202/225-5101
Howard Coble (R-NC) - 202/225-3065
Lamar Smith (R-TX) - 202/225-4236
Mark Green (R-WI)- 202/225-5665
Melissa Hart (R-PA)- 202/225-2565
John Conyers (D-MI) - 202/225-5126
Bobby Scott (D-VA) - - 202/225-8351
SENATE:
Orrin Hatch (R-UT) - 202/224-5251
Charles Grassley (R-IA) - 202/224-3744
Jeff Sessions (R-AL) - 202/224-4124
Lindsey Graham (R-SC) - 202/224-5972
Patrick Leahy (D-VT) - 202/224-4242
Ted Kennedy (D-MA) - 202/224-4543
Joseph Biden (D-DE) - 202/224-5042
2. Everyone in the U.S. - You have two Senators who can weigh in on this issue with
the conferees. A list of your Senators by state can be found at:
**broken link removed**
Please call your Senators NOW at the Capitol Switchboard at 202/224-3121. Please
tell them that the RAVE Act is very controversial. Senator Biden is holding up the
AMBER Act by placing the controversial bill in conference. Urge them to oppose the
RAVE Act by contacting the Senate conferees and asking them to leave it off the
measure so that there will at least be a hearing on this issue.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Congress is considering two pieces of legislation that could create disincentives
for club owners to have water, ambulances and paramedics available at large dance
events. The bills might also threaten live music and dancing. If enacted, either
bill could prevent you from hearing your favorite band or DJ live. Every musical
style would be affected, including rock and roll, Hip Hop, country, and electronic
music. The proposed laws could also shut down hemp festivals, circuit parties, and
other events government officials don't like. Both bills would allow overzealous
prosecutors to send innocent people to jail for the crimes of others.
The two bills are the RAVE Act (H.R. 718) and the CLEAN-UP Act (H.R.
834). The RAVE Act was first introduced last year in the Senate by
Senator Joe Biden (D-DE). A House version was introduced by Rep. Lamar
Smith (R-TX). Thanks to the support of thousands of voters like you,
Drug Policy Alliance and a coalition of friends and activists around the country was
able to stop both bills last year. Unfortunately, supporters of the RAVE Act are
even more determined to pass it this year. Rep. Howard Coble (R-NC) is sponsoring a
new RAVE Act in the House. Additionally, Senator Biden has introduced a Senate
version entitled the Illicit Drugs Anti-Proliferation Act.
If enacted, the RAVE Act would make it easier for the federal government to punish
property owners for any drug offense that their customers commit - even if they work
hard to stop such offenses. If enacted, nightclub and stadium owners would likely
stop holding events - such as rock or Hip Hop concerts - in which even one person
might use drugs.
The CLEAN-UP Act was also first introduced last year, but it failed to make it out
of committee. This year's bill has over 60 co-sponsors and could become law without
your help. Sponsored by Rep. Doug Ose (R-CA), the Clean, Learn, Educate, Abolish,
and Undermine Production (CLEAN-UP) of Methamphetamines Act is largely an innocuous
bill that provides more money and training for the clean up of illegal
methamphetamine lab. Hidden within the bill, however, is a draconian section that
could make dancing and live music federal crimes.
Section 305 of the CLEAN-UP Act stipulates that:
`Whoever, for a commercial purpose, knowingly promotes any rave, dance, music, or
other entertainment event, that takes place under circumstances where the promoter
knows or reasonably ought to know that a controlled substance will be used or
distributed in violation of Federal law or the law of the place where the event is
held, shall be fined under title 18, United States Code, or imprisoned for not more
than 9 years, or both.'
This provision will allow any concert promoter, event organizer, nightclub owner and
arena or stadium owner to be fined and jailed, since a reasonable person would know
some people use drugs at musical events.
Under both the RAVE Act and the CLEAN-UP Act, it doesn't matter if the event
promoter and property owner try to prevent people from using drugs. Nor does it
matter if the vast majority of people attending the event are law-abiding citizens
that want to listen to music not do drugs. If enacted, either bill could be used to
shut down raves, circuit parties, marijuana rallies, unpopular music concerts, and
any other event federal officials don't like.
########
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Libertarian Party http://www.lp.org/
2600 Virginia Ave. NW, Suite 100 voice: 202-333-0008
Washington DC 20037 fax: 202-333-0072
ALSO
********************************************************************************************************
You can also fax them this sample letter If you do this in the in the next 12 hours, By the Am of tommorrow (Thursday).
To find your Reps click here. By entering your zip and then clicking on 'info' under their name. Write your cooresponding representative and Senator. Below Johnny Isakson is mine so enter yours in the same field.
http://congress.org/congressorg/home/
Sample letter to House of Reps
Your Name
Your address
Your city State Zip
The honorable Johnny Isakson
United States House of Representatives
132 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-1006
To Representative Your Rep,
I oppose the Conference Committee's decision to add Section 609 to S151/HR1104, widely referred to as the AMBER Alert Act of 2003. I urge you to fight to remove Sec. 609 from this bill. Section 609, titled the "Illicit Drugs Anti-Proliferation Act", is a controversial proposal that is so broadly written that local authorities could use it to close down any event or venue that they don't like. Section 609 is almost identical to the "RAVE" Act that was introduced last year. The effect of the provisions on businesses and managers is so dire that two of the bills co-sponsors withdrew their support. This year, rather than channeling this legislation through the appropriate legislative process - including public hearings, debate and a vote - an attempt is being made to railroad this controversial legislation through the Congress by attaching it to a relatively uncontroversial bill. This is "backdoor" policy-making at its worst and in no way upholds the democratic principles rooted in our legislative process.
If enacted, Section 609 threatens free speech and musical expression while placing at risk any hotel/motel owner, concert promoter, event organizer, nightclub owner or arena/stadium owner for the drug violations of 3rd parties - real or alleged - even if the event promoter and/or property owner made a good-faith effort to keep their event drug-free. Section 609 applies not just to electronic-music parties, but any type of public gathering, including theatrical productions, rock concerts, DJ nights at local bars, and potentially even political rallies. Moreover, it gives heightened power and discretion to prosecutors, who may use it to target events they personally don't like - such as Hip-Hop events and gay and lesbian fundraisers.
I oppose the addition of Section 609 to S151/HR1104. If Senators can use "backdoor" maneuvers to add Section 609, then other Senators can work just as effectively to remove it. I urge you to continue to fight to remove Section 609 from this bill.
With due respect
Your Name
*****Sample letter to Senator***********
Your name
Your address
Your city State and zip
The honorable Johnny Isakson
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20515
To Senator Chambliss,
I oppose the Conference Committee's decision to add Section 609 to S151/HR1104, widely referred to as the AMBER Alert Act of 2003. I urge you to fight to remove Sec. 609 from this bill. Section 609, titled the "Illicit Drugs Anti-Proliferation Act", is a controversial proposal that is so broadly written that local authorities could use it to close down any event or venue that they don't like. Section 609 is almost identical to the "RAVE" Act that was introduced last year. The effect of the provisions on businesses and managers is so dire that two of the bills co-sponsors withdrew their support. This year, rather than channeling this legislation through the appropriate legislative process - including public hearings, debate and a vote - an attempt is being made to railroad this controversial legislation through the Congress by attaching it to a relatively uncontroversial bill. This is "backdoor" policy-making at its worst and in no way upholds the democratic principles rooted in our legislative process.
If enacted, Section 609 threatens free speech and musical expression while placing at risk any hotel/motel owner, concert promoter, event organizer, nightclub owner or arena/stadium owner for the drug violations of 3rd parties - real or alleged - even if the event promoter and/or property owner made a good-faith effort to keep their event drug-free. Section 609 applies not just to electronic-music parties, but any type of public gathering, including theatrical productions, rock concerts, DJ nights at local bars, and potentially even political rallies. Moreover, it gives heightened power and discretion to prosecutors, who may use it to target events they personally don't like - such as Hip-Hop events and gay and lesbian fundraisers.
I oppose the addition of Section 609 to S151/HR1104. If Senators can use "backdoor" maneuvers to add Section 609, then other Senators can work just as effectively to remove it. I urge you to continue to fight to remove Section 609 from this bill.
Finally, I asked the Drug Policy Alliance to alert me if a bill similar to last year's RAVE Act was introduced in this Congress. I'm extremely concerned about this issue. I urge you to contact Bill Piper at Drug Policy Alliance at 202-216-0035 to get more information about why I am asking you not support this legislation.
With due respect
Your name
Last edited:
