Oregon Broadcaster Makes Questionable Statements over Keizer Medical Marijuana Case

As police try to publicly undermine the wishes of Oregon voters with opinionated statements about Medical Marijuana, an Oregon broadcaster jumps right into the melee by publishing damaging, false statements about one man's character.

(SALEM, Ore.) - A story published this week by Portland television station KATU carries with it a slanderous remark about a Keizer man who was recently arrested over his legal medical marijuana growing operation.

They claim that Anthony Beasely "is another convicted felon and certified medical marijuana grower."

Beasely has not been convicted of any felony drug offense. In his own words, "that is completely untrue and slanderous. i have NO drug charges pending and have never been convicted of a drug related crime, felony or otherwise. the closest thing i have is a possession of paraphernalia charge that was barely a misdemeanor."

I guess you would have to talk to the guy to know that, it appears that Portland's KATU just glossed over that part of the story.

This affair marks what may be the first time in history, that a state's police officers have deemed it appropriate to use your tax money to defeat a law that you voted for, not once but twice. Influenced by federal agents who have visited our local police agencies with power point presentations detailing what is "wrong" with medical marijuana, these local cops and prosecutors are unable to see through the fog.

Now the broadcasters have joined in. Is it is a clear case of media bias? A general lack of reporting skills? Is it a prime example of the interests that these stations actually represent?

Anyone who watches television in this country knows that the airwaves on stations like KATU are packed with expensive commercials from the pharmaceutical industry. Everywhere you turn the dial, another drug company ad is telling you to "ask your doctor about..." and this never used to be the case. It is because there used to be a degree of control over who advertised what.

But those were the days when police simply enforced laws without using a selective process, or so we may choose to believe.

These pharmaceutical groups are the interests that want to reverse medical marijuana laws. This herb reduces the need for the expensive drugs the FDA approves that can kill you or cause addiction, so they are against it. The federal government is against marijuana, and they are being padded by the pharmaceutical groups who are making money hand over fist.

This report by KATU doesn't even try to disguise its bias. However false, it tries to be a driving conviction in itself. I am particularly glad that we are here to add some honest clarity to this madness, because the "other" media sources seem only intent on kissing the ass of their advertisers.

Tim King
Salem-News.com
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I called KATU yesterday to complain about the hatchet job they did on the 23rd that I linked to you (link also in response) and was told to send my comments to thedesk@katu.com so I did... I sent the following.

I called your news line on the 23rd (since your offices were closed) and was told to email my comments to this email address. This is regarding your report at:

I am Neal Feldman
I reside at (redacted)
My phone number at home is (redacted)
My cell number is (redacted).
None of this personal information is for public dissemination it is for your reference and contact use ONLY.

I am also an OMMA card holder 100% legal in my use of the card and what it allows.

I also did a lot of research before getting my card so I know what the law allows.

This piece was nothing but a hatchet job completely biased and with no credible research into the topic. You only interviewed those vehemently hostile to the OMMA like Chuck Lee in Keizer or Okada in Salem or that truly clueless bureaucrat who just pushes papers for the OMMA.

You accused Anthony Beasley of Keizer of being a convicted felon, something no other report in the month or so since the harassment began ever mentioned. Is the felony conviction recent? Is it relevant to the issue? Or was it just included to taint him? Also your report did not mention at all that real crimes were committed by those who stole/destroyed 75% of his legal crop yet the police were so focussed on his entirely LEGAL activities they have never bothered to even investigate those crimes. And as for the Grand Jury demolishing the DA and police's claims that Beasley was committing a crime you just gloss over it as if the Grand Jury clearly made a mistake because in the online print version of the article you included something that was not in the video part... the claim that hash or hash oil manufacture or possession is illegal under the OMMA when in fact the ORS and OAR definitions regarding the law make it quite plain and clear hash or hash oil ARE LEGAL for card holders to manufacture (for their own use) and possess. If you claim otherwise explain to me the definitions of the words Any and Every in the context that supports your claim. Your print report says:

The wording chosen seems to try and imply that they really had a choice, when in fact the grand jury looked at what the DA presented (and ONLY what the DA presented - remember any lawyer worth the name can indict a ham sandwich for murder) and returned a result of "not true bill". The grand jury did not merely "decide not to indict Beasley" as you claimed... they blew the DA's and Keizer Police's case right out of the water. Not that anyone would get that impression from your report.

From your report Beasley is some dangerous felon preying on kids who 'got away' with 'it' for now because some lame grand jury 'decided not to indict'. That is the clear implication made by the text.

You also gloss over where Okada says they get 30-40 calls a year where they go out any NOTHING ILLEGAL is going on because the folks have cards. It comes across from reading the article that DHS confidentiality and being a card holder are bad things because they just frustrate the jack booted goon squad thugs of law enforcement.

Your report did not interview a single card holder or a single lawyer or organization person who actually knows and understands the law. As for the apoplexy about Beasley's grow site being next to McNary High School's parking lot, that is where he lived. He is allowed to grow and use where he lives. So what the likes of Chuck Lee (an avid despiser of the OMMA who clearly wishes to see the will of the voters undermines and blocked in any way possible) seem to want is that any citizen who otherwise qualifies for an OMMA card but has the misfortune to live within 1000 feet of a school should be denied their card or be forced to move. And what happens if said card holder lives nowhere near a school, gets their card, sets up and is minding their own business but some nitwit puts a school 999 feet from his home? Must he move again? If not why is this new school not 'protected' from these 'reefer madness infected card holders' as much as any other school, hmmm?

Oh, wait... reefer madness is complete BS isn't it? No one could tell from your report, could they? Your report is right out of the film Reefer Madness apparently.

Card holders are not allowed to use in public view and they are not allowed to sell to anyone, kids or adults.. So what freaking difference does it make if they live and grow near a school? What proven threat do they pose? If anything, the Beasley case shows the threat is FROM the school, not TO the school, as it is clear that students from the school are the ones responsible for all or part of the ruining/theft of Beasley's completely legal crop through THEIR (students) illegal actions.

So why no coverage of these facts? Doesn't fit the whole hatchet job motif again I guess. (sigh)

Why no coverage about how Keizer Police Captain Kuhns, Chuck Lee's puppet, was crowing all over about how 'winnable' the case against Beasley was before the grand jury slapped his face?

They so desperately WANT it to be vague so that they can attack it and its legal participants. They whine that there is no mention of liquid ounces but there is mention of ounces. So why assume there is a significant difference unless you just want to to make trouble?

They cry that hash or hash oil is not specifically listed so it is not included. I do not see every possible breeding of marijuana listed either so does this mean Maui Wowie is not allowed just because it is not listed by name? The law and ORS/OAR definitions say 'any' and 'every' form, manufacture, resin, etc etc etc. In the context of the law and legal definitions what part of 'any' and 'every' is unclear to these reefer madness crusaders?

In the text edition of the article "Highly Legal" (think you were cute with that too I bet... how juvenile and tabloid of you) is the following:

"In his garage, investigators found PVC pipes filled with marijuana, which is part of a process used to make hash oil - an illegal drug not protected under Oregon's medical marijuana law."

In point of fact, as I just pointed out, your article tries to state a conclusion of law that is 180 degrees out of phase with reality, since the law in fact DOES allow hashish and/or hash oil. Here are the relevant paragraphs from ORS and OAR:

The Oregon Revised Statutes define "usable marijuana" – that is, what substances qualify as medicinal marijuana – as "the dried leaves and flowers of the plant Cannabis family Moraceae, and any mixture or preparation thereof, that are appropriate for medical use."

The Oregon Administrative Rules – a set of legally-binding rules that further govern the medical marijuana program – are even more explicit, declaring proper "the resin extracted from (the marijuana plant); and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture or preparation of the plant or its resin."

Where the law NEEDS tweaking is to make it a class C felony for any govt agent, worker, employee (direct or indirect) to infringe upon or impede the rights of OMMA cardholders or to harass or persecute them in any way regarding their entirely legal activities under the OMMA. Maybe THAT will put a stop to this harassment either by way of the crusaders getting smart and laying off, or by their continuing to be dumb, getting a felony conviction on their record causing them to be disbarred or otherwise ruled unfit to be a lawyer, judge or law enforcement officer.

Either way would be fine with me. I have made this suggestion to my legislators for the February session.

Chuck Lee and his transparent "My concern is ... , as an educator, for the safety and well-being of the kids," comment... it is the kids that are the threat to the OMMA patients/growers, not the other way around.

And if the concern really is for kids, not schools, then why not make it illegal for a card holder to be within 1000 feet of any kid?

So why is it ok for a kid to live next door to, or even (GASP) *with* an OMMA card holder/grower but not ok for there to be a school near them?

Are there hundreds of OMMA card holders lining up to deal pot to kids in front of the schools that somehow I've never heard about?

Was Beasley dealing through the fence where I have heard no such accusation supported by any credible evidence?

So what difference should it make where the grower/patient card holder lives/grows?

Have there been card holders who have abused the OMMA and broken the law? Yes. Prosecute them. Leave the OMMA and the 99.99+% of card holders who are entirely within the law alone and please stop trying to continue to portray ALL card holders as just criminals pulling something over on citizens when out of 17,000+ card holders and another 7,000+ growers you can only find a tiny handful of violators.

Try (I know it can be hard sometimes when you are ordered to do a hatchet job, but still) to be balanced and interview and present info from ALL sides (or at lease BOTH sides) of an issue.

Where were the interviews with members of the THC Foundation or NORML in Portland who might have corrected a lot of your misinformation? Where was your interview with Anthony Beasley whom you slandered/libeled?

Where were your interviews with other legal OMMA card holders? (I am one btw so feel free to interview me). Where were your interviews with the many lawyers who exist even in Portland who support the law and OMMA patients such as Leland Berger who serves on Oregon’s Advisory Committee on Medical Marijuana?

Oh, I see... it got in the way of the whole hatchet job thing to present a balanced fact based report, is that it?

I used to like KATU's reporting... before I discovered how biased, misinformative and worthless it is. Great job on your reputations guys!

Neal Feldman
Salem,
Related articles on the Beasely case in Keizer pubished by Salem-News.com:

Salem-News.com Marijuana Coverage

Where and How to Smoke Legal Marijuana without Fear of Arrest in the U.S.

Eulogy of a Great Warrior: Hoss Plourde

The Ripple Effect How Marijuana Laws Are Impacting Society

Audit the Audit

Welcome Home, Tom

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farmerbob November 28, 2007 7:50 am (Pacific time)

One of my concerns about this case is the release of confidential medical information, apparently from the Keizer PD to Chuck Lee. I would very much like to see Mr Lee's feet held to the fire until he discloses just exactly how that information came to him. I seem to recall a case in Lane Co a few years ago where the police were kind enough to let everybody in the neighborhood know that an OMMP patient (who was in compliance as most are) had a grow in his house. When he was later robbed, Eugene attorney Brian Michaels sued the PD for a sizeable amount of money. If not for the huge liability issue he created for them, I'm sure they would still be fingering OMMP patients in their community. It's sad that law enforcement agencies can access peoples confidential medical information, sadder yet when they use that information as a political football or to set people up for robberies.

Neal Feldman November 28, 2007 12:12 am (Pacific time)

Anthony Beasley - you nail KATU and Thom Jensen correctly. I asked him to defend against all the criticisms I levelled in my letter and he, bing a clear intellectual coward without the spine, honor or integrity of a jellyfish, refused even after numerous opportunities were presented. And you are completely correct, they completely misrepresented your felony thing clearly implying you are a convicted DRUG related felon and that the felony was recent, relevant, and made you any kind of threat to those around you. It was libelous, as you have yourself described, as well as defamatory. Which is why I suggested you sue them as well as all the others who caused this BS to come your way when you never in this context violated any law. Do not let them get away with it. Make them pay. Make them pay so dearly others will think twice, then think again before even considering doing it to anyone else. I realize I, too, have 'plastered your face and name' about this but only as you being victimized by these cretins and being falsely accused. B\Get a good lawyer or law firm willing to sue on contingency and drive a stake through their fiscal hearts. I lmpw it is not about money and you cannot unring the bell, but the only way the system has to make them pay for what they have done is money. And your compensatory damages will ve, as you pointed out, considerable. Who knows how many millions less you will make in your life, since you are still quite young, because of their unlawful and slanderous and defamatory actions. Make them pay for what they did or they get away with it. Ah well...

anthony beasley November 27, 2007 9:10 am (Pacific time)

Just for the record- My statement was that "i have NO drug charges pending and have never been convicted of a drug related crime, felony or otherwise." That is what I was quoted as saying as well. My juvenile record has a felony but that is really no ones business. The felony was unrelated to drugs in any way.

The whole context of the KATU news thing was that "The state is giving convicted drug dealers licenses to grow pot - even next to a school - under Oregon's medical marijuana program", a quote from their opening statement on "highly legal", then later on in the program they show me and my (former) house next to a school. No other houses were shown next to a school- just mine. Then to end the program, KATU stated "Police are concerned about how many convicted drug dealers are certified growers in the program, and how can they police those who use one law to help them break another law?" Doesn't the opening and closing statement on this report prove that it was about convicted drug offenders being growers. It is still slander if it is implied. I was one of two examples they cited on the report. So why me then? Why put me on?? I'll tell you why... because they don't have anyone else. My arrest made me fair game in this whole mess according to people like Thom Jensen and the KATU web staff. Even if it was unjustified.

I'm just confused a little bit here - is it legal for people to tell everyone in my home state, that me and my family live in, everything I've done wrong since I was a kid? And then I'm supposed to continue my career in the financial industry and just hope no one caught the news that is trying to discredit the marijuana program, so they told everyone things about my childhood? How is that legal...let alone moral? Why me, by the way?

I was simply in this program and now all my personal life is all over the news. I have friends and relatives that won't speak to me because they are either afraid to be under the scrutiny of the media, police and everyone else, or they are embarrassed as to what they're friends think.

Does that answer everyone's questions? Next week KATU will be having a special on yours or your loved ones childhood crimes. They are going to post your pictures, or your kids pictures, or your friends pictures EVERYWHERE.... how does it feel? But wait... theres more!!! Were also going to throw you/them in jail for a week, get you/them evicted for all the media coverage, get your/their pets taken from them, and then keep putting their picture and name everywhere just to be sure that you/they feel uncomfortable in the place you/they have called home for over 20 years. That would be soooooo nice... wouldn't it? Oh and the reason KATU will be running this piece on you.. is because of the METH epidimic. Since that has nothing to do with your childhoood, but it would make you loook soooo bad.

Hat's off to KATU.

farmerbob November 26, 2007 11:51 pm (Pacific time)

Thanks

Neal Feldman November 26, 2007 7:47 pm (Pacific time)

According to the douglas county report when a minor Beasley committed theft 2 (50-200 dollars value) with some aggravating aspect making it also Robbery 3. Neither of these are in any way drug related and while apparently tried and convicted as an adult it is clear the incident happened when he was a juvenile. No jail time was served, just a small fine and some probation. Hardly the dangerous convicted drug felon KATU made him out to be. If you ever punched someone in the nose or slapped them across the face you have committed a more serious offense than that committed by Mr Beasley. That KATU continues to stand behind their unprofessional one sided biased hatchet job masquerading as journalism speaks volumes indeed. That and their truthfully vacant and legally erroneous claim regarding hash oil by OMMA card holders.. something entirely legal under the law but the report claims falsely that it is illegal. Ah well...

farmerbob November 26, 2007 6:02 pm (Pacific time)

So has anybody here actually checked the facts? Does Mr Beasley have any felony convictions, In Douglas Co or elsewhere, or not?

Timmy King November 26, 2007 5:54 pm (Pacific time)

Another Reader: According to our research Anthony Beasley did not commit any felonious crime as an adult, which is the realm we keep it in as responsible broadcasters, you should know since you work at KVAL and all. This article by KATU directly implied that this guy was a drug related felon, that was the context. The Oregon Medical Marijuana Program is hard for many people to adjust to, and it needs refinement. Few disagree with that, but it seems highly debatable that Mr. Beasley deserves to be included in KATU's list of "dangerous" felons who have medical marijuana permits.

And by the way, I used to do your station favors all the time during my KATU years, shooting video and microwaving stuff to your newsroom almost daily from Salem, you should at least attack me on your own time and IP, I'm sure you have other work to do. It makes me think that KVAL newsroom is getting a little lax.

Anon November 26, 2007 2:51 pm (Pacific time)

Medical marijuana does not fit into the scheme of things with the great "War on Drugs" in that it opens the door for the possibility of legalizing all currently 'illegal' drugs. With the amount of money that disappears into this futile endeavor, there are those that can't chance legalization. As long as there is big money to be made selling drugs, there will be big money being made trying to stop them. The 'war' must continue for both sides to profit. And of course, as Mr. King pointed out, there is also the specter of the pharma companies. After all,... why should one take ordinary aspirin when there are so many patented cocktails available?

GreenFloyd November 26, 2007 12:12 pm (Pacific time)

Hello everyone, As usual the Salem News rocks... Thank you!

Jefferson November 26, 2007 12:53 pm (Pacific time)

Darrel, I am unfamiliar with any VA policy that requires veterans to submit to testing for marijuana in regards to receiving medical treatment. Could you provide your source, and if it is true our group will take appropriate action. Thanks.

Another Reader November 26, 2007 12:18 pm (Pacific time)

I think you should check Mr. Anthony Wyatt Beasley's criminal record in Douglas County before you take his word for it that he, "...doesn't have a single felony conviction." It looks like Tim King was the slanderous one here, not the KATU reporter. Oops. Way to check your facts Timmy!

Tim King November 25, 2007 10:07 pm (Pacific time)

For the record, Tim King resigned from KATU Channel-2 in February '06 after the station decided to end their Salem coverage. Salem-News.com was already an active business at that point. Sorry to the poster from KVAL, I have no idea why you tried to post a comment about me that is untrue, you can check with Fisher Broadcasting if you have any real questions about my resignation, since you work for a Fisher station. I always stuck up for you guys in Eugene. This is not personal between the station and me at all, there is no bad blood. KATU is a great station, the point is the story referenced in this article, and the possible tie between that and the station's pharmaceutical advertisers. Sorry if it makes anyone squirm, it is an uncomfortable subject, potentially, but it isn't personal.

Neal Feldman November 25, 2007 10:13 am (Pacific time)

Reader - Yes I do believe exposing this corroption and continually shining a light on it so the cockroaches of corruption have few places to scurry away and hide will eventually correct the issues. The alternative, saying and doing nothing and just ignoring these injustices, surely will change nothing. As for the case you mention send the details to Tim King at newsroom@salem-news.com and I am sure he will look into it and make a report on it. Or you can do nothing. Your choice. Ah well...

Jeremy November 25, 2007 9:45 am (Pacific time)

Very interesting. Thanks for the response.

Reader November 25, 2007 7:30 am (Pacific time)

You really think that publicizing this matter is going to change the way the police act? Do you remember, Mr. King, the story about the citizen who was trying to see what was going on in his neighborhood a couple of years ago and was falsely arrested and then brutalized by Birr, Piontek and Connolly. Do you remember that he was permanently maimed by the police? You guys should follow that story, which needs to be told as much as this one.

Darrel L. November 25, 2007 4:34 am (Pacific time)

The public media gods are not the only ones writing their own version of the OMMP law. They are not the only ones telling only their slanted side of the story. Oregon DA's, judges and cops are lying about facts and subverting the intentions of our legislature and voters through the manipulation of the language and intent of the State OMMP law. These judges, cops, public media gods and DA's are the criminals, not the patients who are being set up and convicted without trial rights normally afforded any accused. The State of Oregon needs to enforce the rights of card holders and create checks and balances to protect patients rights from police power plays. Protect the rights of patients by making it a felony to claim ignorance of the OMMP law or to not conform to it literally. Mandate protective covenants that require the Health and Human Services Division of Oregon to give OMMP patients as much protection from abuse as the children and other patients under their care are afforded. I have been the victim of this witch hunt myself in 2007. What a year of enlightenment this has been for me concerning this issue. I am 59 years old. Having dealt with chronic pain since the age of 7 due to a triple compound fracture which has always been a source of pain. I know how my fellow patients feel about the issue of freedom to feel better without having FDA drugs forced upon you by the drug establishment. I work hard, I fought for my country with a top security clearance handling munitions during vietnam even though I could have gotten out of performing military service due to my injuries. I have continuous chronic pain. I will end this period of personal trials with law enforcement in two states with no conviction in Oregon and Washington and a clean record in both states: after serving no time in jail, after 4 felony charges to begin with, and a conditional discharge plea, plus a diversion program mandating non use of medicine for my pain while the Oregon OMMP law plainly states otherwise; plus having spent over $20,000. fetching up my rights under the law. The issues were misrepresented, lied about, and manipulated to the satisfaction of the judges, the DEA and the other support groups surrounding them. When it all came down to the facts, I was supported by members of the law enforcement community and a particular DA, as well as misrepresented by other members of the same law enforcement community. These cops, judges and politicians were not people who voted for the OMMP law, that much should be obvious. The overt criminal intent of these vigilantes to circumvent the OMMP law was rooted in anger in my opinion, not justice or the hype that they were intending to protect kids or other would be victims under the gateway drug theory. They do not practice the existing OMMP laws, they write their own verbal laws in opposition to written state laws, and without any concern for patients rights in many cases. I found a conscience among the many who tried to blow everything out of proportion. Actually two persons of bravery and conscience within the law enforcement community. The state legislature needs to enforce the laws they created concerning medical marijuana, and put teeth in a new revision of the OMMP law to protect cardholders from arbitrary and false prosecution. The question of states rights pertains to many issues that are not under attack by the federal government, at this time, as is medical marijuana, even though the federal government would like to attack those issues. They just won't go there because they know it would start a movement, an uprising of like minded people. The Oregon law enforcement community got their way knocking out the "affirmative defense clause" originally written in our OMMP law, and succeeded in changing the law without much public input if any, when the last revision was made. The law enforcement lobby succeeded in stripping medical marijuana patient rights from us by not even allowing the mention of being a medical marijuana patient to a jury in court while defending statements from our accusers. We can no longer explain that we are patients and that we have needs and use a vaporizer for better health than smoking it for example. Vaporizing cannabis uses up more medicine but has few smoke by products, making it the best method for pain and health with no downside other than the amount used up. Patients indicted of a felony cannot even mention the fact that they are lawful cardholder/patients in court. They can no longer explain their need for additional medication because they use a vaporizer for example. This injustice was perpetrated by law enforcement so as not to allow even the mention of being a lawful OMMP cardholder patient to a jury of our peers who might sympathize with the OMMP cause. This is true under state and federal law. We cannot even defend ourselves in court in front of a jury of our peers. If we are innocent until proven guilty as the constitution would have us believe, and we have a right to a trial by a jury of our peers, we need to be able to tell our story at the trial without restrictions on our constitutional rights. This needs to be amended at the next writing of the OMMP law. It is doubtful under the current president that any legislation will get past a veto with respect to the federal law, so the federal situation is unlikely to change anytime soon. Oregon police officers, state, county and city are all working with the federal government to circumvent the OMMP law. They are political vigilantes who manipulate the state law outside the will of Oregons voters, while their pockets are being lined with drug money from drug companies, the FDA and DEA as well as local businessmen and women who want to advance their control of the law through local businesses and state law enforcement organizations. We need to address the real problem however, alcohol. The favorite drug of the blue and white collar establishments. Let's tell it like it really is folks. Let's wage war on alcohol once and for all. Ban alcohol. Alcohol is the gateway drug that induces kids to hard drugs, not marijuana. The true gateway drug is alcohol people, wake up. Alcohol is much easier for kids to get than marijuana or hard drugs. So ban it now for the damage it does to our families, our schools, and the innocent people that are run over by drunks on the streets of America each year by the thousands. Perhaps if we wage war on their sacred cow, alcohol, we will give them less time to attack us and force them to spend their money fighting for protection of their own favorite drug. I believe they will have a tough time coming up with a medical mandate for the use of alcohol however. There is no evidence of anything useful about alcohol. There is no consensus among doctors to prescribe alcohol for pain, unless alcohol is used as an incentive for the creation of depression, and to give someone the courage to blow their brains out. Let them show us a reason why we should not ban it, with as much evidence that now exists concerning its debilitating affects and results to self, family and the nation. Opponents of medical marijuana attack medical marijuana patients for feeling good when they feel less pain after using medical cannabis, trying to build their case to invalidate its use and importance as medication for pain. Why should they not be forced to show us why we should allow them to get messed up on alcohol and mix with society for fun, at societies' expense? The topper is that they get into their cars and drive dangerously and we let them do it. We let them do it multiple times and they still keep a drivers license and insurance. Let's see some courage from our state elected officials or let's replace them now. Change the way federal and state judges are appointed and elected. Do not elect or appoint judges for a lifetime term. They think they are gods. Do not manipulate the voting rights by making voters register ahead of time for any particular party. They now even prevent you from changing party affiliations after Oct. 12, 07 for the 08 vote. That favors congress, the special interests and the process of predictability, not the citizens rights to listen to the campaign and choose in an informed manner which person you want to vote for after they have committed in words to what they will do if elected. Committing to a party ahead of time is not democracy. Vote for officials as individuals, not by party affiliation. Vote for them on their past record of change and their history of voting with integrity and values that represent people, not the governments' control of us. If the elected official has no record of keeping the promises made in a very short time, that should trigger an automatic forfeiture of their office as written in their employment contract. We need true effort and compliance by elected officials, not a "watch the little pea" shell game. You should not have to go through a long deliberate process to get elected officials out of office who do not do what they were elected to do, or who have been convicted of a crime. Presidents should not be able to pardon their partners in crime. Cops and government officials don't like to prosecute cops and government officials. The public needs an oversight court dealing with these types specifically. A court outside law enforcement to police law enforcement and elected officials. Judges, cops and public officials should have the highest standards of compliance and the most restrictive means of punishment to keep them honest. Only the honest would run for office in time with that program in place. The criminals are lazy and certainly would find another game to plunder. Politicians' unspent campaign funds should be returned to the state and federal schools programs, not a politicians war chest for personal use or the next election effort. The politicians should be made to start over financially every time with new money raised. Think about what you want as a citizen. Vote for judges, cops, and government officials by making them perform on specific mandates within a time frame, and force them out of office if they will not follow the laws of the land. New contracts of performance and obligations to the public must be written. That especially includes presidents who want to run an under the table secret government doing false flag operations and business wars. Presidents that believe they are above the law. Why should the constitution be up for litigation every time someone wants to change the obvious meaning of it. I applaud the wise decision recently made by the Marion country court here in Oregon with regards to obvious medical language in the OMMP law. If you are going to call them laws, treat them as absolutes and define them with accurate, not ambiguous terms. Are we really a nation that needs to litigate what the meaning of what "is, is"? Do we really need to let slick political and law enforcement manipulators call us stupid and waste our time and money? The founding fathers wanted the constitution to be literal and stand the test of time, not be up for grabs by special interest groups and cops. Don't elect slick criminals to the top offices as judges, presidents and congressmen and women, and we can cut off much of the corruption that goes on in government. Lobbyists should be prohibited from financing public officials campaigns all together. Lobbyists should not be able to give or offer money or considerations to public officials at all. For the sake of example lets define lobbyist the same as businesses and special interests. Sure, let them weigh in on their issue, but not with money or bribes. The group with the most money making the most effort should not be allowed to drown out the little guy. Enforce the OMMP laws and amend them to conform with the constitution. Protect our patients rights. Patients are under fire during this transition concerning the rescheduling of marijuana in the federal law. Many legal scholars agree that the war on drugs is a money play by the government to run false flag operations and even control aspects of national security hysteria and the existing underground drug black market at times, if not at all times. Certainly the federal government has a history of doing just that, and a vested interest in keeping drug companies and their underground black market in charge. They want the authority in few hands, and that is the drug companies and the AMA, no matter how many patients die from a drug, even after the drug is approved by the FDA. We will prevail as patients because we will fight and die for our cause. They are the cowards and criminals. If cops and judges don't want to be officers of the State of Oregon and enforce our laws the literal way they were written, indict them on felony charges, convict them, and get them out of office and into jails where they belong. Treat them like they treat us. Take away their children and their ability to go to school on student loans. Take away rights to have veterans hospital treatment even though they are in need and qualified veterans by all other standards. Make them sign away their liberties as the VA is now doing to vets. Make convicted law enforcement officials and judges agree to enforcement of their bodies and testing not even associated with being a veteran or with a pain related issue. Treat them as current marijuana smoking veteran patients are being treated. Shut their life down like they want to do to us. We need special courts to prosecute cops, politicians and judges committing crimes against humanity. Under the status quo, they are all above the law, and too hard to control. This is a self professed war by their own admission. Treat them with crimes against humanity like was criminals are always treated. Generations of that behavior creates judicial tyrants. Federal supreme court judges should be elected, not appointed by the president in power. That is not checks and balances. That promotes control of two out of the there bodies of government and a dictatorship. Why should the federal government manipulate the Veterans to sign a statement waiving all rights to other confidential doctor records concerning medical marijuana pain use outside the VA. allowing the veteran to be drug tested for marijuana by the VA even if the veteran is a legal state patient? The Oregon VA is currently prohibiting veterans from getting any medical treatment if they test positive for marijuana. If they refuse to test, they lose all rights to treatment through the VA. The VA may be literally committing murder. Is this the way we treat our veterans? The VA will prohibit the veteran from getting treatment for a life threatening illness because they use medical marijuana for pain. The mob does the same types of things to enforce control over their people, the drug territories and their drug empires. I see no difference with the two entities when it comes to this issue. As in many things, not all is bad with everyone or everything, but we need to give these people a reason to be compassionate and understanding, even if it is their desire to keep their job. Police power against vets who fought for freedom and who have watched their brothers and sisters die for "freedom" is criminal behavior on the part of the federal government and the Oregon VA. This behavior all in the name of safety, intelligence, and Freedom? Write your state representatives and your congress men and congress women. Open the floodgates and prove to them that we are strong in numbers and will not elect them without their support of our issue. Remember, they want to be re-elected. Most of all, follow through on your intention not to elect them if they do not support us.

Neal Feldman November 25, 2007 3:32 am (Pacific time)

It seems clear Mr Beasley can and should add KAYU to the long list of those he should be suing. Their report clearly falsely identifies him as a felon when he is not a felon. I hope this low level of what they are trying to fob off a 'journalism' might even get them a serious fine if not actually getting their FCC license and authorization pulled. Maybe if that happened other news outlets might take notice and not emulate their outrageous actions. Ah well...

Steve Cooper November 24, 2007 6:17 pm (Pacific time)

According to Mr. Beasley, he has never been convicted of a felony. I think that is pretty clear. The garbage put out by KATU is an indication of the sloppiness of their reporting, especially when it comes to medical cannabis.

Lesley Bart Matlock November 24, 2007 5:55 pm (Pacific time)

I saw the report on the news and wondered why KATU only had the police side on the story. I heard very little about it until now. I am a card holder my self and it works on my nurves as well know that if could go to jail for doing what the people voted was leagle to do. I have crohn's and worring about being busted for having or growing my meds sure does not make it any easyer on my disease. I wish if it leagle to have a card then why do you have to worry all the time about the police.

Jeremy November 24, 2007 3:37 pm (Pacific time)

Question: You say in this article that he has never been convicted of a drug-felony or any other drug-related crime. But has been convicted of a non-drug-felony?

I'm just curious.

Editor: Jeremy, Mr. Beasely by his own admission has been convicted of a misdemeanor relating to paraphernalia, there is no record of a felony conviction of any kind.

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