This evening, at the behest of my former neighbors (a couple of “crazy anarchists”), I attended a benefit for Food Not Bombs.  This community of activists provides food, seasonal clothing, and social awareness literature, and safe sex supplies–absolutely free of charge, and no questions asked.

I like social programs.  I like that our government provides essential services to those in need.  While I tend to disagree with most anarchists on a lot of issues, I have to commend this group of “anti-establishment weirdos” who are also providing much needed goods to people directly through donations.

Before Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s implementation of New Deal programs, mutual aid societies already existed, and nearly 30% of adults were members of one.  The value in a mutual aid society is that today’s donor may be tomorrow’s recipient, or vice versa.

In general, I don’t support anarchist idealism…but I do support anyone  who cares enough about our community to get involved.

“What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.”
 — Ralph Waldo Emerson

To donate items, volunteer, or refer anyone in need, please check out Food Not Bombs STL on Facebook.

Last night, I had the pleasure of attending a debate between Mr. John W. Payne (Executive Director, Show-Me Cannabis) and Sgt. Jason Grellner (President, Missouri Narcotics Officers’ Association) on whether marijuana should be legalized in the state of Missouri.
While I have been somewhat “on the fence” about taking an official stance on this issue (there are pro’s and cons to both sides of the argument), I am glad I was able to be present for this event.  Mr. Payne’s work with Show-Me Cannabis presented a very strong, evidence-based, socio-eceonomic and scientific case for the legalization of marijuana.
Show-Me Cannabis’s polling statistics show that roughly half of Missourians are in favor of marijuana legalization, and both Payne’s and Grellner’s data points indicate that there is a clear need for Missouri voters and legislators to seriously consider the issue and open it for further discussion.
I commend the St. Louis Board of Aldermen’s effort earlier this summer to serve the will of City residents by passing an ordinance which decriminalized marijuana in St. Louis.

A link to the debate coverage on Fox2 News is included below.  As someone interested in representing the residents of all of the 78th District, I’m eager to hear your thoughts…

http://fox2now.com/2013/12/18/battle-over-legalizing-marijuana-squares-off-in-public-debate/

Doing some Sunday reading…and wanted to share this article with everyone. Since the drug war began, it has put many non-violent “criminals” behind bars due to massive lobbying attempts by the private prison sector to enforce stricter drug laws.  In order to make sure these prison owners make money, a quota must be met by the states, meaning a certain number of cells (“beds”) have to be filled.

Police are going after more and more citizens for victimless crimes, such as minor drug possession charges, just to fill what would otherwise be empty cells.  I don’t know about you, but I’d rather see a few casual marijuana-smokers remain productive, employed citizens than pay for them to spend time in jail.

Very good infographic included in the link below.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/19/private-prisons_n_3955686.html