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United Future
Since: 2007-08-08 10:30:45.829588
Posts: 220

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BLOG: FREEDOM OF SPEECH

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

Freedom of speech has been in then news this week. The good bit was Parliament’s decision to repeal the odious Electoral Finance Act – with only the Greens still defending it. The bad bit has the government’s failure so far to dump the repugnant section 92a of the Copyright Act (Judith Tizard’s baby) which has the potential to gag the opportunities of virtually every internet user in the country. Freedom of speech and expression is one of those core principles than cannot be compromised in a free society.

Also earlier this week I announced that the government would not be loosening the current laws on cannabis. This produced a predictable response from the pro-cannabis lobby. In the interests of the free speech I have just spoken of, and to provide an insight into the way in which cannabis supporters think about this issue, I am publishing in full a rather extraordinary email I received from Richard Munro, who is not known to me. I hope you enjoy reading it.

“Richard Munro [richardjmunro@gmail.com]

Dear Mr Dunne... Read the full text of this blog post.

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Will de Cleene
Since: 2009-03-04 13:35:17.93
Posts: 1

I fear you misrepresent this letter as emblematic of the 'pro-cannabis' lobby, Hon Mr Dunne. One voice is not a chorus. As another of the 'pro-cannabis' lobby, I too must express disappointment in your portfolio in refusing to re-examine cannabis reform. But I don't bear a grudge against your beliefs. Indeed, the bible has a good recipe for anointing oil which features cannabis.

However, I sympathise with Mr Munro's frustration at the lack of reform. The War on Drugs is facing a multi-partisan critique, from the United Nations through to the Law Commission. Even our own Ministry of Health has finally accepted the medicinal benefits of THC.

I accept also that you are in good health, Hon Mr Dunne. You don't have AIDS, for example. Or MS, or chronic pain, phantom limb syndrome, menstrual cramps, brain cancer or many of the other ailments that cannabis can demonstrably provide people with low-risk palliative, preventative and/or curative care.

You may be a rock, Hon Mr Dunne. But enough drips can wear down any rock. You've changed your brain on the Electoral Finance Act and 92A. Once more for a good cause, eh?

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peter dunne
Since: 2008-05-28 21:33:29.649
Posts: 32

Mr de Cleene,

The Bible has no influence on my views on cannabis, the snide insinuations of the likes of Mr Munro and you notwithstanding. I am not and never have been a fundamentalist Christian. The bigotry you display on this matter hardly gives the rest of your argument any credibility.

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Damian Light
Since: 2007-08-16 23:02:21.605
Posts: 36

Send email

Good post Peter (original and reply) :)

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peter dunne
Since: 2008-05-28 21:33:29.649
Posts: 32

FREEDOM OF SPEECH (2)

Here is another example from my freedom of speech chronicles. Funnily enough, it is another person concerned about drugs. Why do they have to protest so much, I ask myself. Anyway, the person whose views I am bringing to you this time is one Aidan Crighton (). He wrote to me about the party pill Spice which has recently been discovered to contain the same active substance as cannabis, which puts it into the Category C under the Misuse of Drugs Act, which in turn makes it illegal. Aidan is not pleased by this, and wrote to me calmly and rationally to tell me so as follows:

“Tobacco is killing people but is legal.. Alcohol is ruining 1000’s of people’s lives but is legal...

The economy is suffering and by banning spice you will directly responsible for making it even worse.

I hope you sleep well at night you goody two shoes...

Get a life and stop trying to spoil peoples fun..

You are just a tossa with his head in the sand... You will NEVER get my vote again.

Aidan.”

The only problem is Aidan does not realise he is not on the Ohariu electoral roll.

I will bring you more updates soon.

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peter dunne
Since: 2008-05-28 21:33:29.649
Posts: 32

FREEDOM OF SPEECH (2)

Here is another example from my freedom of speech chronicles. Funnily enough, it is another person concerned about drugs. Why do they have to protest so much, I ask myself. Anyway, the person whose views I am bringing to you this time is one Aidan Crighton (). He wrote to me about the party pill Spice which has recently been discovered to contain the same active substance as cannabis, which puts it into the Category C under the Misuse of Drugs Act, which in turn makes it illegal. Aidan is not pleased by this, and wrote to me calmly and rationally to tell me so as follows:

“Tobacco is killing people but is legal.. Alcohol is ruining 1000’s of people’s lives but is legal...

The economy is suffering and by banning spice you will directly responsible for making it even worse.

I hope you sleep well at night you goody two shoes...

Get a life and stop trying to spoil peoples fun..

You are just a tossa with his head in the sand... You will NEVER get my vote again.

Aidan.”

The only problem is Aidan does not realise he is not on the Ohariu electoral roll.

I will bring you more updates soon.

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