-------------------------------------------------------------------
Patient Who Was Denied Liver Transplant For Using Medical Marijuana Dies
(A press release from California NORML notes medical malfeasance
has caused the death of Ed Plotner, who was removed from a liver transplant
list for using medical marijuana. Plotner suffered from multiple hepatitis
infections, and had used marijuana to combat severe appetite and weight loss.
Unlike alcohol and other drugs such as cocaine and heroin, marijuana
is not a risk factor for hepatitis, nor does it cause liver damage.)
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1998 22:02:23 -0800
To: dpfca@drugsense.org, natlnorml@aol.com
From: canorml@igc.apc.org (Dale Gieringer)
Subject: DPFCA: Medical MJ Patient Dies
Sender: owner-dpfca@drugsense.org
Reply-To: dpfca@drugsense.org
Organization: DrugSense http://www.drugsense.org/dpfca/
- California NORML Press Release Dec. 15, 1998 -
Patient Who Was Denied Liver Transplant
For Using Medical Marijuana Dies
California NORML is sorry to note the death of Ed Plotner, who was
removed from a liver transplant list for using medical marijuana. Plotner,
who suffered multiple hepatitis infections, had used marijuana to combat
severe appetite and weight loss. He was accepted, but then dropped by a
liver transplant program which demanded that he pass a drug test for
marijuana.
Unlike other drugs, including cocaine, heroin, and alcohol,
marijuana is not a risk factor for hepatitis. Even though many patients
find medical marijuana is useful - not only for weight gain, but also for
helping to avoid drugs that are toxic to the liver - it is banned in most
transplant programs.
California NORML attorney Eric Shevin attempted to get Plotner
restored to the transplant list, but his efforts proved too late. After
being kept off the list a year, Ed expired on November 21.
"Ed was a tragic victim of drug testing abuse," says California
NORML coordinator Dale Gieringer, "He was killed by the anti-marijuana
bigotry and ignorance of medical 'experts' who should have known better."
Ironically, Plotner, who was from Redding, Cal., had sought
treatment in San Francisco, where voters overwhelmingly approved medical
marijuana by 80%-20%.
***
Dale Gieringer (415) 563-5858 // canorml@igc.apc.org
2215-R Market St. #278, San Francisco CA 94114
-------------------------------------------------------------------
We Kill Them With Kindness (An op-ed in The San Francisco Chronicle
says "compassionate" programs such as welfare are only making life worse
for street people, who just spend their checks on alcohol and other drugs.
The author says in the last decade, San Francisco has spent well more
than $1 billion trying to "solve" the homeless problem, yet it is worse
today, despite the healthy economy.)
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1998 18:18:40 -0800
From: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org (MAPNews)
To: mapnews@mapinc.org
Subject: MN: US CA: OPED: We Kill Them With Kindness
Sender: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Reply-To: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Organization: Media Awareness Project http://www.mapinc.org/lists/
Newshawk: compassion23@geocities.com (Frank S. World)
Source: San Francisco Chronicle (CA)
Contact: chronletters@sfgate.com
Website: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/
Forum: http://www.sfgate.com/conferences/
Copyright: 1998 San Francisco Chronicle
Author: Earl Rynerson
Pubdate: 15 Dec 1998
Section: Page 29
WE KILL THEM WITH KINDNESS
San Francisco's welfare checks pay for drug abuse
AFTER SERVING four years on the Human Services Commission, I am amazed at
how much we spend on ``compassionate'' programs that are making the
situation worse for street people. In the last decade, the city has spent
easily over $1 billion trying to solve the homeless street people problem,
yet it is worse today, despite our healthy economy.
Among the homeless -- a diverse population composed of different groups
with different needs -- there are many more young runaways, anti-social
drop-outs and substance abusers.
The city is, in large part, to blame. Here's why: we are subsidizing
substance abuse. We provide free basic services and then give
substance-abusing homeless street people welfare payments they can spend on
drugs and alcohol.
In effect, San Francisco is ``co-dependent'' with its homeless substance
abusers.
We are paying for it dearly. A significant portion of each city
department's budget goes to fund multiple programs for homeless street
people. These include counseling, shelters, food banks, emergency hospital
medical treatment, paramedic and ambulance calls, job training, drug and
alcohol treatment and police calls, as well as restoring city parks and
cleaning sidewalks of excrement and urine.
In addition to city agencies, hundreds of nonprofit agencies and corporate
and charitable organizations donate money, time and assistance to homeless
street people. (The United Way reports that more than 75 San Francisco
agencies provide food assistance; dozens of others provide housing and
shelter assistance.)
At the same time, San Francisco spends almost $62 million annually on
General Assistance for homeless street people, issued in checks on the
first and the 15th of the month. These funds are not federal or state but
rather local money paid out in sums of between $287 and $345 per month for
those who don't qualify for any of the other assistance the city provides.
A large percentage of homeless GA re cipients are addicts or alcoholics.
San Francisco General Hospital reports that a majority of overdose cases
occur after the first and the 15th of the month. The largest sales of
pint-size hard liquor in the Tenderloin occurs around the first and the 15th.
Homeless street people who are substance abusers often use food banks,
shelters and other free services first, enabling them to spend their GA
money on their addiction. In short, we spend tens of millions of dollars
annually on what amounts to a drug and alcohol allowance.
Result? Of all U.S. cities, San Francisco ranks first in heroin and
methamphetamine use and second in cocaine use, according local news reports.
Solution? We must get those homeless street people who are receiving
General Assistance clean and sober. We need to end cash payments to addicts
and instead use that money to fund drug and alcohol treatment. Drug and
alcohol treatment must come first for substance abusers -- before talking
about job training, housing or other programs.
The city needs to take the courageous step to drug test each street person.
This should be a pen and paper test, such as the widely used SASSI, rather
than a more invasive blood or urine test. Those who refuse would lose their
GA benefit.
Those who test positive would be en rolled in a 12-step program
specifically for street people, run by ex-addicts. To build self-esteem and
personal responsibility, the city could foster street-people ``family
units'' or ``tribes'' to help provide the necessary group support.
Finally, we must recognize that many homeless advocates have their own
political agendas. These may not include getting people off the street.
Instead, too many homeless advocates in San Francisco are primarily
concerned about growing their political power bases and maintaining the
revenue streams that sustain their organizations. Other than suggesting
that the city give a shopping cart to each street person, they haven't
generated any new ideas. They're not receptive to new ideas; what they want
is more money.
In my opinion, this kind of advocacy does more harm than good to the person
on the street. We are spending more and more on programs that foster
dependency.
We should think about this when we see someone on the street with an
obvious drug or alcohol problem. We are contributing to that person's
illness. Our money is keeping them where they are.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Heroin Big Killer In San Francisco (The Associated Press
says a health department study released Tuesday says that out of 86
drug-related deaths among the homeless last year, 40 were connected
to heroin. Neither AP nor, apparently, the health department, mentions
the number of homeless who died from hunger, exposure, lack
of medical care, or prohibition, since apparently those are not considered
public health issues.)
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1998 18:53:19 -0800
From: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org (MAPNews)
To: mapnews@mapinc.org
Subject: MN: US CA: Wire: Heroin Big Killer In San Francisco
Sender: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Reply-To: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Organization: Media Awareness Project http://www.mapinc.org/lists/
Newshawk: General Pulaski
Source: Associated Press
Copyright: 1998 Associated Press.
Pubdate: 15 Dec 1998
Author: Kim Curtis Associated Press Writer
HEROIN BIG KILLER IN SAN FRANCISCO
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Heroin's popularity is growing among San Francisco's
homeless and it's killing them.
Of 86 drug-related deaths among the homeless last year, 40 were connected
to heroin, according to a health department study released Tuesday.
"Cocaine is a drug of celebration and heroin is a drug of desperation,"
said Evelyn James, spokesman for the federal Drug Enforcement
Administration in San Francisco. "When people are on the street and they
want to feel out of it ... heroin will do that for them."
One-hundred-fifty-seven homeless people died in San Francisco between Dec.
1, 1997 and Nov. 30, 1998 the highest number since the city started keeping
track in 1987.
"The majority of people you see on the street have a substance abuse
problem. That problem is what caused them to be homeless," said Earl
Rynerson, a former member of San Francisco's Human Services Commission,
which decides how to allocate public money.
Increasingly pure heroin is readily available on the streets and can be had
at a relatively low cost. A single dose, about a quarter gram, costs about
$20.
Critics say much of the $287 monthly assistance payments many homeless
receive doesn't go toward food or housing.
"The first and 15th are like pay days," Puccinelli said. "They get it and
they don't use the money for living expenses ... the money goes into
narcotics and alcohol."
The 157 deaths far exceeded both the 104 recorded the previous year and the
average of 118 deaths each year on city streets since 1987.
Authorities estimate as many as 14,000 people live on San Francisco's
streets.
***
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1998 09:11:29 -0500
From: Tim Sheridan (sparky@navpoint.com)
To: "DRCTalk Reformers' Forum" (drctalk@drcnet.org)
Subject: DEA official celebrates cocaine
Sender: owner-drctalk@drcnet.org
>SAN FRANCISCO (AP)... Of 86 drug-related deaths among
>the homeless last year, 40 were connected to heroin,
>according to a health department study released Tuesday.
>"Cocaine is a drug of celebration and heroin is a drug
>of desperation," said a spokesman for the DEA.... See
> http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2557630887-8a9
I believe what the official intended to say was that heroin is a pain
reliever and cocaine is a stimulant. Sometimes you have to translate.
Heroin is used by the political machine as proof that some drugs need to
be prohibited. What they do not say is that prohibition (and subsequent
lack of any regulation) is the only reason people die from overdoses.
Story should read: "Drug War - Leading Cause of Death Among Homeless"
Tim Sheridan
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee Endorses Call for Hemp Study (The Associated Press
says a Virginia House of Delegates committee endorsed a measure Monday
calling for a study of industrial hemp. The resolution, sponsored by Mitchell
Van Yahres, a Democrat from Albemarle, asks federal officials
to let the state's universities experiment with cultivation of industrial hemp
for commercial use. The General Assembly will consider the measure
during the session that begins Jan. 13.)
Date: Sat, 19 Dec 1998 10:07:15 -0800
From: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org (MAPNews)
To: mapnews@mapinc.org
Subject: MN: US VA: Wire: Committee Endorses Call for Hemp Study
Sender: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Reply-To: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Organization: Media Awareness Project http://www.mapinc.org/lists/
Newshawk: Michael (Miguet@NOVEMBER.ORG)
Source: Associated Press
Copyright: 1998 Associated Press
Pubdate: Tue, 15 Dec 1998
COMMITTEE ENDORSES CALL FOR HEMP STUDY
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- A House of Delegates committee has endorsed a measure
calling for the study of industrial hemp, a relative of marijuana that
lacks the kick of the street drug.
The resolution approved Monday, sponsored by Del. Mitchell Van Yahres,
D-Albemarle, asks federal officials to let the state's universities
experiment with cultivation of industrial hemp for commercial use. Hemp was
outlawed in the United States in 1937 because of its association with
marijuana.
But it has a very low content of THC, the chemical that makes marijuana an
intoxicant, and it was grown legally in the United States during World War
II when the government used it to make rope. Some agriculture officials say
hemp should be legalized again because it is a strong fiber useful in
clothes, plastics and other commercial products. Van Yahres suggested
Monday that hemp could come in handy for struggling tobacco farmers in need
of a new cash crop.
"The farmer, I think, is going to be the low man on the totem pole'' in the
wake of the national tobacco settlement, Van Yahres told the House Rules
Committee. "I think we need to talk about ways to help the farmer.''
Several other delegates questioned Van Yahres about hemp's commercial
usefulness and whether the plant can be smoked.
After a brief debate, the committee voted 9-2 to endorse the resolution.
The General Assembly will consider the measure during the session that
begins Jan. 13.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Must State Become A Criminal to Fight Drugs? (A letter to the editor
of The Richmond Times-Dispatch, in Virginia, responds to the recent article
about Customs Service agents violating airline passengers while engaging in
drug-seeking behavior.)
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1998 17:07:51 -0800
From: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org (MAPNews)
To: mapnews@mapinc.org
Subject: MN: US VA: PUB LTE: Must State Become A Criminal to Fight Drugs?
Sender: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Reply-To: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Organization: Media Awareness Project http://www.mapinc.org/lists/
Newshawk: Michael (Miguet@November.org)
Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch (VA)
Website: http://www.gateway-va.com/
Copyright: 1998, Richmond Newspapers Inc.
Pubdate: 15 Dec 1998
Contact: feedback@gateway-va.com
Fax: (804) 775-8072
Author: Charles W. Peraino
MUST STATE BECOME A CRIMINAL TO FIGHT DRUGS?
Editor, Times-Dispatch:
To incarcerate a U.S. citizen, to enter that person's private body parts,
and to X-ray her on the slight pretext that she may be smuggling drugs, as
the government did to Gwendolyn Richards [December 3 news story, "Customs'
Drug Searches Prompt Suits"] is state-enforced rape in the same category
with such human rights violations as torture and political imprisonment. It
is state gangsterism. In order to fight against drugs, the state becomes
the criminal.
Some acts are so immoral that they never can be justified on public policy
reasons alone and should not be used except under the most extreme
circumstances. What Ms. Richards went through is one of those acts. Such
searches are anti-American. Conservatives should be outraged by this
practically unlimited use of state power.
These searches are discriminatory in racial, social, and other ways. Our
judges, politicians, and policy-makers need to ask themselves two
questions: Would they support such barbaric behavior if the Customs
Handbook cited three-piece suits as reasonable suspicion instead of baggy
clothing and sunglasses? Does the seizure of 850 pounds of cocaine and 803
pounds of heroin a year justify behavior so heinous and criminal that it
would leave an innocent person mentally scarred for life? As for me, as an
American believer in democratic principles, it scares me to death that the
power to abuse me in the most inhuman, undignified, and immoral way is in
the hands of our government.
Charles W. Peraino
Richmond
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Pot-Like Agents May Affect Fertility (UPI says investigators
from the University at Buffalo in New York told the annual meeting
of the American Society of Cell Biology in San Francisco
that they had discovered that sperm contain receptors for cannabinoids
such as THC, the most prevalent of the dozens of psychoactive substances
found only in cannabis. Unfortunately, the researchers then ignored
the epidemiological evidence and engaged in speculation that led them
to revive the drug-warrior myth that heavy pot use
may reduce fertility.)
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1998 18:47:35 -0800
From: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org (MAPNews)
To: mapnews@mapinc.org
Subject: MN: US: Wire: Pot-Like Agents May Affect Fertility
Sender: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Reply-To: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Organization: Media Awareness Project http://www.mapinc.org/lists/
Newshawk: General Pulaski
Pubdate: Tue, 15 Dec 1998
Source: United Press International
Copyright: 1998 United Press International
Author: Lidia Wasowicz - UPI Science Writer
POT-LIKE AGENTS MAY AFFECT FERTILITY
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 15 (UPI) - In news every wanna-be father should hear,
scientists today announced finding evidence that marijuana-like agents may
regulate the functions of sperm and affect their ability to fertilize eggs.
The investigators from the University at Buffalo in New York have been
focusing on compounds called anandamides, which are normally found in the
testis, uterus and oviduct.
Specifically, they have found sperm contain receptors for cannabinoids,
which are such chemical compounds as THC, the active substance in pot.
Speaking at the annual meeting of the American Society of Cell Biology in
San Francisco, the researchers described their study as the first to show
that such chemicals can affect fertilization in three major ways:
-They can inhibit the so-called acrosome reaction. That's the normal
release of the enzymes, which enables sperm to penetrate the egg.
-They regulate very active sperm swimming patterns, called hyperactivation.
-They prevent sperm from binding to the egg cover, or zona.
``The findings could have significant implications for the diagnosis of
infertility and understanding basic human biology and molecular control, ''
said Herbert Schuel, professor of anatomy and cell biology at the
University of Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
``We've known for 30 years that very heavy marijuana smoking has a drastic
effect on sperm production within the testis, which can lead to higher
rates of infertility. Our new findings suggest anandamides and THC in
marijuana smoke may also affect sperm functions required for fertilization
in the female reproductive tract.''
In heavy pot smokers, the extra load of cannabinoids floods the receptors,
possibly leading to infertility.
Schuel and his team previously showed that sea urchin sperm have a receptor
for cannabinoids, that cannabinoids and anandamides can prevent the sperm
from fertilizing eggs and that elimination of the cannabinoids reversed
these effects.
Two other study co-authors in the latest investigation - Lani Burkman,
director of the Andrology Section at Buffalo and Alex Makriyannis,
professor of medicinal chemistry at the University of Connecticut - said
human sperm contain functional cannabinoid receptors.
These receptors, or recognition sites, allow the THC from pot and natural
cannabinoids (anandamides) to bind to sperm.
In 30 tests, the researchers mimicked the normal reproduction process. In
the process, fluids within the female reproductive tract prepare the sperm
to fertilize the egg. The egg swims like mad. It undergoes the acrosome
reaction when the sperm arrive at the egg's zona.
The finding indicates anandamides may prevent premature acrosome reactions
within the female reproductive tract. And it suggests fluctuations in
anandamide levels in the oviduct may regulate sperm swimming patterns and
affect the optimal timing for the sperm to meet the egg.
``The study provided the first evidence that anandamides and cannabinoids
can directly affect the fertilizing capacity of human sperm,'' Burkman
said.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Teens, Depression & Drugs (According to Washington Post columnist
Abigail Trafford, Alan I. Leshner, director of the National Institute on Drug
Abuse, divides teenage "drug abusers" into two categories: the Sensation
Seekers, who are the majority, and the depressive Self-Medicators, supposedly
a minority, even though an estimated 8 million to 10 million children have an
untreated mental illness. Traditional drug-prevention strategies aren't
designed for depressives and aren't effective with them - but Trafford and
Leshner still want to lock them all up. Both fail to acknowledge, or just
flat-out lie about the fact that society isn't about to provide universal
psychiatric care on demand; that pharmaceutical antidepressants don't work
for some people, and can cause severe, permanent, debilitating side effects,
unlike cannabis; that a large body of historical and medical research
documents the utility for many people of treating mood disorders with
cannabis; that cannabis is not a drug of abuse, and to the extent it may
raise dopamine levels like drugs of abuse, it does so in the same manner as
some pharmaceutical antidepressants; and that it is cruel as well as
counterproductive to treat depressive teens who self-medicate with cannabis
as "drug abusers," when self-medication with cannabis may allow them to
function more productively, happily, and normally than otherwise.)
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1998 17:40:42 -0800
From: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org (MAPNews)
To: mapnews@mapinc.org
Subject: MN: US WP: Teens, Depression & Drugs
Sender: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Reply-To: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Organization: Media Awareness Project http://www.mapinc.org/lists/
Newshawk: Kendra Wright http://www.familywatch.org/
Pubdate: Tues, 15 Dec 1998
Source: Washington Post (DC)
Copyright: 1998 The Washington Post Company
Page: Z06
Contact: http://washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/edit/letters/letterform.htm
Website: http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Author: Abigail Trafford
TEENS, DEPRESSION & DRUGS
During my awkward adolescence, my grandmother used to take me to lunch at
the Wenham Tea House, a combination gift shop, lending library and ladies
restaurant in our small Massachusetts town. Gran with her liquid eyes, red
hair and deep bassoon voice would grill me about my life. How were my
classes? (So-so.) Did I play sports? (Oh, sure.) Was I looking forward to
all the holiday parties? (Sort of.) Finally after one lunch, Gran leaned
over and took my hand. Being young, she said in dulcet, Dubonnet-laced
tones, is not the best time of your life.
Her words were a comfort then and they're a comfort now. Indeed, the
teenage years are a national challenge for both parents and children. It's
the period when each generation gets forged into adulthood. It's also a
high-risk time of experimentation--which often includes taking illegal
drugs as well as drinking too much and smoking.
Until recently the general anti-drug message to kids was simple and
focused: Don't do it. Drug abuse will fry your brains and you'll end up a
failure. But this one-size-fits-all strategy to prevent drug abuse has
missed a whole subgroup of teenagers at risk.
Alan I. Leshner, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, divides
teenage drug abusers into two general categories: the Sensation Seekers,
who are the majority, and the Self-Medicators, who make up a minority.
The second group is finally getting attention from the medical community.
For these adolescents, the teenage years are not just a period of normal
hell. They are the time when mental disorders such as depression emerge.
Taking drugs is a way to control the symptoms of their depression, explains
Leshner.
In developing anti-drug programs for teenagers, "we may not be looking at
kids who are just miserable," says Leshner. "Saying your brain is going to
fall out in a month means nothing to the kid who's depressed."
A generation ago, many people didn't think children could get depressed.
Now that view has changed, and physicians are diagnosing and treating a
small but significant group of children and adolescents with major mental
disorders.
Earlier this year, researchers at the Scripps Research Institute in La
Jolla and Yale University School of Medicine explored the link between
depression and drug abuse. In an article in Neuropsychopharmacology, the
scientific journal of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology,
Scripps researcher Athina Markou and her colleagues reviewed the science of
drug dependence and depression and noted alterations in the same part of
the brain, involving some of the same brain chemicals. "Depression and drug
dependence are likely to be linked disorders with shared neurobiolobical
mechanisms," the authors conclude. "Further, self-medication of depressive
symptomatology with drugs of abuse may be an important explanatory concept."
This means a very different prevention strategy has to be designed for
these kids. For starters, their mental disorder has to be identified and
treated. Leshner points out that an estimated 8 million to 10 million
children have an untreated mental illness. In his eyes, many are at risk of
self-medicating with drugs.
And while drug use may temporarily alleviate some of the pain of depression
or another mental disorder, drug dependence ends up exacerbating the
underlying condition. The implications for treatment are also obvious:
These kids need to be treated for both depression and drug dependence, he
says.
At the same time, most children going through adolescence do not suffer
from a mental or conduct disorder, and a significant proportion of them try
drugs. The average age at first use of marijuana is about 13 1/2.
The problem with Sensation Seekers is that they are playing a game of
Russian roulette. While 80 to 90 percent of the 70 million American adults
who smoked marijuana got through the experimentation phase with no lasting
effects, about 8 to 10 percent developed major problems. Leshner suspects
this group is genetically vulnerable to becoming dependent on drugs. But at
the start of adolescence, it's not clear who will fall into that vulnerable
10 percent.
By the time a person ends up in a treatment center with a dual diagnosis of
depression and drug addiction, it's not easy to determine which came first,
the depression or the drug use.
When you put together the drug-using population of teenagers with
underlying disorders and the vulnerable group of Sensation Seekers, that's
a lot of broken lives.
For parents, the challenge is sorting out where your child fits into the
spectrum of dependence on drugs, including alcohol and nicotine. Is your
child a Self-Medicator or a Sensation Seeker? As Leshner says: "The more
insight we have into Harry or Louie's motivation, the better shot we have
at saving him from a lifetime of problems."
There is no simple anti-drug strategy. The issue is much larger than
watching what a child smokes or drinks. It means knowing your child and
being alert to signs of depression or other problems. "It's not simply
talking to kids about drugs," says Leshner. "It means getting involved in
the life of your kids. It means asking how are you, who are your friends.
You have to have an interaction."
In other words, it means having lunch with Gran. I wish all kids could have
such a loving watchful adult as my Gran. She made sure we both survived the
teenage years--and flourished.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Errors, Sensationalism Hurt Papers' Credibility
(According to The Associated Press, a nationwide survey released today
by the American Society of Newspaper Editors found that about 80 percent
of adults said newspapers sensationalize the news. Those who had firsthand
experience with reporters and editors are some of their biggest critics.
And the public thinks reporters are out of touch with their readers.
Thirty-one percent said they had been the subject of a news story
or had been interviewed by a reporter. Of that group, 24 percent said they
were misquoted and 31 percent found errors in the story.)
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1998 16:54:43 -0800
From: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org (MAPNews)
To: mapnews@mapinc.org
Subject: MN: US: Wire: Errors, Sensationalism Hurt Papers' Credibility
Sender: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Reply-To: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Organization: Media Awareness Project http://www.mapinc.org/lists/
Newshawk: hadorn@dnai.com (David Hadorn)
Pubdate: Tue, 15 Dec 1998
Source: Associated Press
Copyright: 1998 Associated Press
ERRORS, SENSATIONALISM HURT PAPERS' CREDIBILITY
WASHINGTON - Sensationalism, garbled grammar and misquotes are chief
reasons for the decline of credibility in newspapers and a disconnect
between today's reporters and their audiences, a new report says.
``Americans say they're tired of having sensational stories crammed down
their throats,'' says a study, released today by the American Society of
Newspaper Editors.
About 80 percent of adults surveyed for the study said newspapers
overdramatize the news to sell papers, and that sensational stories get a
lot of coverage because they're exciting -- not because they're important.
The public thinks newspapers mishandle ``normal'' news stories too.
Forty-eight percent said they find misleading headlines in their paper more
than once a week.
In addition, the study says readers see too many misspellings, mislabeled
maps and grammatical mistakes -- lowering public trust of the media. It
says those who have firsthand experience with reporters and editors are
some of their biggest critics. And it says the public thinks reporters are
out of touch with their readers.
The study, part of the ASNE's three-year project to find out why the public
has lost confidence in newspapers, is based on a national telephone survey
of 3,000 U.S. adults in April and May, 16 focus groups and a 12-page
questionnaire completed by newspaper journalists. The report was conducted
and analyzed by Urban & Associates of Sharon, Mass.
``I guess the good news is that we recognize that we have problems and
we're trying to do something about them,'' says ASNE President Edward
Seaton, editor-in-chief of The Manhattan (Kan.) Mercury. ``It means that
we've got to tighten up. We've got to cut down on errors, cut down on
anonymous quotes and rein in the pundits.''
More than three-fourths of those surveyed expressed concern about the
credibility of news stories that use anonymous sources, and 45 percent said
the story shouldn't run at all if no one will go on the record.
The study's findings come in a year when the press has had to give a number
of mea culpas: CNN retracted a story presented jointly with Time magazine
that alleged the U.S. military used a nerve agent in pursuing defectors
during the Vietnam War. The Cincinnati Enquirer retracted a story because
it was based in part on information stolen from a company's telephone
message system. At The New Republic magazine and The Boston Globe, writers
made up quotes and people that appeared in stories.
The study also follows three years of high-profile stories that have hogged
the front page: The murder trial of football star O.J. Simpson, the deaths
of Princess Diana and Colorado child beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey, Paula
Jones' sexual harassment suit against President Clinton and his
relationship with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky.
Sensationalism aside, a newspaper's credibility often is undermined by
little mistakes. More than one-third of respondents said they see spelling
or grammatical mistakes in their paper more than once a week -- 21 percent
said they see them nearly every day. Twenty-three percent said they find
factual errors in the news stories of their daily paper at least once a week.
While 73 percent of adults have become more skeptical about news accuracy,
those who have firsthand knowledge of a news story are the most critical.
Thirty-one percent said they had been the subject of a news story or had
been interviewed by a reporter. Of that group, 24 percent said they were
misquoted and 31 percent found errors in the story.
Readers welcome corrections, though. Sixty-three percent said they ``felt
better'' about the quality of the news coverage when they see corrections.
Getting it right, however, is only part of the problem in reaching readers.
More than half of those surveyed believe the press is ``out-of-touch with
mainstream Americans,'' the study says. In many ways -- educational
attainment, income, interests, circle of friends and working hours -- many
journalists are in a different class than the average American, the study
says.
``When newspaper readers see feature stories about ways to make an elegant
presentation of artichoke hearts, many study the photograph to find out
what, exactly, an artichoke looks like,'' the study says. ``When adjectives
like `churchgoing' or `right-wing' or `suburban' or `radical' appear in
print or broadcast news stories, they sense that judgments are being made
by folks not very much like themselves.''
Some findings from the American Society of Newspaper Editors' study on why
newspaper credibility has been dropping:
--More than one-third of 3,000 U.S. adults surveyed by telephone say they
see spelling or grammatical mistakes in their newspaper more than once a week.
--23 percent say they find factual errors in the news stories of their
daily paper at least once a week.
--73 percent have become more skeptical about news accuracy.
--78 percent agree with the assessment that there is bias in the news media.
--58 percent believe the public's dissatisfaction with the media is
justified (``that they're not just an easy target for deeper problems in
our society'').
--50 percent believe there are particular people or groups that get a
``special break'' in news coverage.
--78 percent believe powerful people or organizations can influence a
newspaper to kill or ``spin'' a story.
--86 percent believe the names of suspects should not be published until
formal charges are filed.
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It's A Question Of Trust (A staff editorial in The Victoria Times-Colonist,
in British Columbia, says the president of the University of Victoria
is right to seek the dismissal of Jean Veevers, the sociology professor
convicted of commercial marijuana cultivation charges.)
From: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org (MAPNews)
To: newsout@mapinc.org
Subject: MN: Canada: It's A Question Of Trust
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1998 14:21:19 -0800
Lines: 43
Sender: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Reply-To: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Organization: Media Awareness Project http://www.mapinc.org/lists/
Newshawk: Alan Randell
Pubdate: December 15, 1998
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (Canada)
Contact: jknox@victoriatimescolonist.com
IT'S A QUESTION OF TRUST
It's hard to muster much sympathy for Jean Veevers, the pot-growing
prof of UVic.
Veevers was busted in April 1997 with 122 marijuana plants and a 8.6
kilograms of dope in her house. But the sentence the $88,000-a-year
sociology professor got this month was the usual slap on the wrist
that excuses itself for punishment these days. (A one year conditional
sentence and a $15,000 fine?) That's not a deterrent; it's a business
licence.
So for some, there is a certain amount of satisfaction in learning
that UVic president David Strong has suspended Veevers and is
recommending her dismissal. They see it as Strong doing what the legal
system wouldn't.
However, it does raise the issue of firing someone for a crime
committed outside work. The Human Rights Code says an employer cannot
axe someone for an offence unrelated to the job. In Veevers' case, the
university argues there was a link, that the professor offered to pay
tuition of a prospective partner in his continuing as her dope-growing
partner.
The more obvious question has to do with whether Veevers crime is job-
related by its nature. Is it right for a convicted drug dealer to be
teaching students on the cusp of adulthood? Would it be make a
difference if she taught elementary school, high school, adult ed?
What if the conviction was for simple possession or bootlegging booze
or dealing heroin, or shoplifting, or spousal abuse?
It's a question of where you draw the line, and society has shown
itself to be anything but certain on the issue of marijuana - as
reflected by the half-hearted sentences meted out by the courts.
Still, we have long argued that people in positions of public trust -
politicians, police, teachers, priests - should be held to a higher
level of accountability. And that tips the scale against Veevers.
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Re: It's a question of trust (A letter sent to the editor
of The Victoria Times-Colonist says that if politicians, police, teachers,
and priests should be held to a higher level of accountability,
then politicians should represent their constituents. A majority
of Canadians believe that cannabis should be decriminalized,
so why is cannabis still prohibited?)
From: creator@islandnet.com (Matt Elrod)
To: mattalk@listserv.islandnet.com
Subject: Sent: It's a question of trust
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1998 11:20:00 -0800
Lines: 25
To the editor,
In your editorial of December 15, (It's a question of trust), concerning
the possible dismissal of the cannabis-growing UVic sociology professor
Jean Veevers, you wrote that, "politicians, police, teachers, priests -
should be held to a higher level of accountability."
Politicians should represent their constituents. A majority of Canadians
believe that cannabis should be decriminalized. Why is cannabis still
prohibited?
The police should enforce our laws or candidly let us know when our laws
are misguided and unenforceable. Why are the police asking for more money
to wage the failed war on drugs?
When pondering the employment of a sociology professor, the last thing Uvic
President David Strong should consider is what antiquated laws the
professor has broken. Has Professor Veevers performed her job well and as
required? It is a question of job performance.
Matthew M. Elrod
4493 [No Thru] Rd.
Victoria, B.C.
V9C-3Y1
Email: creator@islandnet.com
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Colombian may be extradited to U.S. (An Associated Press article
in The Dallas Morning News says Jaime "Jimmy" Orlando Lara,
an alleged drug boss accused of shipping heroin to U.S. cities,
could be the first person extradited to the United States under a December
1997 Colombian law that restored extradition of citizens for trial abroad.)
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1998 17:08:06 -0800
From: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org (MAPNews)
To: mapnews@mapinc.org
Subject: MN: Colombia: Colombian may be extradited to U.S.
Sender: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Reply-To: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Organization: Media Awareness Project http://www.mapinc.org/lists/
Newshawk: adbryan@onramp.net
Source: Dallas Morning News (TX)
Contact: letterstoeditor@dallasnews.com
Website: http://www.dallasnews.com/
Forum: http://forums.dallasnews.com:81/webx
Copyright: 1998 The Dallas Morning News
Pubdate: 15 Dec 1998
Author: Associated Press
COLOMBIAN MAY BE EXTRADITED TO U.S.
BOGOTA, Colombia - An alleged drug boss accused of shipping heroin to U.S.
cities could be the first Colombian extradited to the United States under a
year-old law, police said Monday.
The suspect, Jaime "Jimmy" Orlando Lara, was arrested in Bogota on
Saturday. He is accused of heading a heroin distribution ring with outlets
in Houston, Miami and New York.
A December 1997 law restored extradition of Colombian citizens for trial
abroad. The country's 1991 Constitution, enshrined during a bloody war with
the Medellin drug cartel, had prohibited it.
The new law is not retroactive, however, meaning Colombians can only be
extradited for crimes committed after its enactment.
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Judge Acclaims Ability of Cannabis Grower (The Irish Times
says a horticulturist who grew four-foot cannabis plants in his home
was commended for his technical ability by Judge Kieran O'Connor
at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court - who gave Wayne O'Connor
a three-year suspended sentence and fined him £100 for possession
of the herb.)
Date: Sat, 19 Dec 1998 10:09:29 -0800
From: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org (MAPNews)
To: mapnews@mapinc.org
Subject: MN: Ireland: Judge Acclaims Ability of Cannabis Grower
Sender: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Reply-To: owner-mapnews@mapinc.org
Organization: Media Awareness Project http://www.mapinc.org/lists/
Newshawk: Martin Cooke (mjc1947@cyberclub.iol.ie)
Source: Irish Times (Ireland)
Contact: lettersed@irish-times.ie
Website: http://www.irish-times.ie/
Copyright: 1998 The Irish Times
Pubdate: Tue, 15 Dec 1998
JUDGE ACCLAIMS ABILITY OF CANNABIS GROWER
A horticulturist who grew four-foot cannabis plants in his home has been
commended for his technical ability by Judge Kieran O'Connor at Dublin
Circuit Criminal Court.
However, Judge O'Connor added that while Wayne O'Connor had shown
considerable skill in growing the plants from seed, particularly in the
Irish climate, he could have put his talents to better use.
O'Connor, (32) of Lahaunestown Bungalow, Lahaunestown Lane, Carrickmines,
Co Dublin, pleaded guilty to cultivating cannabis plants at his home on
June 22nd, 1997, and to possession of cannabis on the same date.
He was given a three-year suspended sentence for cultivating the plants and
fined IEP100 for possession of the drug.
Det Garda Vincent Rock told the court he and a number of officers raided
O'Connor's house after receiving confidential information.
O'Connor was co-operative and later showed remorse.
Defence counsel Mr Hugh Harnett SC said O'Connor had worked in his father's
nursery business since he was 11 or 12 years old and worked six days a week
all his adult life.
He had grown the plants for his own medium-to long-term use.
Judge O'Connor said the size of the plants was of concern to the court and
noted that the defendant had managed to grow them to within two feet of
their maximum height, normally achievable only under optimum conditions.
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[End]
to the 1998 Daily News index for Dec. 10-16