Follow CelebStoner on
Join CelebStoner on
CELEBSTONER POLL
EVENTS CALENDAR
5/11-12 CK Expo, Santa Monica
5/19-21 California Unity Conference
5/22-24 CHAMPS, Atlantic City
| Bill Maher Needles NORML |
 |
 |
 |
| Friday, 10 July 2009 06:43 | |||
|
Top CelebStoner Bill Maher is "a little disillusioned" with NORML. "NORML is about to celebrate (really?) their 39th year in business, but I have to ask my fellow activists: do you really think that 40 years of being in business in a mark of success? I see it as failure; I see it as old stale ideas being tried over and over by the same old men holding onto their egos and little positions of power. The reason MPP is hosting parties in the backyard of one of the founders of NORML is because NORML has not got the organizational capabilities of doing it themselves. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Well, my friends, I think it’s time we demand term limits on the directors and get some fresh ideas and direction in this organization or do we really want to be here in another 38 years wishing NORML was not so normal?"
Also see:
Comments (13)
|
I'm about moving forward, mending fences, overcoming grudges, and working with all groups and all stakeholders to advance our common goal of ending marijuana prohibition. I feel big money donors and celebrity endorsements are important, but not the prime engine in affecting change. The people, the average toker who doesn't live in California, isn't sick and disabled, and can't call on his celebrity friends to bail him out of jail or bank on sympathy for disability, those are the people I strive to represent.
I never intended anything I wrote to become a treatise on any one or two people or a forum to review perceived failures or successes in the movement. I was simply trying to say that having a celebrity publicly diss an org he's on the advisory board for doesn't make recruiting those average people to stand up for their rights any easier. Whether the diss was accurate or not is irrelevant to my point, which is "praise publicly, critique privately".
I swear sometimes if reform orgs fought "the man" as much as we fight each other, prohibition would be over by now. Yes, it does take two (or three or four) to tango, but the tango wouldn't start if some people would stop cuing up the salsa band.
The reason NORML doesn't appear to have any financial backing from any millionaires/billionaires is because they have not yet proven that they can utilize their already existing financial resources in an effective manner.
The reason NORML doesn't appear to have any financial backing from any millionaires/billionaires is because they have not yet proven that they can utilize their already existing financial resources in an effective manner.
If NORML , like MPP, had a billionaire flipping them a few million per year they would probably be able to increase their effectiveness.
Given the number of cannabis friendly billionaires, it is surprising that NORML does not have such a benefactor.
As it is, the combined effect of all the groups is clearly moving the ball forward.
Perhaps we can dispense with such negativity?
And VIPelle you are right also I have been an activest for 20 years (in the shadows) I have become vary vocal in the last 2 years (after a major bust) awating court if you are to vocal in florida it's like painting a bullseye on your forhead
The single biggest thing that could be done to save money in every state is change pot from a schedual 1 drug to a schedual 2 or 3 that whould be the best way to handel this we know pot has medical value
and that whould lower penelties
There is a lot of work to be done out there but the ball is rolling just need to keep the momentum going there are a lot of drug war POWS out there that need our help let's not drop the ball
Thanks to you both, Russ and Todd! Now lets move on and go kick some prohibition butts!!!!
I get calls all day long from folks telling NORML what it ought to do, but when I ask for support to do that, it doesn't happen. People tell me they can't join NORML while they're making money off pot, and don't call until they're in trouble and all their money's gone. McCormick just spent $100 grand to advertise his Expo, will any of the money made there go into reform?
As Maher knows, MPP began as a lobbying org, and with a major funder's support hired bulldog Bob Barr -- what happened to that?
Rather than make us the easy butt of jokes, or partying at the Playboy Mansion, all the orgs need to get together for a great Coming Out Day next April 20 with lobbying included. Maher could help by calling his famous friends to get on board. We've had more movement this year since Michael Phelps admitted he hit a bong than we have in 20 years. Perceptions are changing, and it's time for everyone to put down their pipes and pick up their pens.