gibran2 wrote:This is really, really disgusting. But so far it has only been passed by the House Judiciary Committee. It would still have to be passed by the full House, by the Senate, and signed by the President before it becomes law. Here’s a link to the bill: H.R. 313 - Drug Trafficking Safe Harbor Elimination Act of 2011Here’s the main section of the Bill: Quote:Whoever, within the United States, conspires with one or more persons, or aids or abets one or more persons, regardless of where such other persons are located, to engage in conduct at any place outside the United States that would constitute a violation of this title if committed within the United States, shall be subject to the same penalties that would apply to such conduct if it were to occur within the United States. So what are some of the consequences? If, from within the US, you make plans to attend an ayahuasca retreat in Peru, you could be charged as a co-conspirator under the CSA. Any US citizen who makes plans in the US to go to another country to consume substances that are illegal under the CSA would be considered a co-conspirator in drug trafficking. As I read it, this law is not limited to US citizens, but includes anyone who is conducting such activities within the US. So a Peruvian citizen who, during a visit to the US, calls home and makes arrangements to participate in an ayahuasca ceremony, could be arrested and charged with a violation of the CSA. There’s a Huffington Post article that discusses this, and it suggests that US citizens abroad planning activities illegal under the CSA could be charged. This isn’t how I read the Bill. As I read it, the planning must occur “within the United States”. So if you go to Peru and, while in Peru, make arrangements to attend an ayahuasca ceremony, you wouldn’t be in violation. Regardless, it’s a Bill that seeks to extend the laws of the US worldwide. Let’s hope that enough of our legislators have the common sense to ensure that it doesn’t pass. This is a very good point. I doubt there is any real chance of this passing...well as long as enough people know about it anyway. Like Gibran has pointed out this is not law by any stretch of the imagination yet. Peace If your religion, faith, devotion, or self proclaimed spirituality is not directly leading to an increase in kindness, empathy, compassion and tolerance for others then you have been misled.
|
|
|
gibran2 wrote:
The Bill says that anyone in the US, citizen or not, can be charged with a crime if they make plans (i.e. engage in conspiracy) to engage in activities in foreign countries that would violate the CSA in the US.
Well that's equally or more crazy... The US system sucks and have sucked for long time, but that's news to no one... 
|
|
|
Incredible, just incredible. An American citizen's rights are diminishing day by day. Just what jurisdiction does the U.S. government have over the actions of a citizen in foreign lands? "'Most men will not swιm before they are able to.' Is not that witty? Naturally, they won't swιm! They are born for the solid earth, not for the water. And naturally they won't think. They are made for life, not for thought. Yes, and he who thinks, what's more, he who makes thought his business, he may go far in it, but he has bartered the solid earth for the water all the same, and one day he will drown."
— Hermann Hesse
|
|
|
christian wrote:Fear not, Tigerstrike. The date has been set forth thanks to the Mayans. That date is 2012....  Unfortunately, people are taking the idea of 2012 and thinking that something is just going to swoop down and make it all better (or worse depending on your viewpoint). This kind of view of entitlement, which is very similar to the Christian belief of rapture and the second coming of Christ, creates an apathetic and disengaged society, which is exactly what the governing powers want. In order for positive changes to take place, people like ourselves are going to have to step up and make them happen. I'm guilty of sitting on the sidelines myself, but I'm still in the midst of my own awakening, and I plan on becoming more of an activist in the months to come. We have to stop sitting idly, while BS bills like this are being passed.
|
|
|
Oneiros wrote:christian wrote:Fear not, Tigerstrike. The date has been set forth thanks to the Mayans. That date is 2012.... Unfortunately, people are taking the idea of 2012 and thinking that something is just going to swoop down and make it all better (or worse depending on your viewpoint). This kind of view of entitlement, which is very similar to the Christian belief of rapture and the second coming of Christ, creates an apathetic and disengaged society, which is exactly what the governing powers want. In order for positive changes to take place, people like ourselves are going to have to step up and make them happen. I'm guilty of sitting on the sidelines myself, but I'm still in the midst of my own awakening, and I plan on becoming more of an activist in the months to come. We have to stop sitting idly, while BS bills like this are being passed. Why wait months?!?! Occupy your city today!! Convert a melodic element into a rhythmic element...
|
|
|
easyrider wrote:Just what jurisdiction does the U.S. government have over the actions of a citizen in foreign lands? With respect to the CSA, none. And this Bill doesn't change that. Please read the previous posts. gibran2 is a fictional character. Any resemblance to anyone living or dead is purely coincidental.
|
|
|
haha christian attached the following image(s):  free.jpg (19kb) downloaded 19 time(s)."Eat your vegetables and do as you're told, or you won't be going to the funfair!"
|