Jodie will be in Victoria with Cannabis Culture editor Jeremiah Vandermeer to speak at the Canadian University Press conference, January 12th-14th. Find information about the conference here: http://archipelago.cup.ca/
The New Hampshire Liberty Forum is taking place on February 23rd-26th, and Jodie has been invited to be a speaker. Find information about the Liberty Forum here: http://freestateproject.org/libertyforum
Marc has 915 days left on his sentence in Yazoo City medium-security federal prison in Mississippi, and Jodie is off to visit him this weekend. She encourages you to read Marc's article about why you should support Ron Paul and Gary Johnson in the upcoming U.S. presidential candidacy campaign and election here: http://www.cannabisculture.com/v2/content/2011/12/31/Brilliant-Strategy-Gary-Johnson-and-Ron-Paul
Jodie picks the winners of her weekly give-away contest, for two FREE MARC t-shirt prize packs. Enter this week for a limited edition FREE MARC skateboard by sending an email to jodie@cannabisculture.com.
Write to Marc in prison and let him know what you're doing to legalize marijuana! Get all the details for mailing him at http://www.FreeMarc.ca
MARC EMERY #40252-086
FCI YAZOO CITY MEDIUM E-1
FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION
P.O. BOX 5888
YAZOO CITY, MS 39194
Stay informed, stay involved at:
http://www.CannabisCulture.com
http://www.Facebook.com/PrinceOfPot
http://www.Facebook.com/JodieEmery
http://www.Facebook.com/MarcEmery
http://www.Twitter.com/JodieEmery
http://www.Twitter.com/MarcScottEmery
Watch thousands of hours of Pot TV at: http://www.pot-tv.net/
Ron Paul will end the drug war and deserves your support. Go to: www.ronpaul2012.com
Marc sends Jodie a beautiful Christmas card hand made in prison. Marc has 922 days left on his sentence he serving in Yazoo, Mississippi. To write him a letter or send a card, got to: http://freemarc.ca.
Ron Paul will end the drug war and do so much more to save America and end the corruption and problems with the current government – he deserves your support. Go to: http://www.ronpaul2012.com and read Marc's blog about why you should support Ron Paul here: http://www.cannabisculture.com/v2/node/29369
Jodie picks the winners of her weekly freebie giveaway! Enter this week with your name and shirt size by emailing jodie@cannabisculture.com for a FREE MARC t-shirt and more – tune in for regular weekly giveaways to thank you for your support!
I chose that title for today's Christmas blog because I do believe it is a wonderful life, and it's much too short. The Frank Capra Christmas classic "It's a Wonderful Life" was a reminder to: 1) never underestimate the good you have done and the good you can do in the world, 2) be grateful for the love you have, and 3) be grateful for whatever you do have, it could be much worse!
Every day I get letters written by strangers whom I have never met reminding me I am loved, and I am blessed. I have an incredible wife who loves me, and wonderful friends, some well known, many others I have never met. I've had an incredible life, and as I approach the half-way mark of my sentence in 14 days, I am full optimism and joy inside.
I am also blessed to know others who care for me, and in their letters with their heartfelt sympathy for me, they reveal without complaint, just how challenging life can be.
I've included selections of letters I've received in recent weeks. These are only just snippets of longer messages; much of their letter that expresses sympathy for my situation is not included, because that's not what my message for this Christmas is about. I am grateful for the 3,500+ letters I have received in my nearly two years in jail now, and especially appreciative of the intimate and sincere real life stories that people all over America, Canada and the world share with me. I am honored to be considered such a friend as to be privy to such experiences.
From Catherine & Hector in Ontario, Canada:
"I frequently visit and shop on the CC site and have read up on yours and your wife's fight. I have been moved to tears reading your blogs and admire and am inspired by the love that is so evident between you & Jodie. In a world filled with so much injustice, I cling to the most positive thing I have — the unconditional & unwavering love and loyalty of my spouse. I am the sole caregiver to my husband Hector who is dying of ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). Please know in your darkest moments that there are strangers (like us) who keep you in our prayers and are sending you moments of comfort and good chi. You are an inspiration to many and your fight is not in vain. We are counting down the days to your release.
Brightest Blessings,
Cat & Hector
P.S. Hector is wearing your t-shirt right now."
From Samantha in Texas, with a darling photo of children Marley (4) and Emery (1 1/2):
"I think you are inspirational and I love reading your blog seeing how positive you remain in your circumstances. I sent you a picture of my two boys Marley who is four and Emery who is 20 months. Emery is named after you. When I was pregnant with Emery my husband and i battled over his name. He wanted to name him Young and I went everywhere from Geddy to Raine to Elwood. anything but Young. About a week or so before i went into labor he brought up your name "Emery". Finally we agreed! Well, almost.. He wanted Young Emery Hott. I wanted Emery Raine Hott. A few days after that decision was made I was woke up in the morning by a phone call telling me my husband was in an accident on his way home from working overnight and had been taken to a hospital downtown. Not having another car I finally got hold of my Mom at work to drive me to the hospital with Marley who was 2 1/2 at the time. We sat in the waiting room forever. They would send in a Chaplain to talk to me then a doctor spoke to me. I couldn't understand a word the doctor said. They took me to see my husband and it wasn't what I expected. Breathing tubes. A nurse had closed his eyes so they wouldn't get dry. I refused to leave his side. I sat up all night jumping at every noise thinking he was going to come out of where he was. He was in a coma. Two days later I'm still in the room and a nurse rolls a wheelchair into the room. She said it was for me, in case I needed it. I wobbled out to the waiting room. I was exhausted. I went into labor then. I was forced into the wheelchair and downstairs to delivery. The baby arrived and I chose Emery Young Hott. My husband remained in a coma for 100 days before he passed. This isn't a story that is meant to make anyone sad. I am more resilient than I thought. My car was totalled. My family moved me out of my duplex and into their house because I wouldn't be able to pay rent now that I couldn't go back to work, what with having a baby and being at the hospital so often. Not all was lost though, I still had my two boys… I hope both my boys grow up with a strong will to follow their hearts and always fight for what's right. I hope your sentence goes quickly. I know Jodie will miss you terribly. I sure love watching her interviews. She handles every interview with so much grace. I hope your holidays are as good as they can possibly be, and thank you again for all your hard work for this cause."
From Shannon, in San Jose, California:
"…It must be hard to be away from family in there. This past February my cousin found me on the internet after 25 years. My Dad went into a coma when I was one year old. Shortly after that, my mother was accused of being the cause. So I lost contact with Dad's side of the family. I must say, since I have met my cousins and one of my aunts from my father's side of the family recently I know where I get a lot of my personality from. I finally got to see my Dad recently in the hospital. It was a very awkward moment to see my Dad alive and hooked up to machines to keep him alive. I realized looking at him that I looked a lot like him. I don't know if he could hear me, but I told him he was a grandfather of a beautiful grand-daughter. I must say it was hard growing up with just my mother. Mom was always busy with work just to make ends meet. We lived with my grandma until she passed away when I was 16. She was more of a mother to me than my own Mom. I feel I made a good choice in life with the man I chose to be with and have a family with, considering I didn't have a father in all that time. I always get mixed emotions on how I feel about seeing others with both parents around…"
From Cathy in Rio Linda, California:
"All of you who have fought for patients' rights are my heroes. I have a disease called Von Hipple-Lindau. This disease creates tumors throughout my body. I have lost both of my kidneys, my thyroid glands, half my pancreas, my right eye and my uterus. I did get a kidney transplant so I have one now. Now hows that, for Pete's sake. After all that, authorities in California are telling me I can't use marijuana. Go figure! Well, I am sure you know I am not listening to those authorities… In your band, please sing a song for me. I too think that Mrs. Emery is pretty incredible. I hope to meet her one day soon.
Take care & Peace to you,
Cathy"
From Tom in Covington, Washington:
"The most recent chapter of my service was in the military, the US Army, in Alaska. I was in a high speed airborne recon outfit, and a 14-month tour of Iraq. I was honorably discharged in 2009 with a nagging low back pain and Post-traumatic stress Disorder. Today, like so many veterans, I have mixed thoughts on my service. I think I joined up partly to escape rocky family situations. My Dad was having trouble dealing with, at age 42, Huntington's Disease; its a horrible genetic disease that took the joy from his father's latter years, and was now profoundly affecting Dad. The last few years I've become a cannabis activist like you! But its strange how life is. In a few hours after putting these words on paper to you, I am taking a medical test to find out if I have Huntington's Disease. I'm scared, but I feel I must know. Any well-trained paratrooper keeps a steady hand on his reserve parachute. My reserve parachute is my cannabis oil medicine research. Whatever the test result, I believe it is paramount to our family that we search for any possible cures to Huntington's Disease. My Dad didn't express views on cannabis, and sadly he deteriorated until he took his own life 6 months ago in May. So this medical marijuana issue fuels a fiery passion for justice to a degree most people can't fathom. I'm grateful for the sacrifice you make on a daily basis and pray for similar courage in the next chapter of my life. Since I get medical care from the VA, I will take this opportunity to reform the VA's drug policy. I'm so sick and tired of the crappy opiates I'm hooked on for my pain. I'm hoping strong quantities of cannabis will end up helping me clear the big hurdle of ditching these pills they so readily give me. I was at Seattle Hempfest when I ran into Jodie. We walked and talked for a few minutes before she took the main stage to big applause and a great speech. I told her I watched her show, she thanked me for the "Free Marc" pin on my hat. I can't wait to see you (fingers crossed), Marc, next year, a free man."
From Craig in Portland, Maine:
"My name is Craig. I love POT.TV and the Jodie Emery Show. I respect your wife so much. From my own experience, I know she is doing time right along with you. I did three years in a Florida prison in the 90's, so I feel your loss of family. I hope to be an activist one day, any advice you have would be great. I am a medical marijuana patient. I am 37. I have several conditions; neuro-endocrine pancreatic cancer, type-two diabetes due to the cancer, and a condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasma Type One which makes it so I pass 20-30 kidney stones every month."
And from Cindy in North Vancouver, British Columbia:
"It has been a difficult month here. Mum passed on in her sleep early on October 18. She was mentally vital but her heart was damaged from two heart attacks which she had while travelling in England 12 years ago. I'd been looking after Mum and Dad for the last year, doing the daily care for them, prepping meals, keeping the place straight, and living in the guest cottage they had in the backyard… On the morning of October 18, about 4:30 in the morning, my Dad got up and noticed Mum's breathing was noisy. By 5:30 she was gone from this world. He came to my door and banged on it, I thought he had to go to the hospital but he was inconsolable and told me what had happened. The rest is a blur… We sat for a long time and he kept going in and looking at her and crying, it was so sad. "She was the love of my life!" he said amidst the sobs. Mom wanted to have her body donated to science so after calling the coroner, police, I looked that up on the internet and arranged to have her body taken to the UBC medical school for use in their anatomy classes. She was a hard-core atheist, and I must say, few people get to continue to live their convictions, but she will. The medical school will keep her body preserved so she can be used for 3 years training new medical students, and she will get positively affect thousands of lives as a result. We should all be so selfless. So life at this household has been in complete upheaval. Our precious matriarch is gone and the loss is tremendous. She was a brilliant and incredible woman. I had hoped that at some point you would get to meet her. She has read everything written by Dawkins, Ron Paul, and she was a champion for human rights before it was fashionable or even labeled. We have lost a good one here and my heart is heavy. The day she passed we had planned to go to Long & McQuade Music Store to buy some music books for you. For the funeral Mom wanted the orchestra which she conducted for 18 years to play at her service, but the only place big enough is the local Anglican church. Mom was an atheist, and Dad and all the kids are atheists, so we are amused to see how the Reverend will handle it. My concerns are about the music and food for the guests, so we'll overlook the religion inherent in the venue…"
I hope these letters I've shared with you can give you pause to appreciate your life, your health (such as it may be), your friends, your privileges, your children, and the many little wonders of our existence.
May you be filled with love and compassion over these holidays, and in the years 2012 ahead, make every effort to spread love and kindness at home, at work, in your politics and in your pleasure.
As I write this not on Christmas eve, far away from home, I would just like to tell my incomparable wife, "Jodie I am so grateful to have you as my everything. I'm honored to be your husband, and am so thankful for my great fortune in meeting you. Your love is inspiring, it certainly is…"
There are hundreds of thousands of non-violent drug war prisoners in federal prisons across the United States. Ron Paul has promised, if elected President, to pardon all who currently languish in jail and all of us with a criminal record for non-violent drug offenses. Millions of Americans have a federal criminal record for non-violent drug offenses.
2012 is the year in our history we can put an end to prohibition, free all the drug war prisoners, have all of us with convictions for cannabis and other substances pardoned, returned to our families and freed from our criminal record, at long last.
May God and the People Bless and Protect Ron Paul. Join his campaign in your state and make history happen in the next 12 months.
Merry Christmas, and a Ron Paul New Year!
Marc Emery
Yazoo Medium Security Federal Prison
Write to Marc:
Marc Emery #40252-086 Unit E-1
Yazoo Medium FCC
PO Box 5888
Yazoo City, MS
39194
Marc has 929 days left on his sentence and is quickly approaching the halfway point until he's eligible to come home. Lift his spirits with a letter or a card this holiday season. You can find all the details of how and where to write to Marc at http://www.FreeMarc.ca
The Ron Paul Revolution continues! Show your support for the man who will end the War on Drugs and should be President of the United States. Read Marc's blog about why Ron Paul should be president (including great videos of Ron Paul speaking about marijuana) by clicking here: http://www.cannabisculture.com/v2/node/29369
Big local news as Stop the Violence BC, a group of academic, legal, law enforcement and health professionals, released a report analyzing government spending on the drug war and the results of all that cost – a waste of money and a worsening situation, of course. Check out http://www.StopTheViolenceBC.org
Jodie shares a Metro newspaper article she was quoted in about a poll showing BC residents believe marijuana is safer than alcohol and is not a gateway drug. Public opinion is turning more and more in our favour!
Jodie draws the winners of two Stonerware free game packs, and shows the prizes for this week's giveaway: three limited edition "Prince of Pot" DVDs signed by Marc before he was extradited. Enter by sending an email to Jodie@cannabisculture.com
Jodie shares some recent photos of Marc from prison. See the daily countdown on Marc's remaining time to serve at http://www.FreeMarc.ca. The in-production theatrical release documentary "Citizen Marc" has received funding from Rogers Telefilm, a huge accomplishment. Stay tuned for more about the movie's release in 2012!
Support RON PAUL for PRESIDENT! He's the ONLY choice for the Republican nomination – and better than all other options for the leader of the United States. Please, read Marc's blog to find out why he is the man you should support, if you support FREEDOM, PEACE, and LIBERTY! http://www.cannabisculture.com/v2/node/29369 http://www.RonPaul2012.com
There's still time to try and convince the Canadian Senate to stop Bill C-10, which will imprison thousands of non-violent cannabis Canadians for long periods of time in the years to come. Write to the Senators with the link here: http://www.cannabisculture.com/v2/content/2011/11/17/Stop-Bill-C-10-How-Help
Jodie picks 3 winners for the FREE MARC prize packs, and shows next week's prizes for the weekly freebie feature! Email your name to jodie@cannabisculture.com to be one of 2 winners for this week's "Stonerware" game pack.
Send Marc a letter, he'd love to hear from you….
MARC EMERY #40252-086
FCI YAZOO CITY MEDIUM E-1
FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION
P.O. BOX 5888
YAZOO CITY, MS 39194
Guidelines for mail at http://www.FreeMarc.ca
Jodie gives updates about Marc's status in prison, and shares a beautiful card and personalized leather purse Marc sent to celebrate ten years of Jodie joining the Cannabis Culture forums and first contacting him.
Meet nine of Marc's fellow inmates in his latest prison blog, "A warning to Canada from inside the 'Tough On Crime' US prison system": http://www.cannabisculture.com/v2/node/29217
Cannabis activists, friends and supporters in Lethbridge, Alberta raised nearly $1000 for Marc at a recent fundraiser. Thanks to everyone who helped organize and to everyone who donated. Your efforts will help keep Marc safe and healthy behind bars, and means a lot to Jodie and all of us here at Cannabis Culture! Some clips of speeches are at the end of this video, beginning at the 9:06 mark.
Jodie joined more than a dozen other ladies at the first Vancouver meeting of the NORML Canada Women's Alliance. The next will happen in early January. Stay tuned to this show and Jodie's account on Facebook for more news on upcoming events.
Winners of the Medicinal T-shirts are announced, along with a special added prize. Enter to win one of three "FREE MARC" package prizes awarded in next week's show by sending an email to jodie@cannabisculture.com (include your size for the FREE MARC hooded sweatshirt).
Jodie shows the special cannabis-Christmas gift boxes available at "Marc Emery's Cannabis Culture Headquarters" in downtown Vancouver, BC at 307 West Hastings Street and online at http://www.cannabisculture.com/store – FREE SHIPPING in North America, and 10% off everything for the month of December!
Write to Marc when you can, he'd love to hear from you:
MARC EMERY #40252-086
FCI YAZOO CITY MEDIUM E-1
FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION
P.O. BOX 5888
YAZOO CITY, MS 39194
(Mail guidelines are at www.FreeMarc.ca)
A mega-show packed with interesting news and info! Jodie brings us up to date on Marc and the many protests and events she has attended recently. Marc's band The Yazoo 5 rocked the prison on the Thanksgiving weekend. You can read about the concert and more in Marc's latest prison blog at http://www.CannabisCulture.com and http://www.FreeMarc.ca or by going here: http://www.cannabisculture.com/v2/node/29148
Marc got a letter published in the Province newspaper and Jodie shows it along with other news from recent marijuana and prohibition related events in Vancouver. She went to one of more than 126 Conservative Member of Parliament office protests organized by http://www.LeadNow.ca last week, and then organized a protest for Prime Minister Harper's visit with Premier Christy Clark in Vancouver, which got a lot of news coverage you can see here: http://www.cannabisculture.com/v2/content/2011/11/28/Protesting-Stephen-Harpe… and here: http://www.cannabisculture.com/v2/node/29150
Jodie mentions new organizations joining the fight to end prohibition – check out and support Stop The Violence BC at http://www.StopTheViolenceBC.org and the brand new Canadian Drug Policy Coalition at http://www.DrugPolicy.ca
NEW REGULAR SEGMENT – FREE STUFF! Send Jodie your name and shirt size to jodie@cannabisculture.com this week and you could be one of five people who will each win a free women's white special edition v-neck MEDICINAL Michelle Rainey t-shirt, which were given to Jodie by the late Michelle's husband JefTek to give away. Winners to be announced with a draw on next week's show. Learn more about Michelle Rainey and support JefTek and Michelle's Foundation at http://www.MichelleRainey.com.
Coming up in Lethbridge, Alberta is the Marc Emery Fundraiser! Raffles, music, food, cash bar, fun and free stuff – and all proceeds go to Marc Emery's prison commissary account for food, phone calls, and mail. Thank you for the support, friends and fellow activists!
Saturday December 3rd, 7pm – $10
Moose Hall, 1401 5th Ave. North
Lethbridge, Alberta
The new NORML Canada Women's Alliance is having a Women's Group Meeting December 7th at The Vancouver Seed Bank, 7pm – 872 East Hastings St. Vancouver
HEMPY HOLIDAYS! The Cannabis Culture online store at http://www.CannabisCulture.com/store now has FREE SHIPPING on all orders in North America! There's also 10% off on everything all December long! (Exception: Volcano vaporizers, which are already recently reduced in price by up to $100). Be sure to visit http://www.cannabisculture.com/store for "Everything You Need But The Weed"… and 10% off!
Dearest Miss: This was such a good week! You were magnificent in capturing the zeitgeist of the current politics affecting Canadians. In the last two weeks alone you've been quoted in newspapers, appeared on TV in Vancouver, were interviewed on Toronto and Vancouver radio, did a London, England podcast and the Free Talk Live radio broadcast (talking about your upcoming appearance at the prestigious New Hampshire Liberty Forum on February 23-26), and confirmed a Sun TV news appearance for Monday, and a radio interview in your hometown Kamloops Thursday.
Even I got in on the current big debate. On Thursday, November 23rd, four previous Vancouver mayors issued a call to legalize marijuana and end cannabis prohibition, particularly imploring the Canadian Prime Minister Harper not to proceed with mandatory minimum jail sentences for cannabis under Bill C-10, which is likely to pass in the current Canadian Conservative-controlled Parliament.
On Friday morning, the Province newspaper led their Letters to the Editor page with my full letter and remarks under the bold headline, "Politicos only say war on drugs is a failure after they’ve quit", and a photo of you with the massive FREE MARC banner in the background. In my letter I impugn the integrity of the current elected officeholders in Canada and the US who refuse to concede to the democratic will to legalize marijuana and recognize the folly of prohibition.
Right: Marc's LTE in The Province (click to view)
While it's hopeful that four former mayors have made crystal clear the urgency and necessity of ending prohibition to restore justice, the safety of our streets and our individual freedom to choose, it remains disturbing that virtually no politician currently in elected office at any level advocates this.
It is a political irony that these former mayors, former presidents of Colombia, Brazil and Mexico, former governors, hundreds of other previously elected and now former officials throughout the world, along with hundreds of former police officers, all declare the war on drugs a counter-productive failure, a gift to organized crime and a threat to the stability of several nations, but none of them acted on this while in the political authority of their elected or appointed office.
There is an unfathomable disconnect between actually holding political office and doing the right thing when it comes to ending prohibition. Even with majorities in the U.S. and Canada favouring the legalization of marijuana, no serious action occurs in the parliaments, statehouses, legislatures and congresses of Canada, Mexico or the United States to further this desire. Nor is any rational explanation for this dereliction of democratic will and common sense offered by the authorities in office. Why?
– Marc Emery, U.S. federal prison, Yazoo City, Miss.
As the media continued to cover the news about the four former mayors joining Stop The Violence BC to condemn prohibition, and question the current Vancouver Mayor, Gregor Robertson, in this regard, they noticed he had added his voice to the call and issued the following Tweet online Thursday night:
@MayorGregor: Good to see 4 Vancouver ex-mayors calling for end of cannabis prohibition. I agree, we need to be smart and tax/regulate.
The news coverage of that Tweet got a number of quotes from the current mayor about how prohibition is a failure. And this happened right after my recent blog called him and others out for never publicly endorsing legalization despite knowing he ought to. So now he is on record endorsing legalization as the newly re-elected mayor. Oh, my sweet wife, this is wonderful to see!
On that very same Friday, you held signs up and delivered slogans with your enviable lung power at an appearance by the Prime Minister and the Premier of BC at Telus Science World in Vancouver. Your message that prohibition only benefits the politicians, police and gangsters was the dominant media talking point of the day, thanks to you, despite both the PM and Premier being there announcing funding for the facility.
Your presence even had the media grilling the Prime Minister on the crime bill, and while he rejected your assertions categorically, as he insists always on doing, you had the media being your conduit to the PM! Fantastic! I loved hearing your appearance on the CTV news segment about the mayors and Harper's visit, when you played it over the phone for me. Oh, dear Jodie, you've done such a great job. Almost every media outlet had your message, succinct and to the point.
You are so inspiring! Together, Team Emery made tremendous political impact in these last few days! And to top it all off, on that Friday night, as part of the Thanksgiving weekend concerts here at the prison, my rock and roll band THE YAZOO 5, played a 55-minute performance from 7pm to 8pm. Our nine-song set went very well, I had a wonderful time! I knew our songs and had them thoroughly practiced. We were outdoors with fully amplified electric equipment and were deliciously loud on a clear evening with 65 degree Fahrenheit temperature, just the right amount of light, playing under an open big sky. My bass guitar work was so improved, I wasn't even nervous at any time throughout the concert or even before.
Our band is made up of TC, a black Mississippian, originally of Detroit, who loves soul, country and R&B; Sapp, a terrific black drummer from Florida who picks up on an unfamiliar song immediately; Victor, also our vocalist and wonderful rhythm guitarist, an Hispanic American who loves rock and country; my good friend Terry, the virtuoso Hendrix guitarist with 20 years of professional performing experience (who knows how to play almost every song ever!); and I, who, after six months of playing bass, have done three concerts now and am getting pretty good! TC is a brilliant singer and does soulful vocals on Stormy Monday, Hotel California, I Can See Clearly Now, and Red House. Victor does wonderful country vocals on Way Out Here, Out in the Backwoods, Killing Time, and he finally nailed the vocals to Voodoo Child and Purple Haze.
My only disappointment is that I'd love to put on a show with the band every weekend – it's so thrilling. Our next concerts will, in fact, be over the Christmas and New Year's Day holiday weekends. We'll be adding Don't Stop Believing (Journey), Blue on Black (Kenny Wayne Shepherd), Don't Blink (Kenny Chesney), and Sitting on the Dock of the Bay (Otis Redding) for those shows, and probably dropping Purple Haze. I also know how to play bass on White Room, Wind Cries Mary, Money, All Along the Watchtower, Sunshine of Your Love, Johnny B. Goode, I Shot The Sheriff, Stir It Up, No Woman, No Cry, and Tightrope. Terry knows the lead on all those songs too, so we might bring some of those out in the new year.
I've just finished a terrific 850-page time travel novel that had me absorbed over eight days, written by Stephen King, called 11/22/63. I enthusiastically recommend this book. In a sleepy town in Maine (where else for Stephen King?), a modest teacher named Jake is shown a time travel portal at the back of the diner owned by his friend Al. Through this portal, you go from the year 2011 back to September, 1958. Always the same day, same time, same place. Al has been going back to September 1958 hundreds of times over the past few years to buy meats at 1958 prices for his diner. With each trip into 1958, Al does change the past, and it's fixed in time, until the next jaunt back into '58, and then the past is reset back to the status quo. And when he returns from 1958 through the portal, only two minutes has elapsed in 2011 time, no matter how long Al or Jake has stayed in the past. Al gets it in his head to go back to stop Lee Harvey Oswald from killing President John Kennedy, which Al hopes will prevent the Vietnam War, the assassinations of M.L. King and Robert Kennedy. But by 1962, while shadowing Oswald, living off the winnings from gambling on sports he knows the outcome of, Al gets irreversible cancer, and has to return to 2011 to recruit English teacher Jake to do the job.
What I've told you is established in just the first 40 pages, the next 800 are engrossing, thrilling and disturbing. Throughout the book the reader is teased with the premise "if you could, would you, should you?" The past is obdurate – a new word I learned, meaning the past resists changes. The past doesn't want to be disturbed, and puts roadblocks in the way of those change agents who come into the past. With every page I was thinking about the implications of the premises established by this book, so when I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it.
It's also a touching love story, Jodie, and it made me think of us. The distance between us, the time (955 days) remaining until we're together again, the strength of our commitment, and the romance we have always had. Time and space. I love my incredible Mrs. Emery!
And when I wasn't thinking about the implications of changing the past, it was because those nine songs for my concert were in my head, morning, noon and nighttime too! Waking up and as I fell to sleep, I could hear my bass lines to Killing Time, Way Out Here, Stormy Monday, and the others. That's something new in my life, Miss, that I'm really enjoying, this hearing songs I am working on in my head at all times of the day.
Can't wait to see you on December 10th and 11th! Congratulations on your terrific work getting the Prime Minister's attention, and getting our message into the news. I'm excited to have you seek a Liberal or NDP nomination in the 2015 election. Qualified as I feel I am, I might have too much baggage to seek elected office successfully – but you, everyone loves you, Miss, you are so classy and so wise for your age. I am so honoured to be your husband!
Marc's early release date is down to 958 days. The White House says "No comment" to the Pardon Marc Emery petition, despite over 8,000 signatures. See the story at http://www.FreeMarc.ca
Leadnow.ca organized protests at Conservative MP's offices across Canada in opposition to Prime Minister Harper's crime bill. Jodie and CC editor Jeremiah Vandermeer attended one right after this video was filmed. Join http://www.LeadNow.ca for news alerts about ways to be active across Canada!
Marc loves hearing from friends and supporters, especially when the holiday season begins and loneliness is stronger than ever. Here is Marc's address:
MARC EMERY #40252-086
FCI YAZOO CITY MEDIUM E-1
FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION
P.O. BOX 5888
YAZOO CITY, MS 39194
"We've got everything you need, except the weed"! Visit http://www.CannabisCulture.com/store and show your support for Marc Emery's Cannabis Culture Headquarters, with our massive store in downtown Vancouver at 307 West Hastings Street. Open every day of the year except Christmas Day and New Year's Day!
Canadians are taking action! Sign the petition to help stop Bill C-10, the US-style drug laws being pushed through Parliament by Prime Minister Harper and the Conservatives. Sign the petition at http://www.Avaaz.org and send letters to all of your politicians telling them you do not want Harper's Crazy on Crime Bill at http://www.LeadNow.ca — Go to http://cannabisculture.com/v2/content/2011/11/17/Stop-Bill-C-10-How-Help for links to these super simple ways to have an impact!
Activist friends and supporters in Lethbridge Canada are holding a second Free Marc fundraiser! Saturday December 3rd, Moose Hall at 1401 5th Ave. doors at 6:45pm. Bands, raffles, prizes, cash bar and food! 100% of proceeds go to Marc in prison.
Check out Marc's latest blog "Gangster Governments and the Drug War" at http://freemarc.ca and send him a holiday letter to the address posted there.
Get ready for Hempy Holidays by visiting our store at 307 West Hastings St. in Vancouver or stopping by our online store at http://www.cannabisculture.com/store
Stay in touch and right up to date with Jodie and Marc online:
http://www.Facebook.com/PrinceOfPot
http://www.Facebook.com/JodieEmery
http://www.Facebook.com/MarcEmery
http://www.Twitter.com/JodieEmery
http://www.Twitter.com/MarcScottEmery
Marc enjoys your letters. You can write to him at:
MARC EMERY #40252-086
FCI YAZOO CITY MEDIUM E-1
FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION
P.O. BOX 5888
YAZOO CITY, MS 39194
The rules for what you can send in the mail are posted with the address at http://www.FreeMarc.ca
