Fox 8

[fatassparty]

www.fox8live.com

Again we're on the news.. grrr.

saying that the ban of pacifers has saved so many lives already. lol.

[El Cártel Malo]

If they want to save more lives, WHY DON'T THEY BAN ALCOHOL? (not that I would want that), but it doesn't make since. More more people die every year from alcohol related accidents then from "Rave deaths"! What's with the word RAVE anyway? ITS A FUCKING CONCERT!!! Headliners + Arena + Ticket Sales = CONCERT. They talk about one 17 year old dieing at that event. What about the 6 people who died at OzzFest 2000 (Not from so-called Rave drugs either)? Its all about the MONEY! Do you think they would shut an event down if someone like Clear Channel (Edge, Eagle, etc radio stations) hosted it?

Our irresponsibility has caused this situation. The government is merely doing it's job by trying to enforce the laws of the land.

But I think that infringing on the Bill of Rights is uncalled for. I'm glad we have guys like Joe Cook watching out for crap like this.

I anxiously await the day where the general public is focused on something else that's new, strange and threatening to them.

[fatassparty]

By CAIN BURDEAU
The Associated Press
6/20/03 7:34 PM


NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Federal prosecutors hailed a federal appeals court ruling Friday as a victory in their efforts to curb illegal drug use at high energy, all night dance parties known as raves.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that an agreement, worked out between the government and a rave club in New Orleans, can be enforced although it bans legal playthings like giant pacifiers, glow sticks and mentholated inhalers.

Prosecutors say the stuff is Ecstasy paraphernalia that promotes illegal drug use.

In 2001, federal prosecutors said the case was the first use of crackhouse laws against raves operators, who prosecutors said promote drug use by selling the paraphernalia.

Enforcing the ban was "in the public interest to save lives," U.S. Attorney Jim Letten said at a news conference on Friday. "I don't know how many kids are alive and walking around today because of this."

In August, 2001, the agreement was challenged by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of rave participants and performers who used glowing masks and costumes in their performances.

The plaintiffs argued that the ban violated their constitutional rights.

U.S. District Judge Thomas Porteous agreed with the ACLU and ruled that the restrictions violated the First Amendment rights of rave participants.

But the appeals court said the lower court ruling "violated the principles of finality" of federal criminal procedures and the "principles of judicial restraint and the separation of powers."

"If the government wants to combat illegal substance abuse they shouldn't do it through some type of plea agreement that has a criminal defendant violating the general public's rights -- the freedom of expression, or any right for that matter," said Joe Cook, the state director of the ACLU.

"We still believe that they should not ban inherently legal objects that are used in expressive communication because a few people use the same legal items to enhance the effects of an illegal substance," Cook said.

He said he feared the government would use more plea agreements to violate people's rights.

The plea agreement, announced in June, 2001, came after prosecutors had the rave organizers and promoter indicted under federal laws aimed at shutting down crack houses.

Indicted were Robert Brunet, 37, of Metairie; his brother, Brian Brunet, 33, of Tampa, Fla.; and promoter James Estopinal, 32, of New Orleans.

The plea agreement protected the Brunets and Estopinal from criminal charges. Their company, Barbeque of New Orleans, pleaded guilty to the crackhouse violation, was fined $100,000 and agreed to ban the supposedly drug-related items from future raves. The company leased a downtown theater to hold the parties.

According to federal prosecutors, between December, 1997, and March, 2000, more than 70 people overdosed on drugs at the club, called the State Palace Theater, and one 17-year-old died.

The appeals court noted that drug abuse at the club appeared to decrease after the organizers implemented restrictions.

[Satchel]

"Prosecutors say the stuff is Ecstasy paraphernalia that promotes illegal drug use. "

LOL yeah if I see someone running around with a giant pacifier in their mouth, I am just dying to try what they are on.

[Adam D]

Etards were always my anti-drug.

[fatassparty]

Originally posted by Adam D
Etards were always my anti-drug.

YES INDEED!! thank you