THE RAVE ACT IS BACK!!! LOOK OUT!!!

[TheMojoPin]

I've been out of the scene for a good two years now, but the infamous "rave act" is rearing its ugly head again. Essentially, this will end up classifying "raves" or gatherings that law enforcement designate as "raves" on the level of crack houses. A lot of clubs need to crack down on drugs, but this gives basically universal power to arrest promoters, club owners and party-goers since drugs MIGHT be at the club, and underage kids MIGHT have snuck in. NO GOOD.

If they can do this to "raves", it's one BIG step to applying the same towards "normal" clubs. Very scary.

[quote]***EMERGENCY - JOE BIDEN TRYING TO SNEAK RAVE ACT INTO S151 Conference***
*** CALL YOUR SENATOR NOW ***

Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) is at this very moment attempting to sneak the RAVE
Act into conference committee on the National AMBER Alert Network Act of
2003 (S151). S151 is a popular bill about child abduction and has nothing
to do with drug issues. S151 has already been passed by the Senate and
House and is now in Conference. In contrast, the RAVE Act has not passed
even one single committee this year. It did pass a committee last year, but
was so controversial two Senators withdrew their sponsorship after the vote.

This means that if the RAVE Act passes the conference committee, it is
likely to become law without ever having a hearing, a debate or a vote.
Drug Policy Alliance has been told that Senator Biden has told other
conference committee members, incorrectly, that the ACLU is no longer in
opposition to the action. He also has told conferees that nightclub owners
now support him (on the basis of one group that switched sides). If the act
makes it into the conference language it is likely to become law. It must
be stopped now.

PHONE YOUR SENATORS and Conference Committee Members (Background information
below). DO IT NOW. If you do not respond to this alert, the controversial
RAVE Act is likely to become law and it will be much harder to fix.

ACTIONS TO TAKE:

1. The following Members of Congress are on the conference committee. They
need to hear from you IF AND ONLY IF you live in their district. Please be
polite. Just tell them that you oppose the RAVE Act, that it is
controversial and it should not be included in the conference language of
S151. Don't stay on the phone long. Ask as many people as you can to call
them.

HOUSE:
James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) - 202/225-5101
Howard Coble (R-NC) - 202/225-3065
Lamar Smith (R-TX) - 202/225-4236
Mark Green (R-WI)- 202/225-5665
Melissa Hart (R-PA)- 202/225-2565
John Conyers (D-MI) - 202/225-5126
Bobby Scott (D-VA) - - 202/225-8351

SENATE:
Orrin Hatch (R-UT) - 202/224-5251
Charles Grassley (R-IA) - 202/224-3744
Jeff Sessions (R-AL) - 202/224-4124
Lindsey Graham (R-SC) - 202/224-5972
Patrick Leahy (D-VT) - 202/224-4242
Ted Kennedy (D-MA) - 202/224-4543
Joseph Biden (D-DE) - 202/224-5042

2. Everyone in the U.S. - You have two Senators who can weigh in on this
issue with the conferees. A list of your Senators by state can be found at
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm. Please
call your Senators at the Capitol Switchboard at 202/224-3121 - please tell
them that the RAVE Act is very controversial. Senator Biden is holding up
the AMBER Act by placing controversial bill in conference. Urge them to
oppose the RAVE Act by contacting the Senate conferees and asking them to
leave it off the measure so that there will at least be a hearing on this
issue.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Congress is considering two pieces of legislation that could create
disincentives for club owners to have water, ambulances and paramedics
available at large dance events. The bills might also threaten live music
and dancing. If enacted, either bill could prevent you from hearing your
favorite band or DJ live. Every musical style would be affected, including
rock and roll, Hip Hop, country, and electronic music. The proposed laws
could also shut down hemp festivals, circuit parties, and other events
governm

[TheMojoPin]

What, you people don't go out at all? Fuck, and you say I'M a loser for having so many posts...losers.

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[FiveB247]

I think they have good intentions and everyone's interest at heart. Don't be unpatriotic and quesiton or argue with your officials. God Bless America.

Is that how it goes?

[erole]

i don't rave.
never been to one.
never want to.
if the language of this act possibly allows the innocent to be charged with crimes then this thing can not pass.
i do get the feeling that promoters and club owners who allow raves know what's going on...not all, but more than most.
this is all speculation on my part from quite a distance away, but you have to be a real ass not to know there will be drugs.
maybe there can be a middle ground which requires more responcibility from owners to police the club, and if it is founded that the owner did not live up to a higher standard of safety then that owner should get prosecuted at the same level as a drug user/dealer.

<IMG SRC="http://members.hometown.aol.com/frigginbooger/myhomepage/rensig.jpg">
~he knows a little of everything
and a lot about nothin'

[TheMojoPin]

Most know there will be drugs, and most try on at least some level to prevent it or keep it down...it's just hard to keep it totally out in that kind of environment. But this is jumping to a whole new level and allowing police to essentially declare something illegal before it's even happened, or if they simply suspect it of happening. And this can easily be applied to ANY kind of club or musical event, not just raves...

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[ChickenHawk]

<center><b>
<font face="Trebuchet MS" style="font-size: 24pt" color="#1945AA">LONGEST.</font></b><center><b>
<font face="Trebuchet MS" style="font-size: 24pt" color="#1945AA">POST.</font></b>
<center><b>
<font face="Trebuchet MS" style="font-size: 24pt" color="#1945AA">EVER.</font></b>

<IMG SRC="http://homepage.mac.com/fathernoel/.Pictures/parodysig.gif">
SIG CURRENTLY STUNTING * NEW SIG COMING THIS SPRING

[Bama]

And here I thought all the democrats in the senate supported drugged out hippies. I'm so damn disillusioned right now.

Rave = crack house

Both are good

<img src="http://czm.racknine.net/images/bamanation.jpg">
Thanks Bobimpact and CZM!
http://bobimpact.coolfreepage.com

[Se7en]

I think they have good intentions and everyone's interest at heart. Don't be unpatriotic and quesiton or argue with your officials. God Bless America.

Is that how it goes?

I think it's more basic than that. "Fuck the druggies" is probably more accurate.


<img border="0" src="http://Se7enRFNet.homestead.com/files/se7en.jpg" width="300" height="100">

I'm not telling you anything that you don't already know.

"I was here before the oceans turned black with life, and when the deserts are white with death I will remain."
---Saint Iago

[TheMojoPin]

Dear Lord.

Someone get me the big stick.

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[A.J.]

The bigger crime is that you got away with posting an entire article.

<IMG SRC="http://www.silentspic.com/images/sighost/ajdcsig.jpg">

A Skidmark production.

http://www.internerd.com/frink.retired/frinkv.2/stuff/littlepc.gif

[TheMojoPin]

T'would be true if it t'were an article. How is one supposed to link to an e-mail?

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2% << FREE YERDADDY! >> "You can tell some lies about the good times you've had/But I've kissed your mother twice and now I'm working on your dad..."

[A.J.]

T'would be true if it t'were an article. How is one supposed to link to an e-mail?


"Well ... don't I feel like the fuckin' asshole."

http://www.destinationhollywood.com/celebrities/images/jacknicholson_fewgoodmen_02.jpg

<IMG SRC="http://www.silentspic.com/images/sighost/ajdcsig.jpg">

A Skidmark production.

http://www.internerd.com/frink.retired/frinkv.2/stuff/littlepc.gif

[DarkHippie]

I think it's more basic than that. "Fuck the druggies" is probably more accurate
se7en, what about the law-abiding businessmen trying to run a bar? what about the law-abiding patrons of that bar (they will surely be harassed). what if this was used with the smoking ban in new york, where bars would be fined if someone had cigarettes in a bar?

<IMG SRC=http://thereisnogod.faithweb.com/images/darkhippie2.gif>
<i>LABELS ARE FOR PRODUCTS, NOT PEOPLE! DON'T HUG A TREE, PLANT ONE!
</i><a href=http://www.freeopendiary.com/entrylist.asp?authorcode=A537085>Gonads and Strife: a journal</a>

[TheMojoPin]

Like I've said, I have been to a "rave" or rave-type event in more than two years, but this bill bothers me because I DO love going to concerts and musical events. A LOT. And this can easily be applied to concerts or club shows, and that's not cool...

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[TooCute]

se7en, what about the law-abiding businessmen trying to run a bar? what about the law-abiding patrons of that bar (they will surely be harassed). what if this was used with the smoking ban in new york, where bars would be fined if someone had cigarettes in a bar?



It's okay, because at least the Iraqis will be free!!!

<img src=http://thereisnogod.faithweb.com/images/toocute2.gif>
!! 2% !!<font color=white>

[TheMojoPin]

Please don't bring Iraq into my thread. That's all I ask. This is for the MUSIC!

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2% << FREE YERDADDY! >> "You can tell some lies about the good times you've had/But I've kissed your mother twice and now I'm working on your dad..."

[TheMojoPin]

Again, this is an e-mail, so I have no link to link with...

THE RAVE ACT IS MOVING!
IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO STOP IT: FAX YOUR SENATORS & EMAIL THIS TO
YOUR
FRIENDS

Late on Tuesday, April 8, a Senate and House Conference
Committee,
without a hearing, public notice or a debate in Congress,
attached
the Illicit Drug Anti-Proliferation Act (formerly known as the
RAVE
Act) to the Amber Alert Bill (a child abduction bill).

It is not too late to stop the bill - Fax your senators. The
main
floor fight is likely to take place in the Senate in the next
12-24
hours so do it NOW
http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/action/index.asp?step=2&item=1578

Representatives John Conyers (D-MI) and Bobby Scott (D-VA)
valiantly
opposed this sneaky effort to pass controversial legislation.
Unfortunately they were outvoted and RAVE Act provisions did
become
part of the bill. These provisions make it clear that
"crackhouse
laws" apply to temporary events, such as concerts, dances or
festivals, and add civil penalties of up to $250,000 to the
statute. If passed, property owners can be punished for any
drug
offense that their customers commit - even if they work hard to
stop
such offenses. This is likely to deter nightclub and stadium
owners
from holding events.

On a more positive note, the word "rave" and an earlier
"findings"
section that implied that water, glow sticks and other legal
items
could be construed as evidence of drug use have been removed
from the
bill. We hope that this will ensure that nightclub and other
property
owners will not be prosecuted for having these legal items
available
to customers. Your faxes achieved this!

With your help we will continue to fight to remove the RAVE Act
provisions from the AMBER Alert legislation, even if the Senate
and
House act and the President signs the bill into law. We urge
you to
take immediate action.

Fax your two Senators to let them know that you oppose the
inclusion
of RAVE Act provisions in the AMBER Alert Bill. The main floor
fight
is likely to take place in the Senate in the next 12-24 hours
http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/action/index.asp?step=2&item=1578

Let Representatives John Conyers and Bobby Scott know that you
appreciate their fight. Write a thank you note, card, postcard,
or e-
mail:

Representative John Conyers
669 Federal Office Building
231 West Lafayette Boulevard
Detroit, MI 48226
John.Conyers@mail.house.gov <mailto:John.Conyers@mail.house.gov>
mailto:John.Conyers@mail.house.gov

Representative Bobby Scott
The Jackson Center
501 N Second Street
Richmond, VA 23219
bobby.scott@mail.house.gov <mailto:bobby.scott@mail.house.gov>
mailto:bobby.scott@mail.house.gov

Thank you to everyone who responded to our earlier e-mail
alerts, and
to the hard work of all of our coalition partners in the
electronic
dance, beverage and hotel industries, along with freedom of
speech
and public health organizations. We especially wish to thank
those
people who responded to our sign-on letter - Representative
Conyers
read parts of it to the Conference Committee.

Finally, we want you to know that regardless of whether these
provisions pass or not, Drug Policy Alliance and our coalition
partners will work with you to mobilize to protect property
owners
and prevent the further criminalization of dance or music
events. We
will scrutinize law enforcement raids of clubs and properties.
We
will work to find ways to help property owners, hotel owners,
nightclub owners and others to keep their customers safe.
Finally we
will continue to advocate for legislation that helps ensure the
safety and free speech of the dance and music community and of
all
people who are affected by this law.

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[TheMojoPin]

Well, the act passed. The word "rave" was actually taken from the bill in its entirety, so that's good for rave fans, but actually might be bad for fans of clubs/concerts/music & event venues, period, since it essentially gives the power to shut down events before they even happen simply under the assumption that ANY kind or amount of drugs might be there.

The sleaziest thing was that this was tacked onto the AMBER-alert bill by Senator Biden (D-DE), knowing full well that no decent person would vote down something as valuable as a bill stepping up our nation's efforts to track down and rescue kidnapped children.

The "Rave act", can however, be repealed, and people will be fighting against it, such as Senators Durbin, Kennedy and Leahy and Representatives Conyers and Scott.

Attorney General John Ashcroft will have to make decisions about its enforcement priority among the many public safety issues the Department of Justice handles. He must be held responsible when he implements this scheme. We should want him to know that he is not free to shut down our dance clubs, our festivals and our freedoms. We will be watching the activities of law enforcement and prosecutors, and we will act when our rights are violated.

And to those of you that STILL think is only about "raves", remember this goes far beyond that, and could threaten your ability to go to ANY type of club or musical even/concert when you wish to. It could even be used to stop R&F show events at bars. NO GOOD.

The RAVE Act threatens free speech and musical expression while placing at risk any hotel/motel owner, concert promoter, event organizer, nightclub owner or arena/stadium owner for the drug violations of 3rd parties - real or alleged - even if the event promoter and/or property owner made a good-faith effort to keep their event drug-free. It applies not just to electronic-music parties, but to any type of public gathering, including theatrical productions, rock concerts, DJ nights at local bars, and potentially even political rallies. It gives heightened powers and discretion to prosecutors, who may use it to target events they personally don't like - such as Hip-Hop events and gay and lesbian fundraisers.

Fightin' it until the end...whenever that may be...

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This message was edited by TheMojoPin on 4-11-03 @ 4:37 PM

[El Mudo]

Senator Joe Biden (D-DE)


Gee, aren't the "Evil- Minority Hating Right Wing Conspiracy Conservatives" sposed to be the ones taking away freedoms?



....Garry Owen....

[TheMojoPin]

Says who? Anyone who's paid attention to my politcal posts should know that I have no more love for the Democrats than I do for the Republicans...hell, the leading pusher of the notion of entertainment censorship is uber-Democrat Joe Lieberman...the Dems disappoint and alienate me just as easily and as often as the Republicans.

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This message was edited by TheMojoPin on 4-11-03 @ 4:58 PM

[TheMojoPin]

If you're just going to laugh it up over this, please don't bother sharing. Some of us still enjoy going to concerts/clubs for a good, fun music-related happening. The rest of you can go be lame, soulless dinkpoles elsewhere.

Have you ever wanted to dance for a good cause? Here's your
chance. On Saturday, May 31, protest gatherings will be held in
cities across the country to call for repeal of the RAVE Act.
Click here to find a protest near you.
http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=44631&l=1849

A lot of you out there know what it takes to throw a good party
- promotion, DJs or a band, a sound system, and a big crowd.
The same can be said for a good protest. Help us make these
events a success by showing up. If you can't be at one of the
protests on May 31, please donate today so that we can make sure
these events make the biggest impact possible on Congress and
the White House.

And to make sure our message is heard loud and clear in
Washington, DC, do us a favor and call your Representatives and
Senators to let them know about the protest. To find out who
your federal legislators are, use our legislative directory
http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=44631&l=1850

Tell your Members of Congress that you support the protests against
the RAVE Act occurring around the country on May 31st. Tell them
the RAVE Act was passed without debate and without a full vote
of Congress, that it violates fundamental civil liberties and
that you want it repealed or amended to protect innocent
business owners, public health, and free speech.

Because of you, the campaign to repeal the RAVE Act is growing.
Together we've raised nearly $16,000 on-line for our efforts.
However, that will only go so far in what's sure to be a long
fight. If you haven't already given to this effort, please do
so now.

Like we said in our last e-mail about the RAVE Act: If you're
willing to shell out $10 to see your favorite band or listen to
your favorite DJ, will you give $10 to protect the scene from
this outrageous law? If you can give more, please do so. Please
give at: http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=44631&l=1851

The Drug Policy Alliance is reaching hundreds of thousands of
people with our campaign. Since the RAVE Act was signed into
law in April, we've:

-- Placed a print ad in an industry magazine that reaches 50,000
people;

-- Generated commentaries and news stories in Rolling Stone,
Billboard Magazine, Circuit Noize, the Washington Blade,
Newsweek,
http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=44631&l=1853 the
Miami Herald, and newspapers across the country through the
Associated Press; and

-- Urged voters to call their Members of Congress on dozens of
radio shows from California to New York.

We are working in coalition to repeal the law and we expect to
get a bill introduced soon. We are working to make the RAVE Act
an issue in the next election and we are acting as a watchdog to
ensure that the DEA and others will not trample on the rights of
electronic dance fans. Drug Policy Alliance is also working
overtime to strip provisions from a House bill known as the
CLEAN-UP Act that will destroy live music if passed.

Thanks for your hard work for this effort. Please attend the
protests, call your representatives, send a donation
http://actioncenter.drugpolicy.org/ctt.asp?u=44631&l=1852 and
keep spreading the word.

We would like to give a very special thank you to the groups
that have made these protests possible, including the Northwest
Late Night Coalition, DANCEmusic, the Culture Defense Project,
and ROAR!: The National Dance and Music Rights Alliance


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2% << December boys got it BAD. >> "You can tell some lies about the good times you've had/But I've kissed your mother twice and now I'm working on your dad..."

[Vee]

I've never been into the whole rave scene myself, and the only drug I've ever done was the good ole gateway drug that hooks you to all those others. But this act disgusts me. Unless club security gets more secure than airport security, anyone can sneak something in. You can just put some goods in saran wrap in put it into a girl's cootch.. or in your nether regons. You'd probably sell the cooter ones better though. You can call them Cooter Snacks!
Seriously though... If I stick some weed in my ass crack and slip in a club, the owner can lose it if I get caught? Am I reading this right?
And they're trying to associate this with the Amber Alert system, who noone in their right mind would oppose?

I quit society...

[Heavy]

If you ask me its long over due. Everyone knows what happens in these places and guess what......if youre not doing shit wrong you have nothing to worry about!!! All I ever hear about violating your rights BAH......I love when people blame the law for cathcing them breaking the law! YOURE NOT SUPOSSED TO GET AWAY WITH ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES

Mad props to Fluff for the sig and C.O.soup for hosting!
<img src="http://publish.hometown.aol.com/canofsoup15/images/jwaddsig.gif">
138%

Yes, he is hung like a horse. One female porn star describes having sex with Johneewadd as like giving birth.

This message was edited by johneewadd on 5-30-03 @ 5:29 PM

[TheMojoPin]

If you ask me its long over due. Everyone knows what happens in these places and guess what......if youre not doing shit wrong you have nothing to worry about!!!

Wrong.

In the past, this was true, but this act essentially gives local law enforcement the ability to shut down ANY club/dance/concert/music event where the think or assume or guess narcotic use/selling is going on. They can go ahead and just shut down event ahead of time, even if it has properly paid all fees and obtained all permits, etc..

They don't want the local radio fesitval going down? Shut down. Don't want the newest metal group coming to town? Shut down. Don't want the hottest hip-hop tour passing through? Shut down. Don't like the look of that punk band? Shut down. Hate Phish (I know, who doesn't?)? Shut down. "There could have been drugs and underage kids there! Had to do it!"

This isn't about raves, at least not for me. I go to concerts at least 3, 4 times a month, and this thing could start shutting them down just because someone thinks MAYBE some drug use will be there.

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2% << December boys got it BAD. >> "You can tell some lies about the good times you've had/But I've kissed your mother twice and now I'm working on your dad..."

This message was edited by TheMojoPin on 5-30-03 @ 6:23 PM

[The Jays]

.... but, but.... I can't stop raving....

<font color="blue" face="Trebuchet MS" size=-2> Fuck what you heard.</font>
<font color="blue" face="Trebuchet MS" size=-2> That cab has a dent in it.</font> [center]
[center]http://groups.yahoo.com/group/morecoolestgroup/files/house.gif

[TheMojoPin]

You should. It's going nowhere, and it rots your teeth.

<img src="http://members.hostedscripts.com/randomimage.cgi?user=TheMojoPin">
2% << December boys got it BAD. >> "You can tell some lies about the good times you've had/But I've kissed your mother twice and now I'm working on your dad..."

[Se7en]

Finally, some repression!

If you're just going to laugh it up over this, please don't bother sharing. Some of us still enjoy going to concerts/clubs for a good, fun music-related happening.

And for the drugs.

Lots and lots of drugs.

<img border="0" src="http://se7enrfnet.homestead.com/files/captainamerica.jpg" width="300" height="100">

[TheMojoPin]

I support this act fully if it means the Rolling Stones and any other rock band with members over the age of 50 are never allowed to play anywhere ever again.

<img src="http://members.hostedscripts.com/randomimage.cgi?user=TheMojoPin">
2% << December boys got it BAD. >> "You can tell some lies about the good times you've had/But I've kissed your mother twice and now I'm working on your dad..."



This message was edited by TheMojoPin on 5-31-03 @ 1:44 AM

[Vee]

I support this act fully if it means the Rolling Stones and any other rock band with members over the age of 50 are never allowed to play anywhere ever again.


Yeah, but thats not going to happen because those are the groups in the age range of the people enforcing these rules, so these are the only ones that'll be left!

On the other hand though, if we go and plant some goods at these concerts, we can report them and get rid of them forever. Muahaha!
Eh, but so much effort...