>Sender: >To: >X-Original-Message-ID: <038301bf246d$8e56c670$9acf69cf@pacbell.net> >From: "Peter McWilliams" >Subject: The time to help me is now >Date: Mon, 1 Nov 1999 05:32:32 -0800 >X-Mozilla-Status: 8001 >X-Mozilla-Status2: 00000000 > > >Dear Friends, > >Many of you have been kind enough in the past to offer your help, and I've >responded that, when help was needed, I would let you know. > >That time is now. > >The help I need is getting my case before the American public by way of the >media. > >I am something of a "poster boy" for medical marijuana, in that my case is >arguably the most egregious example of Drug War "zero tolerance" (scorched >earth) policy and federal deception versus medical compassion and scientific >fact. But there's no point being a poster boy if no one circulates your >poster. That's why your help is invaluable, and most important right now. > >I have specifically set up the www.petertrial.com site so the media can get >what they need to create a story. The media, however, needs to be directed >to it, with a brief personal note from you telling them why you think my >story is important. > >Please contact the media you personally rely on for news and >information--the newspapers you read, the magazines you subscribe to, the >news programs you watch, the talk radio you listen to. Story ideas from >actual readers, viewers, and listeners mean a great deal to the media. > >All media have web sites with e-mail addresses you can write to. Usually the >editor, publisher, or editor-in-chief is a good place to start. Also, e-mail >directly specific reporters, commentators, and talk-show hosts you admire. >To begin a letter, "As a longtime subscriber (viewer, listener, admirer)..." >makes a world of difference. > >Don't underestimate the power of the telephone. It is not that difficult to >get an editor, reporter, or talk-show producer on the phone. At the very >least, you can leave a message, and messages do make a difference. > >In all cases, please refer them to www.petertrial.com > >Your e-mail or phone call need not be elaborate. Something simple will do. >For example, "As a longtime subscriber to _______________, I think there is >an important story you have yet to cover. It concerns a cancer-AIDS patient >who lies near death because the federal government refuses to let him use >the medical marijuana his doctor recommends. Please go to www.petertrial.com >for the full story. Sincerely," then give your full name, address, and phone >number. > >Please don't spam news organizations, but personalize each e-mail. Please >send out dozens, hundreds of e-mails, but one at a time. If you feel my >cause worthy, please ask others on your e-mail list to contact the media >they use to gather news. > >Also, considering the "six degrees of separation" between us all, you might >contact friends and friends of friends to see who they might know in the >media. A familiar name dropped at the beginning of an e-mail or on a phone >message can mean a lot. > >With my trial but 16 days away and my health rapidly fading, please use >whatever energy you have set aside for my eulogy me to keep me alive. To >quote from the prophet in the film "Bullworth," "We need your spirit, not >your ghost." The medical marijuana movement has enough martyrs (ghosts). We >need some living spirits to manifest our just and compassionate cause. I'd >like to be one. > >The media is our last, best hope. Please help me spread the word. > >Thank you. > >Take good care. > >Enjoy, > >Peter McWilliams > > > > > > > >================================================================ > >This message is sent to you because you are subscribed to > the mailing list . >To unsubscribe, E-mail to: