Join us for the 420 Smoke Out in 2012!

[Nimrod]

At last, some of the passion I was expecting to see from page 1 of this thread, instead of the load of nimby-ing "Why should I bother getting off my arse to do anything about it?" selfish shite that seemed to kick it off; honestly I thought I'd stumbled onto some right-wing prohibitionist messageboard, not ACD!

See you there, like-minded dudes!

So, I suppose if I don't do what YOU do, I'm a selfish shite?

Maybe it's about being agoraphobic.

Maybe I want to protect my identity so I can keep my job and keep returning to AMS to keep adding to that economy.

Maybe I don't travel to other countries to protest THEIR laws and politics. I'm a guest and choose to act like one. When you enter the NL, will you declare that you're there to protest? I doubt it.

Maybe I don't go along with the crowd, just because. See my facebook comment.

Sounds pretty Catholic church-minded to me...do as we say or else you are shit. Not very tolerant of other people's views and opinions now, is it?

Yes, I'll risk being ostracized by fellow smokers for choosing to do what I want to do, or not. Pardon me for thinking independently. I like it that way.

Perhaps I'll bow to the pressure and attend, and if that happens, count one disgruntled attendee. But at least I'm THERE, right? And that's all that matters to YOU.

Then again, maybe not. Lots of time left to figure this out.

[cattales1960]

WHOA... Come on guys and gals. Lets not get mad at each other. People can be supportive of the issue without going to the protest. I dont want to see this thread turn into a war among fellow tokers. I do hope they get a big turn out. Im planning on being there, but right now my hubby does not think its in our budget. We will see (after all I am the one in the family who does the budget, hehe)

[Quazer]

Maybe I want to protect my identity so I can keep my job and keep returning to AMS to keep adding to that economy.

Maybe the ban is a good thing...

[spidergawd]

No Cat, the only one getting attitude is tranquilised, not living up to his name huh! If I thought it will have a positive effect I would be there, but I think it will be negative. It will make people feel like they did something and they'll be able to have a giggle with youtube, but I think that the overall effect on the Dutch lawmakers, of masses of foriegn nationals breaking the countries laws, smoking weed in the street, will reinforce to them that what they are doing is the right thing. Just my opinion.

Love and peace, spider

[Nimrod]

What he said ^^^^^

Thank you, spidergawd.

[cattales1960]

I totally understand where your coming from. opinions make the world a versitile place. I just dont like to see people getting upset at each other is what IM saying.

[spidergawd]

I totally understand where your coming from. opinions make the world a versitile place. I just dont like to see people getting upset at each other is what IM saying.

[Lemming]

I can see both sides of this debate.

Having been visiting the Netherlands since the 1980s, I've lost count of the newspaper headlines saying that the coffeeshop scene is at an end so my first reaction is to disbelieve such stories. Having said that, if someone in Nol's position feels this threat is real then it must be serious.

I'm well up for a protest. I was at the Smokey Bears demo as long ago as the 1970s. Nevertheless, like several posters here, I am concerned that a smoke out in Amsterdam could be counter productive and just provide ammunition to the opposition when the debate and negotiation is still going on.

With the French already being denied entry to coffeeshops in the south, I'd much prefer to see a protest there. If the objective of the Wietpas is to stop nuisance then it makes sense to me for us to demonstrate just how much of a nuisance we can make of ourselves when banned from coffeeshops. If an army of French smokers drove up to an agreed town and were joined by a bunch of people from the UK (maybe using the Ryanair to Eindhoven) and elsewhere, then we could really make an impression.

I may yet be persuaded to join a protest in Amsterdam but I would need far less encouragement to join a protest in the south whether during 420 week or at any other time.

[Cisco]

I'm well up for a protest. I was at the Smokey Bears demo as long ago as the 1970s. Nevertheless, like several posters here, I am concerned that a smoke out in Amsterdam could be counter productive and just provide ammunition to the opposition when the debate and negotiation is still going on.

With the French already being denied entry to coffeeshops in the south, I'd much prefer to see a protest there. If the objective of the Wietpas is to stop nuisance then it makes sense to me for us to demonstrate just how much of a nuisance we can make of ourselves when banned from coffeeshops. If an army of French smokers drove up to an agreed town and were joined by a bunch of people from the UK (maybe using the Ryanair to Eindhoven) and elsewhere, then we could really make an impression.

I may yet be persuaded to join a protest in Amsterdam but I would need far less encouragement to join a protest in the south whether during 420 week or at any other time.

Absolutely agrea with this post , this was after all the message I was trying to get across (however badly done) I also am not to stubborn to admit I may have been wrong to try persuade people to stay away , I suppose I was jus trying to play devils advocate .

Sounds pretty Catholic church-minded to me...do as we say or else you are shit. Not very tolerant of other people's views and opinions now, is it?

Yes, I'll risk being ostracized by fellow smokers for choosing to do what I want to do, or not. Pardon me for thinking independently. I like it that way.

Perhaps I'll bow to the pressure and attend, and if that happens, count one disgruntled attendee. But at least I'm THERE, right? And that's all that matters to YOU.

Then again, maybe not. Lot's of time left to figure this out.

Also this is a great point , I totally support the cause just not the methods . And totally felt as if it was a case of if you don't support us your against us !!!!? Totally not the case

Long live the coffeeshops , let's do what we can to save them (apart from giving the opposition ammunition)

[USbongLord]

have yer own parties and think good positive thoughts

[Quazer]

Not sure if I get that point of view: You're afraid that a gathering of foreign smokers would actually give a reason to enforce the pass? I do understand those worries in general, but isn't that concern futile when the pass is already in the making?

I totally understand that people from outside the EU don't feel like they should get involved. I wouldn't fly to Cali to protest either. But why should I tell others not to go then?

[highlyblessed]

If I thought it will have a positive effect I would be there, but I think it will be negative. It will make people feel like they did something and they'll be able to have a giggle with youtube, but I think that the overall effect on the Dutch lawmakers, of masses of foriegn nationals breaking the countries laws, smoking weed in the street, will reinforce to them that what they are doing is the right thing. Just my opinion.

Love and peace, spider

spidergawds hit the nail on the head!

i dont think the acd banner should be displayed there either,dont want this site bringing to the attention of the dutch lawmakers either imo
blesssssss

[Rusty Shackleford]

i dont think the acd banner should be displayed there either,dont want this site bringing to the attention of the dutch lawmakers either imo

Agree 100 %

[cattales1960]

i dont think the acd banner should be displayed there either,dont want this site bringing to the attention of the dutch lawmakers either imo
blesssssss

You maybe right about the ACD part. If I use the banner, it will be easy to conceal the ACD part and It will just say Happy 420 with a pot leaf on it. I really dont think this will have a negative affect but I do not want to bring to the attention of the dutch law makers to this site. lol. Covering all basis. ROFL

[StillSmokin]

Seriously considering heading over for the protest, think I'm going to try and be more active in campaigns/protests etc in the UK too. But the problem with protesting is that they (politicians etc) generally tend to ignore you, or never respond to the actual facts or major points that the protests are about, and tend to focus on anything else that they can, so I suppose the big question is will it help or hinder?

I suppose it's all we can actually do (the UK government essentially ignoring the medical advice and still seem to be keeping it illegal due to their own moral code). I'm totally fed up of being criminalized for doing something I enjoy when I'm not harming anyone else by enjoying the odd smoke

Now if only I could get a job in something where I had more time to be able to do these things and also not have a problem if get any sort of record for standing up in what I believe in.

Well, before I go off on a rant, think I'm going to see if a few mates are up for the trip to support this also.