Adventures of a Gonzo Journalist
Posted in Journalism
I was quoted by Newsweek in an article published today about fascism and antifascism in 2017.
I’ve been quoted previously by Newsweek’s reporter following the far right, Michael Edison Hayden, including in an article about Texas neo-nazi Will Fears. It’s a pleasure to share this most recent article with Mark Bray, author of the excellent book “Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook.”
Posted in Creative Commons, Gonzo Notes, and Journalism
2017 was a challenging year, but one that was actually rewarding on a personal level.
I began the year by losing my job at MintPress News, but by the end of the 2017 I’d accepted a position as editor of Ministry of Hemp, a niche media site that’s still in its early stages but rapidly growing into a respected voice.
I started Gonzo Notes in late 2016, and during 2017 it reached many new people and became an important part of my monthly output. One issue, “What Are The Antifa Doing After Harvey?” was quoted internationally. My writing career continues to grow more rewarding in all kinds of ways, especially in the feedback and support I get from my readers.
Posted in Creative Commons, and Journalism
I sat down with anarchist organizer and author scott crow last month at my house in Austin when he delivered some copies of his book, “Emergency Hearts, Molotov Dreams: a scott crow reader” to use in my Gonzo Giveaway.
While our paths cross frequently in the Austin activist community, I don’t get a chance to formally interview him often. “Emergency Hearts” features another, a three-part interview I originally published when I edited for Firedoglake (now known as Shadowproof).
2017 was a historic year in so many ways, many of them disturbing ones, and I wanted his perspective on what often seems like the collapse of democracy as we’ve known it.
2017 was an exciting year for supporters of hemp.
The stigma surrounding this plant has continued to decrease as more and more people discover hemp’s almost limitless uses. While hemp isn’t completely legal in the U.S. (yet), there’s growing bipartisan support in Congress, and at every level of our government, in support of full legalization.
And since we’re big fans of CBD oil, a healing supplement made from hemp, we were thrilled that more people learned about CBD and its many benefits. Global attitudes are changing too, with some of the most influential authorities on international drug policy also changing their tune about CBD in 2017.
Posted in Journalism, and Ministry of Hemp
A division of the World Health Organization declared CBD oil to be safe, with many potential benefits, and recommended that it should remain fully legal.
The recommendations came in a report from the Expert Committee on Drug Dependence (ECDD), which advises the global body on how to handle various substances that could be addictive or otherwise harmful.
The authors were unambiguous about their assessment: “In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential.”
Posted in Archive, Journalism, and Ministry of Hemp
CBD oil could soon become harder to access in Indiana.
To put it mildly, we were disappointed when Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill issued an opinion on November 21 suggesting CBD oil is illegal for most state residents to use. Although his words don’t carry the force of law, the statement could lead to more crackdowns on CBD vendors and leaves consumers under a haze of legal uncertainty.
In September, we wrote about how an Indiana state law meant to improve access to CBD for epilepsy sufferers actually led to raids on shops selling CBD oil. But things were looking up after police realized they couldn’t determine the supplement’s actual legal status, and products were back on the shelves in many shops.
