MPP Scandal Update
Rob Kampia steps down, as leaked emails describe funding threat at the heart of his campaign to remain in power.
Tue, Jan 19, 2010 11:33 pm
By David Bienenstock and Richard Cusick
Rob Kampia has temporarily, and possibly indefinitely, stepped down as Executive Director of the Marijuana Policy Project, which he co-founded 15 years ago, after news broke of a sexual misconduct scandal that saw at least seven full time staffers quit the organization. Kampia has now confirmed having sex with an employee, and exhibiting “poor judgment,” but claims the act was consensual. He will take a “three month medical leave,” including therapy, starting immediately.
According to the organization’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, billionaire philanthropist Peter Lewis, an outside management team will be called in tomorrow to assess how to proceed at MPP, the nation’s best funded non-profit organization dedicated to marijuana legalization, with an annual operating budget of $6 million.
Going public for the first time in HIGH TIMES, the former MPP employees confirmed that they resigned in protest of an incident which followed an informal staff happy hour on August 7, 2009, and because of what several described as a pattern of “predatory” behavior by their former boss.
Following Kampia’s announcement, former Communications Director Bruce Mirken, an eight year veteran of MPP, was the latest to step forward, telling HIGH TIMES: “None of us who left MPP over its handling of this incident take any pleasure in this situation. MPP is an important organization, whose work literally saves lives, which means it’s critical that MPP’s board use this period to take a thorough, fearless look at the whole sequence of events, including both the August incident and the way it was handled, and act to preserve the organization’s integrity.”
Former Director of Membership Salem Pearce explained her departure more bluntly: “This is all part of a pattern of behavior by Rob, who was known in the office for his sexually explicit comments and actions towards female employees and interns, particularly ones half his age and desirous of full-time jobs with MPP. Rob's willingness to jeopardize the organization for sexual gratification and his desperate attempts to keep his job sickened me and made me no longer able to work for him.”
“I just think I'm hyper-sexualized," Kampia told the Washington Post, by way of explanation for his therapy stint. According to Webster’s Dictionary, a hypersexual person exhibits“ unusual or excessive concern with or indulgence in sexual activity.”
When news of the incident first broke within the MPP office, back in August of 2009, the organization’s department heads unanimously concluded that Kampia should step down as Executive Director, though they left the door open to retaining him in another capacity, provided he was no longer in “a position of power.” Chief of Staff Alison Green approached Kampia with the department heads’ decision, and reported back by email on August 13, just over a week after the initial incident:
“As we expected, Rob wasn't particularly receptive to the idea. He also noted that if he left, [major funding] would leave with him, which would have a crippling effect of its own (presumably causing layoffs in numbers that would equal or exceed the number of people who would leave if he stays). He does understand that if he stays in his current role, a very large number of people may leave. And he understands that I will be presenting the entire situation to the board, including the sentiment of the department heads.”
Green, who originally joined the department heads in calling for Kampia to step down, then continued. “I feel obligated to say that having had that discussion, I'm no longer sure where I personally stand on the department heads' recommendation, but I am certainly committed to passing it along to the board, whether or not it ultimately has my backing.”
Green would soon withdraw her backing for the department heads’ recommendation. What information reached the board, and when, remains unclear. Sources close to the process confirmed to HIGH TIMES that, despite Green's written assurance, the Board was not informed of the department heads' initial unanimous decision, or the large majority of department heads that continued to call for Kampia to step down despite his funding threat, until after the scandal broke last week.
On August 17, Green forwarded all MPP staff a message from the Board of Directors informing them that any staff member “who wants to share their perspectives and feelings about these matters… should meet with Alison or provide her with their perspectives in writing, with or without names attached, over the next two days.” Adding her own note to the board’s message, however, Green declared she would make a “summary” of the staff’s input, rather than provide the “full account of the staff's perspectives” called for by the Board of Directors.
On August 28, Green forwarded another message from the Board, this time a “resolution” that informed staffers that Kampia would “obtain remedial sensitivity and behavior modification training ASAP,” and promised a forthcoming sexual harassment policy, the organization’s first. No further sanctions were directed at Kampia in the August 28th resolution, and no mention was made of any continuing investigation.
For the next five months, Kampia faced no further sanctions, and at no time did he or MPP publicly acknowledge the incident or the nature of the staff departures. Following the breaking of the story late last week, and subsequent reporting at hightimes.com, however, the Board of Directors met several times in short succession. Today, Peter Lewis confirmed that Kampia was “encouraged" to take a leave of absence, and that his return is subject to "convincing the board he has dealt with his issues."
HIGH TIMES continues to investigate this story.
» add a comment
umm
Feb 11 2010, 2:05 pm
How can we judge him.
They would have us believe the empty calories of male curiosity is a bad thing.
Whatever.
Love though is where its at.
HU210
Feb 10 2010, 12:56 pm
http://www.careerbuilder.com/share/aboutus/pressreleasesdetail.aspx?id=pr553&sd=2%2f9%2f2010&ed=12%2f31%2f2010&siteid=cbpr&sc_cmp1=cb_pr553_
jclupien
Feb 4 2010, 11:06 am
http://cannabisculture.com/v2/content/2010/02/03/Chronic-High-Doses-Cannabinoids-Promote-Hippocampal-Neurogenesis
Thought you might find this article interesting.
jclupien
Feb 3 2010, 4:24 pm
I think that it is fair to say that a board is incestuous when an organization's money is directed to board members' projects, which was clearly the case with past MPP boards.
The current board is obviously organized in such a way as to direct funding to the upcoming CA tax and regulate fight. Again board members are intimately connected to this looming battle.
My use of the word incestuous did not refer to sexual acts. It was a metaphor for the fiduciary relationships within the organization. Keyword would be within.
As for the reform movement, it will continue with or without MPP, you, or me. And, what's that you know who I am, crap? No shit sherlock, I've been signing my name queen brilliant.
HU210
Feb 3 2010, 10:21 am
You were exposed as a hypocrite when you stooped to the same behavior that you complain about, using language such as " incestuous relationship" describing MPP's Board.( cheap shot sexual innuendo, anyone?)
You have fallen victim to Heretic Times tabloid reporting style, terming the occurrence a "scandal". It never was. This is America. You are free to be wrong jc. Sad that in the instant matter. The quest towards legalization is damaged.
That said. Not only do I not know who you are, I don't care who you are.
HU210
Feb 3 2010, 10:13 am
dbcooper
Feb 2 2010, 11:14 am
n e hoot.
when jesus was up on the cross everyone stood by and cried..." he was such a nice guy, it's a shame that he has to die"
Jesus looked down and said.." I wouldn't have to die if one of you assholes would get a ladder and a pair of pliars"
blitzer
Feb 2 2010, 8:59 am
U.S. Department of Justice
Drug Enforcement Administration
Washington, D.C. 20537
www.dea.gov
Jan 27 2010
Carl Olsen
Des Moines, Iowa 50313-3654
Dear Mr. Olsen:
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has received your letter dated December 23, 2009, which inquires whether you should submit a petition for religious exemption to DEA at this time or wait for further action by the State of Iowa.
Your letter indicates that you have a copy of DEA's Guidance Regarding Petitions for Religious Exemption from the Controlled Substances Act Pursuant to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. This document was designed to provide guidance to parties who wish to petition for a religious exemption to the Controlled Substances Act. It is not appropriate for DEA to advise you on your decision whether to file a petition with DEA at this time or your legal strategy with respect to the State of Iowa.
Sincerely,
Joseph T. Rannazzisi
Deputy Assistant Administrator
Big Baby Jesus
Feb 1 2010, 11:02 pm
dbcooper
Feb 1 2010, 5:14 pm
i dont even know where i'm from
i dont know where i'm going when i get to where i'm going
or what i'm doing when i get done
they tell me i'm forgiven if i need to be
i say permission oughta come that easily
i'm pilin' cords up underneath this apple tree
singing o'lordy have mercy on me
elmo buzz
gstlab3
Feb 1 2010, 2:56 pm
GO GROW YOUR OWN, RAISE YOUR CHILDREN TO BE LOVING CARING PEOPLE, AND MIND YOU OWN HOUSES AND WOMEN FIRST.
AND WHY IS'NT THIS SEXUAL PREDITOR SCHLEP MARRIED YET? PROBABLY BECAUSE HE'S A SLIME BALL SLACKER WHO DOES'NT KNOW HOW TO KEEP A WOMAN HAPPY OR SECURE.
multidimensional
Feb 1 2010, 12:27 am
liberty lands
Jan 31 2010, 10:54 pm
"thinking outside of the box". Remember that line from the movie Traffic in 2000
jclupien @Adam
Jan 31 2010, 8:28 pm
You have certainly twisted my "secret agenda" comment into an accusation to undermine my personal motivations for posting.
1) My mistake for going off topic in my initial posts.
2) Your comments seem strange considering how vehemently you insist that these threads are full of liars, fakes, and charlatans. Wouldn't your accusations apply to me and you as well?
3) Just saying that I respect you, bro. Seriously, you are a cut above the rest.
4) The female involved in this incident has yet to speak, that's all I am saying.
5/6) We obviously differ on these points.
Both of us can offer "rationale" or what should be more properly termed speculation as to why we think the way we do.
You say:
a) that ethically and legally Kampia did not do anything wrong;
b) that the resignations are totally understandable in the light of girlfriend/ex-boyfriend/roommates scenario; and,
c) offer an explantion for why Kampia suggested that the funding might go away if he stepped down, whick is based on your sense of Kampia's understanding of his own value to the organization.
Correct me if I am wrong, but that is how I would sum up your position without going into greater detail about the evidence and what is speculative.
I fail to understand why you are so willing to rush to his defense without being able to know what the female involved in the incident has to say.
Likewise, I fail to understand why you defend Kampia's comment to Green in that email, when it appears that he made that comment without consulting or informing Lewis of all the facts prior to making the comment to Green.
@HU210
Jan 31 2010, 7:29 pm
2 adam with love
Jan 31 2010, 2:58 pm
BUZZ KILL
Jan 31 2010, 2:46 pm
Adam
Jan 31 2010, 2:19 pm
Like the one in which she claims that even if a woman consents to wanting to have sex, and then consents DURING SEX, if the woman falls asleep during sex, it becomes rape. Even if the woman wakes up and is happy about it and wants to do it again, even if the woman doesn't think it's rape and says it was consensual, Hess claims that doesn't matter. She says it is still not consensual, regardless of prior sober consent and consent during the actual act of sex itself.
In another article, she says that a song by a female group about going out together to drink and getting one another drunk is promoting date-rape. No, the song's not about sex. The song is about wanting to go out and get shitfaced drunk. To Hess, this song is promoting date rape.
Her views on the matter are strikingly similar to those aggressively asserted by someone on the comments here at High Times, overlapping to a surprising extent. And equally full of ridiculous, outlandish claims about the matter.
The article you claim is so revealing about the MPP situation is in fact full of huge leaps to conclusions by Hess, and it seems to me she started out with a specific intent to attack and assert that Kampia and the MPP are guilty of terrible things, and then she went around to collect as many accusations as she could, and then used the fact that many people accuse and/or admit to making crude comments and having sex as the basis for the article's assertions of extreme harassment and predatory behavior. It is assertion and accusation almost entirely devoid of evidence to back up Hess' conclusions.
It's a hatchet-job by a bias reporter who relied almost entirely on the claims from a handful of former employees, and little to no evidence that their portrayal of things was true and accurately reflected the situations. The only things really proven are that Kampia dated or had sex with a few employees over the years, that he was one of many people in the office (since the article asserts it was widespread) who did such things and who used crude and sometimes sexual terminology and discussions at work, and that in one instance (where both sides say it happened) he made comments about wanting to have sex with a woman to a female employee who then told him not to do so.
So apparently, according to the people's own remarks, they felt entirely capable of telling Kampia exactly what they thought if they were bothered. There is no evidence proving he did not listen to them, although one single source claims he made another such reference to her after she told him she didn't like it (a reference not about her, but about another woman who didn't work there).
There are thus far no allegations that anyone was threatened with their job, pay, or promotions, or that they felt those things were at risk if they declined a request for a date, and certainly they didn't seem to feel any threat if they confronted Kampia since in fact that is explicitly related in the article without any mention of reprisal or fear of reprisal. No formal complaints were filed, based on every report and on the comments on the articles (and nobody has ever denied that no complaints were filed). There is a single relating of a specific instance of an e-mail that bothered an employee who then told Kampia it bothered her.
The story relates only a handful of instances of Kampia asking employees out on dates or actually dating any of them, and only two instances of him actually engaging in any sexual relations with employees.
In the 15 years history of the organization, this was the most they could come up with to demonstrate supposed "harassment", although the article asserts that asking women out and/or having sex with them was also "harassment". It claims a widespread problem of a "culture" of "sexual harassment", without demonstrating that the instances relayed constitute such harassment. And it makes this claim of widespread culture and behavior, but singles out Kampia for attack based on only a small handful of actual instances, most of which involve dating or sleeping with employees who consented to date or have sex. In 15 years.
That Kampia said he made "inappropriate comments" to most or all employees is not actually telling, since he may very well have been speaking in the context of "inappropriate" as defined by the reporter to him, or what he knows people would think of as "inappropriate", or as a euphemism meaning "crude language". What is or isn't inappropriate is subjective, and the Amish might tell you that discussing women wearing pants is inappropriate. But regardless, it certainly doesn't inherently translate into "harassment".
Adam
Jan 31 2010, 2:14 pm
First, again with the b.s. claims of PR Hack? Well, since I've repeatedly pointed out that's a lie, and you seem intent on assuming someone who argues their case must have ulterior motives and be paid, I can only assume that it must apply to you, and that this is why you then assume it's true of everyone else. That you didn't deny it when I pointed out that you confirmed you have a secret agenda is interesting.
Or you know it's b.s. and don't care.
On to your ridiculous enumerated points:
1. No, since YOU are the one who went woefully off-topic and started a long rambling argument about funding and strategy for days, don't cry and claim I'm the one "defusing" the topic just because I argued with your absurd points about funding and strategy. It's stupid to change the subject, keep arguing it over and over, keep lying about me and my motives, and then claim I'm the one "defusing" by answering your ridiculous attempts to go off-topic and lie about other people.
2. Yeah, you attack, apologize, and then lie and attack again in the same way. Lately, you've just revised your attack to claim the MPP is spending money on "PR" attacks by me when that's an outright lie. You're really shamefully dishonest.
3. I don't care if it's only you or also several other liars trying to defame me by making false assertions. It's utterly stupid to claim I'm "manipulating logic" -- if adhering to logic and pointing out that you aren't adhering to logic is "manipulating" it, then you have a funny definition of the word. Then again, your distorted definitions of everything else suggest this is just one more example of you either not comprehending something like logic, or intentionally using a twisted definition because actual logic hurts your arguments so much.
4. First, I've not claimed a "version" of events that I'm "sure of". I've made it quite clear that I'm not asserting to know the details of what happened. What I've said is that you and others who make the illogical claim that there MUST be a second "version" of events are assuming the existence of something for which there is so far no evidence. Until there is evidence, there is no rational basis to insist that I and others have to imagine (as you do) that another version exists. Without evidence that a conflicting account exists, rational and honest people don't just assume it exists.
I've not claimed to know factually that Kampia's "version" is 100% accurate -- I've just noted that so far, it's the version we have and that there is no evidence conflicting with it and there is no attempt by anyone on the record to provide any evidence claiming it's inaccurate. Not one source so far in any article or posting comments by name has ever asserted to have any evidence whatsoever that contradicts Kampia's "version". When we have the account of one person directly involved, when there is evidence to support some portions of his story, when those attacking him in the press do not claim his account is false, when there is no evidence so far that the woman herself disputes his account, and when not one of you has offered any evidence that his account is false OR that any conflicting account exists, it is stupidity of the highest degree to strut around insisting I'm illogical for not assuming another "version" exists.
5. Why is your (and others) moral indignation so one-sided? You think only people who agree with every illogical claim you make should be indignant? I've explained repeatedly why I've become increasingly disgusted by your indecent, dishonest behavior. If you can't read or comprehend well enough to grasp it, then repeating it for you again isn't going to help. Because I can't dumb it down for you any more, you either understand why someone would be appalled at lying, vicious, paranoid accusations that destroy a person in the public without evidence, or you don't. If that doesn't bother you, and excites you as much as it seems to, then that's your sick problem and there's no need to keep debating that aspect with you.
6. My speculation is different because I don't claim my speculation is FACT, first of all. Secondly, my speculation is founded on reading the stories and the accounts of actual known sources, looking at the small amount of evidence supplied so far, and then making rational conclusions about what is and isn't proven. I compare that to the way it's been treated by the press, and to the way you paranoid, dishonest people are attacking everyone who disagrees with you or who points out your inconsistencies and lies. And then I note that all of your outrageous fantasies and speculation are just speculation, that most of it is illogical, unproven, and/or contrary to evidence. Then I present my own examples of other explanations and speculation that is clearly noted as such, and that fits the known facts so far.
HU210
Jan 31 2010, 10:32 am
Actually, I learned of HU210 and its potential properties here on the HT site. I thought that it was an interesting handle. Nothing more. Who wouldn't prefer the natural? The synthetic may have a place as well, I don't know that however. I would have to consult an expert. Are you an expert?
Again thanks for making the point of everyone- that you are willing to make far reaching assumptions based on no evidence. Just conjecture upon conjecture, supposition upon supposition. You must work for the DEA with the methodologies that you employ. I would love to question you on the witness stand just once. Under oath, where there were consequences on the line. It would make my day to watch you shrink into a blithering idiot in front of a jury.
@HU210
Jan 30 2010, 1:34 pm
THC and CBD block neural decay and don't require a prescription and million dollars of FDA redtape.
HU210
Jan 30 2010, 1:13 pm
@PR Hack
Jan 30 2010, 12:35 pm
1) It was wrong of me (jclupien) to suggest strategy on the message board. This is not the proper forum and it allowed hacks like yourself to defuse the real issues.
2) I issued an apology for attacking the work of MPP.
3) You demonstrate the ability of a pro to twist and manipulate logic. jsnsoc8 refers to what you are doing as "trolling" over on the City Paper thread. Clearly I am not the only one questioning your motives, ie. KeithB, etc.
4) You failed to address the basic premise of my previous posts - How can you be so sure of yourself when the other party's story is not known? Specifically, I am referring to the female party's story. So far we only know Rob's version.
5) Why the apparent one-sided moral indignation?
6) How is your speculation any different from the rest, when you like the rest cannot possible know the whole story?
@hydropro
Jan 30 2010, 12:03 pm
jclupien
Jan 30 2010, 11:46 am
HU210 this is my first foray into the world of internet comment boards.
Hi Adam, you're a real genius. I cann't take it anymore, I'm going to crawl back under my bridge. Ha,ha,ha.
Dude, seriously what are you going to say when the hammer falls and MPP's money is all tied up in litigation because of Kampia's action?
Why do you feel so confident of your positions, when you cann't possibly know the whole truth?
(The female in question has yet to surface.)
hydropro
Jan 30 2010, 11:39 am
Grow your own weed. That's the way to win the battle, not sending $$$ to MPP, NORML, etc. They haven't achieved anything other than to have fun with our money.
Some of the people in this thread look to be paid shills, whores of Kampia, or just that they have way too much time on their hands.
Like I said, grow your own weed and you won't have time to worry about Kampia.
High Times is right to report this sleaze and they did a good job.
HU210
Jan 30 2010, 12:16 am
@jlupien
Jan 29 2010, 8:24 pm
Is jlupien apparently being paid for his efforts here, after already admitted to his motive and agenda? You did after all say this:
"quit trying make this about me and my secret agenda to take down MPP."
WOW. And admission of a secret agenda to take the group down??
How much money donated to another group for drug reform is now in your wallet for this? Or... was it money from people wanting to keep drugs illegal?
Oh, sorry, is that just totally unsubstantiated bullshit accusations? Or is it entirely legitimate for me to publicly accuse you of being a paid pit-bull? You keep doing it, so you must think it's a legitimate tactic, so of course you will stop crying about me mentioning your own motivations -- especially since, you know, you admitted them and then even admit to a "secret agenda to take down MPP." Right?
How about this, crazyboy: YOU stick to the story and stop going off onto insane tangents about other topics (like your obsession about how not showing scientific data and not refuting government lies is the only right way to legalize drugs), or getting paranoid about me and other people and accusing us of being paid and so on? Don't cry like a baby about me discussing your admitted bias against the group, when you are the one making repeated baseless and totally false allegations that I'm being paid.
Your buddies trying to make those claims already accused a totally different person of being me, naming him and then attacking and slandering him on another site. They were wrong, just assumed that "Adam" must be that single Adam who lives in the entire world, made the accusation against him, and attacked him. It was all bullshit, but that didn't stop them, just like being full of shit hasn't stopped you. And still you all whine and throw tantrums if anyone turns your same stupid methods back on you. Because you are a lying hypocrite with no integrity. No wonder the MPP didn't want to give funding to a paranoid, lying maniac.
I notice you mentioned having the flu, too -- uh oh, a person over at the City Paper article said THEY have the flu as well. You must be the guy in the world who has the flu, so that must be you as well over there! Gasp! More evidence you may be getting paid to make attacks!
To you, the real question is "who's more important the organization or Kampia?" That's what you think the real point is? So if Kampia is being wrongly accused, that's fine, and people should not point out any falsehoods and distortions or question the lack of evidence for horrible accusations? Just accept it all and let his life be ruined, because morality and integrity and truth are not important? What's good for the organization or movement is the only issue, and you think what's good for it is to embrace and endorse people being simply accused by several sources without much evidence and with several factual distortions and lies, and having their lives ruined in that fashion? That's what's good for the group and the movement, embracing that standard?
Okay, so no more complaining about people being arrested and charged with drug crimes where the evidence is a group of people just claiming it's the truth, even if their claims are backed by little or no evidence and if there is evidence refuting much of what they say. Let them go to jail, and endorse that tactic. That's what your standard is, so if you endorse it against Kampia and the MPP, then it's only fair to endorse it in drug cases as well. Right? Because that wouldn't be stupid, evil, and hypocritical, which is what it would be if you only support it here by expect me or anyone else to give a shit if you get railroaded on a drug conviction. Don't come crying about it if that happens.
Of course, I'm not a simple-minded, lying, deceitful little wretch, so even though you're a hypocrite and lack integrity, I'd still oppose you getting subjected to the same tactics you are supporting and engaging in. Because it's still wrong, even when it happens to someone I find despicable.
I see you posting and posting about how the MPP spends money, and your flailing of arms and legs about how they aren't using your brilliant history-lesson strategy instead of their preference for presenting research and science to help refute the government's lies. Hmm, why aren't you sticking to the article, jlupien? Stick to the article! Stick to the article!
ThinkTwice
Jan 29 2010, 4:40 pm
It doesn't make the people spreading the manure look all that good either.
b
Jan 29 2010, 4:32 am
jsnsoc8
Jan 28 2010, 5:34 pm
All I have to say here is, shame on you, High Times, this is not a story that has all the facts accounted for.
gstlab3
Jan 28 2010, 4:14 pm
GROW UP.EVOLVE GET BACK TO NATURE!!!!
WOMEN HAVE THEIR PLACES AND ROLES AND SHOULD BE MINDED WITH CARE AND NOT LET TO BE FOUND IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES TO BEGIN WITH.
OLD FASSIONED? SURE., BUT THAT'S WHAT WORKS.
LIBERALISM AND THE SECULAR MINDSET HAVE COMBINED WITH THE ECONOMIC CONSTRUCT TO DESTROY THE TRADITIONAL FAMILY MODEL.
LET US ALL AGREE TO BE SLAVES TO THE STATE AND LET THE GOVERNMENT RAISE OUR CHILDREN!!!
INDOCTRINATING THEM INTO THEIR SCHOOLS IN EXCHANGE WE GOT WHAT AMOUNT OF GOOD AND WHAT HAS BECOME OF OUR MORAL BEING LET ALONE THE ECONOMIC LOSSES WE SUFFER BECAUSE OUR CHILDREN FAIL AND DROP OUT?
umm
Jan 28 2010, 3:52 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4fWN6VvgKQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o
Jan 28 2010, 3:49 pm
EVIL UNCLE SAM
Jan 28 2010, 3:45 pm
The man can't take a letter seriously if you don't feel the issue is significant enough to not LIE about who you are. I asked him if any were from Harry Balls, Mike Hunt, or I. P. Freely and he chuckled. He cares how the people in my state feel on issues, but he won't take the movement seriously until we do. So stop writing letters in fake names because you are paranoid that they are going to come smash your doors in. It is ridiculous, and it puts the movement back a lot further than anything Rob Kampia would do willing, or even under the guise of a bad decision.
Write your correct name, your real address, and your real phone number. They send you response letters, they sometimes call. They aren't the cops, and most of them could care less if you smoke pot, I'm sure a few of them do to. So if you don't have the guts to stand out in the street and discuss it with the public at large, you are not an activist. You are a putz clinging to the shirtails of the real hero's in this fight. And Rob Kampia, regardless of what he may or may not have done, is a hero in the War Against The War on drugs. Now quit talking to potheads, and go tell the real world. Talking amongst yourselves isn't activism, it's socializing. So thanks for making waste the time writing this when I could have spent it writing to a senator in YOUR state for you.
underdog
Jan 28 2010, 3:17 pm
I get the impression I am not wanted around.
What is the matter cant take a better life?
Do you only want to live in strife?
umm
Jan 28 2010, 2:46 pm
So? Why not?
Yup alot of bs pr bs if you ask me. both ways too.
jclupien
Jan 28 2010, 10:37 am
Critical mass is fast approaching and the funding is only going to increase.
I for one am going to send Rob some positive vibes from here on out. Compassion not hate. We need to take a moment and remember all the positive things that he accomplished even in this moment of shock and disgust.
Peace out everybody.
HU210
Jan 28 2010, 8:38 am
anonymous
Jan 28 2010, 7:37 am
jclupien
Jan 27 2010, 8:38 pm
To all who donate to MPP you should read this article:
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/sexist/2010/01/27/the-breast-massage-will-happen-inside-the-culture-of-sexual-harassment-at-the-marijuana-policy-project/
If you're still interested note the comments in the thread by Adam. Probably the same windbag at work on this thread trying to defuse this incident.
I'd be curious to know whether or not any donations to MPP are being spent on the PR bulldog. But then again, I guess with a budget of $6 mill annually, there is some to spare for an ethically void hack.
jclupien
Jan 27 2010, 6:46 pm
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/sexist/2010/01/27/the-breast-massage-will-happen-inside-the-culture-of-sexual-harassment-at-the-marijuana-policy-project/
To all - check the article - full expose out today - and don't miss the comment board. There is obviously a PR hack at work on all these forums.
HU210
Jan 27 2010, 6:06 pm
I wonder why this newsworthy article isn't on HT. Oh yeah, they pushed Obama as the great cannabis hope, on the cannabis community.
jclupien
Jan 27 2010, 5:03 pm
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/sexist/2010/01/27/the-breast-massage-will-happen-inside-the-culture-of-sexual-harassment-at-the-marijuana-policy-project/
I find it hard to believe that the women, or any of the people on the board for that matter, would not force Kampia to resign. Who cares if it wasn't criminal behavior? What about organizational integrity?
Just think, would you like to be treated like that? Oh, by the way, you're hot and the boss is going to hit on you.
Dickarus flew to close to the sun and burned his nuts this time.
At the same time though, who cares about the sexual misconduct. Kampia clearly put his own gratification before the good of the organization. Greene should be shown the door as well.
The department heads should be applauded for trying avert this PR debacle.
To whoever has been hurling the insults at me why don't you explain this article. Good luck.
umm
Jan 27 2010, 3:57 pm
Oh winged cherub of magic green - Help me to explain this scene
I used to vent & post things on a site at times that I found to be most high
The blue meanies took over and now it doesn't seem just quite right
So if you'd allow me to vent your way this one last time
Please forgive me if this doesn't quite rhyme
Jiminy cricket wishing upon a star is what started it all for me
Who'da thunk that wishing & pretending could turn into reality
I simply added the lines as long as no one is harmed and God which is love ♥ would allow it to jiminy's verse
I after all wanted to do everything I could to prevent an awful curse
But its true, my pains and woes disappeared just like that
I say this to you as I fondly look back
There is a beautiful kingdom full of magic & gold
But few dare to seek it so I am told
They forget that happiness isn't found in greed
It is found believe it or not in a magical seed
It isn't found with hate in mind that I can attest
It is found where love and compassion is the only guest
Prohibitionists say that their economy is oh so divine
But they forgot what matters most is to be humble and oh so kind
Some say fear is the reason it isn't allowed
For this reason I wouldn't be so proud
There is a reason some may have a bout of fear
But the real reason I think is money which draws tear after tear
What is the answer to all the worldly woes
When money war and terror is all the ignorant knows
They need to see that there is a better place
Where being united in love gives all the most magical heavenly grace
The rule to keep the magical cherub pure is also forgotten
They don't realize that mutated worlds can be unloving & rotten
And I'm not speaking necessarily of a pure skinned human race
Thinking like that would be a terrible disgrace
One of the first beings was the magical cherub
The further ones thoughts morphs from that truth
The more the shock of truth might scare ya
I say this not to be mean, nor to make an ugly scene
But I think you know what I mean I'm just wishing to free the magical seed
So now I fear they have found me and it is no surprise
But how can I run when there just is no place to hide
I have canceled my email account and even papal
But lets face it if they want me now, running is really futile
How could anyone keep such a golden secret in their mind
To do so would surely make one not feel too fine
So I will now try to fit in and my niece has me some work
But not giving full disclosure makes me feel like such a jerk
I don't care that it is only fast food
At least I will have some dignity to elevate my mood
lol I'd gladly clean toilet splatter
as long as the boss isn't prejudiced of the contents of my bladder:)
The main reason though that I am giving up the fight is I know that just because it works for me, doesn't mean it would work for everyone. I don't want it on my conscience that anyone would be harmed in a bad karmic way. I just wanted everyone to know that I meant no harm in anyway.
Love out to all ♥
Neuter Kampia!
Jan 27 2010, 3:27 pm
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/sexist/2010/01/27/the-breast-massage-will-happen-inside-the-culture-of-sexual-harassment-at-the-marijuana-policy-project/3/
Choice quote: ' In his role as executive director of MPP, Kampia had exhibited “sexual harassment, openly predatory behavior, and complete and possibly sociopathic disregard for the harmful effects his actions have had on his employees.” '
jclupien
Jan 27 2010, 3:23 pm
That's some story. I am a generation or so behind you. Didn't come onto the scene until '69 and in of all places, Nor Cal. I was adopted so I've always assumed that I was the product of an acid trip during the summer of love.
I have a problem with black market pricing on weed. I would say Nor Cal is probably less infested with the criminal element, but I have seen some reports about gang involvement. When one can turn a 200% or more profit, you are going to attract undesirable elements into the business community.
I am happy that you are happy and content out there in SF. It is a beautiful city with beautiful people. I grew up 50 miles to the south in Cupertino.
I have had the fortune of working with grower in Nor Cal both indoor and out. By no means would I classify these people as organized crime.
By the way hemp is going to have a huge impact in global textile and composite production in the near future. If you're interested google lupien and hemp or marijuana.
dbcooper
Jan 27 2010, 2:53 pm
I am sorry you are not feeling well. Drink lots of water, keep an eye or two on your stress so you immune system works well, and don't inhale too much frustration.
Here in San Francisco i do not know of any " organized criminals" running any of the medicinal cannabis facilities.
Like most other industries, i'm sure they have some seedy(lol) people.
Black and Blue i was born into unorganized crime. ouch. lol
Not only do i find the ocassional marijuana smoke in my eyes, i see a few regrets in there too.
You know, i graduated HS in 1973 and i saw this show on cable, when cable first came out..lol, and it was about these hippies growing marijuana in northern california.
I knew right then and there what i wanted to do with my life.., besides play music.
I left a small all white town in Michigan with 100.00 dollars, my backpack, a baggy full of seeds, 3 cans of tuna fish, my guitar and a couple of ounces of weed and hitch-hiked to California.
I discovered a few things about myself.
Thing #1.
i discovered that 88% of the bull shit i learned in school was nothing but a bunch of useless information.
Thing #2.
i discovered that i could make a living doing my own thing instead of working for another and making them wealthy.
Thing #3.
I discovered i dig hippies girls and the Grateful Dead.
Since i have been in california i have discovered just how little it takes to make me happy.
Just 3 things...and my computer...and my neighbors.., and my fiddle...and my guitars....and my hemp clothing....and my 40.00 tye dye t shirts and big bold paisly ties...and my chihuahua. lol.
Actually, i dig rock climbing, kayaking, and backpacking.
The California mountains, deserts, trees and coast..are sights to behold.
The rivers are outrageous during the mountian snow melt. fatal. wild. fantastic.
Well, my cup of christian crank is getting cold and i'm in dire need of a caffeine fix.
tree huggin' peace lovin' pot smokin' porn watchin' lazy ass hippe
dbcooper
jclupien
Jan 27 2010, 2:15 pm
I do not know why I am so hung up on this "incident." I guess the articles and threads validated things that I already suspected, which just made me more mad. Compound this with the fact that I've been sitting around home with the flu with nothing better to do, then you get the picture.
And, no my questions do not have to do with misplaced anger over not being funded years ago. It would have been nice, but it might have messed up what I am doing today, so I really don't have any regrets.
With a budget like MPP possesses, it just seems like they could accomplish a whole lot more, but then what if they really tried and succeeded, wouldn't they be out of jobs?
HT would be doing us all a big favor by digging in deep and presenting an unbiased assessment of MPP's work, what their goals are, how they go about doing it, etc.
I especially don't like this notion of regulated marijuana production which MPP is apparently promoting in AZ and NV. What's up with that?
Aren't they having problems with organized crime moving into the dispensaries in California, Colorado, and elsewhere? It is too lucrative.
If cannabis was totally unregulated, which it should be, the price would drop out the bottom. People should be free to grow it if they want without any licensing whatsoever.
dbcooper
Jan 27 2010, 10:57 am
San Francisco is just a great place to live.
full of diversity
full of great places to eat
great neighbors
cannabis is widely accepted
lots of great things going on all year 'round
hey kids, lets get it on.
www.kpig
listen for a while and enjoy the music. oink.
There's an overweight man with an overweight woman
on the sofa watching tv
he's yelling his opinion at the television
she looks up from her food and agrees
they got two bumperstickers on the pickup truck
they keep the pickup parked outside
one sticker says " what would jesus do? "
the other bumpersticker says " the power of pride"
now all you christians dont walk out on me just yet
you know whos name i'll be screaming as
i'm clutching my chest
the one my dad told me too and his told him too
and i probably pray as much or more than you do
believe shit every word i sing
but believin; and knowin' those
are two different things
and if you;re trying to change the way a
strangers life has to go
this is where i believe i'll stick
to what i know
which is nothing you know
nothing fer sure
so, lets just chill till the next episode
elmo buzz
jclupien
Jan 27 2010, 10:26 am
@HU210
Jan 27 2010, 9:43 am
I hope HT takes the time to do a thorough unbiased assessment of MPP. I think that this type of expose could be a winner like the Herer covers back in the day.
dbcooper
Jan 27 2010, 8:48 am
I'll need a whole lot more of all three before i turn my nose up at any of them.
Tension
Tension
i got tension and its all that i know
i got tension in the court-room
i got tension in the pot room
i got tension and its all that i know
Well, i went to see a therapist and she said to do the best you can do.
I was hoping for something more specific
elmo buzz
HU210
Jan 27 2010, 7:38 am
anonymous
Jan 26 2010, 11:58 pm
@ @jclupien
Jan 26 2010, 11:26 pm
Stick to the article and quit trying make this about me and my secret agenda to take down MPP. If that's not defusing, then I guess I am a moron.
I think that it is relevant to the article to know whether or not board members receive funding from MPP. Seems like that could cloud judgement.
Put the bong down years ago, make tincture for myself and others in need, but haven't taken any for over a week.
Like HT says they continue to investigate.
@ @jclupien
Jan 26 2010, 11:06 pm
@jlupien
Jan 26 2010, 11:02 pm
HAHAHAHA! Seriously, put the fucking bong down and step away from the keyboard.
Let me make this real clear to you, dipshit: YOU, as in jlupien, are the one claiming people's financial connections etc are relevant - even though you are pulling this stupid shit out of your dumb ass, since none of these silly little questions of yours are related to the issue at hand and there's been no evidence at all to cause your questions. All you do is just randomly think up questions to ask to imply some sort of financial connections you think sound "suspicious".
So since YOU are the idiot raising this shit, YOU don't get to pretend that it only matters if it's OTHER people, and you don't get to pretend that your OWN admitted failure to get funding from MPP isn't relevant. Basically you're saying "No, no, it only matters if it's OTHER people, it's okay if it's ME!"
And when YOU are the idiot trying to distract people by just shitting out half-ass questions one after another, you DON'T get to cry that I'M the one trying to "take this point" and "defuse the real issue". Pay attention, burnout - the "real issue" isn't your stupid conspiracy theories about "incest" among board members or whatever other random question pops into your head.
All you are trying to do is toss out a bunch of questions that are not based on any rational reasoning or evidence and that were not raised by anything other than you making it up off the top of your head, to try and pile up a bunch of stupid financial questions that have nothing to do with anything except your obsession over a group's money since they DIDN'T GIVE YOU ANY.
I'm not answering your question because (a) I don't know, I'm not a worker at MPP or an MPP board member and I don't own a fucking crystal ball, and (b) it's a stupid fucking question from somebody talking out their asshole just to try and take advantage of all of the other accusations so you can get a cheap shot in at the group who didn't fund whatever stupid plan you had. Your questions have nothing to do with anything relevant to the actual situations and issues really at the heart of this story. They are the rambling questions of a dude obsessed with MPP's money because he DIDN'T GET ANY OF IT, and you just come up with questions at random with no cause other than you're automatically inclined to ask a lot of questions about the MPP money YOU DON'T HAVE ANY OF.
I have no respect for you anymore after your behavior, your inability to grasp simple concepts, your willingness to just throw out accusations in the form of stupid questions, your willingness to claim your pure speculation is fact, and your complete inability to get irony. This last one takes most of the fun out of pointing out how stupid and hypocritical your posts and accusations are. I'll still do it, because you deserve it, but it's sure not as much fun.
@ @jclupien
Jan 26 2010, 11:00 pm
Let me ask you, what's more important the organization or Kampia?
@ @jclupien
Jan 26 2010, 10:51 pm
@jlupien
Jan 26 2010, 10:48 pm
Are you brain-damaged? Listen, moron, YOU and other people started speculating out of your assholes. But YOU folks act like your speculation is fact - by, for example, stating it as fact. You claim there's only this or that option to explain things, and other such stupid nonsense.
So I explained to you why your claims were stupid, and why it's easy to think of some explanations besides the stupid shit you keep saying. Differences being (a) mine make more sense, and (b) I DIDN'T CLAIM MINE WERE FACTS.
Are you so dense you can't understand this stuff? You think you can just toss out any stupid speculation you want and act like it's fact, but I shouldn't provide my own examples and point out it's all speculation? Pull your head out of your ass - no wonder you get turned down for grants, if this is how poor your simple reasoning skills are. God forbid the world be subjected to whatever ridiculous shit you think is a grand idea to advance cannabis reform.
You also said: "Furthermore, you seem to think that people don't get fired for improper relations in the workplace."
Wow, you really are apparently brain-damaged. Can you really be this utterly stupid? For godssake, you claim outright, as a FACT, that ANYONE else would be fired for Kampia's behavior. I point out you are utterly full of shit and making a stupid claim presented as "fact" (as is your pathetic habit). Then you claim most people would be fired for it, and I disagree with you for a few reasons. Like, for example, the claim isn't backed up by any data. And the fact that some data strongly suggests the opposite is true.
Twenty-percent of workplaces don't even PROHIBIT relationships - dating or sexual - between bosses and workers. Some of those that do only prevent it if the worker is an immediate subordinate (a common version of the rule). Here is a link with some of this and more information, followed by a link with data on workplace affairs at Christmas parties that will curl your toes:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122486400199366913.html
http://viceagent.com/2009/04/24/proof-that-office-christmas-parties-breed-workplace-affairs/
The fact is that tons of people have sex with co-workers, including bosses or subordinates, and many workplaces don't even prohibit it - and of those that do, lots only prohibit direct supervisor-subordinate relationships. So yeah, I disagreed, and it's stupid to take my view and claim I said I don't think people get fired for "improper relations" at work. You seem to think every person who ever had any sex with a co-worker always got fired forever - how accurate am I describing what you said?
The stupid shit you said about department heads doesn't even make sense. Write a coherent, rational set of statements and I'll respond to them. I am the one who explicitly noted that they ASKED Kampia to step aside and ASKED him to do fundraising, remember? Why are you even trying to discuss this if you can't keep up and can't keep it straight what people are talking about? Jesus Christ. Are you typing this shit while you're baked off your ass? Put the pipe down and come back here when you can make some fucking sense.
@ @jclupien
Jan 26 2010, 10:45 pm
jclupien
Jan 26 2010, 10:35 pm
I for one doubt that the department heads' recommendation to Kampia had to do with maintaining salaries. Lets give the department heads some credit. I believe that their recommendation had do with maintaining the organization's integrity. Remember, the department heads were trying to manage a potential PR problem created by Kampia's behavior.
But no, Kampia ignored their recommenation and suggested that his movement out of the executive director role would jeopardize funding. Why say this? Again, I cannot speak for everyone, but that strikes me as quite a self-serving response. Is Kampia more important than the mission?
Furthermore, Kampia's unwillingness to follow the department heads' initial recommendation led to the current PR mess. And, so far no one has offered any proof that funding would evaporate if he had followed that initial recommendation. In fact, now that he has stepped down, the funding still appears to be be intact. So again, what was up with that comment to Greene?
anonymous
Jan 26 2010, 10:19 pm
Not found at HT however.
http://cannabisculture.com/v2/content/2010/01/26/Police-Continue-Permissive-Approach-Pot-During-Games-Home-BC-Bud
@jlupien
Jan 26 2010, 10:09 pm
What you're doing is tossing shit at a wall and hoping something sticks. There's no basis for any of it, you just pop up and toss out stupid questions and allegations that you pulled out of your ass at random. And you're doing it because you think you see an opportunity to try to further impugn the reputation of MPP or people defending it.
Well here's a question for you, since you find this all so relevant: since you already admit you got turned down when you asked MPP for money, and since I see no reason not to use your own logic at this point and just decide I don't trust anything you say because you have admitted to a financial link between yourself and MPP (a negative link, thus your reaction here), I therefore would like to just toss out some questions about where you are getting your funding now, if any. Who pays you, who has funded your activism and things you do on this issue? Anyone with a grudge against any groups in particular? Are you trying to get grant money or employment from anyone or any group with a vested interest in trashing MPP?
If getting money from MPP - which by the way I don't and am not trying to do and have no reason to think I possibly would for any reason - is something that automatically casts "suspicion" on people in your mind, then NOT getting money from MPP should certainly make us all suspicious of you. Your behavior is certainly suspicion, since you've repeated false assertions here, keep just tossing out wild accusations and questions that are unrelated to the issue and throw out new (and stupider) ones if your last one was shot down.
Lying, spreading information already proven false, hypocrisy and contradicting yourself, and admitting you were denied money by the people you're attacking so ridiculously are all reasons to have serious suspicions about you and your motives. Right? Hey, don't cry about it, I'm just applying your own logic back on you.
@To Kampia's D.E.A.
Jan 26 2010, 9:37 pm
Let's settle one thing right now - you say "Kampia must go", "Money isn't the answer to everything", and that "integrity does still matter." OOPS, since all of you in fact only wanted Kampia to move into a fundraising position, meaning you didn't demand his ouster. And you wanted him raising money to pay your fucking salaries. So does that mean, by your definition, you actually didn't have any integrity previously?
You can't deny this, it's the facts - you previously only called for Kampia to move into fundraising, not be removed entirely, and you were fine keeping him so long as he made sure there was money for your paycheck. NOW, since you don't work there anymore, you're little grudge is all about demanding he be removed and you spout off stupidity about "integrity" when you've shown clearly that you have none, and apparently never DID by your own definition. Right? RIGHT.
So cut your blabbering about integrity and "defenders, enablers, apologists", because all you've done is consistently lie and cheat and mislead people with your bullshit. Anyone still pretending that you have an ounce of credibility, or treating your claims as anything but twisted versions of reality coming from people with twisted notions of honesty and integrity, are doing nothing but defend and enable a bunch of liars. But by all means, let's have your apologists come forward, because it's about time somebody started apologizing for the lack of integrity and honor you've demonstrated.
You don't stand for justice, and I'm surprised you have the gall to utter that word after all the crap you've pulled. How shameless are you, to keep this up after one lie after another of yours has been revealed as what it is? If there's any real justice, you'd be held fully accountable for what you've said and done, and I sure hope you are.
@just do it
Jan 26 2010, 7:43 pm
just do it
Jan 26 2010, 7:15 pm
dbcooper
Jan 26 2010, 4:32 pm
i need one more shot
i just need one last chance
this time i won't get caught
i need to make my last stand
this time i can't be bought
then again on the other hand
how much have you got ?
elmo buzz
jclupien
Jan 26 2010, 1:37 pm
I am not sure how many of the posters defending or trying to defuse this incident actually have a stake in MPP beyond the grassroots work. Maybe they could come clean.
I still want to know who is on the board at MPP and whether they receive funding from MPP. To keep HU210 from going ballistic I won't suggest that if that is occuring that it is incestuous.
To Kampia's D.E.A.
Jan 26 2010, 1:30 pm
"It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it." Upton Sinclair
Think about it. If you weren't so heavily invested in defending him, what would you think? I know my answer...
For MPP to survive, Kampia must go. If Kampia stays on after his 3 months, it's a tacit approval and a victory for harassment in workplace. Money isn't the answer to everything and integrity does still matter. If you are saying Rob must stay because he's effective at raising money despite his well-documented proclivities, then you enable his power play. If not, you stand for justice. Simple.
dbcooper
Jan 26 2010, 1:21 pm
out in my yard today
it had one leaf missin' off'n it
but that was okay
lookin' it over i could easily see
that four leafs was really only one more than three
and that's close enough for me
it must be my lucky day
elmo buzz
jclupien
Jan 26 2010, 12:27 pm
And to whoever anynomous is, you admit that you don't know why Kampia would suggest that funding would leave, yet you readily speculate about virtually every aspect of this question in a manner that clearly demonstrates your opinion that the whole event is a non-issue. At the same time you bag on everyone elses' speculation. Furthermore, you seem to think that people don't get fired for improper relations in the workplace.
I personally think that the leaked email demonstrates a a self serving attitude, not selflessness. That to me is the central issue, beyond the lascivous behaviour. You seem to discount the department heads as well. Do you think that they wanted this scandal? They were the ones that took action. Based on your remarks you seem to think that their action was driven by petty grudges against Kampia. Do you have proof? It is more likely that the department heads were considerinh the possible aftermath of Kampia's actions. Furthermore, they did not say leave, they said stay on as fundraiser, which is clearly Kampia's forte.
By the way everyone, $6 million annually is a hell of a lot of money. Over ten years that would come to $60 million. It seems like there should be more to show for this amount. Again, just my opinion.
Hopefully, the reporters at HT will follow up with a complete expose.
STAND UP
Jan 26 2010, 11:16 am
REAL CHANGE STARTS WITH YOU THE VOTER!
anonymous
Jan 26 2010, 9:23 am
When people who hate someone as much as these liars hate Kampia STILL want to keep the person, and for the purpose of raising money, that should clear up one helluva lot for you people asking questions. Even the people who are attacking him felt he was needed to keep donations flowing, and they were willing to let him stay at the group and make money to pay their salaries.
Which tells me he must indeed be an important factor in fundraising, likely because he has ran the group for 15 years and gotten a lot of laws passed. He probably knew his value to the group and to donors just as much as these accuser obviously did when they wanted him to stay around to keep raising money to pay their salaries.
Oh, and in case you haven't figured it out yet, this means Kampia was turning down a request for him to step down but remain a fundraiser, and he still felt funding would dry up? Think really carefully on this - he wasn't "threatening" to "take" money, he was responding to a request that he REMAIN at the group as a FUNDRAISER. So he'd still be raising money to pay for their salaries, but he felt that funding was going to dry up anyway if he were no longer running the group.
Claiming he was going to "take" money, when in fact these liars were asking him to stay at the group and try to raise money, looks a bit stupid. His response was to a specific proposal, he spoke to someone who relayed it through that e-mail, and you don't know what tone or reasoning was going on, or who he'd talked to or not talked to among donors. BUT, it was a response to the proposal from department heads, so maybe he got the proposal and THEN ASKED what the donors would think, or maybe he'd already asked the donors about options and got the impression they'd pull funding.
Point being, there's a lot of rational explanations, and in light of the whole "we want you to stay as a fundraiser" thing these accusations look increasingly like total bullshit. The liars who now claim he did horrible things and that he must be kicked out ACTUALLY wanted him to stick around and keep raising money. That raise any doubts in the minds of the rest of you reading any of this? Because it sure as hell has me doubting them more than I already did (because they're posting lies).
dbcooper
Jan 26 2010, 9:17 am
What really disturbed me was one of the newsheads was making totally unfounded accusations and using distorted out of date information/propaganda and the MPP guy just sat there silent.
It made me feel like he was more interested in keeping his job/funding/livelyhood, than he was keeping me and you out of jail.
I found myself wanting to reach inside the the video clip and shake the guy from california mpp silly and demand that he say something.
It made me very depressed to think mpp couldnt do a better job ina debate.
thanks for listening.
I get real depressed and i tell everybody
thats what makes me unique
most folks opt out for dignity
but me i get up and speak
Oh yeah, Tommy womack is cool. check him out.
view
Jan 26 2010, 8:25 am
HU210
Jan 26 2010, 7:50 am
anonymous
Jan 26 2010, 12:08 am
There have been tons of potential explanations for what the reasoning might have been. This isn't some huge mystery, he either asked and was told, or he speculated based on what he knows about the donors. There are plenty of simple reasons donors might withdraw funding if he stepped down.
"How so, and, that begs another question why not follow the department heads' recommendation?"
It doesn't beg the question at all. If you claim outright that there are only two possible options, and you happen to be utterly wrong, I'm going to point it out. As I did. Regardless, there are plenty of reasons someone might refuse to step aside - like, just for example, the exact one Kampia mentioned and that is the entire point of this whole conversation. If he suspected or was told that donors would withdraw financial support for the group, that's kind of a huge reason not to step aside.
Then there's the fact that he may have felt it also happened to be bullshit to try to get him to step aside over what happened. Add "possible loss of funds" plus "it's unnecessary or unfair", and those are a few rather glaringly obvious reasons he might not take the recommendation. It doesn't take a genius to figure this out, and it's stupid to keep acting and talking like its some huge mystery or that there is some sort of nefarious feeling to it.
"Why suggest that funding might be jeopardized? An act of contrition like that might have ended the whole incident and kept it out of the media altogether."
Really? I need to yet again say "why" he would suggest it? It's getting a bit stupid to have to keep explaining something this simple. If Kampia suspected or knew that him stepping aside might cause funding to go away and thus threaten the group's continued survival, why might he bother mentioning that? Because it's fucking relevant information, maybe.
Let me try to really spell this out clearly, since it seems hard to understand. Kampia is asked to step aside. He says he won't volunteer to step aside, because he obviously believes (either due to his own speculation or because he was told) that funding will leave if Kampia is gone as head of the group. He informs the department heads of his decision, and apparently also of the reason for his decision or at least a factor in it or at least to let them know what could happen to funding if he steps aside
The end. How is this not clear? Why are some of you wide-eyed and gasping for breath like this is some startling sinister situation? Oh, because a few people lied about it and you just believe them, even after it's been clearly shown that they are lying. This is ridiculous.
"Likewise, I assume that if Kampia assured the department heads that he'd do everything in his power to insure that the funding remained that HT's reporters would not neglect to report such information."
Right, you assume. Because that's all you're doing, assuming your ass off and buying whatever stupid shit the liars on here post. And to say HT would not have neglected to report such information is laughable - first, you just yanked the whole "Kampia assuring department heads" thing out of your ass. Nobody said he assured them of that, and he might not say anything to them about it if he tried to do that. How can you people be this dull witted, for god's sake?
"The people on the inside would probably be screaming bloody murder at HT if they neglected something like this, right?"
Try really hard to grasp this, as it's been said about a bazillion times: no, they wouldn't, because THEY. DON'T. CLAIM. TO. KNOW. THINGS. THEY. DIDN'T. WITNESS.
Only a few of you are just farting around like whatever you just think happens to be some fact caught on video. You have no fucking idea what went on behind the scenes, any more than anyone else does at this point. You are speculating and making shit up now, and acting like there are only two options in any given situation.
"Me too, but isn't that the problem - a pattern of behavior?"
The pattern of behavior here is people posting bullshit lies and other people just gobbling it up without thinking about it first. Another problem is misunderstanding what's been printed in articles and saying something that's a misreading and then not understanding when I point out that it was misread. And one other pattern is people grasping around like armchair detectives thinking they see some clues and jumping to conclusions and speculating about behavior based mostly on half-ass guesses formed from lies and misreading of the new stories. It's completely ridiculous.
"Most people would be fired for that type of infraction. Do you disagree?"
Yes, I disagree. I think it only occasionally even creates a significant stir, and when it does it only sometimes results in someone getting fired.
jclupien
Jan 25 2010, 11:30 pm
clear reading?
Jan 25 2010, 11:21 pm
Hmmm I didn't see the woman in question quoted in either article. I'm not making any claims here, just pointing out that there is no such acknowledgment from her to be found.
FYI HU210
Jan 25 2010, 8:02 pm
@ @jclupien
Jan 25 2010, 7:52 pm
I'm only looking at the email cited in the article.
"The options are not merely "he's railroaded or an egomaniac"." How so, and, that begs another question why not follow the department heads' recommendation? Why suggest that funding might be jeopardized? An act of contrition like that might have ended the whole incident and kept it out of the media altogether.
Likewise, I assume that if Kampia assured the department heads that he'd do everything in his power to insure that the funding remained that HT's reporters would not neglect to report such information. The people on the inside would probably be screaming bloody murder at HT if they neglected something like this, right?
"The speculation about people leaving mostly referred to past events, as I read it." Me too, but isn't that the problem - a pattern of behavior?
Unfortunately, society holds people to different standards both in the court of common opinion and law. So you are right I did make a sweeping generalization. Most people would be fired for that type of infraction. Do you disagree?
"It doesn't get worse with each report at all." How so? The leaked emails seem more damaging than the initial report about the scandal. As you stated before, you don't know why Kampia would make that suggestion. I'd like to know why?
Finally, time will tell what happens with future funding. I'd say it is still too earlier to tell. As HT says they are continuing to investigate.
@HU210
Jan 25 2010, 7:23 pm
@jclupien
Jan 25 2010, 7:14 pm
The options are not merely "he's railroaded or an egomaniac". Again, plenty of plausible scenarios have been offered. Ignore them as you will, but then you are willingly ignoring them and choosing to go with liars and speculation presented as fact.
The speculation about people leaving mostly referred to past events, as I read it. I've seen no evidence offered that more people would leave, so I'm not going to try to disprove a claim that so far doesn't seem to have any evidence behind it beyond the claim itself. I've seen MPP staffers put their names to posts here saying things have improved and that only this article is causing any new problems, in fact.
Of course I don't endorse Clinton's actions -- that's a ridiculous question. The fact is you said that anyone else would've been fired, and I demonstrated that claim is false. That's the point of my comments, and it should be rather obvious. It is not true at all that everyone else gets fired for it, and the points about "shoulda been fired" don't matter. They weren't fired, that's the fact and the point, since you said anyone else would be.
It doesn't get worse with each report at all. Only the lies and allegations, and people's willingness to assume demonstrated liars are telling the truth, gets worse.
@Okay so
Jan 25 2010, 7:05 pm
Did the conversation consist of Kampia saying "I can't step aside, if I do that I think donors will take their money elsewhere"? You don't know. I don't know. To claim that a second party stating Kampia said funding would leave is factually the same as Kampia making a "threat" that he will "take" money away is utterly false, and no matter how you try to spin it you are lying when you claim it's a fact.
No, including a name would not make my "justifications" (as you call them) ring hollow, that's a stupid thing to say and makes no sense. My claim is that a second party stating that Kampia said funding will leave is not the same as your assertion of supposed fact that Kampia made a "threat" to "take" money away. Unless you have a tape recording of the conversation with Kampia that the e-mail references, your claims are simply your own interpretation of a second person's comments about what Kampia stated, and you have no idea what motivated Kampia or how he felt about what he said. To claim otherwise is a lie.
I do know the facts about what was e-mailed, it's posted below. And I know that you are lying about what it said, period. You can't claim otherwise because it's factually true that you lied about what the e-mail says when you claim it factually was Kampia "threatening" to "take" money.
And it's rather obvious that Kampia was mistaken, since he stepped aside and there is no indication - especially in the articles quoting people about his departure - that any funding is "leaving".
Why ask me if Kampia talked to any donors, or why he would or wouldn't? I don't know, just like YOU don't know. The difference is, I'm not fantasizing about it and then posting my personal guesses as absolute fact. YOU are, and you then claim anyone pointing out that you're making shit up is wrong, which makes you a liar. And you know you're lying, and you're trying to cover it up.
And Kampia didn't make a "threat" in that e-mail. He didn't write the e-mail, and the person who did merely notes that Kampia said his stepping aside would (in his opinion it seems, and it seems he was wrong) mean funding would leave. There is no indication of how he felt about funding leaving, whether he made the statement based on anything he'd heard, and certainly no indication that he somehow has power over donors to force them to let him "take" their money away. To claim otherwise, as you have repeatedly done, is a lie.
Maybe Kampia did speak to donors, maybe not. Why would he? To see their reaction to the possibility of him stepping aside would be one possible reason I can think of that any person with a working brain might also think of. If he asked their reaction and got the impression they'd be unhappy donating to an organization that removes him due to threats based on unsubstantiated rumors or even the basic facts we know about what happened, then he'd have every rational reason to let people know that if he stepped aside that donor funding might stop flowing.
If Kampia based his decision not to step aside on donor comments, it could indicate he made his decision to prevent donor funding to remain. That's one very plausible, easy-to-come-up-with scenario that would explain the facts we know and would contradict your personal theory about Kampia making "threats" to "take" money away out of only concern for himself.
Or maybe he didn't talk to anyone, and knows enough about donors that he personally suspected funding might reduce if he stepped down. Maybe he was worried about even approaching donors about stepping aside, lest it make them jittery. That, too, would be a plausible scenario that's the opposite of your claims.
The point is, there are plausible theories to explain things, and notice I present them as "theories". You come up with your own theories, but you claim it's fact, which is a lie.
HU210
Jan 25 2010, 7:00 pm
Just because Rob describes the sex as consensual, doesn't give any objective weight as to characterize the sex.
You weren't in the room, and so you don't know what happened, and neither do I, so you stating that it's fact the sex was consensual is not appopriate, when the sex also could have been non-consensual, barely consensual but unwanted, or the employee could have been too drunk to consent. we don't know.
@jc---A clear reading of both articles will reveal that the woman in question acknowledged that the sex was consensual. Quit reading shit into the story that aint there. Also go back and read Tod
HU210
Jan 25 2010, 6:54 pm
Jan 23 2010, 10:44 pm
@HU210
The following appear to be factual:
1) Seven staffers/employees left due to Kampia's alleged behavior.
2) Kampia had what he describes as consensual sex with an employee who had been dating another employee who still worked at MPP.
3) Kampia threatened to disrupt the funding upon being asked to step down.
Am I missing anything? Are you okay with all that?
@at anyone in the know
Can anyone list the board members, who they are and whether they have received financial support from MPP? Just curious to know how incestuous this might be?
@ jclupine.
Lookie there. jclupine stooping to the same behavior level in the last sentence. That jclupine complains Kampia demonstrates. Some hypocrite. What a loser!! Get a job. Get a life.
jclupien
Jan 25 2010, 5:44 pm
Do the donors support him or MPP? According to the article it took Lewis stepping in to get Kampia to step down. Does that mean that he is only accountable to Lewis?
Either someone is railroading Kampia or Kampia must think that he is untouchable. So far I have seen no proof of railroading. In fact, the article suggests that if Kampia stayed on in his role then additional employees would leave. Can you explain that or is that report just a bunch of bullshit? Can you offer any proof?
Similarly all the bosses that you list as having committed similar lascivious acts would be considered elitist in my book. Furthermore, with Letterman he was actually being blackmailed. Is that the case with Kampia? Additionally, Clinton should have been impeached for lying, it was despicable. Last time I checked perjury was a crime. I hope you don't condome Clinton's action.
If this is really an inside coup by a group of incestuous employees, what's up with that. Who hired these pukes in the first place? What is the criterion for getting hired at MPP? As stated, this is an ongoing investigation, which keeps getting worse with each report.
Okay, so...
Jan 25 2010, 5:43 pm
It would certainly make your last batch of justifications ring rather false, wouldn't it...
Which means you either don't know the facts and what was in the email (sad), or you do know, but still want to pretend this isn't all about a threat over Peter Lewis' money (lie)...
So I reiterate: Why wouldn't Kampia check with Lewis first before making his threat about the money. And yes, it's about $3 million per year.
@jclupien
Jan 25 2010, 4:55 pm
Maybe they felt Kampia was so good at his job, and the allegations so minor or actually dubious, that they didn't want to invest if someone else that wasn't as well-tested were running the group. Who knows? But it's hardly some big conspiracy or mystery, there are plenty of rational reasons to pull your investment if the leader is removed by people like the ones posting here.
The reason you're reading about this here has nothing to do with whether Kampia is a "stellar manager". You are reading it because a group with a track record so far of lying their asses off went to a magazine willing to print rumor and allegations because it's scandalous and part of the movement. Saying "if he's good, we wouldn't be hearing he's bad" is far from logical.
I keep hearing this crap about "why would seven resign in this economy". So seven resignations, two of which were the woman and her ex it seems, outweighs all of the non-resignations? So nobody here has ever heard of people leaving an organization and making false allegations, or having axes to grind? This is some shocking revelation that this happens? Personal grudges are so rare in this movement?
Besides the woman and her ex-boyfriend who quit, two of the people were the ex-boyfriend's friends and roommates. To pretend this couldn't be important, that there couldn't possibly be any personal grudge based on Kampia having slept with the guy's ex-girlfriend, is ridiculous. And that's four of the seven who left, and that's a pretty overt personal grudge.
This was seven total people out of a far larger number, the vast majority of whom didn't quit, and we can quickly see at least one obvious potential personal grudge that might exist among four of the seven since they have such a strong non-work connection to one another.
You don't know if Kampia did or didn't work to keep funding at the group. Right now, he's stepped down and there's no news that funding has stopped. So for all you know, he did do something to prevent loss of funds. You are just taking the word of people who've already been lying, and again treating it like their allegation and version of events is true, even though the evidence shows it's not.
You ask why he didn't accept "the board's initial recommendation" - what are you talking about? There's been no report at all saying there was any initial board recommendation. You're confusing facts. The claim has been that department heads asked Kampia to volunteer to take another role, that's all.
That you think his e-mail comment - and it's in fact an e-mail from someone ELSE, not Kampia, and it's not even a direct quote so you don't know what his actual words or tone were - "seems like a veiled" threat. Big difference between something "seeming" to you to be a "veiled" threat, and something actually being a threat of any sort.
And whatever perception you have of what it "seemed" to be in a "veiled" way, that perception is arising from what someone besides Kampia said, and it only "seemed" "veiled".
Any other manager would be bagged... really? Really, "any other" would? Like David Letterman, the way he got bagged for it? The way Clinton got bagged for it, since he was kind of the country's ultimate manager? The way any number of Congressmen got bagged when caught having affairs with interns? Or any number of other managers and politicians named in other posts on these two HT threads? Oh, but wait, those were different... most of them were also MARRIED when they slept with their subordinates when they did it and kept their jobs. Sometimes people get fired, sometimes not. But you said "any other manager", stated it as fact, when it's not. People need to stop using hyperbolic remarks and conjecture and presenting it as absolute fact, but that's been the status quo so far for most of these allegations and distortions of truth.
So far, I've not seen any evidence presented that shows any comments by Kampia about funding at all, either that he'd try to save funding or that he would "take" it. Since the very claim that he made any "threat" or said he'd "take" funding is a lie anyway, I don't know that I really care if he sent any e-mail saying he'd try to save funding. The fact right now is that he stepped aside, and we've not seen any breaking news from either side that funding is in doubt.
@Nice try
Jan 25 2010, 4:13 pm
""He also noted that if he left, [major funding] would leave with him"
That is a second person passing comments someone else made, in a way that does not in any way indicate it was said as a "threat" as opposed to a simple statement of belief about what might happen. And there is of course the fact that Kampia cannot "take" it, the donors would be the ones making the decision. Your comment claimed Kampia said he'd TAKE $3 million in funding, and it's a lie. So stop trying to pretend it's not a lie. And your claim that it's "explicit" is also a lie.
You don't know WHAT Kampia may have said or asked of any donors. You simply state as if it were a fact - rather than a lie, which is what it is - that you know what Kampia did or did not do or say. But you have no idea, you just decided what you believe about Kampia and are willing to lie to continue making your assertions about him and MPP.
It seems you can't tell the difference between yourself just believing something you have no knowledge of, and actual real truth. You are dangerous because you believe that if you want something to be true or personally think it, you can just claim it's true. But your assertion that it's true because you believe it, and that we must all accept your claims and beliefs as true no matter how much the evidence proves you are lying, is nothing but another level of deception.
And maybe your small and obsessed mind hasn't exactly grasped this yet, but Kampia has STEPPED DOWN. And have the donors deserted MPP? No. So does that mean Kampia may have asked the donors NOT to withdraw funding? We don't know. Just like you don't know what was said between Kampia and any donors if they talked about it at all, at any point. You just make up whatever fits into your little version of reality and peddle it as fact when it's nothing but your own guesses or lies or delusions. But the fact is that Kampia has left MPP, and one article says his return will depend on what the board decides in several months. There is no word that any funding has left, and I'm sure that would have been immediately posted all over the place if it had happened. You just ignore this obvious point and how much it makes your already obviously false claims look even worse.
You know what the email said, just like we all know what it said. You know that your claims about what Kampia did or didn't do or say to donors is nothing but a little fantasy you've cooked up in your own head. And you know that what's actually happened is inconsistent with your claims, and might in fact prove that what you just claim never took place may in fact have taken place (Kampia asking for funding to continue despite his leaving). Which means you knew what you were saying was nothing but utter lies, and yet you keep saying it anyway.
jclupien
Jan 25 2010, 4:07 pm
Still, why would funding leave with Kampia? Why would he even suggest that this might happen?
Nice try
Jan 25 2010, 3:54 pm
Now explain this:
How come Rob never consults with Lewis and asks "Hey, if I step down to a new role, would you please continue to fund this incredibly important organization?"
He never asks, because it's not a "concern" of his, i.e. something that he wants to avoid, it's a threat, something that he's using as leverage to get his way (and it worked)...
Otherwise, wouldn't he consult with Lewis? Wouldn't he do everything in his power to make sure the $3 million wouldn't disappear, no matter what, rather than immediately tell Alison Green that PL's funding would leave with him...
jclupien
Jan 25 2010, 3:53 pm
If Kampia was a stellar manager, then we would not be reading about this shit and discussing it in this forum right now?
If I follow your logic -@to the defenders, the seven MPP employees that left are all puds with an axe to grind against Kampia. Is that correct?
I find it hard to believe that seven employees would resign paying jobs in the reform movement for a personal vendetta, especially in this booming economy. To me this suggests that there is some truth in the allegations. Otherwise, you have to consider the organization's inability to hire good employees, which again brings us back to management decisions.
If Kampia is so critical to funding why wouldn't he work to insure that the funding did not leave? Why wouldn't he immediately accept responsibility and accept the board's initial recommendation?
Maybe Kampia's email comment is not a direct threat, but it certainly seems like a veiled one, kinda like if you do that you'll be sorry. Does Peter Lewis support MPP or Kampia? What's the relationship there? Come on people, is he Peter Lewis's illegitimate love child?
At the very least, it seems that Kampia needs to be marginalized to save the other 50% of donations. Maybe Lewis would pull his money, but then you have to consider the outrage over this incident, the responsibility for which seems to squarely lie with Kampia's bad judgement. If Kampia stays what does that mean to the other half of funding?
If Kampia is such a whizbang fund raiser, then what is the big deal, take some responsibility accept the board's initial recommendation and turn over the executive director position to someone that does not alienate staff due to his self-admitted sexual proclivities.
Any other manager that did this in the real world, would be bagged in a second and I think that's what we are all pissed off about.
When a different set of standards is applied to Kampia it is hard not to think of elitism. Is there anything in the emails that shows Kampia saying that he'll do everything in his power to insure that the funding is maintained?
actually...
Jan 25 2010, 3:16 pm
"Sorry, that's the facts Jack!"
Sorry, that's a load of bullshit, actually.
First, learn to read. The email didn't say that. Tell me, is Kampia actually the one who orders donors to donate? He can take their money, really? Oh, no, you just made that up. A lying quotation to intentionally misrepresent what actually happened, just like you've done all along. Misrepresent and lie.
And tell me, how do you know there were no negotiations, no explanations, no investigations, etc? Oh, no, you don't, you just made that up as well.
If there were "no negotiations", pray tell why was there a proposal in the first place asking Kampia to take another role? And it sounds like there was an explanation, namely that donors might not fund the group if Kampia stepped down. It also sounds like meanwhile there was an ongoing investigation, so that claim of yours is also a load of crap.
The unanimous decision thing keeps getting bandied about by people who first openly lied about it, then lied some more, and now continue to lie about it. The record was already set straight on that, namely that what they "unanimously" did was ask Kampia if he would volunteer to take another role at the group. We also know that some of them were initially motivated by the fear of resignation, and that when Kampia didn't agree to voluntarily take another role, they didn't support removing him anyway. They did, it seems, decide threats of resignations would be a bad reason to remove Kampia.
The context and actual facts keep being left out by you people with a self-serving ulterior motive, as part of your campaign of disinformation and lies to cover up the truth about what happened and basically try to push everyone around to get your own way. You have a vendetta, and will lie, cheat, and bully to get your way.
@Again, to The Kampia Defenders
Jan 25 2010, 3:05 pm
1. The email doesn't say Kampia said he'd "take" money away, he said that if he left the funding would go as well. Big difference between Kampia threatening to "take" money away, and him noting that his removal would lead to people not funding the group. You think Kampia tells funders how they have to invest their money? It's a stupid claim and the evidence shows you are intentionally misstating what was said. And your comment also claims department heads told Kampia to step down, when we've now learned (thank you to the people honest enough to use their real names and post the details) that Kampia wasn't "told", he was asked to voluntarily take a different job at the group. Again, big difference that you try to mislead everyone about. These are the actual facts, and they are backed up by evidence rather than someone intentionally trying to mislead us.
2. It doesn't "prove" your twisted version of what it means at all. It proves Kampia was asked to voluntarily take a different job, but that he didn't want to and one reason he gave was that it would cost the group donations from some funders. I've read two different articles about Kampia's past, including that he went bankrupt running MPP. Claiming that his refusal to step to another job and reminding everyone that it would cost the group funding is not "proof" he cares only about himself. You already have an opinion about Kampia, and are just reading and twisting evidence to try and make it "prove" your pre-supposed belief about him. I could note that you care nothing about people dying of AIDS since you wanted to cost the group funding that helps pass medicinal marijuana laws, and that you only cared about settling some personal vendetta against Kampia. And that now, a long time later, you are attacking him and the group and anyone who disagrees with you in order to try and destroy marijuana legalization efforts because you don't care about anyone or anything but yourself and your ego. Do your past and current actions "prove" this?
3. Again, the emails and postings here show that you are lying about other staffers and their motivations. It's already been pointed out to you that in fact some people only supported asking Kampia to volunteer to take another job because they specifically feared the threat of resignations (made presumably by you and your cohorts lying here), and that what "changed their minds" was not the supposed "threat" about funding (which you misrepresented anyway, as the email in fact shows) but that they decided not to give in to threats and fear about resignations since they felt it would be more harmful to the group in the long run than anything resulting from Kampia keeping his existing job. You've continuously lied about the issue of unanimous department head sentiment, about their motives, about what was said, and about why they changed their minds. We need only ask "why would you lie" to know you are not to be trusted, that you want to mislead people because the truth is against you and your true aims, and that if you're willing to continue lying like this even after the evidence has been presented repeatedly then nothing else you say can be trusted either.
So you have a lot of nerve talking about ethics and decency when you've shown none whatsoever. Ethical, decent people don't depend on lying to make their point. They don't distort lie about what happened and about what was said. Unethical, indecent people do that, and it's all you've done this entire time. You are the one trashing people (which by your definition makes you the actual "asshole" here), you are the one who made "threats", and some people apparently decided not to cave to your threats and instead stuck up for what they felt was right and was the good of the movement.
Saying it's not been mentioned by name is a joke in light of the many comments from people at MPP who actually posted their real names and evidence to demonstrate repeatedly that you've lied about one thing after another. Everything you posted in your comment was addressed directly and proven to be false already, but you think you can just shout-down everyone by posting the lies enough that they drown out the truth.
You clearly don't give a shit about ethics or decency or the good of the movement, you just care about yourself and whatever sick motivation is driving you in this vendetta. I think your obsession with slandering MPP and the people with the guts to call you what you are - a liar - is really more important to you now than Kampia. It's all about you and your sick obsession now, and you keep lying in pursuit of it.
jclupien
Jan 25 2010, 1:43 pm
Simply based on the threat of funding being pulled, certainly seems to cast Kampia as self-serving and as someone who does not really give a bleep about the movement. Obviously he understands how important the funding is.
This threat seems to suggest that he believes that he is more important than MPP and its mission. This threat more than the consensual sex act with an employee seems like grounds to railroad the guy out of town. Screw the remedial training that's not the real problem here. Is MPP totally subservient to Kampia and is Kampia that important to MPP?
Again, again
Jan 25 2010, 1:24 pm
Meanwhile, to say Peter Lewis would pull his money if Rob left is not accurate and not known, even at this moment... Peter Lewis has not said that, but that's certainly the threat Kampia made, isn't it...
No negotiations, no explanations, no investigations, no meetings with the board, no talking with Peter Lewis, faced with the unanimous department heads, Kampia just immediately went to "If you move against me, I'll take $3 million out of marijuana law reform."
Sorry, that's the facts Jack!
anon
Jan 25 2010, 12:57 pm
It's more accurate to say it's the truth as well as a threat.
If Rob isn't in charge of MPP Lewis will pull his funding. It's both a threat and a reality.
The unanimous vote was to have Rob step down as Executive Director and work just with fund-raising instead, not to step down from the organization entirely.
At that point five staffers had turned in their resignations (not seven), and four of the five said they'd come back under those conditions.
That's what the unanimous vote was about initially, and why it was no longer unanimous after it became obvious that the organization would have to make severe staff cuts and halt most programs if it went through.
I would also like to point out that since most of the people who left were at that point willing to come back, it wasn't Rob's initial conduct that was the big sticking point, but rather how things were handled after the fact.
Many of these facts have been left out of the story at High Times, although they obviously have access to the emails that contained the above information.
Again, to The Kampia Defenders
Jan 25 2010, 12:29 pm
Justifications and diversion abound, but if anybody can find a flaw in the facts or deductions below, please inform me and be specific... tell me where I am wrong
1) When confronted with every department head and Alison Green telling him to step down as Executive Director, Kampia instead said I'll take all of Peter Lewis' money away (about $3 million per year) and some of you guys will lose your jobs...
2) This proves Kampia obviously doesn't care very much about marijuana law reform or even MPP, never mind his co-workers or the 800,000 people arrested every year for marijuana. Instead, it's ALL about him. Literally and obviously.
3) Anybody who allows that kind of threat to change their mind doesn't really have much of a moral leg to stand on... Maybe you can justify that decision to yourself, but you've got a lot of nerve lecturing anyone else about ethics or even basic decency.... I guess MONEY TALKS and gets you to fold instantly on a stance you took with your colleagues and then instantly start defending the asshole who just threatened you and trashing people who used to be your friends and colleagues...
Keep bitching about "lies" in this story that you somehow never mention by name (because it's all true) and creating straw men to argue against, but the irony is that KAMPIA SO CLEARLY COULDN'T GIVE A SHIT ABOUT ANY OF YOU, or he would never act the way he did.... just remember that..
@HU210
Jan 25 2010, 12:13 pm
You weren't in the room, and so you don't know what happened, and neither do I, so you stating that it's fact the sex was consensual is not appopriate, when the sex also could have been non-consensual, barely consensual but unwanted, or the employee could have been too drunk to consent. we don't know.
@HU210
Jan 25 2010, 10:01 am
Reading the articles though, it appears that the items in question are fact, either confirmed by Kampia or appearing in the leaked emails. Do you disagree?
Not trying to pick a fight - jclupien.
HU210
Jan 25 2010, 9:36 am
Jan 23 2010, 10:44 pm
@HU210
The following appear to be factual:
1) Seven staffers/employees left due to Kampia's alleged behavior.
2) Kampia had what he describes as consensual sex with an employee who had been dating another employee who still worked at MPP.
3) Kampia threatened to disrupt the funding upon being asked to step down.
Am I missing anything? Are you okay with all that?
Now you contend "appear to be factual". That would equal conjecture upon conjecture, by the 7 quitters. With the only FACT'S being that Kampia and the tart had CONSENSUAL sex and kampia threatened to take the funding with him. I have understood this bogus article all along.
Check all ya want. I get nothing from MPP, except the benefit of the hard work done by MPP.
But you and HT are attempting to ruin that with yellow journalism
anonymous
Jan 25 2010, 7:40 am
For over seven years, drugs have been decriminalized in Portugal. This new study examines the Portuguese model and the data concerning drug-related trends in Portugal, and argues that, "judged by virtually every metric, the Portuguese decriminalization framework has been a resounding success."
Cato.org
@WTF
Jan 24 2010, 8:57 pm
And threat of violence? Are you only capable of making histrionic remarks in the most melodramatic fashion possible? If you are so dull witted that you missed my point, let me try to say it as simply as possible so you might have a chance to understand this time: you insult people for defending against terrible charges against them in the press, so I suggest you might understand better (or well enough not to just spew stupidity and "fuck you" at everyone in sight) if you knew what it was like to get accused of terrible charges in the media.
Got it yet? I hope so, because I don't think I can explain it in one-syllable words for you. Yes, wow, you get that it's a vile thing to do to somebody -- give yourself a cookie! It doesn't take the tip off my point, you just totally missed my point. Big difference, buckaroo.
And where'd you get the idea that I said anything about you posting anonymously? How bad IS your reading comprehension? I asked about your name to make the point about people being attacked and accused BY NAME and why they might feel compelled to defend themselves against such public attacks. It's about your stupid claims and "fuck you" remarks to people for thinking it's NOT better to ignore lies that are trying to ruin their reputations and that seek to portray a false picture of a cover-up of an assault. Do you actually work at not understanding anything?
"PC version of retarded"?? First, what the hell do you think I said that was "PC"? Was it when I called you a moron for being a moron? And "retarded", so show me which word you instantly associated with retarded people. Then come back and make another silly remark like that. Oh, and I'd be real careful about trying to act smarmy about someone not understanding -- since, ya know, you didn't understand most of what I said or the entire point I rather clearly made the first time you missed it.
Is all of that clear enough for you?
But by all means, take your own advice and shut up. Or keep plugging the word "fuck" into a word-generator to see how many variations you can come up with to keep tossing around.
And really, don't go off on some new little rant when you're the one who started off by strutting in and trying to piss in everyone's faces. If you don't like being told to shut up and fuck off, don't stumble around ranting at the rest of us to do so, and then get all wide-eyed and indignant that people you call "fuckwads" don't care if you're supposedly "mostly agreeing with" them while your talking shit to them and telling them not to defend themselves against "vile" attacks. I don't care if you agree with me -- if you agree with me by trying to spit in my face and shout "fuck off, shut up" then I'm gonna spit back, asshole.
You wanna stop trash-talking and insulting and getting rude with people you supposedly "mostly agree with", then you'll get a different response. Otherwise, ask not for whom the "fuckwad" applies, it applies to thee.
WTF?
Jan 24 2010, 8:24 pm
Or was your point that this entire situation has been handled masterfully by those in charge? Riiiiiiight. That's why I read about it in the Washington fucking Post.
I did reread what I wrote, since you seemed to be commenting on a different poster and directing it at me, just to make sure I wasn't losing my fucking mind. Nope, I clearly didn't take any sides, but I do owe an apology. I was too harsh on the MPP staff posting here. I stand by what I said, but I should have said it a whole lot fucking better. I am sorry about that.
Back to your threat of violence against me for a sec... Why, oh why, would you threaten to falsely accuse someone you don't know of rape, if they would only give you their name? That's fucking vile. And not a very effective way to ask me for my name. Seriously, how damaged does someone have to be to make a threat like that? Kind of takes the tip off your point of defending someone for being falsely accused of rape.
Oh, and attacking my post for being anonymous to begin with, when your post was too? That was fucking HILARIOUS. Do you even read what you write?
Before you go around calling someone your PC bullshit version of the word "retarded", maybe you should, uh, you know, make sure you actually comprehend what you're commenting on?
Was that clear enough?
I'm going to take my own advice now and shut the fuck up myself. I'm certainly not going to answer any other fuckwads who call me retarded and attack me for mostly agreeing with them.
Peace.
Then Let's Be REAL Clear
Jan 24 2010, 5:08 pm
Oh, just shut up already. First, no I'm not an MPP person. Second, tell ya what, give us your actual real name and let someone write an article accusing you of raping someone. How's that sound? And then they can post links to the story on Digg, on message boards, on My Space and Facebook, and anywhere else. That way, everyone who knows you who Googles your name can see you accused of rape.
Then let's see you blathering on about ignoring public charges of assault in magazines and newspapers and throughout the activist community, moron.
What, we're all supposed to think your kewl and grown up because you said "fuck you"? Is that supposed to impress anyone? You're a mental child, posting one of the most ignorant of the ignorant rants on here. Meanwhile, get busy posting your name so someone can write that article accusing you of rape, so you can then get busy ignoring it to prove how much better that is.
You aren't mature or cool or "tellin' it like it is, man". You're just a little blowhard showing his ass and yelling "look at me!" Grow up and get lost.
jclupien
Jan 24 2010, 3:46 pm
@ To jclupien and the assholes
Jan 24 2010, 3:45 pm
With respect to organizing out here in Nebraska. I started the process of forming a nonprofit but an old hippie defense lawyer went ballistic. Rob knows who this guy is and has tried to throw money at him to organize, but this guy is afraid that the unicameral will enact a more draconian law in the state. This lawyer basically threatened me not to organize and I backed down not having the resources for a fight. Not proud of it but it what it is.
To @jclupien
Jan 24 2010, 3:41 pm
jclupien
Jan 24 2010, 3:21 pm
dbcooper
Jan 24 2010, 3:07 pm
I try to be different, but i fuck up at that as well. Every time i try to climb up out of this ol' wishing well i usually just make it up high enough to really fucking hurt when i fell.
My granny always told me...bless her heart...that "lovable people are easy to love. Loving those we feel do not deserve our love takes great strength, faith, and courage."
Imo this didnt mean that we should love the unacceptable behavior, but we should always show compassion and love for those who just cant seem to stop fucking up.
No matter how much i fucked up i had someone to love me and that made me to want to at least try not to fuck up so much.
I hate what Rob did. I do not hate Rob.
To @Just to be clear
Jan 24 2010, 1:16 pm
But the point is, you are supposed to know better. You are supposed to be the professionals. This isn't a court of law, it's a court of public opinion and you clearly do not understand your audience. Someone needs to put a gag order on you fuckers quick before you make this worse than it is.
Seriously, hire someone who knows something about PR and crisis management now that this was bungled so badly that you drove Bruce Merkin away.
And so I'm not put on a side in this bullshit, to reiterate, everyone attacking the organization and gleefully crowing and hoping for its downfall can go fuck yourselves.
Just to be clear
Jan 24 2010, 12:53 pm
"All you MPP people posting under fake and real names need a lesson in PR. And posting under your real name and getting into it in public does not make you honorable. It makes you seem stupid and amateurish."
When several people are slandering others publicly and make accusations of cover-ups and lie about other people's behavior (including claiming they supported firing Kampia, or that they were escorted out of buildings by security, for example), and otherwise slander them in public and misrepresent facts specifically about other staffers, it is entirely understandable, honorable and professional to correct those errors and lies.
A few former MPP staffers are posting anonymous accusations that name this or that MPP staffer by name, claiming they did this or that specific thing or supported this or that specific action. When that happens, the right thing to do is to correct the factual record, and to do so by name. Standing up and saying "I did not say that, I did not do that, here is what I said and did" is in fact the honorable thing to do. It is not right or honorable or professional to sit by and allow false allegations to pile up about one's self or others.
Claims that all department heads wanted Kampia fired, that people changed their minds due to threats from Kampia, that anyone lied to the board, that security kicked them out of the building, and other such nonsense has been rightly called false because it needs to be called false, lest such lies continue giving a totally dishonest impression of events. And those making such claims are fully aware that they are making false statements, and that clear evidence exists proving their statements are false.
So it's a mistake to lump everyone together when criticizing what's being said, since some people have been very open and honest in setting the record straight out of necessity.
CharityNavigator
Jan 24 2010, 12:41 pm
Most policy reform groups are actually two orgs that are legally separate but for all practical purposes working together. Donations to the c(3) are tax-deductible and can be made by individuals or corporations, but can't be spent on lobbying or influencing elections. Donations to the c(4) can only be made by individuals and can be spent on lobbying and electioneering. Because lobbying is so important to policy reform, it is common for the c(3) to be used as a fund for all the non-lobbying expenses so that as much c(4) money can be spent on political influence as possible.
DPA also does this. DPA is a c(3) organization but works in tandem with DPA Network, a c(4) organization. Similarly, the Human Society, a c(3) organization, works with the Human Society Legislative Fund, a c(4) organization. You will not find any of the c(4)s listed on CharityNavigator because c(4)s are not typically regarding as charities.
To @jclupien and assholes
Jan 24 2010, 12:09 pm
This scandal issue is one thing, but that statement makes you sound like you have a grudge. And your "elitist pricks" comment kind of undercuts your whole "I'm open-minded" thing.
Let me guess... you tried to get in with MPP at some point on some project, but they politely told you to fuck yourself because you're an phony, angry, befuddled shitpot who doesn't know the first thing about organizing in a real way. You think shit just happens, and people and legislators just vote yes because this is such an obviously good idea and prohibition is such bullshit. Although that doesn’t really explain why pot is still illegal. But why disturb misplaced anger and ego with facts? Because you have juice as a local activist, you deem yourself knowledgeable about all things marijuana related in your state, and did not feel they sufficiently kissed your ass hard enough, or deferred to your nonsense. So now they're “elitist pricks” because they told you to go float and got along just fine without you. Oh no! Now you and everyone else realize that you just were not all that necessary and important as you imagined you were. And you probably ended up taking credit for their work that you had nothing to do with, because you've been "laying the groundwork" by "working" in your state for years. You know, by smoking marijuana in public, hanging out with the same 6 dudes talking about how things should be, and what elitist pricks MPP are, and how they do nothing but provide money. Am I close?
Rob fucked up, according to a bunch of staff and Rob himself. I think we can accept that as fact. Sounds like Alison Green might have been complicit in an attempted cover up and lying to her board, which ended up directly leading to these news stories. That would be a major fuckup as well. Absolutely fireable offense. Don’t know if she did it on her own, was ordered to, or was a partner in crime in some cover up. Also, since she has not admitted fault and no one has said she has been disciplined, we do not know if this is fact. But it’s fair for HT to report the story, and all you staffers or whomever trying to kill the messenger are morons. Makes you all sound guilty and motivates these jealous fuckwads who have nothing better to do than talk shit about shit they know nothing about. Just shut the fuck up already, please. All you MPP people posting under fake and real names need a lesson in PR. And posting under your real name and getting into it in public does not make you honorable. It makes you seem stupid and amateurish.
What should happen to Kampia and Green? That’s why nonprofits elect boards. You know, to get the entire story and hand out appropriate corrective action. And if the board fucks that up (which it sounds like they might have the first time dealing with this), then they will severely damage MPP and the entire movement. Yay! Then the rest of you can go back to sitting around with your 6 dudes and talking about how things should be and how bad MPP fucked things up. Wouldn’t that be great?
While I’m at it, what the fuck is up with that MPP board? They dealt with this situation nearly half a year ago, no new information comes out except the press picks up on the story, and now they lean on Kampia to take a leave? What kind of PC, throw your boy under the bus bullshit is that? If he should have been suspended or fired, then that should have happened when they found out about this in the first place. This temporary or permanent leave reflects much worse on the organization than if they would have simply said they dealt with it and stuck to their guns in the press. Or maybe they knew they were trying to cover it up and got caught with their hand in the cookie jar, so now this is a new bullshit cover up? Don’t know, but they obviously fucked this up too.
The entire situation is fucked up, and anyone wishing MPP folds because of it is a hater, prohibitionist, completely jealous asshole, or some combination. Fuck all of you people. Seriously, go fuck yourselves.
anonymous
Jan 24 2010, 11:51 am
I know that most of the time i am every guy i ever tried not to be. I rekon i'll be working on this old building 'til it turns to dust and blows away.
lookin' forward to it. My self-importance is a god forsaken bore.
Karen O'Keefe
Jan 24 2010, 11:31 am
MPP had a director of state policies even when it had four staff members, in 2000. As I suspect you know, even if MPP lost half of its funding or more, it would still need that position. It would also almost surely have a chief of staff with half the budget. However, if funders did not have faith in a new, untested leader, many lower level jobs would have been lost or not created, and fewer laws would be passed, causing more people to be imprisoned. As I said, I had not fully considered how good Rob is at his job, which is very relevant since I did not find his actions on August 7 so bad as to require removal.
By the way, you have an interesting definition of "defenders" -- I said Rob did something very dumb and unprofessional and that he deserved to be punished. I just didn't agree with your view of how he should be punished. My initial reaction, as my old emails show, was that I thought some of my colleagues were overreacting for something that was neither illegal nor a violation of MPP policy. I briefly joined the request to Rob to voluntarily step into another position due to concern about resignations and related turmoil if he did not -- in other words, because of the threat of consequences, not because I thought Rob's actions required that severe a punishment. Before we made the recommendation, I explained to Bruce that my concern about resignations and related turmoil was my motivation, and, in a later conversation, I made clear to him I thought Rob would abide by a new policy, which he has.
Firing someone who is great at a job that is so essential to the struggle after 15 years for consensual sex with a staffer he did not directly supervise without even a warning seems excessive and unwise. If anyone has anything else to say to me or any of my colleagues who disagreed with you, please stand by it and include your name.
-Karen O'Keefe, MPP director of state policies
kokeefe@mpp.org
jclupien
Jan 24 2010, 11:19 am
Can anyone explain what the role of advisory board is at MPP? I just wonder would the advisory board be so bold if their income was jeopardized by their involvement with MPP, which is a reality that the rest of us deal with?
To the sane, I apologize for the rants. I'll stop shouting at anon2.
anon2
Jan 24 2010, 11:06 am
"What's up, bro? Something hitting to close to home?"
lol you admit got denied money from mpp now you attack mpp for how they spend money but you ask me if someting hit to close to home?
yea somethning hit close to home my neigbor is batshit crazy to
dbcooper
Jan 24 2010, 10:54 am
2 things.
none of us are perfect
every single one of us at one time or another needed/needs the chance to pull ourselves up.
More Honor, Less Alcohol
Jan 24 2010, 10:14 am
It appears that this thread has devolved into two or three people shouting at each other. That is a shame, because the issues remain serious. Here are the real issues, from my perspective:
1) Rob Kampia took criminal advantage of an intoxicated employee. If what he did to her was consensual, seven staffers would not have resigned immediately and her separation from MPP would not have been accompanied by a "gag" order and (apparently) a payoff of some sort.
2) Rob has a long-standing history of inappropriate sexual advances toward employees and of otherwise perpetuating a hostile and unproductive work environment.
3) Rob's arrogant behavior isn't limited to propositioning staffers. MPP has a terrible reputation in the marijuana activist community, with state activists filing lawsuits against the organization for promising funding and then pulling it without notice (among other examples). MPP has never played well with other drug policy reform groups and several of them have given up on the organization entirely.
4) Rob's history at NORML seems pretty telling. When he left that organization, he stole their computerized list of supporters and used it to undermine support for NORML. A real class act.
5) Some of the state bills MPP has supported have been ludicrous. For example, MPP spent more money lobbying the state legislature in Vermont than the entire winter sports industry there to pass a law where patients "... may legally possess no more than two ounces of usable marijuana, and may cultivate no more than three marijuana plants, of which no more than one may be mature ...." They take credit for that POS? Seriously?
6) I have worked for the passage of medical marijuana legislation in several states, and have had the unfortunate experience of watching an MPP staffer get suckered into a legalization argument in front of one legislative committee that anyone with half a brain (and some awareness of disruptive debate tactics) could have avoided. As a consequence, activists in that state have put out an "un-Welcome" mat for MPP in their continuing efforts to get a medical marijuana bill passed.
7) There are over 800,000 people getting arrested annually in this country for marijuana-related crimes. Yet MPP could not convince enough of them to participate in their film, "The Human Costs of Marijuana Prohibition" to prevent Rob from being one of the four highlighted cases in that film? Just how tone-deaf can one organization (and how self-important can one person) be? I have it on good authority that a number of people involved in high-visibility mj cases turned MPP down for that project and at least one person in the film cut all ties with MPP because of their behavior after the film was made and released.
8) I attended one of the MPP fundraisers at the LA Playboy Mansion a few years ago where alcohol flowed so copiously that I spent the end of the evening helping the Playboy security force break up drunken brawls there. It was not a pretty sight, despite how well-heeled the brawlers were.
That's enough for now. I do hope that MPP comes through this latest self-inflicted wound intact. However, to be of any real use to the movement, MPP needs a complete turn-around of its organizational leadership, starting with the dismissal of Rob Kampia. Perhaps if that happens, the organization can get some of the talented (mature and experienced) department heads who resigned over Rob's inexcusable behavior to return.
If they don't make the changes that are needed, the organization will continue to be viewed as one that is led (sic) by an adolescent, arrogant, ass-grabbing, irrelevant alcohol abuser.
That is not the "face" of reform -- it is the anus.
Naykid
Jan 24 2010, 3:12 am
jclupien
Jan 23 2010, 10:44 pm
The following appear to be factual:
1) Seven staffers/employees left due to Kampia's alleged behavior.
2) Kampia had what he describes as consensual sex with an employee who had been dating another employee who still worked at MPP.
3) Kampia threatened to disrupt the funding upon being asked to step down.
Am I missing anything? Are you okay with all that?
@at anyone in the know
Can anyone list the board members, who they are and whether they have received financial support from MPP? Just curious to know how incestuous this might be?
HU210
Jan 23 2010, 10:26 pm
Yup we could have supported a candidate that has actually introduced cannabis friendly legislation in congress. But no.
MPP, also at fault here!!
jclupien
Jan 23 2010, 7:47 pm
What's up, bro? Something hitting to close to home? The grant thing was years ago and nothing more than a proposal and some correspondence. No hide off my skin from the incident and no I don't bear a grudge against MPP.
As for 35 cent ounces just goes to show the fricken ludacris nature of the current situation with crappy Mexi weed and $400 kind. Up until prohibition you could go down to the pharmacy buy primo bud or order it through the mail. Would not expect you or anyone else to understand this though since no one has been obstinate or stupid enough, - depending on your point of view, - to look for this history.
Not sure why I bothered to tell you that as you apparently don't see the irony or maybe you like the current situation.
Bottomline, MPP may have helped get bills on the ballot, but voters passed them. And, yes I agree that MPP has served a vital role bankrolling these efforts. I just despise elistist pricks and don't think having one organization in charge of all funding serves the common good.
What difference does my opinion make anyways. After all I live under a bridge.
jclupien
Jan 23 2010, 7:20 pm
jclupien
Jan 23 2010, 7:06 pm
However, if this rating could impact funding, then why wouldn't MPP make a case to have it corrected on Charity Navigator? Or maybe they have? Or is this some sort of accounting smoke and mirrors?
Bottomline, there is absolutely no disputing the effectiveness of MPP's ability to raise funds. Likewise there is no disputing the need for such activity to back the grassroots movements.
If Rob does genuinely have some special conduit to funding then he is somewhat invaluable. Speaking from experience, raising money in this field is virtually impossible.
Maybe you can also answer why the two bills in NV and AR that MPP is sponsoring do not contain provisions for personal growing?
Just out curiousity, what's the correct forum for talking sanely, rationally, and politely about moving forward? Ten years ago, Anita Roddick asked me what was wrong with the Americans and why we could not work together to end prohibition.
I had no answer then and still have none today, though, I think it might have to do with egos and the fact that there is only one organization with any kind of financial backing.
anon2
Jan 23 2010, 6:57 pm
mpp not give you money + you shit bricks + now you cry they not let you teaching history instead they pass laws = you are trollupien
anon2
Jan 23 2010, 6:51 pm
cool story bro
did you jack off on your keyboard writing that?
someone has crush on us i guess thanks nutting profesor go teach 35 sent oz history class now
HU210
Jan 23 2010, 6:42 pm
The synthetic HU210 promotes neural growth. It is apparent from your posts that you could benefit greatly by ingesting some HU210.
regarding MPP fundraising
Jan 23 2010, 5:58 pm
Second, MPP Foundation is showing a large debt on Charity Navigator. That's because it owes money to MPP, because MPP's (c)(4) received more large donations than MPP's (c)(3) has -- a "problem" that most organizations would love to have.
MPP's 2008 annual report shows combined c3/c4 revenue of about $5.9 million and fundraising expenses (including for events) of about $565,000.
jclupien
Jan 23 2010, 4:08 pm
Personally, I have not paid a dime to MPP, never have and never will, nor have I received a dime from them. Granted I did approach them for a grant six or seven years ago, but that's water under the bridge so to say.
That being said though I do have a problem with all the elitist douchebags that think they own this movement and speak for the rest of us. More to the point, I don't care if you are Bill Gates, Bill Clinton, Peter Lewis, or just some schmuck boss, hitting on employees is ethically weak and predatory behavior. At the same time, any employee that gives in to such an advance is equally culpable. Just seems to demonstrate a lack of self-respect.
All of this begs the question, "what the hell is going on at the workplace?" Then you throw in the nonprofit rating of 1 and that nearly 50% of the funds are spent on raising additional funds, then you really have to ask "what's going on?" Next you start to look at the bills that they are sponsoring and you have to ask in who's interest are they serving? Monopolies for dispensaries are not in the interest of the average user. Seriously we should be applauding HT for having the balls to break this story.
jclupien
Jan 23 2010, 2:54 pm
anon2
Jan 23 2010, 2:51 pm
lol yes it is and worst the doctors run the asylume is ht
talk about patience taking over asylume
jclupien
Jan 23 2010, 1:45 pm
jclupien
Jan 23 2010, 1:42 pm
jclupien
Jan 23 2010, 1:39 pm
Mr.Bate
Jan 23 2010, 12:57 pm
freedomsmoker
Jan 23 2010, 11:50 am
HU210
Jan 23 2010, 11:18 am
Dr. Weed
Jan 23 2010, 10:47 am
Disgusting, seriously.
jclupien
Jan 23 2010, 10:35 am
@KarenOKeefe
Jan 23 2010, 9:50 am
This is the only true thing you wrote. What you failed to mention is that Rob and MPP put almost 50% of the money raised back into fund-raising. Check out charitynavigator.org. MPP Foundation gets a one star rating (lowest possible and same as many scams) and spends 46 cents of every dollar raised on more fund-raising. Don't believe it? Click Here for proof! This is an atrocious record for any non-profit and the worst of any in marijuana law reform.
If you add in the fact that Peter Lewis's money is half of the budget, then you realize that almost all of the money brought in goes out to bring in more money. Is that okay? Please justify those numbers.
Lose Rob and Alison and maybe you can reign in the spending and regain some semblance of a reputation in the movement. Hold onto them and face the consequences.
jclupien
Jan 23 2010, 2:06 am
jclupien
Jan 23 2010, 1:54 am
HU210
Jan 23 2010, 1:20 am
jclupien
Jan 22 2010, 11:54 pm
To Hey Kampia Defenders
Jan 22 2010, 11:05 pm
For you, this has never been about Rob's behavior or trying to help other people. It's about self-serving personal grudges being settled through a willingness to lie and attack anyone who gets in your way. You don't have "backbone", you just lack shame.
Several of you had other personal motives and saw a chance to try to get rid of Rob, nothing more. But you failed, so now you're back to get revenge for that failure. And you'll do anything, say anything, and attack anyone that gets in your way. You're a lynch mob, a lynch mob who actually knows they are wrong but wants a hanging anyway.
jclupien
Jan 22 2010, 9:58 pm
HU210
Jan 22 2010, 9:01 pm
jclupien
Jan 22 2010, 6:22 pm
Hey Kampia Defenders...
Jan 22 2010, 4:50 pm
When confronted with every department head and Alison Green telling him to step down, Kampia instead said I'll take all of Peter Lewis' money away (about $3 million per year) and you guys will lose your jobs...
1) This proves Kampia obviously doesn't care very much about marijuana law reform or even MPP, never mind his co-workers or the 800,000 people arrested every year for marijuana. Instead, it's ALL about him. Literally and obviously.
2) Anybody who allows that kind of threat to change their mind doesn't really have much of a moral leg to stand on... Maybe you can justify that decision to yourself, but you've got a lot of nerve lecturing anyone else about ethics or even basic decency.... I guess MONEY TALKS and gets you to fold instantly on a stance you took with your colleagues and then instantly start defending the asshole who just threatened you...
Basically, I do not expect anyone to defend these things, because it's not defensible, so instead I expect you'll just keep taking shit about people who used to be your friends and co-workers, until they showed a little more backbone than you could muster when the chips are down.
And the irony, is that KAMPIA SO CLEARLY COULDN'T GIVE A SHIT ABOUT ANY OF YOU, or he would never act that way.... just remember that...
jclupien
Jan 22 2010, 4:48 pm
Sure I have a right to my own views, duh, but to suggest that I have been sitting on my ass is far from the truth. I have been working in the trenches for as long as MPP and continue to do so, without any support from MPP. Perhaps you should do some research.
jclupien
Jan 22 2010, 4:38 pm
You are engaging in a circuitious argument with no end. Science and statistics can be bought.
As for the Sixties and Seventies, those were an entirely different era and critical mass is not what it is today. Granted NORML messed up and hopefully MPP does not allow the same to happen. The difference between then and now is that there really is a majority with first hand experience. This majority understands the hypocrisy. It is this realization that drives the reform laws not MPP.
I am not dissing MPP's money raising efforts. They have been critical. But, don't fool yourself, here again it is the money not MPP.
Marijuana law will change with or without MPP. Furthermore, I can not blame you for being upset when you really don't know what I am talking about, but that is MPP's choice to support PR instead of legitimate academic research that could actually make the PR effective.
Tod
Jan 22 2010, 4:00 pm
Green Reaper and a couple of other people are advancing an extreme argument that if a woman is intoxicated, she cannot give consent even if she does willingly have sex. The claim is that any impairment of decision-making means you can't make an informed responsible decision, so a drunk woman is too impaired to be held accountable. If that woman wakes up the next morning and regrets having sex, then her inability to make rational decisions while drunk plus the fact she wishes it hadn't happened means she was raped.
That is the actual standard being applied here, seriously. Impaired judgment means inability to consent, that's the foundation of the talk about rape. The implication should be clear to everyone reading this who has had sex with someone else while drunk. Although, keep in mind that this argument earlier explicitly stated that the male being drunk doesn't mean that he is not responsible for his own actions, however, and thus can be held accountable for "rape" if he has sex with a woman who is willing but who is also drunk.
Think about that for a moment. The claim is, a woman who is drunk and wants to have sex with a man still cannot actually be consenting to having sex. But the man who thinks she is consenting and who is himself drunk is still deemed aware and making an informed decision about not just his own actions but also is supposedly responsible for knowing the woman giving her consent in fact cannot really be consenting.
This notion says women are weak and helpless, that they are at the mercy of men and of men's ability to make rational informed decisions under the same circumstances that supposedly render women incapable of making their own choices. It says women are not responsible for a decision they regret later, and that the men are responsible for the woman's decision because the woman doesn't know any better but the men always do.
The blatant sexism, hypocrisy, and sheer insanity of this stance is so obvious I cannot believe any rational people are even remotely seriously considering it. But apparently its a view that informs the majority of the basis for the attacks and accusations being made in the press and on this thread. Other ex-workers from MPP have aligned with the two or three people advancing this crazy viewpoint, and so we have to ask seriously how much we can believe what they are saying and their perspective on all of this.
Far more other workers and people strongly disagreed with this viewpoint, and with the ex-workers in general, so when you keep asking why would these seven people resign (ignoring that one was the woman herself and one was her angry ex-boyfriend), why aren't you asking why would the other 20 to 30 people not resign? You give the ex-workers all kinds of benefit of the doubt based only on the word of a few of them, yet seem willing to ignore the issue of giving the same benefit of the doubt and weight to the views and actions of the far larger number of people who say these people were wrong and are making false accusations.
It seems to me that a big part of this is that there are some people who already have grudges against MPP or Rob Kampia, and are just going to believe and support any accusations even when the weight of evidence is against the accusations. It's personal for too many of you, and it makes you willing to believe whatever is claimed and to attack anyone who denies it no matter how right they might be.
Tod
Jan 22 2010, 3:44 pm
If that's your view, then you are too uninformed to speak on these matters. Several state laws reforming cannabis prohibition were drafted by MPP. MPP is constantly on Fox News, MSNBC, and other national and international media outlets. One of their spokesmen shows up with copies of goddamn medical research and proceeds to smash the opponents into pieces. Saying that frequent appearances on Fox News is preaching to the choir is more than a bit inaccurate.
In the 1960s and 1970s, use of cannabis was widespread and everyone thought it would be legalized. Popular use and a changed political landscape still were not enough to end prohibition, though. Why? There were cannabis users everywhere, activists for it all over, and they marched forward for 40 fucking years and got nothing done.
Then a group like MPP shows up and successfully lobbies, writes laws and gets them passed, and helps raise so much money they can provide funding to local activists who otherwise would be unable to get work done. And all you and a few others can do is complain bitterly and say nothing's being done because they aren't following your own definition of getting things done - which apparently is to use a time machine to go back to 1970 and argue the history of prohibition.
Everyone has their idea of the best way to do activism for cannabis legalization (and apparently everybody posts them on this thread). You have a right to your own views about it and about how MPP gets it done. While you do, they'll go on actually getting it done.
jclupien
Jan 22 2010, 3:19 pm
To everyone that thinks MPP is behind all the recent reform laws, consider the concept of critical mass. More people use and/or know someone that uses than ever before. These people realize the hypocrisy and they easily account for more than half the adult population. These are the people that vote for reform. They generally ignore all the hyperbole that spews forth from the government and groups like MPP, because they already understand.
Have you ever heard the phrase, "Preaching to the choir." MPP spends money preaching to the choir, not advancing the argument. MPP's greatest contribution has been the ability to raise money to support the grassroots organizers that go out and pound the pavement. MPP has done virtually nothing to advance the arguments for legalization.
Do you think people are idiots and don't realize hypocrisy when they see and experience it? Marijuana prohibition is perhaps the greatest hypocrisy of the twentieth century. One only has to use the herb or know someone that uses the herb to come to this realization.
I am sorry but paying salaries for PR people like Kampia and the others to go on TV and talk statistics is lame. I seriously doubt that their soundbites change any votes. You are dealing with decades of entrenched biases that will only be broken by exposing facts that cannot be marginalized by the quasi-scientific statistics and science that ONDCP spins out.
MPP's efforts seem like a waste of money, but I guess if the big spenders at the Playboy party are cool with the tax write off, then it doesn't really matter one way or the other, what I think - money in money out - and everyone can feel warm and fuzzy, but not really accomplish a whole lot.
Furthermore, the laws that MPP is supporting would create monopolies for dispensaries and maintain black market prices. What kind of progress is that? There is a majority in this country that supports an end to prohibition, however they need something to believe in. That will only happen by exposing the real reasons behind prohibition - the history.
If any of you "all powerful" activists want to talk, its @cox.net. Bottomline, prohibition is a direct result of the Cannabis americana houses being bribed not to show at the hearings in 1937. And, to all you academics that dismissed Herer's hypothesis you did so too quickily. There is actually some truth to it, but Hearst and Du Pont did not have anything to do with it.
@ Green Reaper
Jan 22 2010, 2:50 pm
Rape is a terrible, destructive thing. But, false allegations and innuendo are also terrible, destructive things.
Green Reaper
Jan 22 2010, 2:39 pm
Everything from having something added to thier drink or a laced joint. if you watch Issues with Jane V. Mitchell, you will see that women in this country are walking around with a TARGET on thier backs. This has been investigated by news sources, by going to clubs and filming and documenting.
I AM NOT PASSING JUDGMENT ON THIS CASE, But remember if you sit on a jury YOU WILL ONLY HEAR what the judge decides you can here. The ONLY people that know that truth are the ones actually there!
Most of the women who have told be stories of sexual abuse, have indicateded family members, friends of the family or friends and boyfriends that they had. They almost never go to the police, because of the BLAME THE VICTIM idology.
My mother worked as an emegency room nurse for about 40 years, in that time they had some rape victims come through the doors and my mother told me that the police were very mean to these women, almost as if they should not be reporting the crime.
One lady was rape and was crying uncrontrolably, when a cop started to scream at her and tell her she need to pull herself together and give him a discription. He never tried to console the woman or calm her down, he just sceamed at her. Same ole story, commit a non vciolent crime and they come guns blazin. Hurt someone and if you go to prison, Don't worry you be out as soon as some non violent prisioners can take your place.
A cop was acused of rape in my state and was not indited by the grand jury for lack of evidence.
They sex between the two took place at they cops home, while he was off duty
This women cried to the jury, and told them of all the bruises and various sex acts that occured. The cop told the jury that it was consential sex.
Well a newspaper reporter said that sex of that nature would never take place between to people on a first date ( The women was really roughed up ) This women was beaten and they had no one testify that see was into rough sex. Not one former sexual partner.
The cop still has his badge and gun and WORST , he pulled this woman over for speeding a few days before the grand jury hearing and gave her a $180.00 speeding ticket ( Can you say HARRASMENT BY DOMESTIC TERROIST AKA American Police officers)
In my STATE, the law states that at ANYTIME during sex a woman can say NO, even if the act has already started in the middle or close to the end. It does not matter NO MEANS NO anytime the women says so.
In my state, ADULTRY is also against the law in any form.
AND THIS COP ADMITTED UNDER OATH that he and this woman had cosential sex. BOTH OF WHOM WERE MARRIED even though he denied the rape.
WAS THIS DOMESTIC TERROIST CHARGED WITH ADULTRY????
NOT A CHANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He still struts around like he is the shit and ain't done anything wrong!
I'll say it once again, ABUSE OF POWER.
letitgo
Jan 22 2010, 2:20 pm
just be careful next time.
updates
Jan 22 2010, 2:12 pm
I find myself visiting this site less when I can't find any cannabis related news, not living up to the name.
jclupien
Jan 22 2010, 2:03 pm
anon3
Jan 22 2010, 2:01 pm
anonymous
Jan 22 2010, 1:59 pm
I'm not sure how I feel about an executive director for MPP that snorts more coke than smokes weed.
Kurt In St Pete
Jan 22 2010, 1:58 pm
There seems to be a big disconnect here.
Why would 7 senior people quit because two single co-workers had consensual sex after hours?
Anonymous
Jan 22 2010, 1:20 pm
Karen, thanks for posting your opinion. However, I take issue with this statement.
"It was a case of consensual sex by adults, albeit adults who had been drinking."
You actually can't know that, just as the rest of us can't as well, as none of us were in the room. Only the employee and Rob were in the room, and you made it clear that you never talked to her yourself, before making the decision as to how to characterize it. So, it's important that you don't claim that statement to be objectively true.
And unfortunately, it doesn't sound like the full Board ever really got to talk to the woman in question, and make their own decision about the consensuality and what happened that night.
Karen O'Keefe
Jan 22 2010, 1:01 pm
Regarding the charge that what happened on August 7 was sexual harassment, I have seen no indication that there was any reason whatsoever for the party who slept with Rob to expect a quid pro quo, and I am entirely confident that there would have been no repercussions had she chosen not to sleep with him (I also have no reason to believe he initiated it). The staffer he slept with had worked at MPP for a few years and had been promoted about a year earlier. As she and everyone who worked here should know, one's annual performance evaluation is by their direct supervisor, which in all non-management employees' case (including her) was not Rob. I truly do not believe she could have thought she would benefit or be punished based on whether or not she slept with Rob.
I also spoke to a board member who spoke to the female who as involved to get her side of the story. That board member (who is not Rob) confirmed she made no allegation that the encounter was not consensual.
My motivation for briefly joining in the request — a request that Rob voluntarily step into a fundraising and strategy position to avoid turmoil -- was not because I thought he had committed sexual harassment. While I did think he deserved some punishment for his extremely poor judgement, I did not think that it required removing him from a job he has done extremely well for 15 years without even a warning. My main motivation was to try to avoid threats of resignations and possible related distracting press. Rob is, frankly, the most successful fundraiser in marijuana policy reform, and excellent at developing strategy. Alison's report to managers on the meeting with Rob was a very short, abbreviated one. Rob also alluded to how good he was at his job, which was something I had not fully considered. I never called for Rob to be forcibly removed and only agreed to ask him to voluntarily step into another position at MPP to avoid turmoil.
In the past five months Rob has shown that he, and MPP's culture, are capable of change. If Rob were to repeat his behavior, I would believe he'd deserve to be fired. But, I did not and do not believe at this point that he needs to be removed as executive director.
-Karen O'Keefe, MPP director of state policies
outraged observer
Jan 22 2010, 11:27 am
Wow. Just Wow. This guy, Kampia, is confronted by his entire senior staff about what they consider an incident of sexual harassment so serious they all say they feel they can't work there if he doesn't leave. His response is not only to tell them to go ahead and leave, but to threaten the funding of the organization.
And this gets Alison Green, as well as Karen O'Keefe and Andrea Farnum to RECONSIDER!?
Think about it from their perspective: They witness (Kampia "offered to take her [the intoxicated intern] home" from a group happy hour at Union Pub, remember) an incident of sexual harassment so serious that they decide to threaten to resign. Kampia then says 'fine, go' and 'if I'm forced out, you'll lose your money!' This made Green et. al. say 'oooo, better let Rob stay.'
That he would threaten the organization to get away with a slap on the wrist for a serious offense, shows what kind of person he is. I really admire the courage of the staffers who followed through on their threat to quit, in one of the worst economies in our lifetimes. I hope in a similar situation I would also have such conviction.
real news:
Jan 22 2010, 10:15 am
anon2
Jan 22 2010, 9:19 am
lol so much fail
"MPP should officially adress this instead of allowing a cover up or whatever happened"
whatever happened cause you dont know just lying and rumoring but anyways they did adress it lern to read
"Secondly, anonymous blog comments really should be taken with a critical look at motivations. Including this one"
can you count to potato too?
anon2
Jan 22 2010, 9:14 am
so that how you think to say a "bitch" "takes it"? bend over take it and you describe it as a "bitch"
but try to call sexist and blame victim you are a disgusting lier talking shit to everyone but using lies and calling "bitch" who you say bend over to "take it"
but you also say "Rape by blackmail,intemidation, force or whatever, it is still a form of sexual abuse"
derp derp but nobody prove any of that happen and only you crazy saying it did and saying "bitches" bend over to "take it"
wacko
Anonymity holds no weight
Jan 22 2010, 7:41 am
Secondly, anonymous blog comments really should be taken with a critical look at motivations. Including this one!
HU210
Jan 22 2010, 7:37 am
For the record. I took Kampia to task for his and MPP's support of Obama in the last pres. election. I am only loyal to legalization. HT has now damaged that cause with its conjecture upon conjecture reporting.
Hey HT. Why no disclosure on the dismissal of Steve Bloom a few years back? Hypocrites!
To anon2
Jan 22 2010, 1:38 am
Bubba did not take you in a violent way, he just made sure you would conform without ever raising a hand to you.
Rape by blackmail,intemidation, force or whatever, it is still a form of sexual abuse.
anon2
Jan 22 2010, 12:33 am
anon2
Jan 22 2010, 12:29 am
after quitters post only hate and attack everyone who speaks against them you call others "spew" hate?
i see who is mentaly ill its you
Psyche
Jan 21 2010, 9:50 pm
OutingHU210
Jan 21 2010, 9:19 pm
anon2
Jan 21 2010, 7:13 pm
you toked to deep dude sorry but abuse of power? bullshit the truth about what happened keeps being posted by people naming themselves you and other hide behind anon to lie and just look stupid
anon2
Jan 21 2010, 7:11 pm
anon2
Jan 21 2010, 7:10 pm
if you would that says something about you not us doesnt it?
comparing a cop demanding sex to not arrest someone and this case is a joke
go read story at high times people told this guy off if he bothered them and nobody got fired or in trouble for it
you go from calling women having sex prostitution to saying a cop demanding sex or jail is same as consensual sex to saying hang peeople lol crazy as hell
anon2
Jan 21 2010, 7:05 pm
so lets just say your crazy and leave it at that
So lets say
Jan 21 2010, 6:43 pm
Would you be upset if a police officer had caught your daughter with weed or something and offered a cover up for sex???Nothing disgust me more than when I read about some cop that traded out a sex act or took advantage of some disperate woman. This is because of the ABUSE OF POWER.
If I have power over your freedom,paycheck,promotions or employment, then I have POWER over you. If I use that power to press you into a sexual enviroment of harrassment or sex acts, I have broken every ethical code in the book and in my opinion the law... If it is not agaist the law then it should be...
With all the Single mothers in the world and the promotion of pornagrafic images every where, its no wonder we have all these crimes against women in this country.
This is forcing women into a FORM OF PROSTITUTION!
Those of you who abuse women, should have to bare PUBLIC CANING and HANGINGS... I am sick of the abuse and disrespect to the women of the world. They are our mothers, daughters and sisters.
HU210
Jan 21 2010, 6:35 pm
garbage
Jan 21 2010, 6:11 pm
two MPP department heads
Jan 21 2010, 4:52 pm
In addition, claiming Alison "support[ed] Rob" was misleading and inflammatory. Recommending against Rob being removed as executive director, and leaving it to the board to determine what action to take is not the same as supporting him.
-Karen O'Keefe, MPP director of state policies
-Andrea Farnum, MPP director of events and outreach
Deep Toke
Jan 21 2010, 4:17 pm
In essence, Kampia says "I'll do what I want, I won't step down even though everyone wants me to, and if you try to get rid of me I'll take this whole place down with me..."
Nice guy, huh?
anonymous
Jan 21 2010, 4:09 pm
Just to Review Again
Jan 21 2010, 3:40 pm
1) In August 2009, MPP's Department heads unanimously wanted Kampia to step down. Some said they might quit if he stayed...
2) Alison Green told this to Kampia and he threatened to pull Lewis' money, and said people would lose their jobs if that happened
3) Alison Green then changed position, to support Rob, since he acted so nobly in threatening to pull millions out of marijuana law reform and get his colleagues on unemployment rather than listen to his entire organization's recommendation
4) Alison Green then assured the Department heads, in writing, that she would still tell the Board of Directors about their decision, but this is a lie... Sources have confirmed that she did not tell the board until last week, when the story broke.
Nothing anyone's going to say in these comments will change these basic facts, and it seems increasingly hard to defend the actions of Kampia and Alison Green...
So that's when it's apparently time to switch the focus and post nasty comments about unrelated people and events, or try to attack the messenger (HT), or the victim, rather than take a real look at what happened.
Kampia and Green must go!
POPPA B
Jan 21 2010, 1:05 pm
POPPA B
Jan 21 2010, 12:42 pm
@anon2
Jan 21 2010, 10:55 am
If you are going to accuse the people in the article with personal experiences and knowledge of the situation of lying, maybe you should be able to back that up. (I'm assuming you don't have first-hand knowledge of the work environment at MPP and Rob's behavior toward women ... because I don't recall you claiming that).
Budd
Jan 21 2010, 10:02 am
anon2
Jan 21 2010, 9:48 am
so if you dont like ht trying to help ruin a mans life and reck a group fighting for marijuana legalization with rumor and lies just dont read it look away ignore liars ruin mans life?
ht is intentional promoting inflamitory rumor letting angry quitters with personal grudges attack one person after other ht deserve to be called out so do these quitters who are liaras
if you dont like our views dont read it take your own advics
@HU210
Jan 21 2010, 9:01 am
HU210
Jan 21 2010, 8:18 am
HU210
Jan 21 2010, 7:49 am
HU210
Jan 21 2010, 7:45 am
HT should heed the sage opinion of salemwhitchtrials below. --Boycott the March 2010 issue--
Mark the bugler
Jan 21 2010, 7:13 am
I AGREE 100%.
Mike Cann
Jan 21 2010, 5:43 am
Not putting much faith in a poll from 2009 for a ballot initiative in 2012 during a Presidential election. marijuana reform initiatives if promoted the right way bring out first time or non voters who get registered just for this issue. They do not get polled because they are not considered likely voters. But they vote for it.
2012 anything can happen. The national polls show legalization has picked up 13% nationally since 2000 to 11/2009 and no sign of that trend slowing down. we are just at the beginning of this trend towards majority support for legalization. Fight for it. With no compromise. When you compromise, you admit defeat. The worse PR in my opinion. If pot is relatively harmless which most of know this to be true, why compromise? It's self defeating. After a long campaign of he said, she said, the compromises just drive home the fact to voters that legalizers think pot is somehow dangerous for Nevada and Arizona. Not saying this is true, but the reality of the thinking of some voters. Sure you might pick up some who think well it's controlled but others will be scared away. Funny how that works. Compromise on this shows weakness. And we should never play from fear or weakness. We are right on this issue and most know it.
Sure you can say it's about polling but in the end, compromising hurts at the polls as much as it might help.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/22/AR2009112201986.html
Play to win because it doesn't always happen. Playing to lose? Or playing it safe? Not a fan of. If it passes it will be that way likely forever.
Easy to say we can fix it later but will that ever happen?
And the other thing, is if grow your own does so poorly in those two states how is it that you have a grow your own medical provision in Arizona for folks not within the "halo" of a dispensary?
Since you brought the polling up, care to share the results and the questions you asked? Or a link? Tough to buy into something when, it's on a trust me basis. Convince us. Show the polling data.
Most of us are reasonable.
Much respect to High Times.
Not mikecann
Jan 21 2010, 1:44 am
cs
Jan 21 2010, 1:02 am
>>> http://www.mikecann.net/2010/01/mike-cann-screws-up-yet-mpp-still.html
Kurt In St Pete
Jan 21 2010, 12:55 am
I spent a couple years running the statewide Florida chapter of NORML working closely with a lot and was in contact with hundreds of college women half my age. I went miles out of the way to make certain there wasn't even a remote sugestion of that sort of behavior. Legalization was way too important to me and should have been to Rob to even consider risking discrediting the movement or turning off aspiring activists.
Leaders need to lead by example - Period.
There may be a silver lining to this. My understanding was that Kampia was an impediment to cooperting jointly with NORML, maybe things will change for the better.
I can't even imagine what we could have acomplished with a fraction of MPPs budget with all the colleges (with eager, smart, dedicated volunteers) down here.
still tired
Jan 21 2010, 12:53 am
cs
Jan 21 2010, 12:37 am
>>> http://www.mikecann.net/2010/01/mike-cann-screws-up-yet-mpp-still.html
Josh
Jan 21 2010, 12:25 am
People should really be more open to giving Rob (or anyone) a chance to redeem themselves and become a better person. He has never been anything but outstanding as a founder and leader of MPP.
Yes Rob has been a pig at the workplace. That's unfortunate. However, he's not the monster that he's being made out to be. The horrible accusations about him are false, totally false. The bad behaviour that he's exhibited over the years is something that he's admitted to and he's seeking help for that.
I hope Rob gets the help that he needs and that everyone welcomes his return when he's ready.
@HU210
Jan 21 2010, 12:17 am
Good to know that you don't trust their decisions either.
Coinspinner
Jan 20 2010, 11:30 pm
So how could he be so fucking stupid, all the tail in the world and he chases subordinates.
Pointlessly reckless.
Hu210isatool
Jan 20 2010, 10:00 pm
Quit
Jan 20 2010, 9:26 pm
420Lawyer
Jan 20 2010, 8:40 pm
I do not and would not accept or allow any form of sexual harassment, however, it must be understood that this type of thing occurs in the best of companies. Generally, there is a requirement for a sexual harassment training course for the company as a whole and the offendor is usually required to attend some form of counseling.
That being said, it might be best to wait and see what the true facts are before everyone starts passing judgment. Moreover, people should not stop supporting the cause merely because there may have been improper actions by one organization's CEO. MPP, (as well as NORML and several others), have worked very hard at making progress at legalization of medical and recreational use of marijuana and their efforts should not be overlooked or overshadowed by this apparent incident.
Remember, innocent until proven guilty, (and a court of common opinion does not exist and and does not count in the eyes of the law), and there is a greater directive that should not be forgotten by recent news...to tax and regulate.
Don't get lost in the forest among the trees.
to celibacy
Jan 20 2010, 8:31 pm
Celibacy
Jan 20 2010, 7:34 pm
Learn the truth! We are surrounded with the promtion of sex every where. RESIST IT! Abstain....
Celibacy > Sex
Relize that everything is about mind control...Brain washing us with fiction, that is presented as fact.
If this man and these women were Celibate, There would be no story here.
long-time-supporter
Jan 20 2010, 7:24 pm
Do the right thing!
Jan 20 2010, 7:17 pm
does Mr. Lewis think Rob Kampia is the only one who can run a marijuana reform organization?
Like many other successful ventures, MPP has outgrown its founders.
Time to move them out and bring in some skilled professional managers.
HU210
Jan 20 2010, 7:04 pm
BOYCOTT the MARCH issue of High Times, let it rot on the news stand.
anonymous
Jan 20 2010, 6:34 pm
http://indianolarecordherald.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100119/INDIANOLA01/100119039
Iowan's are real Freedom Fighters!!
activist
Jan 20 2010, 6:30 pm
activist
Jan 20 2010, 6:28 pm
Kimmy
Jan 20 2010, 5:55 pm
Kahlsit Lykiseit
Jan 20 2010, 5:48 pm
Fire Kampia
Jan 20 2010, 4:50 pm
Time to take out the trash.
*If High Times has a grudge, why do they post MPP videos?
*If High Times has a grudge, why does High Times post MPP blogs, giving them their own section on HIGHTIMES.com a very popular website in the top 50,000 on the internet. A website that according to Alexa garners more traffic than MPP's?
*If High Times has a grudge, why do they promote MPP in their print magazine?
*If High Times has a grudge, why would they do any of that, when I've never once seen MPP post a link to High Times or do much of anything back for them.
*If High Times has a grudge it's against people who are bad for marijuana reform.
Good on that.
Did you expect High Times not to report the news?
High Times is once again showing itself to be more than relevant.
Thank you High Times for caring more for marijuana reform than for money, staying out of the cross hairs on this.
High Times, long time reader and supporter, thank you.
Save MPP, fire Kampia.
They will not be able to get over this and go forward unless Kampia goes.
Kampia and Green must go!
Jan 20 2010, 4:34 pm
If you care about having MPP.
If you care...
Stop the character assassination
Jan 20 2010, 4:06 pm
pontoon
Jan 20 2010, 4:01 pm
420 MATH WHIZ
Jan 20 2010, 3:53 pm
Sounds like an MPP generated PIG screen.
From "Pot Day" to "Pig Day."
Oink Oink (cough cough) OINK!
A Request
Jan 20 2010, 2:32 pm
James Crosby
Jan 20 2010, 2:29 pm
http://www.cannabistaxact.org/
Anonymous
Jan 20 2010, 1:50 pm
Thanks Truth Hound. All of your points are well-taken and important. I was just going to call anon2 an asshole out of frustration with him (im assuming its a man, but could be wrong) not even trying to get it, but you said it much better and more cogently.
-current MPP staffer
GanjaGeorge
Jan 20 2010, 1:39 pm
If High Times can't cast an antiseptic light on problems in the cannabis law reform movement, who is supposed to?
Forget about the disappointment of and money wasted by MPP supporters on the cover up of employee payouts for their silence and sensitivity training, Kampia is never going to be able to appear again in public for cannabis law reform as he'll be the easiest target possible for rabid anti-drug activists from Drug Free America Foundation, Drug Watch International, Lyndon Larouche's nutjob anti-cannabis followers, law enforcement groups, religious groups...and women's groups!
The new mgmt team at MPP needs to clean house and fast.
John Berry
Jan 20 2010, 1:16 pm
I'm not interested in getting into the details of this, but I'm the former staffer's former boss and I want to clarify something. I can tell you unequivocally that the assertion that this person was escorted out of the building for not revising a statement is absolutely false. The statement this staffer wrote WAS, in fact, included in my department's statements.
This staffer has also conveniently failed to mention that she had a well-planned departure from the organization scheduled for mid-April that was only accelerated when they took a new job last week and decided to leave sooner than planned, giving just three days notice. After I determined that there wasn't enough work to last through the week I talked with the staffer and we agreed that yesterday would be their last day.
The only escort this person received was when I did them a favor and helped pack up the microwave and fridge they had in the office onto a dolly, took it downstairs, and helped load it into their car.
Again, I don't have any interest in commenting on the other issues under discussion, but I'm also not interested in letting blatant misrepresentations about MPP, our staff, or our processes go unchallenged.
John Berry
Director of Online Outreach, Marijuana Policy Project
jberry@mpp.org
truth hound
Jan 20 2010, 1:13 pm
It's obvious Alison Green lied to the MPP department heads and to the MPP Board about what happened in order to cover up the whole situation and keep the money flowing. This is irrefutable. She says so herself in her email above. Alison and Rob worked together to ensure this didn't see the light of day, from the other confused MPP employees, to the heavy-money donors, to the actual Board of Directors!
The sad thing is Alison was one of the people who initially called for Kampia to step down and then changed her mind when she realized he held the purse strings. The things we do for money. Guess the big bucks can justify anything.
AS for the incident in August, perhaps the girl in question cannot refute the "consensual" charge due to a gag-order/non-disclosure attached to the money she got to leave quietly and not cause a stink. It may be more than what you would consider "severance" and closer to "hush-money" numbers. Wouldn't you like to know how much of our donations she got for her silence? Wouldn't you like to see any internal documents she may have had to sign that might limit her ability to come clean about the incident that night?
Anon2, The people you keep calling "quitters" might actually properly referred to as "whistle-blowers." Perhaps they saw something obviously wrong go down and, in good conscience, did the right thing. Which is the opposite of what you are doing. Which is the wrong thing.
Headiesmokeonly
Jan 20 2010, 12:27 pm
Mernahuana
Jan 20 2010, 11:52 am
anonymous
Jan 20 2010, 11:32 am
Misogyny Perpetuation Project
Jan 20 2010, 11:08 am
This is such a pivotal time in the marijuana policy arena and it would be nice to have an MPP that is hitting on all cylinders (and not just hitting on vulnerable female employees). Fortunately there are other organizations doing good work and providing safe work environments (NORML, ASA, POT, COP, etc.) that will shoulder on.
Hopefully the MPP Board will decide that this interim decision is the worst of all worlds and will cut Rob loose.
Lying?
Jan 20 2010, 11:06 am
Just to Review
Jan 20 2010, 11:02 am
1) In August 2009, MPP's Department heads unanimously wanted Kampia to step down. Some said they might quit if he stayed...
2) Alison Green told this to Kampia and he threatened to pull Lewis' money, and said people would lose their jobs if that happened
3) Alison Green then changed position, to support Rob, since he acted so nobly in threatening to pull millions out of marijuana law reform and get his colleagues on unemployment rather than listen to his entire organization's recommendation
4) Alison Green then assured the Department heads, in writing, that she would still tell the Board of Directors about their decision, but this is a lie... Sources have confirmed that she did not tell the board until last week, when the story broke.
Nothing anyone's going to say in these comments will change these basic facts, and it seems increasingly hard to defend the actions of Kampia and Alison Green...
So that's when it's apparently time to switch the focus and post nasty comments about unrelated people and events, or try to attack the messenger (HT), rather than take a real look at what happened.
Kampia and Green must go!
anon2
Jan 20 2010, 10:53 am
you said "One of the worst parts of this entire thing has been the way Alison Green has handled it. Bottom line: She lied to the staff and to the board."
no bottom line is a tiny group of quitters have been lying and now try to reck mpp and ruin this guys life
first its rob kampa now this other woman and another woman nothing but personal attacks and lies and spreading rumor under anonymous names when you claim to no facts and make bad accusations and hid with anonymous your a coward
the worst part is how the quiters have acted this is grudge match pesonal destruction nothing else and there lies prove it
Kampia
Jan 20 2010, 10:41 am
anonymous
Jan 20 2010, 10:40 am
Move on?
Jan 20 2010, 10:31 am
What a relief! I would hate to think we'd miss more misrepresented facts, sensationalist reporting, and juvenile bickering just because you guys have printed the same story twice with no real information.
former staffer
Jan 20 2010, 10:31 am
anon2
Jan 20 2010, 10:14 am
criminal charge?
more rumor and lies
you just saw this article and pretending to be close source or you a quitter continuing the lies and rumor as theyv done so far
slander and libel i hope rob kampia sues your asses off lol
Senora
Jan 20 2010, 10:14 am
anon2
Jan 20 2010, 10:12 am
oh everybody nos well you should have said so if everybody nos it must be true since i heaard it from you on internet
lol your a joke its the same as always either put facts to prove or stop lies and rumor just to attack
and ive been to ssdp events so dont start bullshit about someone else when ive seen tons of ssdp sleeping around while high and drunk i heard lots of guys say its the good thing about the movement getting all the hippy girls so you want to go there lets go there
@anon2
Jan 20 2010, 10:10 am
The staffers who left all tendered their resignations with a specific end date to their employment, not making threats that they would leave unless a specific outcome occurred.
anon2
Jan 20 2010, 10:06 am
and you say 2 is still bad but your idiot
one was his girlfriend and one was this recent case all in like 10 years or something
i hear the same few people claiming he hit on interns all the time but why believe you when youv all lied and rumored alreday
when you lie so much and twist truth already nobody believe you you dont desrve to be believed
anon2
Jan 20 2010, 10:03 am
another liar if you have facts proving the guy slept with more then show it say it
no just more anonymous lies from disgrunteld quitters
everyone reading this should see the repeted lies from these people and just rumors but they repeat it as fact
thats what you need to no about them they lie they make up they rumor and they get nasty attack any mpp worker who dares say this isnt true or is exagerated these people have alterior motive wake up
anon2
Jan 20 2010, 10:00 am
if they can demand kampia leave or they quit why cant lewis say if this guy isnt making the decisions i dont want to invest in the group? and why was it wrong for lewis to say i dont think removing rob is fair the sitation doesnt warrant it and ill leave just like the quitters said theyd leave?
ht is doing the articles in the worst way to attack kampia and mpp its obvious they have a grudge and are out to get them
sounds like board told staff they can contact them did any staff go ahead and do that? greene sent her summary so what the staff could contact the board to
also the post story has facts of what really was done by board and ht is only posting part of the truth there was more action taken go read the washinton post story instead of this hitpeace by ht
BS part deux
Jan 20 2010, 9:54 am
Also...
Jan 20 2010, 9:45 am
got checkbook
Jan 20 2010, 9:14 am
Who wants to know how much money was paid to the girl for "severance"? Who wants to know if any of that money was our donations? Who truly believes this hasn't happened before and won't happen again?
P.S. Everyone knows that Rob has slept with more than 2 women at MPP. That's laughable to anyone who has had the slightest interaction with the dude. If you add in the SSDP girls, you couldn't count them all on two hands.
Rhayader
Jan 20 2010, 8:54 am
Close Source
Jan 20 2010, 8:54 am
freethehumans
Jan 20 2010, 8:47 am
freethehumans
Jan 20 2010, 8:36 am
In the know
Jan 20 2010, 8:08 am
Silent Majority
Jan 20 2010, 6:25 am
salemwitchtrials
Jan 20 2010, 2:32 am
The guy made some crude comments and slept with an employee. Poor judgment worthy of new policies and some punishment, sure. But a big scandal?! Hardly.
What's most upsetting is that the harshest attacks are coming from people and publications that are supposedly supportive of legalization.
Can we find a way to hold people accountable for their actions without hurting the movement?
With friends like these, who needs enemies.
watchdog
Jan 20 2010, 2:22 am
Evan
Jan 20 2010, 1:42 am
Other than that, I think this is going to be a good thing. I also hope whoever is going to run it reaches out to NORML to form a strategic alliance. We came this far with a split movement, imagine what we can do with a unified one.
I am also glad to see Peter Lewis taking some sort of stand, at least publicly.
Are they crazy?
Jan 20 2010, 12:46 am
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