Native Austinite And Local Businessman Kris Bailey Kicks Off Race Saturday, January 29, 2011 at Scholz Garten, 1607 San Jacinto Blvd., Austin, TX 78701 at 1 PM Against Incumbent Randi Shade in Place 3 Austin City Council Race on Pro-Cannabis Platform With Public Endorsement From Willie Nelson and Support From Austin Music Community
Press conference Saturday, January 29, 2011 at Scholz Garten at 1 PM for Kris Bailey campaign for Austin City Council election with economic budget ideas based on legalization, regulation and taxation of marijuana with support and personal endorsement of Austin's most legendary musician, 78 year old Willie Nelson.
Austin, Texas, January 28, 2011 -- Native Austinite Kris Bailey is a 30 year old independent businessman and insurance adjuster, a home owner in the Oak Hill neighborhood of Austin and a graduate of Bowie High School. He also firmly believes that marijuana should be legalized.
As an insurance adjuster, Kris Bailey has visited with people from all over the City of Austin. As a citizen, Kris Bailey has become concerned about the importance of social justice and the democratic process. Kris Bailey has formed the opinion that the majority of our neighbors believe that the war on drugs is a waste of time.
Kris Bailey's opinion is that marijuana should be legalized, regulated and taxed to bring more money into government treasuries both locally and statewide to fund schools, hospitals, mental health facilities and to build roads and public buildings. "Why should criminals make all the money off something that lots of people do with no harm to themselves or others?" Kris Bailey asks.
This opinion regarding marijuana is shared by one of Austin's most famous citizens, musician and songwriter Willie Nelson. As the result of Willie Nelson's arrest in December of 2010 for marijuana possession charges in West Texas, Willie Nelson is now publicly endorsing political candidates from all across the United State that share his view that cannabis should be completely legalized.
Kris Bailey is only the second candidate to be endorsed by Willie Nelson and Willie Nelson's TeaPot Party and the very first candidate from Willie Nelson's home state of Texas to receive Willie Nelsons personal political endorsement.
"The Teapot Party was started to help people like Kris Bailey get elected. We endorse him in his run for Austin City Council. Good Luck Kris" - Willie Nelson
Kris Bailey says, "I feel that a majority of our neighbors believe in decriminalizing cannabis. We need to stop putting harmless people who are not committing any crime in jail. Are we afraid of common sense? Legalize it, regulate it and tax it."
The press conference and kick off celebration at Scholz Garten on Saturday, January 28 will take place from 1 PM to 3 PM. A representative of the Willie Nelson family is expected to attend to convey Willie Nelson's personal endorsement of Kris Bailey.
This is what other citizens in the Austin music community had to say in support of legalizing marijuana:
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From Malcolm 'Papa Mali' Welbourne:
"Whether you are for, against or indifferent to the personal usage of marijuana - please consider what I am about to say.
Millions and millions of your fellow Americans smoke it. Some daily, some only occasionally. Many if not most, are otherwise law abiding, tax paying, productive, educated citizens.
They are your brothers, sisters, parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren, co-workers, doctors, lawyers, teachers, students, elected officials, clergy, husbands, wives, girlfriends, boyfriends, etc.
Some of them are veterans of war or have served in the military. and all are victims of the so-called 'War on Drugs' which has cost this nation untold billions of dollars and has been completely ineffective in reducing the supply and demand of marijuana.
Let's stop subjecting our own citizens to a costly and useless 'war' and make marijuana legal, once and for all."
Malcolm 'Papa Mali' Welbourne
Malcolm "Papa Mali" Welbourne is a slide guitarist, singer, and songwriter who grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana and is based in Austin, Texas.
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From Cindy Rae Toth:
"I see no reason marijuana should be illegal. It is far less dangerous than alcohol. If you made it legal, you could tax it and put some of that revenue to good use, maybe say paying teachers what they're worth or feeding and sheltering homeless people."
Cindy Rae Toth is the bass player of the beloved 80's band The Reivers and has played in many Austin bands including Flying Saucers, Wet, Trigger Happy and Violet Crown.
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From Kerry Awn:
"I smoke marijuana for glaucoma. I don't have glaucoma so it seems to be working. It's a preventive medicine. It prevents me from having a bad day."
Kerry Fitzgerald, who uses the name Kerry Awn, is an artist and commedian who has been part of the Austin scene since the days of the Armadillo World Headquarters in the 1970s and a favorite at Esther's Follies and the Velveeta Room.
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From Danny Crooks:
"Marijuana is the only thing that helped me in my Hepititis C treatment when I was on Interferon and Riboviron. It is also the only thing that helps my Restless Leg Syndrome and asthma."
Danny Crooks has been an integral part of Austin,Texas' music scene for decades as an Austin club manager and booker bringing major talent to Austin, Texas from all over the world.
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From Arcie Cola:
"If folks were educated about the real history of marijuana and why it continues to be illegal even in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence, I'd be willing to bet 99% would have no problem with legalization. People need to think for themselves and not blindly swallow government propaganda. As supposedly free citizens, we shouldn't allow our elected officials to dictate what we can and cannot do in the privacy of our own homes. It didn't work for alcohol, it didn't work for sodomy, and it's an absolute failure when it comes to marijuana."
Arcie Cola is a local TV personality and a very wise woman.
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From Rick Hullet:
"I was diagnosed with terminal cancer and after that had surgery that is called the mother of all surgeries. Marijuana allowed me to get off pain pills about a month early. I grow it in my backyard and as far as I'm concerned there is no one in the world that can tell me that I can't grow and use it."
Lubbock, Texas born guitarist Rick Hullet played with Joe Ely, Lloyd Maines, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Butch Hancock, and Tommy X Hancock and the Supernatural Family Band. After that he became a rocket scientist at NASA. He currently lives in Hood River, Oregon.
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From Bobby Earl Smith:
"I was busted backstage at the Municipal Auditorium in 1972 at a Grateful Dead concert. I had one-half of a joint. At that time in Texas any amount of marijuana was a first degree felony.
I was the bass player in Freda and the Firedogs in 1972. The Judge at my examining trial came to the Split Rail every Sunday night to hear the band play. He tossed my case out. At the time I thought, "pot will be legal in a few years."
Yet here we are 39 years later and possession of marijuana is still against the law. Now I represent defendants charged with the same thing almost 4 decades later.
Prosecution of marijuana offenses is a waste. I support law enforcement. I do not want mean streets. Our police officers should be freed to enforce real crimes and leave the decision of whether or not to smoke pot and possess pot
to each individual citizen."
Bobby Earl Smith is a singer, songwriter, musician, award-winning producer, manager, booking agent and lawyer in Austin, Texas
Contact Information for Kris Bailey for Change
Phone: (512) 588-3522
Website: BaileyForChange.com
Links:
http://www.celebstoner.com/201101265627/news/celebstoner-news/willie-nelson-backs-council-candidate.html
http://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2011-01-28/council-challengers-take-their-marks/
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