Background Enabling My Presence On This Fabulous and Magic Trip:
My first time voting for president I voted for Eugene McCarthy. Every vote I’ve made since has been for a progressive candidate. Principally a Democrat, I did vote for Ralph Nader against Clinton, but not against Gore. After realizing Democratic party national and state officials, in collusion with the media, rigged the 2016 Democratic Primaries, I switched my party registration to Independent. If the Democrats elect a progressive DNC chair, I’ll consider returning to the party.
Back in 1985 people were losing their housing due to condo conversions, high rents/taxes and gentrification. I got so mad I ran for state representative in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Having defeated a five-term incumbent in the primary and the assistant mayor’s son in the general election, I was on my way to a fine career in politics. The strength of my candidacy was such I had no political opponent when I won my second term.
During my two terms in the legislature the Republican Party in New Hampshire was so strong they outnumbered elected Democrats by a three to one margin. They also controlled the governor’s office and both US Senate and House seats. Indeed, I had placed myself well within the belly of the beast!
Prior to getting elected I spent the previous five years teaching myself how to play guitar and had just become good enough to pronounce myself a songwriter when I went entered politics. During the early to late ‘70s I managed rock n’ roll bands, so I’ve always held a strong musical affinity. But I stopped playing music because I became so dedicated in the political world. This haunted me!
Eventually I had to make the call: Was I gonna be with musicians or with politicians? Given many of the songs I had written were political in nature, I choose to go back to being a songwriter/singer/guitarist and decided not to run for a third term. But I wanted to finish politics by highlighting and emphasizing the most difficult and controversial issue possible at the time: Drug Legalization.
At the time, the NH Democrats were trying meaningfully to rebuild the party and the Democratic candidate who previously had run for Congress did well enough I thought he deserved a second bid at trying to win. I didn’t want to run against him. I also didn’t wanna harm the Democrats with such a controversial issue since the party was rebuilding. So I changed my political affiliation from Democrat to Republican, declared my candidacy for Congress and championed drug legalization -- I clearly won every debate!
[see lines 60 to 75 in the below Wall Street Journal (8/14/90) reporting David Shribman]
Previous to running for Congress, I submitted legislation to study drug legalization. The House Health Committee’s public hearing was extremely well-attended, several national policy experts testified and I truly believe we won the debate. But still the bill was voted down. For having the courage to submit this legislation I was awarded The Friend of Freedom Award by the NH Libertarian Party.
During my campaign for Congress, the Associated Press (national desk) wrote an article on candidates throughout the nation who were emphasizing a public health model over a criminal model for solving the America’s drug problems. USA Today picked up the AP reporting with a Page 2 article that included a photo of myself, Congressman Crockett of Michigan (who retired from Congress calling for drug legalization) and Gatewood Galbraith who was running for governor of Kentucky on a pro-pot plank. Crockett and I had head shot photos. But Galbraith was depicted in a photo, twice as large as ours and he was shown standing next to a huge marijuana plant.
http://articles.latimes.com/1990-07-29/news/mn-1242_1_marijuana-legalization
Willie Nelson Checks In For Pot Legalization:
Willie Nelson saw the photos and read the USA today article and immediately called Gatewood and offered to do some benefit concerts to help support his campaign. The ultimate plan became a cross state tour of Kentucky beginning in Livingston and ending in Louisville with lots of stops along the way. Since I also was a pro-legalization candidate, I got a VIP invite to join the Kentucky Caravan Tour.
Gatewood had an old Mercedes that had been converted from gasoline to run on hemp fuel, oil from seeds of the marijuana plant. After an early morning celebration with introductions, coffee and all, we set off from Livingston for Louisville with a caravan of about 20 cars full of extremely happy and committed people. Willie and Gatewood were in the lead spewing pot fumes from the Mercedes. Here’s Gatewood, years later on YouTube, describing this trip:
We eventually pulled into Frankfort where the state Democratic Convention was taking place. Originally, Willie was supposed to play a few tunes. But somebody objected and a huge floor debate began over whether Willie should perform. Well, you know who won that vote! Willie gave a very fine performance for the Democrats. In the process we converted many of ‘em into our cause.
We eventually pulled into Louisville for a huge and fantastic top-rate concert at The Louisville Gardens. Afterwards, we partied all night long at the hotel until the sun came up. Last I saw of Willie, he took one last puff before exiting the hotel room and leaving with a huge smile. Willie is as warm and as genuine of a human being as anyone will ever find walking our planet. Bless his musical soul and let’s hoping he’s still playing when he crosses the 100-year-old mark!
https://www.facebook.com/SouthernLiving/videos/10154358479741463/?pnref=story
My only regret? I wish it was I instead of Gatewood who was photoed next to the giant pot plant depicted in USA Today. Had Willie seen me next to the plant, perhaps would have come to New Hampshire for a show--lol! But then again, maybe not. You see, I was temporarily plagued with that damn Republican party affiliation tag for the duration of my candidacy. When the election finished I immediately switched back to being a Democrat, and moved back to Cambridge, Massachusetts where I became a Harvard Square street/subway musician -- a step up from being a NH state rep--lol!
[NOTE: Sadly, Gatewood Galbraith passed away after several more attempts to make Kentucky into HempState USA -- R.I.P. Gatewood!]
