ANTI-DRUG PROLIFERATION ACT RUINING SUMMER

Summertime and the living's easy. Or so it is said.

Sunshine, swimming and evenings enjoying music with friends. In fact,
summer is concert season, with the biggest names in music hitting the road.

At least, it used to be.

Now that federal legislation has passed the Anti-Drug Proliferation Act of
2003 (formerly known as the RAVE Act), not only are raver kids forced to
put up their candy and glow sticks, but those holding tickets to some of
the biggest summer music festivals might have to make other plans as well.

Although the act targets the eradication of club drugs like Ecstasy, it has
caused non-rave events to either cancel or face major sanctions.

Case in point: the ill-fated Bonnaroo NorthEast and Field Day, both set to
go down in Riverhead, N.Y.

The legislation aims to shut down events that facilitate drug use. In its
own words: Section 6 of the bill is titled "Prohibition On Distribution of
Information Relating to the Manufacture or Acquisition of Controlled
Substances." It also outlines the dangers of "club drugs" like Ecstasy and
GHB, as well as calls for punishment for those caught selling these drugs.

Not only that, but those sneaky lawmakers have tacked the bill onto the
PROTECT Act, which is responsible for the National Amber Alert system for
missing children.

And why should you care? I'll tell you.

If you've ever been to an outdoor music festival or show, realize that this
enjoyment is now in jeopardy. The problems encountered by Bonnar oo NE and
Field Day, as well as countless smaller festival grounds (Heard of Almost
Heaven Campgrounds? Stone Hedge? Say goodbye.) are disguised as permitting
issues; now you know why.

Music festivals aside, there is a bigger issue at hand here. This
legislature limits our constitutional rights to free speech and peaceful
assembly. By passing these laws that take away these rights, lawmakers are
setting a dangerous precedent.

Hello? What would have happened in the 1960s if lawmakers had shut down
Woodstock?

Absolute pandemonium, that's what. Look at the mess all their other
protests are so famous for.

As someone who experienced firsthand the sense of community, love and
appreciation of great music at this year's Bonnaroo, I can also tell you
that this is an atrocity.

I'm not saying this law is unjust in the purpose it strives to serve; just
the opposite. Club drugs are dangerous and those dangers do need to be
addressed.

But for crying out loud, just let us gather in the fields and listen to our
music. We have the other nine months of the year to be a slave to the man.