Fly by Night's early Christmas : I'm (once again) free at last

[Fly by night]

To all,

Many of you -- my DU family -- know that I have been engaged in a five year legal struggle related to my involvement in medical marijuana in Tennessee. In November, 2005, I was sentenced to four year probation (and no fine) for growing medical marijuana for four sick friends and myself. From 11/05 until 5/07, I resided in a federal Bureau of Prisons halfway house in Nashville as part of that four year probation sentence. I have posted on this situation before, but those of you new to my story can visit www.saveberniesfarm.com . Although I have been "out" of the halfway house since May, I still faced being on federal probation until November, 2009.

This evening, around 5:00 pm, I stopped by Kinko's on my way home. Among my emails was a one word message ("congratulations") from my attorney, which included an attachment. The attachment was an order from my federal judge granting our motion for early termination of my probation. As of today, December 4, 2007, I am (once again) a free man. The judge effectively cut my four year probation sentence in half with this decision. I am not only grateful to be free again, but I think the judge's lenient decision also bodes well for my position as a spokesman within our medical marijuana effort here in Tennessee.

Thanks to all of you for your prayers, good thoughts and shoulders of support over the past five years. I could not be happier than I am at this moment.

The next happy moment will come tomorrow morning when I apply to have my voting rights re-instated. That is possible now for ex-felons to do in Tennessee once our probations are completed.

This is all happening in the "right now" so I am still a little breathless. But thankful and appreciative and serene and so committed to saving our democracy and winning this country back. So that Science, Common Sense and Compassion can once again trump Social Control in this, our country. In these, our bodies.

I started the day Federal Bureau of Prisons # 16502-075.

I am moving, freely, toward the end of it as Bernie Ellis.

A Fly by Night.

[aquart]

1. Congratulations. Use it well.

[Richard Steele]

2. Congratulations Mr. Ellis! recommended

[porphyrian]

3. Very cool. Good luck. -n/t

[JohnnyLib2]

4. Great news. Congratulations.

And on you go.

[AuntPatsy]

5. Seriously, thats great news, I hope you can enforce the changing of those laws that honestly

need to be altered, its amazing to me that what you did was considered illegal, these law makers, unless they themselves can find a way to cash in on an enterprise you can be sure it will remain illegal, so the best thing to do is find a way that they themselves can make money and only in that way will the laws concerning the growing and usage of medical marijuana be changed.

Welcome home.

There is honestly something wrong in this country, well more than wrong, its time to effectively change the status quo of law making.

[Benhurst]

6. Congratulations!

Recommended :kick: #4

:party:

[Fly by night]

7. Time to leave Kinko's and take that (not so) straight drive home to my deep hollow home.

We are the ones we've been waiting for.

[NMDemDist2]

8. superb news, what a wonderful Christmas present eh?

we *are* the ones we've been waiting for, aren't we?

[Time for change]

9. Congratulations Fly!

It's so hard for me to understand why people would be incarcerated for that.

[annabanana]

10. That truely is wonderful news.

You have been put through a wringer on behalf of every person in the Country who benefits from the medicinal use of marijuana and I salute you!

[in_cog_ni_to]

11. Congratulations, Bernie! I am so happy for you!

This is truly wonderful news!

[UpInArms]

12. ...

:applause:

:hug:

[peace13]

13. This is wonderful news!

Peace and love, kim

[Ghost in the Machine]

14. Excellent news, my friend, *excellent* news!

It shows that there *is* a little bit of justice here in Tennessee...

Let me know how I can help be a voice for the Medical Marijuana Movement here. I'll do what I can to help.

PEACE!

Ghost

[GuvWurld]

15. Tears of joy.

Not too big to admit it. I'm really happy for you Bernie. You are an inspiration for MMJ advocates, election integrity advocates, those incarcerated, and humankind. It is an honor and a privilege to know you.

:toast: :smoke:

[Fly by night]

35. Lots to celebrate. UNCOUNTED is getting massive attention, VVPB and HCPB abound.

If we keep working our asses off to make it happen. Thanks, GW, for the State of Jefferson shout-out.

We are the ones ....

[EFerrari]

16. ((((((((((Bernie!))))))))))))

Congratulations.

Welcome home.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

17. Congrats on weathering a difficult time and coming

out on the brighter side.

[Patsy Stone]

18. Mazel Tov!

What a marvelous development. Congratulations! :toast:

[midnight]

19. I have great happiness for your early release. It is my hope that

people, myself included, have had to be educated to the positive effects of this drug/herb for the treatment of medical conditions. I like your last sentence. "So that Science, Common Sense and Compassion can once again trump Social Control in this, our country. In these, our bodies."

[appal_jack]

20. Big-Ups Bernie!

Congratulations and Much Respect for your important work from a neighbor in Western NC.

-app

[zalinda]

21. Congratulations ! I thought of you when I watched a video

of John Edwards (can't remember which one on youtube), but someone asked if he would prosecute those who use medical marijuana and he said no. Maybe things will be looking up for all us fibro sufferers, I know I'm ready for some changes.

zalinda

[Fly by night]

22. It's an hour's drive from Nashville back to my farm. And I had 41 "congrats" emails waiting for me.

Lordy, I'm sure Al Gore invented the internets.

It lets me share my wondrous news (and its gentle refrain for justice, sense and sensi-bility).

Thanks again, guys, for being there for me. In case you haven't read it yet, here is a link to a DU thread on the pro-medical marijuana editorial that appeared in the Nashville Tennessean this past Friday.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=3776282

[sueh]

23. Bernie, I am absolutely thrilled for you!!

:hug:

[uppityperson]

24. Wonderful news, congratulations!!!

[Robbien]

25. What wonderful news

And to think you got the news at a Kinkos. Hard place in which to let out a whoop of joy.

Congrats FlybyNight.

[Fly by night]

26. Yeah, my feet are just now getting back down on the ground.

Time to go soak in the very hot water of my claw-footed tub on the back porch.

Lordy, it is nice to be home. And to be a free man.

[Robbien]

34. You are going to have a good sleep tonight

and just think that when you wake up in the morning that feeling of dread is not going to hit you in the face as soon as you wake.

When I got a piece of paper last August which ended a three year ordeal for me (no where near as bad as yours), I just sat for hours grinning at the piece of paper. Just couldn't put it down.

I am very happy for you.

[Pastiche423]

27. This is marvelous news!

As a MM patient, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you do.

:woohoo: Congratulations! :woohoo:

[JeffR]

28. K & R!

Good for you!

[Blue_In_AK]

29. Congratulations! This is very wonderful news.

[robinlynne]

30. nice! Geez, they took your voting rights away... That is more shocking than

the rest..

[Fly by night]

32. That was the "right" I most hated to lose. Just thankful the TN legislature re-enfranchised ...

... ex-felons with a very practical and easy law last year. I am proud to take advantage of a new right that all ex-felons nationwide should have.

[robinlynne]

39. I guess it never occurred to me that one of us, one of my "friends" (cyber-friend?)

could be called a felon. stupid, I know, but I'm always standing up saying I am a citizen. These rights are inalienable. And here they just took your vote away from you.

[EFerrari]

31. kick

[Spazito]

33. Congratulations! That is very good news!

Thanks for letting us know, it is much appreciated!

[Diamond Dave]

36. SWEET!!!

It is time to :party: with lots of :grouphug: and

:woohoo:
:woohoo:
:woohoo:

It is so nice to have you HOME!!!!

Cheers!!!!

[sandnsea]

37. How exciting for you

Hope it's smooth sailing here on out.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

38. yay. congrats and happy happy holiday!

so happy for you - and its a win win for us to have you all the way back.

Enjoy and best to you!

[emilyg]

40. Happy for you.

[live love laugh]

41. I can't believe marijuana merits a FEDERAL sentence. WOW. n/t

[berni_mccoy]

42. CONGRATS!!!!

:kick:

[UncountedDirector]

43. Yea Bernie!!!!

I am glad you are free. But they never, ever locked up your spirit. Thanks for being such an inspiration to me. I am honored to know you.

David Earnhardt

[mirrera]

83. Your film is awesome!!!

I am Joe's sister, and he said it got a great showing. Sent me pics. Congrats to you too!

[Triana]

44. Congrats Bernie!!!

I hope you can succeed in getting those rediculous laws changed. Wishing you and your friends and neighbors the BEST Holiday EVER!!!

[orleans]

45. hey fly! that is wonderful news. i'm really happy for you.

we had a real pretty snow here this afternoon & tonight.

a good day for both of us.

congratulations.

[Usrename]

46. Godspeed to you Fly by night!

You are bound to win this!

[Melissa G]

47. WHOOPEE!!! Happy Hanukkah! I am utterly thrilled! Made my night!

Could not be happier for you, Bernie! :woohoo: I am always so happy when good things happen to wonderful people who really deserve it. This should never have happened in the first place, so I am so glad it was 'undone' sooner rather than later.
You are a magnificent inspiration to me and so many others of us and a heck of a great patriot :patriot:

Thanks for all you do!:toast:
Very Best,
Melissa

[Hekate]

48. Congratulations, and may all good things come your way.

:grouphug:

Hekate

[Stump]

49. Good Luck!!! n/t

[DemReadingDU]

50. Congratulations! The best Christmas present!

This is truly great news!

:party:

[Mnemosyne]

51. Oh, Bernie, this is fantastic news! Best I've heard in a long time.

I actually have tears of happiness for you running down my face as I type.

Shouldn't have ever had to suffer through all this shit in the first place, but sooo pleased to hear it is finally over!

:hug::applause::hug::hug::applause::hug::hug::applause::hug::hug::applause::hug:

You are one of my personal heroes! :patriot:

Will they never allow us our medicine?!:grr:

[MelissaB]

52. Congratulations!

Best news I've heard in a long time. :hi:

[Beausoleil]

53. Yay, Bernie!

:thumbsup:

[truckin]

54. Great news! Congratulations, I'm sure you are relieved to get rid

of that number.

[Lurking Dem]

55. >>HUGS

As a fellow Nashvegas chronic illness sufferer, let me applaud you for your efforts and courage.

Although numerous studies have proven cannabis' effectiveness in relieving pain from my various disorders, one of them very likely makes its use contraindicated. Coupled with the state's belief that I am apparently a safer, more productive individual if I am miserable, it's a scary world out there.

[proud2BlibKansan]

56. Awesome!!

Great news.

[tom_paine]

57. Congratulations. n/t

[Fly by night]

58. Oh what a beautiful morning ...

... already getting calls of congratulation this morning.

There are over 500 people (including some of you) who have walked with me on this five year ordeal via periodic email messages I send out (my halfway house diary). Once I soak again in the hot tub this morning, it will be time to spread the good news far and wide.

Then it will be time to get busy again working to save our democracy.

No rest for the weary -- particularly when they are FREE.

[hootinholler]

59. Outstanding news! You rock!

Rock on Brother.

-Hoot

[Marrah_G]

60. Congrats!

You never should have been there in the first place.

[ClayZ]

61. Yay! K and R

[greiner3]

62. I'll smoke one for you!

[eppur_se_muova]

63. Congratulations, especially on the vote -- it will come in handy! nt

[Schema Thing]

64. Wonderful news.

I'm going to read up on your situation.

[Arugula Latte]

65. Great news!

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[Auggie]

66. Congratulations. And welcome back!

[donsu]

67. wonderful!

nt

[progressoid]

68. This is wonderful.

I almost have hope for our nation again. Congrats Bernie!!

[emlev]

69. Mazel tov and Thank You for Your Commitment!

The country needs more people like you willing to stick their necks out for what they believe!
Hope the voting rights reinstatement goes well!

[duhneece]

70. Your story motivated me to go to Santa Fe to speak for MM

I had been involved in HIV/AIDS awareness in the 90's and knew many who relied on medical marijuana...then, when I worked for a cancer treatment facility, I knew many who also relied on MM and our doctor swore he'd prefer to prescribe MM over pharmaceutical products for nausea, pain, depression. "I'd rather prescribe marijuana instead of Prozac" he'd say.
So when NM's Dept of Health had a hearing in Santa Fe (4 hours from here), I made the drive to speak on behalf of our patients.
It's time to end the madness.
Thank you so much for standing up for what is right.

[Fly by night]

71. A mid-morning "first day free" update

I just heard from John Gideon with Voters Unite who said he would mention my new (and much improved) "status" later today on Daily Voting News. This is what I sent him -- I also send this statement to about a half dozen mmj advocacy groups nationwide. We'll see ....
-------

John,

I would be honored and humbled by your posting this news on DVN in any way you see fit -- that would be so appreciated. If you're going to do it, why don't you direct people to the DU thread I started with this email.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=2405870&mesg_id=2405870

But it would also be nice for you to link folks to our state organization's web-site ( www.votesafeTN.org ) -- we have much GOOD NEWS to report on the election integrity front in TN. While there, people should scroll down to the text of my September 27 presentation to the TN Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations -- TACIR) and also to TACIR's linked report, "Trust But Verify".

I also don't mind you linking people to my "save the farm" web-site, ( www.saveberniesfarm.com ) though we obviously have some updating to do on that site. (Boy howdy, do we!!) Finally, it might be nice (to represent my continuing mmj political activism) to share with others the two major editorials in last Friday's Nashville Tennessean as reflective of a major and well-supported mmj effort in TN. .
http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071130/OPINION01/711300428/-1/ARCHIVES
http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071130/OPINION01/711300425/-1/ARCHIVES


Bottom line -- you are free to share my happiness and my renewed commitment to act like I'm back working toward becoming another full-time member of the "we's" we've been waiting for. So good to know you, Ellen and the other "6 or 7" involved in moving this country closer to where its people want to be.

Looking forward to seeing all of you face-to-face sometime real soon. Just not this minute.

(But soon come.) Bernie

[f the letter]

72. Congratulations!

i've followed (and spread) your story here since before i was a member. That's great news

[Fly by night]

73. One last (happy) self-kick before walking around my farm ....

.... It is all good. ;>) )

[mike_c]

74. congratulations and best wishes!

:bounce:

[BoneDaddy]

75. Well Done

Keep up the good work.

[ms liberty]

76. Congratulations Bernie - and welcome back to freedom...such as it is! K&R n/t

[alstephenson]

77. Congratulations!!!

Thanks for being willing to fight the good fight.

[immoderate]

78. YAY!!

Unfortunately, nothing makes freedom seem so good as what you have been through. I am very happy for you!

--IMM

[truedelphi]

79. Oh Hallelejuah! Congrats on being free.

May all the wonderful things you have done offer you full payback in terms of this life here and other lives to come.

[silverweb]

80. Congratulations!

So happy for you.... :hi:

[roguevalley]

81. congratulations, friend. enjoy the fresh air of freedom. :)

[mirrera]

82. Congratulations!!!!n/t

[MsMagnificent]

84. Congratulations!

Very happy for you :)

[kimmylavin]

85. Welcome Home, Bernie Ellis.

Congratulations!

[AmBlue]

86. This is wonderful news.

I've followed your story, Bernie Ellis, and said prayers for you. I could not be more delighted on this day (which happens to be my birthday) to hear such good news.

Buckets of blessings to you and yours.
:party: :toast: :party: :toast: :party: :toast: :party: :toast: :party: :toast: :party: :toast:

[sonias]

87. Happy to hear about your freedom FBN!

A Christmas story that's worth remembering. Plus you get to vote in next year's election. I am so happy for you!

:bounce::bounce::bounce:


Sonia

[Canuckistanian]

88. Good news for sane justice

You or anyone like you is NO threat to society.

This may be a small step for the legalization of a non-harmful and potentially helpful plant.

It's time the demonization ended.

[Gregorian]

89. Right on!

Congratulations!

And what good came from any of this cannibis bs that our government has perpetrated upon us? NONE.

Your positive attitude is a lesson for me.


PS- I just got my own piece of land. I thought it would never happen. So it looks like good things are happening!!!!

Best of luck with the future.

[ray of light]

90. Flying FREE by night! Congrats!

[barbtries]

91. i'm so happy for you

sigh.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

92. congrats, Bernie!

May you win your fight in Tennessee!

[ThatsMyBarack]

93. Congrats and Onward!

:woohoo: :party:

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

94. Just, "WOW"!!!! My very best wishes to you!!!!

You are going to be,...more than "okay"!

Congrats!!!

:bounce:

[Kajsa]

95. Congratulations,Fly!

I am so happy for you.

It must be great to not have that hanging over you.

Here, in CA, we are still fighting to keep our medicinal pot
laws intact, although the feds have been raiding private homes
and distribution centers.

The fight continues---

Congrats, again my friend!

:toast: :D

[Maestro]

96. Congratulations to me too.

Way to stay true and fight this thing.

[Maestro]

104. Meant to say, Congrats to YOU! Man what was I smokin'?

;)

[NinetySix]

97. Keep fighting the good fight.

It's hard to believe that so few people can convince so many others that medicines should always come out of a bottle when it's clear that sometimes the best medicines grow right out of the ground.

Next thing you know, they'll convince people that the best water comes out of a bottle too.



D'OH!!!

[Cobalt Violet]

98. I'm so glad your free.

As someone who depends on medical marijuana,I hate what happened to you in the first place.

[sweetladybug]

99. Congratulations! From one Tennessean to another

I don't smoke pot but I think medical marijuana should be legal. Also I think marijuana should be legal same as alcohol.

[Fly by night]

100. Thanks to all. The Goddess comforts us all, users and non-users alike.

It's great to be green.

[Ellipsis]

101. Very Cool...

It's good to know your out of the system, I had read about you plight when Wiley posted about you in the spring and how they locked you down because of the benefit for the farm. I had been curious about what had happened to you... didn't make the connection to your screen name until this post. I visited your site earlier this spring remembering the farm to be a nice little slice of heaven.



...as you walked your land your step must have felt lighter.


My best to you, and may all go well with the farm. Let us know when you update the site.

[Fly by night]

102. Second day free ...

... awoke early. And then went back to bed.

Drank coffee slowly and dressed for a relaxed drive to town (Franklin that is).

Met with a large group of friends there with whom I share at least one thing. And shared with them my good news. Then soaked up their smiles and cheers, and their hugs.

Made a list of the people from whom I have received "congrats" notes via my email -- 99 separate friends and relations (so far).

This DU thread has meant (and means) as much to me, and I really appreciate the support and encouragement and celebration I get at this internet home-away-from-home.

I am settling in. And smiling.

By way of thanks, anyone who will PM me their mailing address will get a Christmas surprise from me -- a print of a a miniature painting of my deep hollow home, signed by the artist. Hope to hear from lots of you. You have really made these a deeply happy holidays. Have one yourself. Bernie

[EFerrari]

103. kick

[Melissa G]

105. Kickety kick for FBN n/t

[Truth2Tell]

106. You have endured for us all!

Thank you my friend.

The word "hero" gets tossed around pretty lightly these days. I'd say it is appropriately used here.

:toast: