Tommy Chong (Of Cheech and Chong) pipes up after DEA raid (pot pipes pilfered)

Sacramento Bee ^ | 3/14/03 | Eric Gonzalez

[hoosierskypilot]

In the 1978 cult classic "Up in Smoke," comedian Tommy Chong plays a stoner on the run from a particularly uptight Drug Enforcement Administration agent. But when life imitated art recently, Chong had little to laugh about.

Late last month, DEA agents raided the comic's Los Angeles-area home and glass pipe business, seizing the company's merchandise.

Chong was not arrested but still seems dazed by the crackdown.

"It shows desperation, and that's scary," says Chong, who rose tofame as one half of the '70s pothead pair, Cheech & Chong. "If I posea threat, then they're sort of fishing for anything."

Chong wasn't indicted in the raid, dubbed Operation Pipe Dreams,part of Attorney General John Ashcroft's national sweep against drugparaphernalia sellers. But the government arrested and charged morethan 50 people, and still might bring charges against Chong.

"I feel very lucky compared to what other people have lost," says Chong.

In fact, Chong sees the raid as a blessing in disguise.

"What happened to me has served as a built-in PR machine," he laughs.

Indeed, the raid has focused new attention on Chong, who soon may be invading movie screens and bookshelves.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

So this is what Tommy Chong is up to these days. Hmmm...

[newcats]

Guess they were looking for WMDs.....

Weapons of Marijuana Destruction.

This is the biggest waste of resources I have heard about in a long time.

[Mad Dawgg]

So this is what Tommy Chong is up to these days. Hmmm...

I wondered why he disappeared from "Tha 70's Show!"

[Lexington Green]

Busting bongs? Ashcroft is seriously nuts.... like a graduate of Bob Jones University School of Law.

[TightSqueeze]

Late last month, DEA agents raided the comic's Los Angeles-area home and glass pipe business, seizing the company's merchandise

I haven't felt this safe is quite some time, bless you Lord Ashcroft.

[katana]

Dave's not here.

[headsonpikes]

"Operation Pipe Dreams"

A peculiarly, and inadvertantly apt name for the Government's phantasmic quest.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Good catch, I forgot about that.

[aruanan]

Just remember, "the state" is not synonymous with "the country" or "the nation". This is a distinction that many in the government want people to forget. Thomas Jefferson didn't. He thought that periodic uprisings by the country or the nation against the state would be a good thing, a means to restore the government to its original charter as outlined in the Constitution as a necessary, albeit dangerous, servant of the people. We're way overdue such a Jeffersonian disciplining of the people's servant, long since grown fat and abusive, laboring under the delusion that it is the master and that the people's substance is its own property.

[headsonpikes]

"Jeffersonian disciplining..."

I love it when people talk that way. ;^)

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

A peculiarly, and inadvertantly apt name for the Government's phantasmic quest.

"The bigger the bust the better the boost!"

[The Shootist]

Lord God Almighty, please save us from the Conservative Authoritarian. Grant him the wisdom to understand that the Federal War on (some) Drugs is Unconstitutional. In your mercy, guide him to a truer understanding of the meaning of Liberty and Freedom. Show him that the result of his attacks on Personal Liberty and his assault on the US Constitution only aids the Enemy of All, Liberalism.
Amen

[montag813]

"Operation Pipe Dreams". How pathetic. Ashcroft should be ashamed. More wasted millions on harassing our citizens. Sure, so Tommy Chong is arrested for selling glass pipes (NO drugs), and yet the entire Bin Laden family is allowed to flee the coutry without any interrogation on Sept 12, 2001. Disgusting!

[Redcloak]

Reportedly an anonymous tip led the DEA to Chong. The caller was initially ignored by police until, while describing the warehouse operation, he told the police "I think they're Iranians."

[Libertarianize the GOP]

http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list

[NewMexLurker]

I know Dave's not there man - I'm Dave

[Huck]

This is great. I hope they continue to bust as many people as possible. The rule of law must be obeyed.