LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Talk show host Montel Williams on Thursday accused opponents of an Arkansas ballot measure that would legalize medical marijuana of resorting to “racist” imagery with a television ad featuring an African-American actor portraying a drug dealer.
Williams, an outspoken supporter of medical marijuana, appeared at the state Capitol alongside members of Arkansans for Compassionate Care, which is campaigning for Arkansas’ legalization measure on the Nov. 6 ballot. He criticized an ad aired by a coalition of conservative groups that opposes the proposal.
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“Offensive is really an understatement. It’s the most egregiously racist, false statement you’ve ever seen in your life,” Williams told a crowd gathered in front of the Capitol steps. “They have people sitting in a picture holding guns, talking about medical marijuana, and of course they happen to be of different colors to make sure you’re as irritated and angry as you can be.”
The Coalition to Preserve Arkansas Values said it paid about $1,000 for airtime to run a 30-second spot opposing the measure. The ad at one point shows a black actor sitting at a table with guns and filling bags with marijuana.
“The grass-growers and dope dealers would be in charge,” the narrator says in the ad. “Arkansas doesn’t need a state filled with stoned-out zombies, or the criminal activities that come from legalizing controlled substances.”
Jerry Cox, whose group is a coalition member, denied that the ad was aimed at stoking any kind of racial animus and defended it as accurate. Cox noted that the ad also features white actors portraying marijuana users.
“We’re sending a message that this harmful act is going to affect every family in this state if it passes,” Cox said.
Guitarist Wood says Stones on a roll
LONDON – Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood says the legendary band could possibly play more new shows after concerts in Britain and the U.S.
Attending the premiere Thursday of “Crossfire Hurricane,” a new film documenting the band’s career, Wood said he couldn’t believe “how well the band is sounding” in rehearsals.
Shows are scheduled for Nov. 25 and 29 at London’s O2 Arena, followed by gigs on Dec. 13 and 15 at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., just outside of New York. The shows mark the first time in five years that the Stones have performed live.
“Once this wheel is turning … we won’t be able to stop,” Woods said.
Ann Romney: This will be last campaign if husband loses
WASHINGTON – The wife of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney says he won’t run again if this race doesn’t turn out the way they hope.
Ann Romney told ABC’s “The View” on Thursday that it was “a very hard thing” to put her family through another White House bid after he lost the 2008 Republican primary. She said she agreed because she feels her husband can bring economic prosperity to America, but they “absolutely” will not do it again if he loses.
Also appearing was the Romneys’ son Josh, who was asked about brother Tagg’s joke after this week’s contentious debate that he wanted to “take a swing at” President Obama.
Josh Romney said that as someone who’s been slugged by Tagg, he can assure Obama he has nothing to worry about.
– From news service reports
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