While most across the USA were enjoying Thanksgiving left-overs, Willie Nelson, 77 was arrested at the Sierra Blanca, Texas Boarder Patrol Check Point on Marijuana charges. Willie was returning home to Austin, Texas from California when his tour bus arrive at the Check point on the Interstate 10 nearly 70 miles east of El Paso. The Sierra Blanca is one of over a dozen Boarder Patrol stops where vehicles are checked primarily for illegal aliens in Texas.

Patrol spokesman Bill Brooks says the bus arrived at the checkpoint about 9 a.m. Friday. Brooks says an officer smelled pot when a door was opened and a search turned up (6) ounces of marijuana.

Brooks says the Hudspeth County sheriff was contacted and Nelson was among three people arrested. Nelson claimed the marijuana was his. The singer was held briefly a $2,500 bond before being released.

If convicted, the country legend could face extended jail time — the offense carries a minimum sentence of 180 days in jail and a maximum sentence of two years plus a $10,000 fine.

Texas attorney Dick DeGuerin, a criminal defense lawyer who has represented celebrities Tom Delay, Billy Joe Shaver, and was lawyer to David Koresh Branch Davidian ranch FBI siege in 1993 outside Waco, Texas questions the lawfulness of the search, which he says occurred 100 miles from the Mexican border. "It needs to be contested," states DeGuerin.

"It's supposed to be a checkpoint only for aliens, and [agents] overstep their authority all the time," he says. "I've had several cases from that checkpoint and they just use the opportunity to check out anybody they want to. If you have long hair, if you're driving a van or it looks like you're from California or you look like a hippie, they do profiling."

Texas personality Kinky Friedman also believes agents overstepped their boundaries. "The real crime here is that it occurred in a county that is one of the headquarters of the Zetas," he says, referring to the growing Mexican criminal drug cartel. "These guys don't have bigger fish to fry? The Zetas are taking over their county and they're busting Willie Nelson. That shows a real lack of priorities."

Bob Phillips commented on the Texas Monthly, "Very unTexan for a Texan to pull over Willie and hassle him. Shame on the Border Patrol and the Hudspeth County sheriff's department. Aren't there some illegal alien's that need arresting?"

Catrina Harper also commented "While they were searching and arresting Willie on his tour bus, for 6 oz of weed, somewhere on the border was a mule hauling 600 lbs into the USA."

After I read the replying comments made to the Texas Monthly, I too form opinions and question the voice of America. It seems apparent that law abiding citizens are having a change in views finding it OK to break the law. Is this because it is Willie Nelson who is an icon of Outlaw Country Music? Is it his age are the fact that the war on drugs in this nation is a joke?

The Border Patrol is authorize to detain personnel and contact local authorities when US Law is otherwise being broken but out side of their normal routines and jurisdiction. The law is the law and they remain black and white with no shades of gray. However, perhaps Marijuana laws needs to be reform.

I'm not out to condone that because Willie is of celebrity status it gives him the right to break any law. Or because of his age we should over look his actions. I also do not condone breaking any law. However, tracking California's recent proposition 19 that nearly pass to legalize Marijuana along with the introduction of HR 5843 Marijuana Reform Bill by Representative Barney Frank, D-Mass co-sponsored by Rep. Ron Paul R-TX. I believe we need to take a second look.

"It appears the primary reasoning for introducing this bill is because millions of Americans use Marijuana, and since 1960 there have been 20 million arrests for marijuana use and possession. In a day and age when our prisons are so full that the doors swing open for violent criminals, then the courts and penal systems are spending far too many tax payers dollars to prosecute a lot of people who beyond enjoying a little social herb, have not harmed anyone," states Daniel Durken contributing writer for Yahoo.

Nelson is an activist co-chairing on the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) advisory board. He has worked with NORML for years for marijuana legalization and has produced commercials for NORML that have appeared on Pot TV programs.

When over $100 Billion Tax dollars are spent per year between the Federal and State levels use to enforce the war on drugs stopping less than 10 percent of all illegal drugs, the nation has a serious problem. I have to agree after reading information provided below, It's not working and ponder, if marijuana was legal, would our Government use this Tax money more wisely, would it create more problems or reduce problems but clearly see that the way it stands today, there is a problem.

Below are several references to better help understand the economics and problems faced in the current laws and enforcement of marijuana usage.

1. National Drug Control Strategy FY 2001 Budget Summary, Page 2, Office of National Drug Control Policy, 2000
2. State and Local Spending on Drug Control Activities, Page 3, Office of National Drug Control Policy, October 1993; the most recent available government figures are from 1991 when state and local governments spent over $15.9 billion on drug control activities, a 13% increase over the previous year.
3. Federal Strategy for Prevention of Drug Abuse and Drug Trafficking 1982, Page 73, Drug Abuse Policy Office, 1982
4. Department of Justice. "Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics 1999". Bureau of Justice Statistics. Washington, D.C. 2000. See table 1.12.
5. Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics 1998, Page 462, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 1999
6. National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO), (April 1996), 1995 State Expenditures Report, Page 55.
7. David Phinney, "Prison Funding Explodes in Growth," ABCNEWS.com, July 9, 1999.
8. Drug Data Summary, Office of National Drug Control Policy, Page 4, April 1999
9. National Drug Control Policy Strategy Report 2000, Office of National Drug Control Policy
10. Monitoring the Future, National Results on Adolescent Drug Abuse, Overview of key Findings 1999, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Page 48.

Eddie Montgomery of country duo Montgomery Gentry has been recently diagnosed with prostate cancer.

"I will be undergoing surgery to remove the cancerous tumor in December," Montgomery, 47, announced in a statement. "I will be back in January ready to rock for all the fans."

With partner Troy Gentry, Montgomery has notched No. 1 hits including "Something To Be Proud Of," "Lucky Man" and "Roll With Me." He and Gentry are members of the Grand Ole Opry, and past winners of Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music top duo awards. Our Prayers go out to him and his family.