The Piss Clear "Drug Issue" was confiscated!

Piss Clear · Post by **Piss Clear** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 3:19 pm

Well, in an attempt to research all the facts, I've been keeping this on the down-low for the past month. But now, I'm ready to finally scream it from the rooftops:

The Wednesday edition of Piss Clear -- Black Rock City's independent, alternative newspaper -- was CONFISCATED by the authorities. This was "The Drug Issue," and at least 2000 copies of this particular issue were removed, i.e. stolen, from the front of our camp on Wednesday afternoon -- when no one was around.

During the event, I had suspected that this was what had happened. Having done this "playa newspaper publishing" thing for nine years now, I have a pretty good idea of how fast the newspapers go when they get distributed. And "The Drug Issue" went FAST -- a little TOO fast. They were all gone by around 6 PM that afternoon.

I knew it was going to be a popular issue, but I didn't think they'd disappear from our racks and boxes that quickly. Despite my initial gut reaction notion that a good chunk of them had been stolen, I originally had dismissed it. After all, who the hell would steal a whole bunch of Piss Clears? In my Black Rock City utopian haze, I had just assumed that "The Drug Issue" was REALLY popular.

But something about that assessment nagged at me. It might have had something to do with the fact that all that afternoon, across the Esplandade from our camp, four Pershing County Sheriff and/or BLM vehicles were parked. This was not the usual parking spot for official vehicles. We openly discussed that they were keeping an eye on us due to "The Drug Issue," and then, once again, we dismissed it, chalking it up to paranoia. It seemed silly, and besides, we were right near Center Camp, where the authorities often congregated anyway. Right?

But as the week went on, I started suspecting that something was up. Despite the increased population of the city, the Thursday and Friday issues still didn't go as fast as the Wednesday "Drug Issue." And everyone seemed to be looking for a copy of it. Our camp was deluged with requests for Wednesday's edition. Considering that we printed 8000 issues a day this year, it seemed odd that so few had gotten the issue. But a lot of people had heard about it, or had seen someone in their camp with one copy of it. It was definitely in demand -- and we had no more issues at our camp to distribute. Every copy of the "The Drug Issue" was gone.

It wasn't until I got back to the Default World that I heard a big meeting had allegedly been called on Wednesday afternoon at First Camp, which is BMorg headquarters in Black Rock City. Supposedly, it was a meeting between the Burning Man organization, the Pershing County Sheriff Dept., and the Bureau of Land Management. Amongst the heated topics of the meeting was one particular issue of Piss Clear. Yup, that day's edition of "The Drug Issue."

According to my anonymous source -- who is, let's say, very high up on the BMorg food chain -- the authorities wanted "The Drug Issue" removed. This was actually just one thing among several issues that were being dealt with in the meeting, but let's just deal with the topic at hand. The BLM and the Pershing County Sheriff had problems with "The Drug Issue," and wanted the Burning Man organization to deal with it -- in other words, they wanted the Rangers to confiscate it.

Supposedly, BMorg told the the authorities that they couldn't do that -- that Piss Clear was an independent newspaper with no ties to the organization, and that they couldn't censor what we printed. After all, the mayor of Reno can't confiscate issues of the Reno Gazette-Journal just because he doesn't like what's printed in it. It's the same thing in Black Rock City, the BMorg argued.

Allegedly, a compromise was reached, and it was this: the Rangers would remove the remaining Piss Clear newspapers at the Center Camp Cafe, since that was considered under the jurisdiction of the BMorg. This was seen as a way of placating the authorities that something was actively being done by the BMorg about the situation.

I was told that only a small, one-inch high stack of "The Drug Issue" was left at the Center Camp Cafe by the time the Rangers got there to remove them. That story seems to check out, as we deliver a box of newspapers to the Cafe around noon, and they're usually all gone by around 5 or 6 PM.

However, all of this information now sheds new light on how an entire box of Piss Clear disappeared from our camp so fast on Wednesday afternoon.

As the day started to cool off, we left our camp to go explore Black Rock City. When we left around 5:30 PM, the Sheriff and BLM vehicles were still parked across the Esplanade from us. And there were still plenty of Piss Clears in the box at the front of our camp. When we returned about two or three hours later, all of the Piss Clears, with the exception of a few left in the rack, were gone.

Knowing that the authorities had a problem with "The Drug Issue," it now seems perfectly obvious what happened. The authorities STOLE a box of Piss Clear -- about 2000 issues.

This is basically the reprehensible crime of art theft, and it disappoints me that not only does this happen in Black Rock City, but that it was done on the part of the government authorities there.

Supposedly, the Burning Man organization knew nothing of Piss Clear being confiscated other than the small stack that the Rangers removed from Center Camp (and distributed amongst themselves, we can only hope). They had no idea that an entire box of newspapers had disappeared from our camp that afternoon.

Now that I've vented this whole story, I really don't know what my next step should be. I'll be honest -- I feel pretty powerless in this situation. And angry. Publishing Piss Clear is my art, just like building a theme camp is for someone else. When I invest over 100 hours of time into a project such as this, only to have it stolen, it's understandably quite upsetting.

And what really pissed me off is that during the event, no one from BMorg even bothered to tell me about any this. If "The Drug Issue" was such a problem, then why wasn't a dialogue initiated? Why didn't someone come over to our camp to discuss it?

If we had simply been asked by the BMorg or the authorities to remove the newspapers, for fear that "The Drug Issue" would cause problems and jeopardize the future of the event, then of course we would have complied. We love Burning Man, and understand the political compromises that must be made in order to keep it all running smoothly.

But instead, the authorities simply stole our newspapers. This would be like, in 2001, the Sheriff going in and just taking the Jiffy Lube sign, instead of asking the camp's organizers to relocate the sign within their camp.

Bottom line: it's art theft, which according to all the recent BMorg literature, is a crime second only to stealing babies.

One final thought: did the authorities even bother to READ "The Drug Issue"? It definitely wasn't called "The PRO-Drug Issue." Filled with cautionary testimonials, it wasn't exactly a glamorous portrait of drug use on the playa. Sure, the cover was cheeky and faux-controversial -- a mirrow on the playa with the Burning Man logo on it made out of lines of "cocaine" (which was actually confectioner's sugar). The fact is, over half of the drug guide entries were about negative experiences. We even recommended, for the first time ever, not doing psychedelics or Ecstacy on the playa.

And as for the tongue-in-cheek article entitled, "Taking the High Road: How To Score Drugs On The Playa," it wasn't like it contained any REAL useful information. This was apparently the article that alarmed the authorities the most -- but had they read beyond the headline, they would have found an article long on sass, humor, and wit, but short on any hard facts or info.

At the end of the month, the Piss Clear web site -- http://www.blue-period.com/pissclear -- should be updated with all of 2003's issues, including "The Drug Issue." If you missed it on the playa, at least you'll be able to download a PDF or read it on the web.

blyslv · Post by **blyslv** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 4:15 pm

The Drug Issue was one of the only artifacts I brought back from the event. It was one of the funniest things I've read in a long time. In fact Piss Clear in general was too funny. I'm .. er... pissed off that this happened, but take solace in the fact that about 6 other people read my issue and the pass-on readership for that issue was most likely higher then average for such publications.

Thanks for the irreverance!

antron · Post by **antron** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 4:24 pm

the drug issue made for a great morning read over coffee at center camp for me -- and for pretty much everyone i saw there.

it's weird that anybody would take an entire box. let alone le. i wonder what whoever took it did with it?!?

anyway, i can't wait for the "steal this issue" next year (or whatever you'll come up with...)

Kinetic II · Post by **Kinetic II** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 5:09 pm

The reference in Piss Clear to absinthe got me interested and now 4 bottles of the stuff somehow made it through customs and are in my hands. And the rest of the references were great for answering questions from a 15 yo who kept bing offered shrooms every damn day. That issue is a classic and I'm glad it's going online. It sounds like the next time the good old Sheriff comes up for re-election, I might have to send a contribution to his opponent's campaign fund. That might get his attention, especially if he has a couple years of off-time to think about it.

Thanks Badger for posting the backstory about his Jiffy Lube rant.

aforceforgood · Post by **aforceforgood** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 5:57 pm

Maybe you should print a special decoy issue for them to steal...

It could even have "Law Enforcement Decoy Theft Issue" printed right on it, and full of even more outrageous stuff, kind of an "April fools" type issue, with the side benefit that it may shame them for their abuse of our first amendment rights.

Can I write the "Reno 911" style interview where an LEO defends their theft of the Piss Clear Drug issue?

That is really angering that LE disregards freedom of speech at their whim. I can't say I'm terribly surprised by it, but I would expect more professionalism.

Maybe next year they will be trying harder to be professional in order to counteract how they're characterized on "Reno 911".

Which if you're not familiar with it is a hilarious "cops" spoof on comedy central. Of course, now that I've recommended it, you'll probably see a lame one the first time you watch it. Give it 3 watches, I guarantee you it's "Family Guy" funny.

Tancorix · Post by **Tancorix** » Mon Jan 26, 2004 6:27 pm

Has anyone heard more about this? The discussion just kinda died off and I was curious about it.

DE FACTO · Post by **DE FACTO** » Mon Jan 26, 2004 6:29 pm

probally good reason it died. leave it alone.

Piss Clear · Post by **Piss Clear** » Mon Jan 26, 2004 7:17 pm

Latest rumor, still unconfirmed of course: The DPW took the box of Piss Clears.

I heard this from someone at a party on New Years Eve, who swore anonyminity. A few others have suspected the DPW as well.

As for me? All I can say is: Who the fuck knows? I have no idea now, and I'll probably never know. I'm still pissed and upset that this happened, but feel awfully powerless to do much about it, seeing as that I have to go on is conflicting reports from various people, and a bunch of hearsay.

DE FACTO · Post by **DE FACTO** » Mon Jan 26, 2004 7:50 pm

Piss Clear wrote:Latest rumor, still unconfirmed of course: The DPW took the box of Piss Clears.

I heard this from someone at a party on New Years Eve, who swore anonyminity. A few others have suspected the DPW as well.

As for me? All I can say is: Who the fuck knows? I have no idea now, and I'll probably never know. I'm still pissed and upset that this happened, but feel awfully powerless to do much about it, seeing as that I have to go on is conflicting reports from various people, and a bunch of hearsay.

hey, It's all good.

Just time for something new.

Go for it.

Piss Clear · Post by **Piss Clear** » Mon Jan 26, 2004 9:29 pm

Actually, it's not "good" at all. It just fucking sucks. As for something "new," I would love some new news to shed on this crime, but it doesn't seem to be forthcoming. I don't even fucking care anymore.

DE FACTO · Post by **DE FACTO** » Mon Jan 26, 2004 9:36 pm

Piss Clear wrote:Actually, it's not "good" at all. It just fucking sucks. As for something "new," I would love some new news to shed on this crime, but it doesn't seem to be forthcoming. I don't even fucking care anymore.

Aw man....dont be bummed out.

be creative in a suttle way.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 6:42 am

Adrian, That was yesterday. LOok forward to what you will gain from your lose. I suspect you will meet more friends that you never knew you had.

DE FACTO · Post by **DE FACTO** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 9:41 am

unjonharley wrote:Adrian, That was yesterday. LOok forward to what you will gain from your lose. I suspect you will meet more friends that you never knew you had.

Adrian already does.

KellY · Post by **KellY** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 1:02 pm

Hey Adrian,

Sorry if it was some DPW twit who took your issues; if that's true, it's incredibly lame. It's an unfortune fact that stupid assholes seem to infest every group, no matter how cool the group may be as a whole.

DE FACTO wrote: hey, It's all good.

Just time for something new.

Go for it.

This reminds me of an event during the Great Post-Event Duststorm of '01. A bunch of us working on striking the cafe had taken shelter in the rigging container -one of those big metal shipping containers you see all over. We were drinking everything we could find, occasionally making forays out to another place of shelter, trying to find more alchohol, and usually running back after getting no farther than fifty feet. Anyway, we were joined by this hipie chick on the cafe deco team who would just not stop talking. Blah blah blah, all these stupid things no one was interested in. We were joking behind her back about duct taping her mouth shut. Then a guy comes in who was looking for his drum -it had been with a bunch of cafe materials and was now gone. None of us had seen it. The hippie chick tried to console the guy, telling him it was just time for the drum to move on, it found a new owner who needed it more, etc. In one deft move, DPW Head Rigger Simon ripped off a piece of duct tape and plastered it across her mouth, right in mid-sentence.

God, it was beautifiul. It may have been mean, but it was one of the most satisfying moments I've ever been witness to.

Anyway Adrian, I hope my little anecdote brings a smile to your face when you find yourself confronted with annoying aphorisms.

DE FACTO · Post by **DE FACTO** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 1:13 pm

This comming from a;

KellY wrote: drinking everything we could find, occasionally making forays out to another place of shelter, trying to find more alchohol, and usually running back after getting no farther than fifty feet.

Ah ha.....ha.....ah ha ha ha ha..........you're funny.

Take some advise from yourself.

DE FACTO · Post by **DE FACTO** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 1:23 pm

I have to admit though....the writing was spectacular.

Although rather lacking in fourthsight.

Apollonaris Zeus · Post by **Apollonaris Zeus** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 9:21 am

the DEA was handing them out for useful info how to fit in on scoring drugs. Then they gave several to Senator Biden and Ashescroft to shut down BM as a Rave event!

So it must have been Da Bmorg and that Harvey Guy.

A II Z

saffronlee · Post by **saffronlee** » Mon Feb 09, 2004 2:54 pm

Piss Clear wrote:Actually, it's not "good" at all. It just fucking sucks. As for something "new," I would love some new news to shed on this crime, but it doesn't seem to be forthcoming. I don't even fucking care anymore.

Adrian,

I realize it's upsetting to have your newspapers stolen and trying to put it aside is easier on strained nerves but it may be important to find out more for the 2004 event. You may wish to pursue the matter so it doesn't happen again for this year's event.

Sure, 2003 is past and those issues are gone but what about the next event and the next issue? Will that go missing too?

You've stated that you have had a few "off the record" comments from acquaintances. Have you actually asked for an official statement? Have you approached Maid Marian on it? Can she verify or deny the rumours? If the Rangers confiscated the issues from the Centre Cafe, why didn't they return them to you? Did the Rangers burn them? What assurances will she give regarding no censorship (and it being carried/not carried out by BMOrg staff/volunteers) for the next event? Will the Rangers and DPW be allowed to arbitrarily decide what other free speech will be censored on playa? Is BMOrg condoning theft? Demand accountability!

I find it highly impolitic that the BMOrg didn't inform you personally of the issue from the beginning. If Maid Marian doesn't know, she surely can find out. I encourage you to ask directly and then issue a press release.

saffronlee

P.S. I picked up my own copy of that issue from the newsstand at your camp early that day. Nice issue.

Chai Guy · Post by **Chai Guy** » Mon Feb 09, 2004 3:01 pm

Any plans to "re-release" that issue in 2004? I would personally help contribute $ to fund the reprinting of that issue (and maybe include a few lines about what happened to the original ). I would also like to volunteer to distribute that issue to people on my Chai Cart rounds.

KellY · Post by **KellY** » Mon Feb 09, 2004 5:29 pm

Yo Saf,

Just to clear some things up here, thje Rangers are totally different than DPW. I know for a fact that they (the Rangers) would never confiscate anyone's work. And if DPW did, it was because of a DPW-bashing column Piss Clear published (not written by Adrian, BTW); i.e. the ORG had nothing to do with it. That's IF it was DPW, not the cops as originally suspected...as I said before, if it was DPW, it was a totally lame thing to do, but an act of unplanned assholery, not ordered by the DPW brass, I'm sure.

Isotopia · Post by **Isotopia** » Mon Feb 09, 2004 6:52 pm

I think it'd be pretty interesting for Piss Clear to look at both sides of the SBM.org issue. Be objective in the writing while letting more folks know that there are spoilers out there in the world. I guess a decent argument can be made that by doing you provide a forum for the fucktards to further elevate the discussion and in doing so, lend credibility to their rantings but... in the end an informed group is a group that might also be better mobilized when a more formidable, well organized group with similar or more sinister agendas next rides into town.

BlueBirdPoof · Post by **BlueBirdPoof** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 9:04 am

Isotopia wrote: further elevate the discussion

MHO--it's already in the subbasement so any rolling it out of the mud is "elevation" but not "further" elevation. And discussion would imply actual listening on the part of the door stops.

Not that I would ever contradict Iso.

stuart · Post by **stuart** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 11:31 am

I really loved the offending DPW article in question.

Apollonaris Zeus · Post by **Apollonaris Zeus** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 8:33 pm

Remember, the good old days when Piss Clear was around!

DeusRegit · Post by **DeusRegit** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 2:08 pm

It is still around... it was printed and distributed by bicycle throughout the city this year.

Post by **Eric** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 2:23 pm

No, we were still around this year. Now we are gone. I can see you didn't read any of Adrian's rants saying it was our last year, or our blatant goodbye cover "So Long and Thanks for all the Drugs".

I'm going to cry. All that hard work and someone doesn't read us.

BAS · Post by **BAS** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 2:46 pm

Well, phoo! I don't go, and Piss Clear calls it quits!

I don't suppose if I go in 2008, P.C. will come back?

(I actually enjoyed reading P.C. when I attended in 2006.)

B.

DeusRegit · Post by **DeusRegit** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 2:59 pm

busted... okay, Eric, so I saw the guy peddlin' by down 7:00 ave. and though I heard him yellin' out "get your Piss Clear here!" I didn't drop my roll of gorilla tape I was using to tape up my awning that got ripped apart by the sand storm and ask him for a copy.
so, to make amends, I just updated my version of Adobe Reader so I could read your archived copy. now I am enlightened. don't cry.
my guess is that either you or someone else will pick up the torch and run with it next year. no?
btw... great newspaper.

Post by **Eric** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 6:37 pm

BAS wrote:I don't suppose if I go in 2008, P.C. will come back?

Sorry, but no. We're done. And while I'm a great editor of other people's words, there is no way I'm going to try to do a paper on my own. Adrian works for & designs a newspaper here in SF, and knows his shit. I'm just a lackey. Cute, but a lackey.

Deus- glad you found the archives!

Apollonaris Zeus · Post by **Apollonaris Zeus** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 3:18 pm

Eric wrote:
BAS wrote:I don't suppose if I go in 2008, P.C. will come back?
Sorry, but no. We're done. And while I'm a great editor of other people's words, there is no way I'm going to try to do a paper on my own. Adrian works for & designs a newspaper here in SF, and knows his shit. I'm just a lackey. Cute, but a lackey.

Deus- glad you found the archives!

Somehow I think there will a few black market copies appearing now and then on the playa.

It was an playa institution designed my people who should be institutionalized!

Eric, how long do you think the web site will be up?

AIIZ

The Piss Clear "Drug Issue" was confiscated!

The Piss Clear "Drug Issue" was confiscated!

From what I heard...

Getting some answers for theft from Piss Clear

remember when?

fuck me to tears