Marijuana Legalization Dilemma

[David M]

More good points Menehune, but may I less eloquently add from when I was 20:

Memories of school drills - under your desk in case of nuclear attack.
War? - Cuban Missile Crisis, Nikita banging his shoe.. You may be inconvenienced at the airport, but we "knew" nuclear holocaust was a real possibility
Racism? - trust me kids today have NEVER seen it like we lived it.
Insurance - sure if you paid for it, sure don't remember seeing it as a job benefit, let alone government.
Retirement - most of the people I knew worked - and then they died (like my grandfather)
The assassination of an American president was something we lived - not read about.
Forget what it was called, but there was government food distributed, but it was also shared. Had to be creative with all that cheese, canned meat, powdered milk.
Inflation was as much a headline as bailouts are.

I guess my point is our list was as long as yours, but perhaps we saw it more as a stepping stone rather than stumbling block from which to host a pity party.

And in those days, coming to Hawaii didn't even make it to dream level - but I'm here (and not leaving).

David




Ninole Resident

[Jon]

Again with the numbers...
P.E Obama did not get the old folks vote?

HE GOT 45%!!!!!!
45
45
45

that almost half...

how do you say he did not get the over 60 vote? 45%!!!!!!

No he did not get 100%... but what group did he get %100 of that has 38 million in it? Hmmm None... he did get 95% of the black vote. (if McCain had got 95% of the white vote, there would have been riots)

I guess no men voted for him ether he only got 49% of that group...

quote:

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Originally posted by PaulW

>its a FACT that Obama did NOT get the old folks vote.
>Why do you think that is? "Plantation mentality"?, "Racists"? I'd like an answer,

Here's your answer:
2004 Election 60 years+ Republican: 54% Democrat: 46%
2008 Election 65 years+ Republican: 53% Democrat: 45%
(source: Wikipedia, who got it from CNN)

Older people are more likely to vote conservative. No racism involved.

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I do not believe that America is better than everybody else...
America "IS" everybody else.

[LeeE]

anela111,

Very good post, (especially your list), although I am sure you are mistaken about old folks not voting for lowest priority. Every other old folk I know here, including "conservative" Republicans voted for it.

I can state as a fact the majority of people working to end Prohibition have been boomers. It's only in the last five years or so that student groups and some young folks have gotten on board. Those young people are doing outstanding work, but most young folks don't speak up or get involved (by joining MAPP, NORML, or just writing their "representatives".

Of course, the vast majority of boomer consumers don't do jack either and that's why these laws haven't been ended yet.

Want to do something right now to help end the pot prohibition laws?

Click on the link in the text below and send Congress a message.

Ciao!

"In 2009, MPP will work to introduce legislation in the U.S. Congress that will remove criminal penalties for marijuana possession. In order to generate support, we need your help. Please visit our action center today and send a letter to your member of Congress.

In 2007, there were more than 775,000 arrests for the simple possession of marijuana - not trafficking or production, but simple possession - and 872,720 total arrests for marijuana offenses. These numbers represent a tremendous cost to American taxpayers ($10 to $14 billion annually by conservative estimates). And yet, despite our strict laws, America has one of the world's highest rates of marijuana use. Recent studies show that teen marijuana use is on the rise; in some demographics, marijuana use is more common than smoking cigarettes. Marijuana prohibition has failed.

It's time for Congress to rethink this wasteful and ineffective policy. Please visit <http://control.mpp.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&id=238> and send a letter to your member of Congress today.

It's important for your new representative to hear from you, and it will only take a minute of your time. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Ben Morris
Assistant Manager of Government Relations
Marijuana Policy Project "

[LeeE]

Darned it.

That link works in my email, but got an error message when I clicked it from my post.

Ok, please go to the MPP site and the form letter (which they encourage you to customize) is there.

[LeeE]

I just copied the link into a new window and it worked.

https://secure2.convio.net/mpp/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=238

Btw, did you folks see the article about coffee on rense.com today. A Scandinavian study showed that drinking 3-5 cups a day reduces risk of dementia and Alzheimers by 65%. Ten cups lowers Parkinson's risk by 75% or thereabouts.

[centipede]

What about 30 cups a day???

[centipede]

A few days ago, there was a report on TV which stated that in 2008, more American law enforcement personnel died fighting the War on Drugs than were killed in Iraq during the same period. Our border with Mexico is in flames, and the extent of death, destruction, and fear among the civilian population of Colombia is beyond the pale. Violent career criminals and those on the other side of the War on Terror get richer and stronger while the world's governments get poorer and weaker, and there is no end in sight. So, here's what we could do to win the War on Drugs and turn the corner on the War on Terror:

1. We have to look at these two wars in the same light because they are interrelated and in both instances, they cannot be won by occupation or other traditional means. This understanding is crucial.

2. Legalization would cut off the cash flow to these people, thus dimishing their power and wealth. This is a common practice in traditional warfare, and its importance should not be underestimated.

3. Legalization would free up the funds now being wasted in fighting this war, and could then be used for projects that are constructive rather than destructive.

4. Legalization would increase the cash flow to governments through taxes, thus increasing their power and wealth.

5. Legalization would create a new industry, meaning jobs.

6. Legalization would eliminate a few of the trapings inherent within a police state; an ultimate system of government that is repulsive to freedom-loving people everywhere.

7. Legalization would eliminate much of the corruption that is eating away at the heart and soul of the world.

What we have above is a multiplier effect, in which one form of power, that of evil, is destroyed and is replaced by several forms of power that is of benefit to the rest of society. It's been 72 years since the despicable, government-inspired "Reefer Madness" terrified a naive public and launched this travesty. It doesn't matter whether you are for or against legalized drugs just as it doesn't matter whether you are for or against alcohol, pornography, abortion, or any number of other issues which we are divided on. What does matter is that we stand for progress and freedom of the individual, and we are presently fighting a collapsing economy and violent religious hysteria. Bill (I didn't inhale) Clinton gave an interview to Rolling Stone Magagine shortly after he left the White House, and in it he said he felt that Marijuana should be legal. Think about it... Here was a person who held what is arguably the most powerful office on planet earth, and he couldn't do it on his own. This is the best reason I can give to demonstrate that in order for such a plan to work, it must be global in nature. Enough said.

[Jon]

On #1 you are way wrong... if we would have fought a traditional war, Iraq, would have been the 51st 5 or 6 years ago.

#2, maybe... it might just make the current cash flow legitimate. They already have everything they need to feed the market.

#3 Nope, those funds would be needed for social services for drug users.

#4 Yes, but I you hope that money would go to #3

#5 Maybe, but it would be in direct competition with the existing dope dealers and they have all the advantages.

#6 Nope, as long as the people let laws be created that remove rights things will not change... "Pocket Knife" law? "Pit Bull" law? "saggy pants" law?

#7 Nope, corruption has been around long before the USA, and it will be around long after.


If you really think that our drug laws are "evil" you really need to get out and see the world.

check out what drinking booze will get you in some countries.



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I do not believe that America is better than everybody else...
America "IS" everybody else.
HBAT

[Bob Orts]

quote:

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Originally posted by centipede

A few days ago, there was a report on TV which stated that in 2008, more American law enforcement personnel died fighting the War on Drugs than were killed in Iraq during the same period.

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Don’t believe everything you see reported, as their information is wrong.

2008 FBI preliminary Law Enforcement Officer Line of Duty deaths were 145. (This included deaths due to motor vehicle accidents and training)

2008 DOD preliminary US service member’s actual deaths in Iraq due to direct enemy combat is 309. (Does not include figures from deaths occurring outside the theater as a direct result of injuries sustained while in theater).

[Laughing_girl]

Here's something ironic....

My Mom voted for Kennedy because he was young and the whole Camelot thing. (she was 24 - he was 43)

My Mom did not vote for Obama because he is so young at 47. (she is now 73). Seriously.

I am going to assume she didn't vote for lowest priority on weed. But I am going to "assume" she would think as example burglary or weed smoking. DUH on which is a priority.




Sometimes you just have to take the leap and build your wings on the way down.