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To: explodingspleen
The pro-drug libs I know are fond of asking the question, "How many people have died from smoking marijuana?" and then answering it themselves "ZERO!"

Hey Spleen:

Before you get too cocky here try doing a little research on how many people have died from aspirin.

Then ask about alcohol.

Then tobacco.

Let me point out that water toxicity is a known phenomenon. That's right, people die from voluntarily drinking excessive amounts of water.

As a final exercise read the parable of the mote and the beam.

11 posted on 01/19/2004 10:31:08 PM PST by CurlyDave
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To: CurlyDave
Great points.

But the more fundamental point is that the legality of any particular drug should not depend on its danger or lack thereof.

The bigger point that the drug prohibitionists fail to grasp is that we each "own" our own bodies, and therefore we should have the right to ingest whatever we wish. If you think the gov't owns your body, you don't have a clue what freedom means. It's that simple.

Of course, you are still responsible for your actions even under the influence of a drug, any drug. And if you screw up, you damn well should be held accountable. That goes for marijuana *and* alcohol.
15 posted on 01/19/2004 11:05:14 PM PST by RussP
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To: CurlyDave
Wasn't there some guy a few years back that died from drinking too much water?
37 posted on 01/20/2004 6:30:04 AM PST by B Knotts (Go 'Nucks!)
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To: CurlyDave
Found it:

MATTHEW DIES FROM DRINKING TOO MUCH WATER
Apr 27 2002

A MAN collapsed and died from drinking too much water, an inquiry heard yesterday.

Matthew Davies, 32, drank several litres of water every day, unaware he was flushing away essential salts from his body.

The hearing was told he died from the rare condition of water intoxication.

Matthew's father, Gwilym, told the inquest: "He drank water in preference to tea or coffee. He drank water to excess and also drank a lot of orange juice.

"He was at home on the day he collapsed but he had not drunk any more water than usual."

Pathologist Donald Wayte said: "It is a very unusual case. He had drunk so much water, it had washed away essential salts from his body.

"He went into a coma and hospital scans revealed his brain had swollen."Blood was taken for tests and it was found to be diluted. It was concluded he was suffering from water intoxication."

Matthew, of Llandudno, North Wales, died in hospital.

The inquest, in Caernarfon, heard Matthew had been prescribed tablets a few days earlier which may have increased his thirst. A coroner recorded a verdict of death by natural causes.

Daily Record columnist Dr Sarah Brewer said water intoxication may be linked to a psychiatric condition.

She said: "Most of us could do with drinking a bit more water than we do just now.

"But a psychiatric condition can cause people to have the urge to drink more water than is good for them.

"What would be a fatal amount is hard to tell. It depends on many things including a person's build."

39 posted on 01/20/2004 6:33:12 AM PST by B Knotts (Go 'Nucks!)
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