Lies our drug warriors told us

Reno News and Review ^ | August 24th, 2006 | Dennis Myers

[TChris]

> And how did he feel about pot?

Last week NewsMax publicized comments Ronald Reagan made in one of his radio broadcasts before he became president. (Reagan gave about 1,000 radio commentaries just before he became president.) After decades, the tapes have recently been released. In August 1979, Reagan dedicated one program to marijuana. While he warned of the many health risks, he did say, "If adults want to take such chances [using marijuana], that is their business." Soon after NewsMax ran the story we received a call from NORML, the Washington-based group that wants to legalize the drug. NORML had created controversy when it took out huge billboards of former Mayor Rudy Giuliani and current New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, quoting their admission they both smoked pot. Bloomberg and Giuliani weren't chuckling and asked NORML to pull the ads. One person who was chuckling was Michael Reagan, the popular radio host and son of President Reagan. Mike saw the NewsMax story and said, "Of course Dad was for legalization." "He wasn't crazy," Reagan added, laughing, "He didn't want his kids in jail!"

Thank you for so decisively proving my point.

The one unique plank in the Libertarian platform: Give me my pot.

[KeepUSfree]

Oh...then... sorry!!! I THOUGHT I remember you being "fairly normal" ...at least as far as FR standards go.

I am humbled by my own lack of wit.

Please accept my apologies.

Do a hit for me...casues me too many problems now... (sigh) - and it's REAL dry on the east coast! No rain either.

And, I NEVER could do the jazz....

[jmc813]

Thank you for so decisively proving my point. The one unique plank in the Libertarian platform: Give me my pot.

I am a small-l libertarian and for me personally, 2nd Amendment rights are much more important than marijuana.

[Hemingway's Ghost]

Oh...then... sorry!!! I THOUGHT I remember you being "fairly normal" ...at least as far as FR standards go.

I think posting on FR, especially religiously, precludes one from normalcy.

I am humbled by my own lack of wit. Please accept my apologies.

Of course---don't even give it a second thought.

Do a hit for me...

If only. I gave it all up for fatherhood. "Stoned Dad" is not funny.

[Louis Foxwell]

The cry of me-first anarchists everywhere.
*
As in "if drug laws fail, so does all of law in its entirity?"
_______________________

As in, why do you not respond to my concern. To wit, the false claims that drug stupor is a higher form of consciousness are murderous in intent and effect.

[freepatriot32]

Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here

[zeugma]

If only. I gave it all up for fatherhood. "Stoned Dad" is not funny.

LOL. On the contrary! "Stoned Dad" can be very funny. But then, I guess that's your point :-)

[Hemingway's Ghost]

As in, why do you not respond to my concern. To wit, the false claims that drug stupor is a higher form of consciousness are murderous in intent and effect.

Because I think the fallout from the sixties proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that one cannot achieve a higher form of consciousness through artificial stimulation of any kind. In fact the very idea that one could seems as antiquated as sewing machine powered by a foot-pedal. Moreover, the very notion that one ever could was nothing but a bullsh*t excuse to take the drugs in the first place---you couldn't just say you took them because you liked them, or they made you feel good---you had to come up with some sort of rationalization for wasting your life by taking drugs.

In other words, I don't believe the hippie/Timothy Leary line for one second.

You think a junkie hitting a meth pipe thinks he's achieving a "higher form of consciousness," or ever thought he was? Hardly. That junky's toking up because (1) it makes him feel good, (2) he's reckless, and (3) he's looking to escape the doldrums of everyday life---as he sees them.

[MelonFarmerJ]

Right On about Profits. Pot is illegal in large part because because is is easy to grow almost anywhere, and therefore cannot be 1) taxed, or 2) manufactured by large corporations and sold for obscene profits.

Thought for today: visualize every alchohol abuser a pot-head instead.

And no, I don't use or grow the Evil Weed, that's against the law and until the law is changed I will respect that. My Own Private Nirvana is one beer a day and a beer and a cigar Every Sunday Momma and Everything's All Right.

[antiRepublicrat]

And no, I don't use or grow the Evil Weed, that's against the law and until the law is changed I will respect that.

I don't actually respect the law at all. I'd probably use my right to jury veto if put on a jury for a pothead with all the evidence against him. However, I have no desire to use it or most drugs. I can't even stand what the prescription drugs do to me.

[mugs99]

How can you have a drug war history paper without mentioning the lies spewed by Anslinger and promoted by Hearst?

"There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the US, and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz and swing, result from marijuana usage. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers and any others." – Anslinger's testimony to US Congress supporting Marihuana Tax Act, 1937

"Marihuana is more dangerous drug than heroin or cocaine. … I am surprised to learn that certain police officers have been inclined to minimize the effects of the use of marihuana. … They would, I am sure, be convinced that the drug is adhering to its Old World traditions of murder, assault, rape, physical demoralization, and mental breakdown. A study of the effects of marihuana shows clearly that it is a dangerous drug, and Bureau records prove that its use is associated with insanity and crime." – Bulletin of the FBI, May 1938

"Marihuana influences Negroes to look at white people in the eye, step on white men's shadows and look at a white woman twice."
Hearst newspapers nationwide, 1935

"Marijuana leads to homosexuality ... and therefore to AIDS."
White House Drug Czar Carlton Turner 1986

"Think of the press as a great keyboard on which the government can play."
-- Joseph Goebbels, Nazi Propaganda Minister.
.

[mugs99]

The truth is so terrible it is unbelievable, so we must embellish.

ROFL!!!
That's a great excuse for lying!
.

[thinkthenpost]

Ours up until the Pure Food and Drug Act.

[mugs99]

There is lots of death, violence and injuries surrounding recreational drugs in every way, to think otherwise is delusional.

Lol...
That can be said of every human activity...including religion!

[xpertskir]

So America was known for its widespread legal and recreational drug use until 1937?

What an utterly moronic statement. As if any intellectually honest person wants the U.S. to be "known" for widespread legal drug use. The real argument is if a governmental entity has the right to intervene to begin with. Up until 1937 the government chose not to intervene and things were going just fine.

[fanfan]

Then, it becomes a matter of preference.

The old joke....

Miss, would you sleep with me for One Million dollars?

Yes, I would.

How about $50?

Sir, what do you think I am?

We've already established that Miss, now we are discussing price.

[xpertskir]

Children do not try drugs because someone lied about their dangers. They try them because someone lied about the wonders of drugs.

Wrong. I started smoking pot because I was tired of having other people tell me what was what and wanted to make my mind up for myself.

Human experience, its the stuff conservatism is based in.

[Moonman62]

Considering the responses I've gotten, I'd say it was an excellent statement. Maybe the pro drug people would like to live in a pre-1937 world just like the jihadists would like to go back to the 8th century. Some drug use may have been legal in earlier times simply because there were so few people doing it. That could have been because of low availability or cultural attitude.

There is no successful society today that tolerates widespread recreational drug use, just as there are no successful Libertarian or Anarchist societies. There is a reason for that.

[fanfan]

Why do they call it DOPE?....

Because BOOZE was taken?

[xpertskir]

Some drug use may have been legal in earlier times simply because there were so few people doing it. That could have been because of low availability or cultural attitude.

You still dont get it, it is not a matter of legal or illegal. Up until the early 1900's the government had no involvement with legalizing or criminal zing these substances. The whole point is, who is the government to involve themselves with this. You can stick your head in the sand and keep saying the same thing, it doesn't make it true.

Maybe the pro drug people would like to live in a pre-1937 world just like the jihadists would like to go back to the 8th century.

Interesting tactic, linking drug users to Jihadis.

There is no successful society today that tolerates widespread recreational drug use, just as there are no successful Libertarian or Anarchist societies. There is a reason for that.

Just because everyone is "doing it" or "not doing it" is a flawed and illogical argument. BTW the founders intended limited government Republic is a whole lot closer to the Libertarian view of things than you would want to admit.