Posted on 08/27/2003 7:52:58 AM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
Edited on 04/23/2004 12:05:51 AM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
Donald Rumsfeld's recent visit to Colombia is a welcome signal of solidarity toward America's most reliable Latin American ally in the war on terror.
"The Colombians are in every sense holding up their side of the partnership against narcoterrorism, and so we are always trying to find ways that we can be helpful," the Secretary of Defense said in an interview en route to Bogota. Perhaps even some holdouts in the State Department will now get the message.
(Excerpt) Read more at opinionjournal.com ...
Nor even ping me about your retreat.
Coward.
I don't much care about pot one way or the other but the pro-drug side wants to treat someone possessing drugs like the date rape drugs or selling PCP which will make people insane the same as that little kid selling weed in the park.
Also a park is a public place ---- I can't just go set up a hot-dog stand in the park, why should drug dealers be allowed to turn parks into drug stores?
What are the statistics for heroin, crack, PCP, methamphetimines, barbituates and the rest?
I don't trust those numbers. For one I've read that of all drinkers only 10% become alcoholic. Plus I would bet almost 100% of the people have tried tobacco at least once in their lives but only some became habitual smokers. How many people have to use alcohol for many years before they become addicted? Plus pot really might not be very addictive but some of the other drugs people want legalized along with it can be dangerous the first time they're used.
Where did you read that?
Plus I would bet almost 100% of the people have tried tobacco at least once in their lives
Have any evidence for that claim?
What are the statistics for heroin, crack, PCP, methamphetimines, barbituates and the rest?
Heroin, 23%, cocaine, 17%; no info on the rest.
The IoM says 76%.
The current tactics are not helping the problem. In fact, it lumps in weed with the dangerous stuff, tells ridiculous and obvious lies about marijuana that makes the kids not listen when methedrine or PCP is brought up.
Illegality and enhanced penalties have not worked. I think some factual education (not propaganda) would make legalization a more realistic approach. When you could buy it for ten cents a gram, snorting cocaine would have a lot less snob appeal. Especially if you knew what excessive-one-time or continued use could do to you. It would become a grubby little vice with little to be said for it.
Also a park is a public place ---- I can't just go set up a hot-dog stand in the park, why should drug dealers be allowed to turn parks into drug stores?
I'm not saying they should. Besides, were it sold legally the "independents" would likely dry up. You don't see kids hawking beers in the park. No profit in it.
We have adequate laws and punishments to cover most every situation you discussed. Rape is illegal and should be. If somebody goes crazy ala PCP there are numerous laws to cover it - assault, reckless endangerment, etc. People stealing should be arrested for robbery, burglary or whatever other crime they commit.
The government's current approach is flat stupid, and worse, dishonest. "Narco-terrorism" is a cheap attempt to cash in on people's hate and contempt for political terrorists. The thugs they're discussing aren't trying to make political statements, they're trying to make a buck. They might as well call Al Capone an "alco-terrorist".
Al Capone cried the day they repealed Prohibition. He also began to immediately move into narcotics - because it was still illegal !
Again, before they go to work on vices (WOsD) I want every burglar, robber, con-man, rapist and murderer caught and punished.
But don't you think both sides do that somewhat? I always hear the example of the sweet young pothead who isn't very hooked or at all violent be used as the justification of why each and every hard illegal drug should be legalized. I think it's also fair to say that while pot use might not have much effect on a person or our society that it's certainly not true of drugs like PCP or methamphetime or crack. Also many of those burglars you want locked up aren't committing their crimes except for wanting money for their drugs.
No except for when I was in high school it certainly seemed like everyone at least smoked one cigarette ---- even if they hated it and never smoked another.
I've read that alcoholism affects 10% of all those who drink ---- maybe that doesn't even include those who just only tried it or drank at some point in the past but decided they didn't like it that much. I doubt 15% of those who ever took a sip of wine or had a glass of beer went on to become alcoholics. I believe it's 10% of people who drink on a regular basis -- but I suppose it could be 15%
Another problem is that some in Washington are better friends to Mr. Chavez than to Mr. Uribe and Colombia.
But none of the drug-nuts either noticed or cared.
But the date rape drugs make the rape appear or even be consensual --- no bruises, no signs of resistance. If they are made legal, finding them in the rapist's possession wouldn't mean anything. Adding them to an alcoholic drink wouldn't be anymore illegal than the alcohol itself being put in.
I've read that alcoholism affects 10% of all those who drink
WHERE did you read that?
Utter nonsense.
I bet you can't give ONE example of that argument being made. Not ONE.
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