The drug war vs. the war on terror

Chicago Tribune ^ | December 13, 2001 | Steve Chapman

[CrossCheck]

On Oct. 25, six weeks after the worst terrorist atrocities in our history, the United States was bombing Afghanistan, Colin Powell was discussing a post-Taliban government, investigators were grappling with anthrax in the mail, and federal agents were . . . well, they were going after pot smokers in California. If John Ashcroft had been around during the Chicago fire, he would have been handcuffing jaywalkers.

[southern rock]

Glad that I make your day. Anyway I state facts such as that places that legalise drugs(Holland) are very socialist.

Let's see. Holland is a socialist country. Holland has legalized drugs. Therefore legalized drugs=socialism.

You have obviously never taken a logic 101 or debating 101 course.

[Dane]

Soon he will be ignored, - much like dane. -- They have made themselves into FR's town clowns,

Huh, only in the bizzarro Libertarian sub world of FR, where all drugs are good and all cops bad, would my name pop up so much when I am supposed to be "ignored".

[Texaggie79]

Do you fear that you would be unable to control your own impulses and start shooting up?

No, but people and kids that grow up with these drugs sitting on local store shelves will eventually see nothing wrong with using them. I know many people that are now drug free because they no longer like the danger of being arrested.

[headsonpikes]

RE: "two wines theory...kooks."

No, these are the 'two(or more) whines theory' schnooks.

[southern rock]

state lotteries (all who play do so by choice),

Who takes drugs against their will???

[realpatriot71]

I never said that all drug users or even all users of certain drugs commit crimes.

Oh, I wasn't implying that at all. I was just merely relaying some info.

[WindMinstrel]

Waiter, 2 wines, please!

[Texaggie79]

Tell me, do you spout these idiotic views of your to people in person? Or do you only post it on the internet? Because if you have the balls to tell people, in person, your desire to legalize all drugs, I am sure that you are quite used to being the laughing stock.

[FreeTally]

LOL!! Thats great!

[Texaggie79]

then that would explain the complete lack of alcohol related child-abuse

Compare that to the number of parents that use alcohol and get back to me.

[Texaggie79]

I agree that it is strictly a state issue, and that unconstitutional aspects of the WOD should stop. I oppose the WOD. But legalization of HARD drugs is signing a death sentence to our republic.

[Texaggie79]

The stronger the Prohibition, the more powerful will be the drugs.

Yeah just ask starbucks. They only sale the mild stuff. LMAO!!!!!!

[realpatriot71]

My point is, the type of person who feels they need to bend their minds with drugs will do it, regardless of wether it legal or not. Drinking and smoking are part of the culture, like football and apple pie (not a very good comparisan). They are normal. Drugs, even if they become legal will never be seen as normal. So the same stigma will go along with those who use once it legal. So, it really is a mistaken statement to say that more people will use drugs because they are legal. The only thing that really changes about the situation is that the user is no longer a criminal. He'll still be seen as a druggie. So those that do not mind this already use, and will use in the future. This hardly applies to all people.

[Polonius]

Indeed. I must admit, some of the drugs you listed I wouldn't touch with a 10-foot pole, but the fact that others do use them doesn't particularly frighten me, unless the user endangers others. But ketamine ... geez, it's an animal tranquilizer!

[FreeTally]

No, but people and kids that grow up with these drugs sitting on local store shelves will eventually see nothing wrong with using them

Thats odd, alcohol has been on store shelves since the beginning of this country, yet even today, many people see a problem with using it.

You can't stand people making decisions that you dont want them to, can you? You dont own me, you dont own your neighbor, and once your children turn 18, you have no legal say. So preach about the evils of drugs all you want - that is your right. But keep your mob mentality off of the property and lives of others.

[Eddeche]

Drugs, even if they become legal will never be seen as normal. So the same stigma will go along with those who use once it legal.

Exactly the reason there are no strip clubs in the relatively small town I live in.

It would be perfectly legal to open one, but no one ever has.

[Liberal Classic]

I wrote:
Government does not have the ability to punish wrongs except for those things that it is explicitly allowed to punish.

To which you replied:
Ok where is the list. Last time I checked, the Constitution said it was up to the STATES and the people on anything beyond that which is not covered by the Constitution, just as you quoted.

Actually, I agree. I have said before that I'm a federalist.

However, it's important to remember the doctrine of enumerated powers applies to state governments, as well. Remember that the federal constitution is the highest law in the land, and we are guaranteed republican forms of government. Each state is a republic, with constitutions, democratically elected representatives, executive officers, state supreme courts, etc. The state legislature cannot just write any old law, the must (ought to anyhow) have authority granted by their state constituion.

For the record, I am opposed to ballot initiatives immediately having the force of law. They should be checked by needing to be signed by the state executive, for example.

[FreeTally]

Yeah just ask starbucks. They only sale the mild stuff. LMAO!!!!!!

You just got through telling us not to compare drugs and guns(as you and Dane always do), and now you go and compare "hard drugs" to coffee. You have officially lost all credibility as a debator.

[realpatriot71]

That the reason that I only used ketamine once. It was touted as having a hallucinogenic relaxing affect. I had a very bad trip. I never went near hallucinogens again. Even after all of this, I never hurt anyone. However, if someone, while using a substance harms another they should obviously be help responsible. I think that many of the drug warriors forget that we, who are in favor of legalization, also support the full prosecution of anyone caught doing any harm while using.

[Texaggie79]

OK, knowing this, would you argue that all of these drugs should remain illegal, and if so do you base this belief on your personal experiences?

No, mainly on scientific evidence and crime reports. But my personal experience solidifies it. And I find no problem that do base it on personal experience. The decision should be that of the people of each state. If the majority of people see hard drug use as too much of a threat, they have every constitutional right to prohibit it, and those that disagree can move to a state that does not, or try to change the minds of the others.