Posted on 05/19/2002 8:13:50 PM PDT by hellonewman
That sounds right to me. I couldn't agree more.
However, see post #78. Our country has been destroyed by the liberal, welfare-state Democrats, and it won't get fixed by the democratic process anytime soon.
True, but irrelevant IMO.
It also ignores the damage done by so called conservatives.
Well then, there we go - - it looks like everybody is in agreement:
Once we end the welfare state, we can end the "war on drugs".
Congratulations, everybody - - we have finally resolved the whole issue.
Ciao! See y'all on another thread sometime....
I'm fairly perceptive, but I haven't seen a huge groundswell for decriminalization. If I'm wrong, point me towards a poll or something (I'm specifically talking about hard narcs, NOT marijuana). I'll be happy to look at it.
Nope. America seemed to be doing just fine before the War on Drugs began, and it'll probably do just fine after it finally ends.I think the War on Drugs most definitely has an effect on the direction the country takes politically and morally. It makes the country turn more socialist and statist, and it makes the country turn more and more amoral (crooked cops, crooked politicians, erosion of basic human rights, etc.).
This is a new requirement. You lumped all substances into the catagory "drugs" before.
But the futility of the second prohibition will become apparent to almost all thinking people as time goes by, IMO.
Other countries are moving toward decriminalisation in ever increasing numbers on different substances and in some cases all substances.
One blind spot that many so-called "conservatives" (who really are authoritarians) have with regard to the drug issue is the blind acceptance of the premise that "marijuana = cocaine = heroin = PCP = meth" etc. Not only is that premise downright incorrect, but it has led to the arrests of over 734,000 Americans in 2000: a time when foreign religious fanatics were busy hatching a plot to ram jet planes into skyscrapers and kill thousands of innocent Americans. In my estimation, the diversion of scarce law enforcement resources towards pot smokers and away from terrorists was a major dereliction of duty on the part of all levels of government, and is something government doesn't want us to think about.
Another thing government doesn't want us to think about is the sordid history of marijuana prohibition (As a black man, you should take a special interest in this, as it was real, hard-core KKK-style Jim Crow racism, not the phony Jessie/Al/Louie type, that played a big role in the enactment of the "Marihuana Tax Stamp Act" of 1937). It was a cabal of a frustrated alcohol prohibitionist looking for something new to prohibit to justify his position (Harry Anslinger), a sensationalist newspaper publisher selling seamy stories of crazed Mexicans and Negroes corrupting white women with the devil weed (W.R. Hearst), and a chemical industry magnate looking to corner the market on paper production from wood pulp by eliminating the hemp-based competition (Dupont) that pushed the Marihuana Tax Stamp Act through Congress in 1937. FDR, the archetypical American socialist, quietly signed this unconstitutional garbage into law on a hot August day, and America has been paying the price in packed prisons and disrespect for law enforcement ever since.
One additional point: The vast majority of Americans today are Rooseveltians, whether they admit it or not.
Republicans mostly can't admit it because of partisan considerations, but this factor is fading as old Republicans die.
The underlying progressive and socialist world-view of the early 20th Century absolutely dominates public discourse in the U.S., despite protests to the contrary.
America is the most successful socialist state in the world...so far. By 'successful', I mean that the American state has met every challenge, external and internal, without diminishment of its authority.
American citizens are now 'managed' as 'human resources'. That's the necessary step to be taken before the 'Soylent Green' solution becomes feasible.
Not to be a fear-monger! ;^)
I don't subscribe to this line of thought. Mary Jane does NOT equal coke, heroin, etc. As a kid, I tried weed several times AND I'll admit that I've never bought any. But did I take a drag off of a blount? Sure. Never liked it really. Just made me hungry and sleepy.
In my estimation, the diversion of scarce law enforcement resources towards pot smokers and away from terrorists was a major dereliction of duty on the part of all levels of government, and is something government doesn't want us to think about.
I agree 100%.
Another thing government doesn't want us to think about is the sordid history of marijuana prohibition (As a black man, you should take a special interest in this, as it was real, hard-core KKK-style Jim Crow racism, not the phony Jessie/Al/Louie type, that played a big role in the enactment of the "Marihuana Tax Stamp Act" of 1937). It was a cabal of a frustrated alcohol prohibitionist looking for something new to prohibit to justify his position (Harry Anslinger), a sensationalist newspaper publisher selling seamy stories of crazed Mexicans and Negroes corrupting white women with the devil weed (W.R. Hearst), and a chemical industry magnate looking to corner the market on paper production from wood pulp by eliminating the hemp-based competition (Dupont) that pushed the Marihuana Tax Stamp Act through Congress in 1937.
Although I hadn't known this (thanx for the info), I can't say I'm surprised. Like I said earlier, marijuana should be legalized right now, and those in prison and/or jail for possession or distribution of marijuana should be released forthwith.
Excuse my lack of clarity.
I'm well aware of the mandates among several states about decriminalizing marijuana. What I was not aware of was any groundswell of support for the decriminalization of hard narcotics. This is what I wanted to look at.
Since all politics is based on compromise, here is my suggestion. Regulate and tax ( and I do mean tax!) marijauna for those who can't live without it. And implement Japanese style penalties for the use of all other drugs, and the death penalty for distribution or manufacturing.
Of course no matter how often you repeat an incorrect idea, it won't become correct. Politics is the agressive pursuit of power. It has nothing to do with compromise. Compromising is what people who seek power do with other people who seek power when they can't win outright. They share the spoils.
Some idiot made the politics based on compromise statement and it caught on among the uneducated.
Regulate and tax ( and I do mean tax!) marijauna for those who can't live without it.
An incredibly poor idea. The government is the cause of the drug problem, not the answer.
I find it hard to believe that someone would think that having the government go into the drug business would make it better given that have never succeeded at anything else except war.
And implement Japanese style penalties for the use of all other drugs, and the death penalty for distribution or manufacturing.
And at last the real agenda, death to people who engage in businesses not approved of by thugs with guns.
Stick around. It will happen as surely as the first prohibition failed.
Prohibition is incompatible with a free society.
When Libertarians can't stop talking about it, addiction is a good word to use.
According to this, the cost of human life is about $23,000/year.
When someone like you is drawn by compulsion to every thread concerning the topic, I think it is you who has the addiction. Your obsession with hating libertarians borders on mental illness. Addiction is the term that most describes your activities here.
The opposition to the WOD is merely the logical extension of a philosophy of interaction with other human beings. That philosophy is what threatens you and other lovers of control over others. It explains your obsession. It's really rather sad.
Tom, I just can't keep away from your sparkling knowledge. I know that I will find you on every thread concerning the War Against Drugs.
Thanks, you are finally making sense. < /sarcasm>
I know that I will find you on every thread concerning the War Against Drugs.
Not true. And just as an aside, I usually get pinged to these threads. Often by people on your side of the argument who want to debate it. Too bad you and your merry little band aren't interested in that, you are only interested in obfuscation of the true libertarian positions.
I will be happy to debate you on any topic anytime (on topic for the thread in the interest of the forum) if you ever become interested in honest debate. I feel very confident that I can make my points persuasively to lurkers who might watch. Trying to change your mind is not in the game plan. A colossal waste of time, that particular endeavor.
Now, you are making sense. You are correct. You will never convince me that legalization of drugs is good for the country and it's people.
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