cannabisnews.com: Legalize Marijuana? Not So Fast
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Legalize Marijuana? Not So Fast
Posted by CN Staff on May 22, 2009 at 09:11:59 PT
By The Monitor's Editorial Board
Source: Christian Science Monitor
USA -- The American movement to legalize marijuana for regular use is on a roll. Or at least its backers say it is.They point to California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who said in early May that it's now time to debate legalizing marijuana – though he's personally against it. Indeed, a legislative push is on in his state (and several others, such as Massachusetts and Nevada) to treat this "soft" drug like alcohol – to tax and regulate its sale, and set an age restriction on buyers.
Several recent polls show stepped-up public support for legalization. This means not only lifting restrictions on use ("decriminalization"), but also on supply – production and sales. The Obama administration, meanwhile, says the US Drug Enforcement Agency will no longer raid dispensaries of medical marijuana – which is illegal under federal law – in states where it is legal.The push toward full legalization is a well-organized, Internet-savvy campaign, generously funded by a few billionaires, including George Soros. It's built on a decades-long, step-by-step effort in the states. Thirteen states have so far decriminalized marijuana use (generally, the punishment covers small amounts and involves a fine). And 13 states now allow for medical marijuana.Paul Armentano, deputy director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), recently told a Monitor reporter that three reasons account for the fresh momentum toward legalization: 1) the weak economy, which is forcing states to look for new revenue; 2) public concern over the violent drug war in Mexico; and 3) more experience with marijuana itself.If there is to be a debate, let's look at these reasons, starting with experience with marijuana.A harmless drug? Supporters of legalization often claim that no one has died of a pot overdose, and that it has beneficial effects in alleviating suffering from certain diseases.True, marijuana cannot directly kill its user in the way that alcohol or a drug like heroin can. And activists claim that it may ease symptoms for certain patients – though it has not been endorsed by the major medical associations representing those patients, and the Food and Drug Administration disputes its value.Rosalie Pacula, codirector of the Rand Drug Policy Research Center, poses this question: "If pot is relatively harmless, why are we seeing more than 100,000 hospitalizations a year" for marijuana use?Emergency-room admissions where marijuana is the primary substance involved increased by 164 percent from 1995 to 2002 – faster than for other drugs, according to the Drug Abuse Warning Network.Research results over the past decade link frequent marijuana use to several serious mental health problems, with youth particularly at risk. And the British Lung Foundation finds that smoking three to four joints is the equivalent of 20 tobacco cigarettes.While marijuana is not addictive in the way that a drug like crack-cocaine is, heavy use can lead to dependence – defined by the same criteria as for other drugs. About half of those who use pot daily become dependent for some period of time, writes Kevin Sabet, in the 2006 book, "Pot Politics" – and 1 in 10 people in the US who have ever used marijuana become dependent at some time (about the same rate as alcohol). Dr. Sabet was a drug policy adviser in the past two presidential administrations.He adds that physicians in Britain and the Netherlands – both countries that have experience with relaxed marijuana laws – are seeing withdrawal symptoms among heavy marijuana users that are similar to those of cocaine and heroin addicts. This has been confirmed in the lab with monkeys.Today's marijuana is also much more potent than in the hippie days of yesteryear. But that doesn't change what's always been known about even casual use of this drug: It distorts perception, reduces motor skills, and affects alertness. When combined with alcohol (not unusual), or even alone, it worsens the risk of traffic accidents.Would legalization take the violence out of the Mexican drug war? NORML likes to point out that marijuana accounts for the majority of illicit drug traffic from Mexico. End the illicit trafficking, and you end the violence. But that volume gives a false impression of marijuana's role in crime and violence, says Jonathan Caulkins, a professor at Carnegie Mellon and a drug-policy adviser in the US and Australia.It's the dollars that count, and the big earners – cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin – play a much larger role in crime and violence. In recent years, Mexico has become a major cocaine route to the US. That's what's fanning the violence, according to Dr. Caulkins, so legalizing marijuana is unlikely to quiet Mexico's drug war.Neither are America's prisons stuffed with users who happened to get caught with a few joints (if that were the case, a huge percentage of America's college students – an easy target – would be behind bars). Yes, there are upward of 700,000 arrests on marijuana charges each year, but that includes repeat arrests, and most of those apprehended don't go to jail. Those who do are usually large-scale offenders.Only 0.7 percent of inmates in state and federal prisons are in for marijuana possession (0.3 percent counting first-time offenders only, according to a 2002 US Justice Department survey). In federal prisons, the median amount of marijuana for those convicted of possession is 115 pounds – 156,000 marijuana cigarettes.Can marijuana rescue state coffers? The California legalization bill proposes a $50/ounce tax on marijuana. The aim is to keep pot as close to the black-market price as possible while still generating an estimated $1.3 billion in income for this deficit-challenged state.But the black market can easily undercut a $50 tax and shrink that expected revenue stream. Just look at the huge trade in illegal cigarettes in Canada to see how taxing can spur a black market (about 30 percent of tobacco bought in Canada is illegal).A government could attempt to eliminate the black market altogether by making marijuana incredibly cheap (Dr. Pacula at the RAND Organization says today's black market price is about four times what it would be if pot were completely legalized). But then use would skyrocket and teens (though barred) could buy it with their lunch money.Indeed, legalizing marijuana is bound to increase use simply because of availability. Legalization advocates say "not so" and point to the Netherlands and its legal marijuana "coffee shops." Indeed, after the Dutch de facto legalized the drug in 1976, use stayed about the same for adults and youth. But it took off after 1984, growing by 300 percent over the next decade or so. Experts attribute this to commercialization (sound like alcohol?), and also society's view of the drug as normal – which took a while to set in.Now the Dutch are finding that normalization has its costs – increased dependence, more dealers of harder drugs, and a flood of rowdy "drug tourists" from other countries. The Dutch "example" should be renamed the Dutch "warning."As America has learned with alcohol, taxes don't begin to cover the costs to society of destroyed families, lost productivity, and ruined lives – and regulators still have not succeeded in keeping alcohol from underage drinkers.No one has figured out what the exact social costs of legalizing marijuana would be. But ephemeral taxes won't cover them – nor should society want to encourage easier access to a drug that can lead to dependency, has health risks, and reduces alertness, to name just a few of its negative outcomes.Why legalize a third substance that produces ill effects, when the US has such a poor record in dealing with the two big "licits" – alcohol and tobacco?Parents need to resist peer pressure, too.Legalization backers say the country is at a tipping point, ready to make the final big leap. They hope that a new generation of politicians that has had experience with marijuana will be friendly to their cause.But this new generation is also made up of parents. Do parents really want marijuana to become a normal part of society – and an expectation for their children?Maybe parents thought they left peer pressure behind when they graduated from high school. But the push to legalize marijuana is like the peer pressure of the schoolyard. The arguments are perhaps timely, but they don't stand up, and parents must now stand up to them.They must let lawmakers know that legalization is not OK, and they must carry this message to their children, too. Disapproval, along with information on risk, are the most important factors in discouraging marijuana and cocaine use among high school seniors, according to the University of Michigan's "Monitoring the Future" project on substance abuse.Parents must make clear that marijuana is not a harmless drug – even if they personally may have emerged unscathed.And they need to teach the life lesson that marijuana does not really solve personal challenges, be they stress, relationships, or discouragement.In the same way, a search for joy and satisfaction in a drug is misplaced.The far greater and lasting attraction is in a life rooted in moral and spiritual values – not in a haze, a daze, or a munchie-craze.Today's youth are tomorrow's world problem solvers – and the ones most likely to be affected if marijuana is legalized. Future generations need to be clear thinkers. For their sakes, those who oppose legalizing marijuana must become vocal, well-funded, and mainstream – before it's too late.Note: Backers serve up a timely batch of arguments, but their latest reasons are half-baked.Source: Christian Science Monitor (US)Published: May 22, 2009 EditionCopyright: 2009 The Christian Science Publishing SocietyContact: oped csps.comWebsite: http://www.csmonitor.com/ URL: http://drugsense.org/url/aOnGYOy8CannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml
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Comment #104 posted by Hope on May 27, 2009 at 09:15:22 PT
LJ... Thank you for that letter to CSM.
Writing those letters, I believe, is one of the most powerful and effective things we can do as average citizens to help end the injustices of this prohibition.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #103 posted by Dankhank on May 27, 2009 at 08:19:36 PT
LJ.....
excellent letter ...
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Comment #102 posted by LJ on May 27, 2009 at 06:18:00 PT
My letter to the Monitor
My letter to the Monitor:Dear Editors,Normally, I appreciate your thoughtful analyses, yet the recent anti-legalization piece was disappointing. Not only did you rely on discredited data and quotes from heavily invested drug warriors like Rosalie Pacula for the semblance of intellectual merit, your argument against legalization can be extended to a number of other substances that we currently regulate with success. Alcohol, tobacco, sugar, caffeine, guns, and automobiles, under your reasoning, should be made illegal, yet we have learned to behave like adults where those are concerned. Is alcohol problem free? Of course not, and neither will any substance that humans get their hands on, but the problems that come with regulation are infinitely more manageable and palatable to the conscience than those that have arisen from the endless war on the people and cities of America. For your esteemed journal to perpetuate lies that have been repeatedly debunked only serves to diminish your respectability and reputation as a journal concerned with the ethical climate in the world.I harbor no illusions about your desire to participate honestly in this debate, nor am I naive enough to think that your interests lie with revealing truth and repealing injustices that may conflict with other values you hold. Yet, I'd like to think that your staff is composed of humans after all, and that somewhere in their hearts there remains the ability to care about the millions of citizens caught in the ideological crossfire rather than being rigidly to an outmoded morality. The choice is not between vice and no vice; rather, the real choice is between either alleviating or exacerbating human suffering. Thus far, your position aligns with the latter. Your audience depends on you to inform them fully and participate in this debate with as much objectivity as possible.Our nation languishes while you prevaricate.Regards
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Comment #101 posted by dankhank on May 26, 2009 at 13:22:07 PT
sssOK ...
Yesterday was such a day ...I thought of friends who served ... goneSo many ...I think of them often peace to all ...
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Comment #100 posted by Hope on May 25, 2009 at 21:37:14 PT
Thank you, DankHank.
Sorry to have missed remembering your name in that fast list of names that came to mind quickly. I knew I'd forget some names in the time I had to post. Memorial Day is a somber day to me. It's very strange here at the close of this day, I'm remembering a friend that didn't make it back alive and I feel that I've had one of those touches of Spirit from him this eveing.Hey, Junior.As long as we can remember... long term memory... you know... we won't forget you guys and what you gave. This tear's for you.You'll never get old and cranky. You'll always be young and beautiful. Forever. 'Til we meet again...
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Comment #99 posted by dankhank on May 25, 2009 at 19:43:54 PT
thanks
thanks Hope ....
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #98 posted by FoM on May 25, 2009 at 19:04:51 PT
BGreen
You were lucky the draft was over by the time you were 18. Stick enlisted because he was almost positive he'd be drafted. When I first met him when he got home from Vietnam he wore a camouflage jacket with Snoopy and his dog house on the back that said:***'When I die I’m going to heaven ‘cause I’ve spent my time in hell' - 1969 - 1971***The draft made it such a different time for young men back then.
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Comment #97 posted by BGreen on May 25, 2009 at 17:23:55 PT
Civil Air Patrol in the heezee!
We weren't involved in the fighting but we would always come looking for you if your plane went down close by.I was contemplating joining the Air Force to become a pilot. I was willing to overlook the hair cutting and submission thing (I now know I was really unable to overlook both LOL) but I watched the movie Hair when I was 17 and my unrelenting tears at the end of that movie proved I was not military material.Oh well, I know a lot of soldiers who aren't cut out to be musicians, either. LOLI admire and respect all of those who serve their fellow humans, whether in the military or as civilians.To quote a popular slogan, "This bud's for you."The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #96 posted by FoM on May 25, 2009 at 14:55:07 PT
museman
Thank you for Brothers in Arms. That is one of Stick's all time favorite songs. He wanted me to tell you.
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Comment #95 posted by Hope on May 25, 2009 at 13:41:38 PT
Keydet46, Stick, Museman, Runruff, Kaptinemo,
Ezrydn, Sukoi, Richard Lake, Cliff, HerbDoc, and all the other military veterans and current service people here, seen and unseen, thank you for your valiant and honorable service to us all. Thank you, also, for still serving the cause of freedom and peace in this country, and the world, even though, for the most part, you've put away the uniforms. I'm grateful to you for what you've done in the past and what you're still doing. Thank you.Memorial Day is to honor those that lost their lives to these efforts... but the living should be honored, too.You served the hard duty so the rest of us wouldn't have to and to keep us safe from those who would "own" us or destroy us. Sadly, too much of what you fought against has crept into our own system of government... but knowing there are people who are willing to resist and stand up to the wrongs of governments and leaders makes me feel safer and able to retain a fragment of hope... whether you're still in uniform or not.Thank you. Sincerely.
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Comment #94 posted by museman on May 25, 2009 at 12:55:00 PT
to my brothers
Dire Straits
Brothers In Arms
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Comment #93 posted by museman on May 25, 2009 at 12:12:59 PT
In Memorium
Few who did not wear the uniform of US military really understand this day. Yes, intellectually they do, and the many public figures we see on TV performing various symbolic rituals to 'prove' their respect (a necessary game that must be played for public popularity) make it seem like they do, but there is something in the eye that those of us who served while too many were dying and being maimed around us, recognize when we see it.The term "Brothers at arms" comes to mind.Though I have no respect for the 'lawmakers' and elitists who created the many wars and conflicts of this country, I do have the utmost honor and respect for those who made the ultimate sacrifice for what they believed was a righteous endeavor -even if it was just helping each other survive.They make children fight their wars, and those children become men and women quite quickly, or they die. We swore an oath to defend this country, its constitution, and its people "from all enemies, foreign and domestic." More of us took this oath to heart than some might realize.And as we have seen one 'conflict' after another, almost like they were tailored to fit each generation (because they were) taint the youth with the spectre of war and it's resultant horrors, the question comes to my mind that is often raised by the prohibitionists;"What about the children?"Yes , what about them?Its ok to make them go die in your (you status-quo elitist prohibitionist pigs) wars of conquest and aquisition, so you can ride down the blvd in style, attend $1,000 a plate state dinners so you can hobnob with the rest of your ilk, but let them acquire some feel good time, and god-forbid some consciousness and awareness of what you are really doing behind those invisible emperors robes, through one of divinely intended uses of cannabis? Oh no, not true liberty, thats a priviledge reserved for the elite.Its ok to send them to your social-brainwash institutions so they will serve your interests without question while they chase after the carrot on the stick of your power and control, but let them choose to act on their own course and destiny through self discovery and actual living experience of reality, and it's some kind of crime?And you also like to mention your concerns for 'the family' while you teach young children that its ok to turn their parents in for something like cannabis use so that they get emotionally scarred for life when their parents are taken away, thrown in prison, they lose their home, and go into foster care. Such concern we could do without.With all honor to those who gave their service, SACRIFICE AND SERVICE IS HONORABLE, WAR IS NOT -and NEITHER ARE THE ONES WHO MAKE THEM
Don't Forget War
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Comment #92 posted by runruff on May 25, 2009 at 08:10:15 PT
Hell yes we were brave.
It was my war time duty to care for my fallen comrades and we stood ready to join in on the fray! The young Americans I cared for were brave and never, never complained! Uncle Sam was a dog to enter us into that fruitless war but I have every praise and manner of respect for the men and women I served with!Keydet46, Thank you for your service to your country!
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Comment #91 posted by FoM on May 25, 2009 at 04:31:30 PT
keydet46
Thank you for serving our country. My nephew lives in Tampa and is coming up to Ohio in a few weeks for a family visit. He is not an activist for our cause but he agrees that the law needs to be changed. I will tell him what is going in your area and maybe he will check it out. Good luck to you in Florida.
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Comment #90 posted by jonnyricola on May 25, 2009 at 02:55:24 PT:
LET THE PEOPLE SPEAK
THIS WAS A LETTER TO A NEAR BY NEWSPAPER IN IDAHO. THEY DON'T WANT TO PUBLISH IT. THE WHOLE NATION SHOULD HAVE A CHANCE TO VOTE ON IT. Idaho is without mercy on anyone in
possession of marijuanna.
------------------------------
----------------------------------------------
IDAHO...Voter-Questionnaire ….June- 2009
DO YOU BELIEVE ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO ARE SAFER TO USE THAN MARIJUANA
1. FAVOR CURRENT LAWS ……………..................
2. FAVOR CHANGE
A. ALLOW FOR MEDICAL USE ONLY………………..……
B. DECRIMINALIZE FOR SMALL AMOUNTS………………..
C. LEGALIZE AND TAX……………………………………….….
(as in prohibition repeal, removing criminal control of the market) CURRENT IDAHO STATE LAWS
Incarceration
Fine
Possession
Under the influence or use in public misdemeanor 6 months $1,000
3 oz or less misdemeanor 1 year $1,000
More than 3 oz felony 5 years $10,000
Sale or Cultivation
Less than 1 lb (24 plants) felony 5 years $15,000
1 to 5 lbs (25 - 49 plants) felony 1 year MMS* $5,000 - $50,000
5 to 25 lbs (50 - 99 plants) felony 3 years MMS* $10,000 - $50,000
More than 25 lbs (100 or more plants) felony 5 years MMS* $15,000 - $50,000
Sale to minor 3 years younger than seller felony double penalty double penalty
Sale where minors present felony 5 years $5,000
*Mandatory minimum sentence
Miscellaneous (paraphernalia, license suspensions, drug tax stamps, etc...)
Present where knowledge of drug activity occurs misdemeanor 90 days $300
Paraphernalia possession misdemeanor 1 year $1,000
Paraphernalia sale or manufacture felony 9 years $30,000
Any second offense can double penalty.
SIGN or INITIALS…
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Comment #89 posted by keydet46 on May 24, 2009 at 22:32:46 PT:
Uncristian science monitor
I am done. This article was the one that broke the camels back. I am a 64 year old veteran. I have rheumatoid arthritis, like my father and grandfather had. I watched as the pharmaceutical company's killed both of them. Now they are trying to kill me. I have been in the hospital with bleeding ulcers from the NSAIDS. I inject myself weekly with the poison methotrexate. I fought for this county and now am going to fight for myself and the other repressed sufferers in this great land of ours. Tomorrow I am going to attend a session of PUFMM in Tampa Florida. I wasn't going to go because I have to work weekends, but this article has told me it is too important to miss. We have to stop these hate mongers.On this great weekend we are paying homage to great young men and women in this country that has made the ultimate sacrifice for their fellow Americans. We will hear over and over again the national anthem. It always has a very stirring effect on me. I naturally snap to attention and salute the flag, not cover my heart but actually salute the flag. It is as natural as breathing to me, but there is one line in it that just burns me up anymore. "Land of the free and home of the brave". Home of the brave, you'd better believe it, but land of the "FREE" no way, no how!!!!!!!!
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Comment #88 posted by Paint with light on May 24, 2009 at 21:32:23 PT
Great analysis by observer, as usual
When I read this spewing of propaganda talking points I was hoping observer would make the point by point counterpoints.Thanks for the documented facts.I always enjoy reading your comebacks.Legal like alcohol.
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Comment #87 posted by Paint with light on May 24, 2009 at 21:22:14 PT
Hope, comment 39
Representative Cohen has been on our side for over a decade, maybe two.He represents an area that is predominately African American.He is a strong supporter of civil rights and freedom for all.He is a southerner, but he is from the west coast..... of Tennessee.Legal like alcohol.
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Comment #86 posted by The GCW on May 24, 2009 at 21:05:04 PT
Short on time at the moment... but...
I've not read the whole article or all the posts here but I'd like to state I believe the article did not make a rational argument to continue caging responsible adult humans for using the relatively safe God-given plant cannabis.None of them do.
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Comment #85 posted by John Tyler on May 24, 2009 at 18:54:25 PT
Re#22
Electronic medical records all stored in one location with info about all aspects of your personal life that you have revealed to your doctor available to lots and lots of “authorized users” like insurance company staffers and other investigators who might want to go searching for certain key words in patient files This whole system is open to abuse and it hasn’t even been set up yet. Safeguards, there maybe some mention of them, but they will be easily circumvented or ignored.
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Comment #84 posted by bionic man on May 24, 2009 at 18:09:46 PT
dr.tom
Dr. Tom has a good post today . He speaks the truth from experience.
http://www.doctortom.org/
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #83 posted by FoM on May 24, 2009 at 15:33:38 PT
OT: Susan Boyle
For those who appreciate her music here is her second performance.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7Ayk9G7-sc
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #82 posted by runruff on May 24, 2009 at 12:33:08 PT
ekim
Health and happiness to you my friend!
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #81 posted by FoM on May 24, 2009 at 12:28:59 PT
ekim
We are having a quiet weekend and the guys are working on the boat. Here's a song from Sicko that was on the DVD.The Nightwatchman (Tom Morello) - "Alone Without You"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVyNM5mknnc
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #80 posted by FoM on May 24, 2009 at 12:22:26 PT
ekim
I hope you are having a nice holiday weekend. I really enjoyed watching Sicko. I appreciate Michael Moore.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #79 posted by ekim on May 24, 2009 at 12:15:38 PT
hi FoM
just cken in hope you guys are having a great weekend
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #78 posted by ekim on May 24, 2009 at 12:08:30 PT
sicko
on last night on dir tv 545 or near there, great show by
Michael Moore
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #77 posted by FoM on May 24, 2009 at 11:53:56 PT
John Markes
It's nice to see you. I hope all is well.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #76 posted by John Markes on May 24, 2009 at 11:39:28 PT
Yellow Journalism
I never thought the Christian Science Monitor would stoop to Yellow Journalism. So much for their fine reputation...
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #75 posted by FoM on May 24, 2009 at 07:27:30 PT
MikeEEEEE
We don't have enough doctors and nurses because they must jump thru so many hoops to get tests for patients so why go into a profession that won't be able to help people? That defeats the whole purpose and becomes an embarassment to those who want to help people instead of dealing with insurance companies that try to avoid every test they can even if a doctor believes it is necessary. I really believe the system will crash.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #74 posted by MikeEEEEE on May 24, 2009 at 07:21:33 PT
FoM
I've always said to people who say universal health care would delay treatment, "It's better to have coverage than not."The future of healthcare here in America is very poor.
There are not enough doctors and nurses for the aging population.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #73 posted by FoM on May 24, 2009 at 07:05:24 PT
MikeEEEEE
I think with the power of the Internet some of the paper work can be cut down. Cut out the waste and the cost will drop. The VA for my husband is far from perfect but if we didn't have the VA he probably wouldn't be on this earth now. Even a flawed system like we have for our Veterans is better then no care.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #72 posted by MikeEEEEE on May 24, 2009 at 06:46:34 PT
FoM
Doctors and nurses have admitted they could do more if they didn't have to fill out ins forms.All the documentation slows the process, less people are being served, thereby saving $$$$$$Company weasles must be taken out of the healthcare sys.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #71 posted by MikeEEEEE on May 24, 2009 at 06:42:31 PT
Medicare just don't care
I know people who have Medicare. This govt program only reacts to problems, there is not much there for prevention. Medicare part D has created a lot of confusion--but the drug companie$ profit. Also, Medicare has rules of coverage, really difficult to read about when you're sick.Medicare does not cover prevention very well, that would cost them more. But in other countries prevention brings down over-all costs.Yes, the healthcare companies are making people sick (SickCo).
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #70 posted by FoM on May 24, 2009 at 06:20:50 PT
MikeEEEEE
It's good that you won't need to pay that whole amount. My sister told me last night that her doctor would prefer a medicare type system then what we have now. They can do more for a patient that way then in the regular health care system. Boomers are getting sick because it's part of life as we age and if we don't get it fixed I think our whole system will crash and burn.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #69 posted by MikeEEEEE on May 24, 2009 at 06:02:51 PT
FoM
I did everything I could not to go to the ER. I started a new job and health coverage was not to start for 4 weeks at the time of the ER visit. I was very concerned that I might not be covered in the transition. It turns out that the old job gave the option of extending the former health coverage, and I did the paper-work for that. I'm in the process of having to pay a premium at the commerical health giant, but not nearly the $3500. I have noticed that when people are sick, they really don't feel like filling out and managing the paper-work.
Yes, we need change! American capitalism must become more aware of the human aspect, they are too blinded and corrupted by $$$$$$$$Banks, healthcare, oil, etc. are all well represented in Washington DC."We the people" must mean something again for change to really occur.
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Comment #68 posted by FoM on May 24, 2009 at 05:44:59 PT
MikeEEEEE
I am sorry to read what you were charged for going to the Emergency Room. Health Care for profit doesn't make any sense. Health Care should be available for all citizens. If people would watch Sicko it would show how out of balance we are in America. Why is everything about money? If health care works in other countries why can't it work in America?
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Comment #67 posted by MikeEEEEE on May 24, 2009 at 05:23:25 PT
off-topic: healthCare for all
The profit incentive does not belong in healthcare. The time is now, healthcare for all.
I went to an ER about a month ago, only for a few hours, the bill came to $3500 (insane).
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/05/23-4
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Comment #66 posted by runruff on May 24, 2009 at 02:24:59 PT
Observer!
Please send your posts over to the CS Monitor. Your breakdown of their BS is great. It should be called the BS Monitor!
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #65 posted by FoM on May 23, 2009 at 20:36:14 PT
greenmed
You're welcome. It's good to talk about issues that are important. Enjoy the rest of the holiday weekend.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #64 posted by greenmed on May 23, 2009 at 20:05:59 PT
FoM
No one in this country is insignificant. No one.You are a very wise and compassionate lady, FoM. But we all know that. Thank you for sharing, and tolerating my little rant. I'm going to take my medication now, so I'll call it a night for me ;)
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Comment #63 posted by FoM on May 23, 2009 at 19:18:34 PT
greenmed
I'm sorry to read you are in the same situation. We will see the numbers rise as more become part of the uninsured because of losing their job. I am on bp medicine now and it was one of the $4.00 ones thank goodness. I remember when having good insurance was good insurance when my husband worked for General Electric until the work was shipped to Mexico because they wouldn't have to pay the benefits and labor was cheaper. If you think of our country as a human body and you think of the feet we are the feet. If we get crippled up the body won't work right. No one in this country is insignificant. No one.
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Comment #62 posted by greenmed on May 23, 2009 at 18:43:49 PT
FoM
That must have been a very scary incident for you both. I can understand not wanting an ambulance without health coverage.I am also without health insurance - with thirty years of pre-existing conditions it would be just too expensive.Why can't we have universal health insurance like other civilized nations? It is time for us to get our priorities in order - less war, more care. This is one of the items I hope President Obama can get passed. Yes, those with health coverage sometimes don't appreciate what they have. Thank goodness for the $4/mo Rxs - that's how I control my b.p. which is elevated also. I choose to have my conditions treated symptomatically... blood tests can cost a hefty amount, as you know, so I avoid them when I can. There are many of us in the same boat, unfortunately.Please take care... and watch your b.p. - that's an important one.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #61 posted by FoM on May 23, 2009 at 18:00:51 PT
greenmed
Health care is a hard issue to deal with. I am not insured. Hope knows that something went wrong with me and I passed out. My husband called 911 and I started to come out of it and I told him no ambulance I'll be ok. He took my blood pressure and it drop to virtually nothing and slowly came back since I have very high blood pressure. I finally went to a doctor and he wants some expensive tests and I told him I can't afford them. He looked dismayed but understood. We need medicine to do what it should and not be used against people like happens now with preexisting conditions. Respect for people is something that has been lacking for way too many years. We talk about death with dignity but we should understand what that term really means. I don't like to talk about health care because people who have good insurance really don't know how difficult it is for those that don't have insurance and can't get insurance. This is America. What will we stand for and what will we stand against?
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Comment #60 posted by greenmed on May 23, 2009 at 17:27:08 PT
FoM
You wrote "Microchips in people scare me."They do scare me too. I hesitated typing it.You might say I have a chip on my shoulder regarding this issue. My medical records were accessed by a former supervisor, just to satisfy curiosity. They were then circulated around my department. Three weeks later I was given my notice.I agree that timely access to medical records in an emergency situation can save lives, I also believe that a database can be designed so that medical privacy can be assured by limiting or filtering access to relevant queries rather than a wholesale dumping of all data which would overwhelm in a time-critical situation. There must be some balance struck, in terms of both privacy and relevance. At minimum, an electronic trail indicating who is accessing whose information - with strict policies regarding inappropriate access - would not be out of line.So far as data mining... I would be okay with that if all personally identifying information is blocked, as is done with clinical trials.
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Comment #59 posted by Sam Adams on May 23, 2009 at 16:05:55 PT
CSM contact info
FYI, lots of editorial contacts here:http://www.csmonitor.com/cgi-bin/contactus.pl
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Comment #58 posted by FoM on May 23, 2009 at 16:04:38 PT
museman
We drove down and watched people with horses working out today. The Pow Wow will be interesting. We drove down to the big state park lake and just sat and watched fish jumping in the water and deer grazing on the side of the road which was cool to see. They have a big horse camping site where people bring their motorhomes and horses and spent the weekend riding on all the trails. If the guys can tweak the boat motor and it doesn't cost much to fix we will put it in the lake again this year. I don't really like when the motor stalls in the middle of the lake and won't start again. LOL!
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Comment #57 posted by Sam Adams on May 23, 2009 at 15:49:34 PT
this article
to be honest, I hadn't even read this trash until now.Interesting to me that this publication is quite willing to use flagrant lying again and again. I had given them a lot more credibility than that.This is classic Doublethink. The Dutch experiment has been a massive success. The rate of youth cannabis use is 1/3rd the US! Heroin and cocaine usage is far lower in Holland than the US. These religious wackos think they can brainwash the truth right out of you. I guess it works on their own pathetic members. They remind me of the Mormons, rich people that want keep the unwashed masses under control with crazy lies. "Believe in the magic underwear and we'll let you marry your 12 year old cousins!"You'd never know that this very church is located in a city that voted to end marijuana possession arrests by 70% to 30% (that's a 40 point margin for those of you keeping track at home). These people are truly crazed fanatics that would like keep everyone under the watch of camera lest cannabis and/or kissing breaks out.It's what I've said many times, if people can sit at home and enjoy cannabis and make love to each other they'll be happy - for free - and won't lust after material goods and wealth as much, and therefore they can't be exploited as well by the corporate elite.
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Comment #56 posted by FoM on May 23, 2009 at 15:13:55 PT
greenmed
Microchips in people scare me. I know our local small hospital now has high speed connections to the critical care hospitals in Columbus. Saving a life can be done if the medicine doesn't get all messed up because the records are blocked and they aren't allowed to access the patients health problems if the person can't tell them what is wrong. If pre existing conditions weren't a wedge issue with insurance it would be good for instant availability of medical records.
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Comment #55 posted by observer on May 23, 2009 at 13:49:32 PT
Your Monitor Needs Adjustment
A harmless drug?A red herring, but I'll take the
Christian Science Monitor's bait here anyway.
...And there was no harm in the pot. (2Kings 4:41, KJV)
The Monitor quotes prohibitionist Rosalie Pacula, codirector of the Rand Drug Policy Research Center:
"If pot is relatively harmless, why are we seeing more
than 100,000 hospitalizations a year" for marijuana
use?
"100,000 hospitalizations"? These are not people
arriving in an Emergency Room saying, "I've had a bad
reaction to the marijuana - help me!" These are people
who mention cannabis when prodded - as E.R.
personnel are required to ask injured people if 'they
have used any illegal drugs' when admitted to Emergency
Rooms by Federal Law, or they lose their (well-paying)
jobs. If 20% of the population has smoked weed in the
last week, then you'd expect at least 20% of those
people to admitted to Emergency Rooms (for example) to
reflect that. These are also people who, when caught with trivial
amounts (compared to coffee say) of cannabis, are
court-refereed to "treatment programs". Such
court-refereed government-coerced forced- "treatment"
programs also count as "hospitalizations" for the
purposes of drug war propaganda, of course.
This is what we see in the Christian Science Monitor.
Emergency-room admissions where marijuana is the primary substance involved increased by
Oh dear - is this the fear peddled by ... by who, again?
according to the Drug Abuse Warning Network.
Well, I suppose we need to consider the source, in this case a government
prohibition propaganda department that cooks ups cherry-picked factoids for
purposes of spin and propaganda to bolster prohibition. (To justify the jailing
of people who grow and use the cannabis plant, in other words.)
Information collected by DAWN is widely cited by drug policy officials,
who have sometimes confused Drug-Related Episodes -
emergency room visits induced by drugs - with Drug Mentions.
(Wikipedia DAWN article http://drugsense.org/url/gt3LduNI )
Huh. Isn't that something? The bright bright oh-so evenhanded folks
at the Christian Science Monitor there somehow missed that pachyderm in the parlour.
Well, I guess they didn't want to send mixed signals about drugs to the children
(that is, to us - as we're the adults being infantalized in this extended media process).Other gems in this piece:a) Those crazy potheads think they are being arrested and imprisoned! Well,
of course they are, admits the CSM - but then play propaganda cherry-picking games
and proceed to lie with statistics, "Neither are America's prisons stuffed with users who happened
to get caught with a few joints", etc. In other words, we simply MUST keep arresting people for marijuana, because, you know,
that's really nothing at all. Nothing to see here, move along. We have to jail people for
pot because we never jail people for pot. This is the Christian charity and the level headed analysis of reality
that we see in the Christian Science Monitor. The Christian Science Monitor's
lizard-like concern for those jailed for no good reason at all here, is quite touching. b) While I've seen many claim legalizing cannabis would help deficit-strapped government,
few make the claim marijuana can totally rescue state coffers. Nonetheless, the
CSM's response - quoting Rand Corp's in-house prohibition propagandists - was illustrative
of the (intentionally) confused thinking on this subject. Regulating cannabis like
tobacco and beer, hence requiring at least some form of age-controls would be a vast improvement over the situation which exists. At things stands under prohibition,
kids aren't
'carded' for the cannabis they purchase on the black market. But the black market can easily undercut a $50 tax and shrink that expected revenue stream
argues the Monitor. Again, look at alcohol and tobacco as a model. While moonshining and untaxed
tobacco sales are a tiny problem, the system as a whole works well to control those problems. Remember,
with alcohol prohibition and speakeasies, the opportunities for organized crime selling illegal
alcohol was drastically undercut.
As America has learned with alcohol, taxes don't begin to cover the costs to society
of destroyed families, lost productivity, and ruined lives
– and regulators still have not succeeded
in keeping alcohol from underage drinkers.
America has learned with alcohol? The Christian Science Monitor's statement here would be laughable,
were it not so tragically backwards and wrong. America learned with alcohol that trying to prohibit something people want is worse than useless.
America repealed alcohol prohibition: the CSM here acts as if alcohol prohibition had been a marvelous triumph!
This is what we see in the Christian Science Monitor. And lest the CSM forget, during Prohibition I, speakeasies and rum-runners
kept alcohol flowing so freely to underage drinkers that people repealed Prohibition 1.0Yes, this may be news to Jail-em-for-Jesus "Christians" and other drug war camp followers (like that nest of
beltway banditos at Rand Corp.), but the Volstead Act was repealed. I suppose the Christian editorial board didn't really make an attempt at an evenhanded approach to the
subject, so we shouldn't expect a piece like this to be much more than a regurgitation of tired, old,
thoroughly debunked anti-marijuana rhetoric. Which is what we got.
http://drugnewsbot.org
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #54 posted by observer on May 23, 2009 at 13:35:17 PT
part I
[1]
USA -- The American movement to legalize marijuana for regular use is on a roll .
(Sentence 1) re: "American" - Prohibitionists assert that the survival of the community, society, the nation, the world, etc. are at stake. Only continued and increased punishments for drug users can be contemplated, because, say prohibitionists, society will otherwise fall apart. (Survival of Society (propaganda theme 3) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme3.htm#3 ) re: "legalize" - Any mention of lessening the harshness of drug laws is portrayed as a sinful "legalization". Only total prohibition (or more jailings) will be righteous. (Total Prohibition or Access (propaganda theme 7) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme7.htm#7 )
[5]
Thirteen states have so far decriminalized marijuana use (generally, the punishment covers small amounts and involves a fine) .
(Sentence 5) re: "marijuana use" - Prohibition propaganda claims that all use of any "drug" is abuse. (Use is Abuse (propaganda theme 4) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme4.htm#alluseisabuse )
[7]
Rosalie Pacula, codirector of the Rand Drug Policy Research Center, poses this question: "If pot is relatively harmless, why are we seeing more than 100,000 hospitalizations a year" for marijuana use?
(Sentence 7) re: "marijuana use" - "This strategy equates the use and abuse of drugs and implies that it is impossible to use the particular drug or drugs in question without physical, mental, and moral deterioration." [W.White,1979] (Use is Abuse (propaganda theme 4) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme4.htm#alluseisabuse )
[8]
Emergency-room admissions where marijuana is the primary substance involved increased by 164 percent from 1995 to 2002 faster than for other drugs, according to the Drug Abuse Warning Network .
(Sentence 8) re: "Drug Abuse", "Abuse" - Any use of an illegal drug is deemed to be "abuse," weasels the propaganda of prohibition. (After all - it is illegal!) (Use is Abuse (propaganda theme 4) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme4.htm#alluseisabuse )
[9]
Research results over the past decade link frequent marijuana use to several serious mental health problems, with youth particularly at risk .
(Sentence 9) re: "problems", "health problems", "mental health problems" - Prohibitionist propaganda claims that horrible dangers are caused by "drugs." (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) re: "marijuana use" - Prohibitionist propagandists repeatedly assert that "use is abuse." Details about "using" as opposed to "abusing" drugs are ignored. (Use is Abuse (propaganda theme 4) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme4.htm#alluseisabuse ) re: "youth" - Prohibitionists are champions of "the child", "kids", "children", etc. Only continued or increased punishments of all adults caught using "drugs" will send the correct "message" to children. (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm#5 ) re: "marijuana use to several serious mental" - Also, taking cannabis makes "fiends of boys in 30 days"! http://tinyurl.com/2ern46
[11]
While marijuana is not addictive in the way that a drug like crack-cocaine is, heavy use can lead to dependence defined by the same criteria as for other drugs .
(Sentence 11) re: "addictive" - Drugs, the prohibitionist explains, are a wicked bane on modern man. Why if not for the noble drug war (i.e. jailing drug users), exclaims the propagandist, then people will run amok, and violence, death, psychosis, and plague shall cover the land. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) re: "can lead to" - Prohibitionists often claim that a targeted drug is a "gateway" to abuse of more dangerous drugs. (Use is Abuse, Gateway (propaganda theme 4) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme4.htm#4 )
[15]
He adds that physicians in Britain and the Netherlands both countries that have experience with relaxed marijuana laws are seeing withdrawal symptoms among heavy marijuana users that are similar to those of cocaine and heroin addicts .
(Sentence 15) re: "users", "addicts" - Drugs are linked with groups of people who are already seen as deviant or shameful. (Hated Groups (propaganda theme 1) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme1.htm#1 ) re: "marijuana users" - The rhetoric of prohibition will assume that "use" and "abuse" are identical. (Use is Abuse (propaganda theme 4) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme4.htm#alluseisabuse )
[17]
Today's marijuana is also much more potent than in the hippie days of yesteryear .
(Sentence 17) re: "hippie" - Prohibition propaganda often uses crude forms of name-calling to link a targeted drug with groups the majority dislikes. (Hated Groups (propaganda theme 1) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme1.htm#1 )
[19]
When combined with alcohol (not unusual), or even alone, it worsens the risk of traffic accidents .
(Sentence 19) re: "accidents" - Drugs, claim the prohibitionist, cause insanity, violence, and terrible sickness. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 )
[20]
Would legalization take the violence out of the Mexican drug war?
(Sentence 20) re: "violence" - Prohibitionists claim use of currently illegal drugs causes crime, death, illness, lunacy, mania, melancholy, and all means of sin and degradation. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) re: "drug war" - Prohibitionists demonize the use of drugs and claim the use of drugs is "epidemic." Images of "war" are used by the prohibition propagandist to help whip up emotions. (Demonize, War (propaganda theme 6) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme6.htm#6 )
[22]
End the illicit trafficking, and you end the violence .
(Sentence 22) re: "violence" - Prohibition propaganda rarely misses an opportunity to link crime, violence, and insanity with "drugs". The propagandist insinuates that prohibited drugs cause evil, and if it weren't for "drugs" bad things would not exist. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 )
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #53 posted by observer on May 23, 2009 at 13:34:14 PT
part II
[23]
But that volume gives a false impression of marijuana's role in crime and violence, says Jonathan Caulkins, a professor at Carnegie Mellon and a drug-policy adviser in the US and Australia .
(Sentence 23) re: "violence", "crime" - Drugs, scream prohibitionists, cause all bad things in life: crime, violence, insanity, etc. If not for prohibition (i.e., jailing drug users), then criminality, violence and psychotic behavior would explode upon the land, the prohibitionist assures us. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 )
[24]
It's the dollars that count, and the big earners cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin play a much larger role in crime and violence .
(Sentence 24) re: "violence", "crime" - The rhetoric of prohibition asserts that insanity, crime, and violence are caused by drugs, or are controlled by prohibition. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 )
[26]
That's what's fanning the violence, according to Dr .
(Sentence 26) re: "violence" - It is prohibition, claim prohibitionists, that saves people from drug crazed, whacked out, high flying drug users. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 )
[27]
Caulkins, so legalizing marijuana is unlikely to quiet Mexico's drug war .
(Sentence 27) re: "drug war" - Unless the drug "war" is fought, claims the rhetoric of prohibition, an evil "epidemic" of drugs would be unleashed upon an unwitting public. (Demonize, War (propaganda theme 6) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme6.htm#6 ) re: "legalizing" - Drug policy options are presented as either total prohibition, or as total "legalization." No middle ground is contemplated in the "zero-tolerance" world of prohibition. Absolute prohibition executed with religious fervor and purpose! (Total Prohibition or Access (propaganda theme 7) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme7.htm#7 )
[32]
But then use would skyrocket and teens (though barred) could buy it with their lunch money .
(Sentence 32) re: "teens" - "Since the Harrison Act of 1914, the user and the seller of illicit drugs have both been characterized as evil, criminal, insane, and always in search of new victims, the victims are characterized as young children." [W.White,1979] (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm#5 )
[33]
Now the Dutch are finding that normalization has its costs increased dependence, more dealers of harder drugs, and a flood of rowdy "drug tourists" from other countries .
(Sentence 33) re: "dealers" - The rhetoric of prohibition tries to link drugs with marginalized people. (Hated Groups (propaganda theme 1) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme1.htm#1 ) re: "harder drugs" - Some drugs, claims the rhetoric of prohibition, are "gateways" to other, "harder" drugs. (Use is Abuse, Gateway (propaganda theme 4) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme4.htm#4 )
[35]
No one has figured out what the exact social costs of legalizing marijuana would be .
(Sentence 35) re: "social costs" - Because of prohibition (prohibitionists assure us), society is protected: the community is safe, and the nation is saved. (Survival of Society (propaganda theme 3) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme3.htm#3 ) re: "legalizing" - Onward prohibitionist drug warriors, fighting the epidemic and scourge in the battles of the war against drugs! (Drugs declared evil by politicians, that is.) (Total Prohibition or Access (propaganda theme 7) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme7.htm#7 )
[36]
But ephemeral taxes won't cover them nor should society want to encourage easier access to a drug that can lead to dependency, has health risks, and reduces alertness, to name just a few of its negative outcomes .
(Sentence 36) re: "health risks" - Drugs, claim the prohibitionist, cause insanity, violence, and terrible sickness. (Madness,Crime,Violence,Illness (propaganda theme 2) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme2.htm#2 ) re: "society" - The health of the "community" (read: government) is assured, prohibitionists explain, because drug users are punished. Jailing drug users is thus painted as upholding society. (Survival of Society (propaganda theme 3) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme3.htm#3 ) re: "can lead to" - Prohibition propaganda is rich with claims targeted drugs 'lead to' something even more frightful. (Use is Abuse, Gateway (propaganda theme 4) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme4.htm#4 )
[42]
Do parents really want marijuana to become a normal part of society and an expectation for their children?
(Sentence 42) re: "society" - The survival of society is assured, -- says the propaganda of prohibition -- as long as drug users are punished (jailed). (Survival of Society (propaganda theme 3) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme3.htm#3 ) re: "children" - Prohibitionists forever claim that children are corrupted by drugs, and this is why adult users must be punished harshly. (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm#5 )
[44]
But the push to legalize marijuana is like the peer pressure of the schoolyard .
(Sentence 44) re: "legalize" - Any mention of lessening the harshness of drug laws is portrayed as a sinful "legalization". Only total prohibition (or more jailings) will be righteous. (Total Prohibition or Access (propaganda theme 7) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme7.htm#7 )
[46]
They must let lawmakers know that legalization is not OK, and they must carry this message to their children, too .
(Sentence 46) re: "children", "message" - Drug war propaganda plays on parental fears for the well being of their kids. If drug users are not jailed, says the prohibitionist, then your children will surely suffer. (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm#5 )
[47]
Disapproval, along with information on risk, are the most important factors in discouraging marijuana and cocaine use among high school seniors, according to the University of Michigan's "Monitoring the Future" project on substance abuse .
(Sentence 47) re: "substance abuse", "abuse" - Prohibitionists try to hammer in the idea that 'all use is abuse.' The rhetoric of prohibition needs to deny that many people can use currently illegal drugs without abusing them. (Use is Abuse (propaganda theme 4) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme4.htm#alluseisabuse )
[52]
Today's youth are tomorrow's world problem solvers and the ones most likely to be affected if marijuana is legalized .
(Sentence 52) re: "youth" - "Nothing can so excite an adult population as can anything which appears to threaten their own children." [W.White,1979] (Children Corrupted (propaganda theme 5) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme5.htm#5 )
[54]
For their sakes, those who oppose legalizing marijuana must become vocal, well-funded, and mainstream before it's too late .
(Sentence 54) re: "legalizing" - With God on Their Side (prohibitionists assure us), only the continued rooting out of the sinful drug users (total prohibition) will do. All else is portrayed as the slippery slope to total legalization of all drugs for toddlers. (Total Prohibition or Access (propaganda theme 7) http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/pg/propaganda/theme7.htm#7 )
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #52 posted by museman on May 23, 2009 at 11:35:42 PT
letting my "Flag" fly
Just so you know.....and I'm not afraid of any 'Short-haired, yellow belly, son of tricky dicky...' that can't handle it.And the sign said; "All violators will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law."Well here's what I think of your 'law': When Evil finally dies, it dies forever.FREEDOM IS A RIGHT not a PRIVILEDGE
Freaky old dude
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #51 posted by greenmed on May 23, 2009 at 11:28:33 PT
FoM
You raise a very good point. A R/W microchip placed under the skin could hold a complete medical history, including Rx allergies, read (at close range) by a scanner would maintain privacy to a reasonable degree. Perhaps though, as you say, medical privacy may be no more... after all, DNA from a used beverage container or cigarette butt offers so much personal information.Microarray testing "gene chip analysis" may eventually provide a quick equivalent of a medical history, at least insofar as biochemistry, but meanwhile, medical databanks should be secure and closely monitored with access records kept and with the patient's choice to opt-out or to restrict access with one's PCP being the "gatekeeper" of the information, I think.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #50 posted by museman on May 23, 2009 at 11:09:12 PT
FoM -pow-wow
If you've never been exposed to native american tradition, a pow-wow may or may not be a good place to start.I first experienced Pow-Wow in Flagstaff Arizona -the BIG one that tribes form all over came to -in the early 60's. In those days the native people were really struggling with their identity, and the Pow Wow was more of a low grade theatrical performance -and faire, aimed at generating some income for the natives -even though in those days most of the money went to the white organizers. I remember sharing a bus stop with the unfortunate youth who were still forced to go to the Indian School at that time. That was an eye opener, it was like meeting someone on the way to the gallows.Since AIM made their stand in the late 70's and early 80's, native people started growing their hair back, and revitalizing their traditions.Having integrated with the Rainbow (given tribal status by Grandfather David - a noted Hopi elder and statesman) I have experienced a closer-in perception of Native ways, and until recently, the more essential aspects of Native Spirituality have remained hidden from the prying eyes of the status quo. The white man gets to go to the 'pow-wow' and clap at the colorful dancing, and be 'entertained' but they don't really get even close to the heart of the matter.Go to a Sundance, or a Snake Dance (if you can be let in)-and you will begin to see the magic that has been witheld from our understanding by the ignorance of christianity.The sincerety of most Native peoples towards Spirit, and their innate ability to perceive it is exactly the thing that the white man came here to learn, and those who do are called the Rainbow Warriors (not necessarily having anything to do with the Rainbow Gathering.)In my youth, I first witnessed the magic of active Spirit when I and my family got invited to a Snake Dance on the 3rd Mesa. I watched those dancers get bitten over and over again by the rattle snakes they were dancing with, and apparently were completely unaffected, because they just danced witih more ferver when it happened. I became blood brother to the Hopi, and another of my best friends was Dine' ('navajo'). I was given the gift of the blue corn as token of my relation -20 years before I came to understand it. I think its high time for the white man to get off his high horse and ask the ones who know about the earth and its ways, because the white man hasn't had a clue since the New Rome wiped out all our shaman and tribal wisdom in Europe during the first millennium after Y'shua.Enjoy the POW WOW.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #49 posted by Sam Adams on May 23, 2009 at 11:08:58 PT
another great song
don't forget this one!! great cover......http://www.wonderdrugrecords.com/roadsaw.mp3
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #48 posted by FoM on May 23, 2009 at 10:58:57 PT
museman
Your comment reminded me of this song.TESLA - Signshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nl-yWJjd6HA
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #47 posted by Sam Adams on May 23, 2009 at 10:50:23 PT
more
btw, we were both dressed in business suits when we got yelled at by the "Christian Scientist" security goons, just in case you were wondering.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #46 posted by Sam Adams on May 23, 2009 at 10:49:25 PT
Christian Scientists
Museman, I couldn't agree more. Believe it or not, I once had security thugs from CS kick my girlfriend and I out of their little park in Boston.It was in the early evening - dark - and we were sitting on one of their benches around the little pond by their ugly concrete headquarters building. We had been sitting there kissing for several minutes when 2 men in sportjackets wearing headsets accosted us. They said "just so you know, this is Church property and we're upstairs watching you on camera". Swear to God that's what they said. We just laughed and basically said "so?". They then stood there about 20 feet away with arms crossed and waited for us to leave, which we did shortly. I try to stay open-minded but when I hear Bill Maher railing against all organization religion I am inclined to agree. Where was the CS church when the Boston Catholic church was raping kids for 100+ years? They were awful quiet then, weren't they? What exactly are they good for anyways? Not much.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #45 posted by FoM on May 23, 2009 at 10:45:53 PT
greenmed
Yes it is terrible. I know that it is important to be able to get to a person's records if a person is unconscious
and the doctor isn't the person's regular doctor. There needs to be a balance between privacy and needing to know how to help a person who can't help themselves. The wrong medicine in some cases could kill them.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #44 posted by greenmed on May 23, 2009 at 10:32:15 PT
FoM
That is terrible. As if cancer was not enough to contend with.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #43 posted by FoM on May 23, 2009 at 10:31:36 PT
museman
I just found out that practically within walking distance from us they are having a Pow Wow. Since this would be totally new to me we are planning on going to the event just to check it out. I knew they had this event before but I didn't know they were open to the public until reading it yesterday on their new web site.
Pow Wow Event
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Comment #42 posted by museman on May 23, 2009 at 10:22:19 PT
church
A 'congregation' is a group of people gathered together -anywhere- for the purpose of sharing, learning, and practicing spirituality. -the essential ingredients for such a thing is laid out in the scripture; "When 2 or more are gathered in my name, i will be with them." -of course there is interpretive terminology in that, but not apllicable to this statement.A 'church' is wherever the congregation gathers.The idea that 'god' can be put in a specific box, at a specific location, and only comes out to play on certain days, and only if you mouth the 'right words' in the 'proper' ritualistic manner, is the most asinine thing the human race ever swallowed from their ruling masters.And the idea that one can only get access to 'god' through special appointed 'offices' is as Roman as our government, and actually the exact same set of BS.The 'moral' activities of our government, and all of its supporting members, is about 180% from the truth, and the agenda of global control by the few rich and powerful dynasties whose 'bloodlines' somehow determnine their qualifications has been around for a lot longer than some like to think.There may be some vestigal spirituality in the naive and ignorant who go into boxes to 'worship' their boxed and packaged 'god' but the time is fast arriving where such ignorance will in fact no longer be tolerated by the REAL and PRESENT SPIRIT, and as they continue to rack up kharma in their false judgements, false assumption of authority, and false represention of the truth, the collapse of that particular house of cards is not going to be pretty.Truth, though it may be distorted, twisted, redefined, and obscured by all the powers that be (their prime activities in the world) cannot be affected in itself. Though the ignorance of humanity may vehemently deny it through war, and the control of dominion and power through false authorities such as governments, the truth remains the same.Access to that truth is not reserved to 'special' people with 'approved credentials' or any other form of elite seperatism, it -the truth- is like every other gift of life and Creation, A GIFT. One can find the truth as soon as they stop filling up their head with the lies and bullshit of the Status Quo, and all of its pretenders.Like cannabis, all natural foods and resource, truth belongs to everyone, and the idea that one man, or a group of 'em can possess 'more truth' than another is ridiculous. At one moment in time, one person may understand the truth better than those around them, -and at that moment in time, such is the fact and basis of real and actual human 'authority.' But that 'authority' does not extend itself past the moment of need, is does not reside in one by the mere application of 'title' or contrived 'credentials.'Religion means "To constrain, or hold back."It is the right hand of conquest, dominion, pestilence, and death -the 'four horsemen of the apocalypse.'The left hand is the Republic, founded in Rome by Nephalim refugees from the last major world change, and Rome never fell, it just moved its capital to D.C.I don't know about anyone else, but having been brought up to believe in liberty, I never signed up to be a Roman plebe. The author/s of this tripe are living in a corrupt, soiled, spoiled, and finitely limited 'reality.' Pity is all they deserve.Salom ShabbatFREE CANNABIS FOREVER
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Comment #41 posted by FoM on May 23, 2009 at 10:12:43 PT
greenmed
Farrah Fawcett's return of cancer was taken from hospital medical files and sold to the National Inquirer. I don't believe there is privacy as far as medical records go anymore.Have a great holiday weekend.
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Comment #40 posted by Hope on May 23, 2009 at 09:42:22 PT
Greenmed comment 38
I agree, this special remembrance day weekend and always."Thank you all the men and women in the armed forces, past and present, for your idealism and dedication to preserving our liberties."
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Comment #39 posted by Hope on May 23, 2009 at 09:38:01 PT
Representative Cohen
Either he allowed someone to encourage him to seek out the truth and the facts or he decided to do it on his own. Either way, I see a man who now "knows" and is going to be brave enough to make the efforts do something about it.Thank you, Representative Cohen.
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Comment #38 posted by greenmed on May 23, 2009 at 09:32:38 PT
Hope
I agree with you. To delve into somebody's medical files without permission is highly unethical -- but it does happen more often than one might think. I worked at a large teaching hospital for several years, and a simple hospital name tag was enough to get access to complete medical histories, just for the asking -- no sign-out sheet, no paper trail.True, these latest ideas from NIDA were thought up by Bush administration appointees (many still in place) to twist the meaning and implementation of the "treatment over incarceration" paradigm which they see as inevitable, and will probably be rejected eventually (the net that is), but privacy is something we must defend. That is one of our freedoms for which young men and women so idealistically offer to sacrifice their lives and well-being.Hope, I hope you and all C_Newsers enjoy this Memorial Day weekend. Thank you all the men and women in the armed forces, past and present, for your idealism and dedication to preserving our liberties.
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Comment #37 posted by Hope on May 23, 2009 at 09:24:05 PT
Comment 25
That video gives me hope as noting in this quagmire ever has before.It's beautiful. It's honest. It's our Congress!!!???!!!I'm verklempt.
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Comment #36 posted by Hope on May 23, 2009 at 09:09:42 PT
Maybe I misjudged Pawlenty's actions...
Maybe it wasn't extraordinary arrogance... but extraordinary cowardice.
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Comment #35 posted by Hope on May 23, 2009 at 09:07:48 PT
Pawlenty Veto
I'm thinking Pawlenty doesn't have a clue at the great grief and despair he has personally inflicted on so many people.Could his problem be stupidity or ignorance? Could his problem be that he is basically evil and cruel? Could it be evil and cruel stupidity and ignorance?It's definitely extraordinary arrogance.
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Comment #34 posted by Hope on May 23, 2009 at 08:58:56 PT
Vincent Comment 24
"This is the worst "unbiased report" I have ever seen. This article starts off all positive but,..."An editorial does not purport to be an "unbiased report",... because it is not. An item marked "Editorial" expresses the opinion and bias of the board or an individual editor on a particular subject. It's not technically, "reporting" any sort of news at all. It's their opinion on the matter.Same thing with OpEds and Guest Editor pieces. They're commentary. Opinions.
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Comment #33 posted by Hope on May 23, 2009 at 08:47:35 PT
Greenmed 21 and 22
Sounds more like they might be talking more about a net than a screen.I don't want everybody, his corporation, and accounting department to have access to what should be very personal and private information between me and my doctor.
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Comment #32 posted by Storm Crow on May 23, 2009 at 08:37:18 PT
Quote from my late Grandfather-
Who was was a minister and a good, honest man."If the truth won't do, then something is wrong!"
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Comment #31 posted by runruff on May 23, 2009 at 08:15:29 PT
FBI-Faced!
People in congress are now using our words and condemning Anslinger! Kids, the tide has turned! The FBI director was taken to wood shed for lying and he was embarrassed. Maybe the rest of the lie mongers our there will get the message: there's as new sheriff in town!
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Comment #30 posted by FoM on May 23, 2009 at 07:30:54 PT
FBI Director Gets Schooled on Marijuana
FBI Director Gets Schooled on Marijuana LegalizationURL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY0TQ1uOn3k
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Comment #29 posted by FoM on May 23, 2009 at 07:24:16 PT
Congressman Gives a History Lesson on Marijuana
Congressman Gives a History Lesson on Marijuana ProhibitionURL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MC1HrrxSOuo
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Comment #28 posted by FoM on May 23, 2009 at 06:23:36 PT
George
The Republican Conservative University called Liberty University that was founded by Jerry Falwell has banned a Democratic Student Group on campus but not the Republican Student group just the Democratic group. I saw this happening years ago and knew how dangerous Conservatives could be. As we know other religions have their zealots too. I guess some people think of less government when they think of the Republicans/Conservatives but that isn't what conservatives really stands for anymore.
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Comment #27 posted by FoM on May 23, 2009 at 05:59:07 PT
George
Churches try very hard to make people feel that they need to go to church or you won't be on a good path. Without people in churches no one with give money to keep the churches going. Just like the Republican Party has used fear to control us so do most churches. A good church would be one where the purpose of the church is to go out and help the needy but that is not important to most organized religions.
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Comment #26 posted by George Servantes on May 23, 2009 at 04:49:56 PT
I don't like religion / it's same as government
"The far greater and lasting attraction is in a life rooted in moral and spiritual values – not in a haze, a daze, or a munchie-craze."I would just ask this so called Christian who clearly lacks compassion to other brother and sister humans: "Why do you fight against God who created this plant?"
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Comment #25 posted by MikeC on May 22, 2009 at 22:23:59 PT
Minnesota...
Governor Pawlenty vetoed the Medical Marijuana bill in Minnesota. Hell awaits Timmy!Looks like a constitutional amendment is the only answer.
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Comment #24 posted by Vincent on May 22, 2009 at 21:51:17 PT:
Unbelievable
This is the worst "unbiased report" I have ever seen. This article starts off all positive but, by the second paragraph
you know you're in enemy territory. I felt like I was aboard the Starship Enterprise and it gets stuck in a "worm hole" and just keeps going down, worse and worse, out of controlHospitalization? Emergency room alerts like all drugs? Everybody becomes dependent at some point in their life?Where?
When?
How come I never heard of it?
Where's the proof?This is one of the most propagandistic articles I've ever seen.And I've seen them all.
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Comment #23 posted by Vincent on May 22, 2009 at 21:36:39 PT:
Unbelievable
This is the worst "unbiased report" I have ever seen. This article starts off all positive but, by the second paragraph
you know you're in enemy territory.Hospitalization? Emergency room alerts like all drugs? Everybody becomes dependent at some point in their life?Where?
When?
How come I never heard of it?
Where's the proof?This is one of the most propagandistic articles I've ever seen.And I've seen them all.
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Comment #22 posted by greenmed on May 22, 2009 at 21:30:58 PT
electronic medical records - part 2
I don't know if this received much press. It seems, once again, NIDA wants to help us help our selves:This is the full text of the news release.NIDAMED Helps Doctors Provide the Best in Medical CareWashington, D.C. - The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health, today unveiled its first comprehensive Physicians' Outreach Initiative, NIDAMED, which gives medical professionals tools and resources to screen their patients for tobacco, alcohol, illicit, and nonmedical prescription drug use. The NIDAMED resources include an online screening tool, a companion quick reference guide, and a comprehensive resource guide for clinicians. The initiative stresses the importance of the patient-doctor relationship in identifying unhealthy behaviors before they evolve into life threatening conditions.The NIDAMED tools - targeting primary care clinicians - were launched at a news conference at the National Press Club that featured NIDA Director Dr. Nora D. Volkow, Acting Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy Ed Jurith, J.D., Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan, Acting Surgeon General Steven K. Galson, M.D., and representatives from the World Health Organization, the American Medical Association, and other organizations committed to helping patients who struggle with drug-related medical issues."Many patients do not discuss their drug use with their physicians, and do not receive treatment even when their drug abuse escalates," said Dr. Volkow. "NIDAMED enables physicians to be the first line of defense against substance abuse and addiction and to increase awareness of the impact of substance use on a patient's overall health."In 2007, an estimated 19.9 million Americans aged 12 or older (around 8 percent of the population) were current (past month) users of illegal drugs - nearly 1 in 5 of those 18 to 25 years old - and many more are current tobacco or binge alcohol users. The consequences of this drug use can be far-reaching - playing a role in the cause and progression of many medical disorders, including addiction. Yet only a fraction of people who need addiction treatment receive it."I have long worked with NIDA to increase access to effective treatment in the battle against addiction," said Sen. Levin. "By encouraging physicians to consult with, screen and refer their patients who are in need of treatment, the NIDAMED initiative is a critical step towards achieving that goal. We must find ways to disseminate these important clinical tools, that can aid in mending lives and families, once torn asunder due to the scourge of addiction."The NIDAMED tools were developed because doctors are in a unique position to discuss drug-taking behaviors with their patients before they lead to serious medical problems. Research shows that screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment by clinicians in general medical settings, can promote significant reductions in alcohol and tobacco use.A growing body of literature also suggests potential reductions in illegal and nonmedical prescription drug use. Yet many primary care physicians express concern that they do not have the experience or diagnostic tools to identify drug use in their patients."Not only will these tools potentially help clinicians identify the use of drugs such as cocaine and heroin, they can also identify patients who are misusing prescription medications," said Dr. Galson, a rear admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service. "In 2007, 16.3 million Americans age 12 and older had taken a prescription pain reliever, tranquilizer, stimulant, or sedative for nonmedical purposes at least once in the past year - behaviors that can lead to serious health problems, including addiction.""My doctor literally saved my life," said Mink Rockmoore, a former Boston-area radio announcer who is a recovering heroin addict. "He worked hard to build my trust; he listened to my fears in a non-judgmental way; and he arranged for me to get both detox and treatment."NIDAMED's screening tool was adapted from the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST), developed, validated, and published by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an effective screening tool for identifying substance use. NIDA-modified ASSIST tools are specifically designed to fit into today's busy clinical practices. Doctors can access the new tools at www.drugabuse.gov by clicking on the NIDAMED icon.The online screening tool is an interactive Web site that guides clinicians through a short series of questions and, based on the patient's responses, generates a substance involvement score that suggests the level of intervention needed. A physician can use this interactive tool during routine office visits. NIDAMED also includes an online resource guide with detailed instructions on how to implement the screening tool, discuss screening results, offer a brief intervention and make necessary referrals. In addition, a quick reference guide has been developed to serve as a prompt to medical professionals to initiate screening. This abbreviated guide provides a snapshot of the NIDA-modified ASSIST, briefly summarizing the questions, scoring and next steps.Also included in the NIDAMED physician toolkit is a patient-tested postcard that encourages patients to "Tell Your Doctors About All the Drugs You Use" and offers Web links for further information. Doctors are encouraged to put the cards in their waiting rooms to be read by patients before their appointments.NIDAMED was unveiled in conjunction with NIDA's recently updated Principles of Drug Abuse Treatment: A Research Based Guide. This publication summarizes the 13 evidence-based principles of effective treatment, answers common questions, and describes types of treatment, providing examples of scientifically based and tested treatment components. The principles are based on three decades of scientific research and clinical practice that have yielded a variety of effective approaches to drug addiction treatment.More information on all NIDAMED products and the Principles of Drug Abuse Treatment: A Research Based Guide can be found at www.drugabuse.gov/nidamed.http://drugabuse.gov/newsroom/09/NR4-20.html
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Comment #21 posted by greenmed on May 22, 2009 at 21:23:47 PT
electronic medical records
There has been discussion recently about placing medical records in electronic format, perhaps even "on-line."The Obama administration's economic-stimulus package allocates almost $20 billion to help move this jury-rigged system into the 21st century, including direct subsidies to physicians for purchasing health-records systems … as soon as the nation figures out what the system should be.In health-care think tanks there is frustration bordering on panic over the danger that the nation will miss a historic opportunity if millions of American doctors adopt a hodgepodge of stand-alone systems that don't readily communicate with each other....At a minimum, experts say, a national electronic health-records system should do the following:...• Facilitate "data mining" for information about new (or existing) treatments. A new drug undergoes elaborate trials for years before it goes on the market, involving hundreds or perhaps thousands of subjects—and then gets dispensed, potentially, to millions of patients. How it affects them is potentially lifesaving information that now gets reported anecdotally and spreads by word of mouth, if at all. But a computer that aggregated the findings of large numbers of doctors could detect rare problems, or even unexpected benefits. That was how the problems with Vioxx surfaced, in computer data from the Department of Veterans Affairs and large private HMOs that have their own electronic records.http://www.newsweek.com/id/195693This seems like a prospective cost-cutting measure for the pharmaceutical industry... if clinical trials for pharmaceuticals are curtailed with the expectation that "the system will catch it."Besides the potential problem of unproven drugs being tested on the general population, there is also the privacy issue. Consider the recent hacking of a medical database in my home state:http://voices.washingtonpost.com/securityfix/2009/05/hackers_break_into_virginia_he.htmlIt will be important to follow how this new system is implemented. The mainstream media should deem it an issue to track.
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Comment #20 posted by John Tyler on May 22, 2009 at 20:51:46 PT
facts not attitude please
Is that the best argument the prohibitionists can come up with, a rehash of the “lazy, crazy, stupid”, and the “what about the children” arguments? The prohibs are still using these phony, silly arguments based on attitude not facts when the country needs something real. The country needs a legal cannabis industry now. The county needs the fuel, food, fiber, building materials, medicine and inspiration a legal industry could provide. It’s a plant that gives its all for the betterment of humanity, why do some people have a problem with that?
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Comment #19 posted by Hope on May 22, 2009 at 17:51:30 PT
This editorial
reads like some sort of rambling, written filibuster.Comment 12, Sinsemilla Jones. I was stunned at that statement, too. Where have these people been for the last thirty or forty years?
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Comment #18 posted by MikeEEEEE on May 22, 2009 at 16:20:10 PT
Yawn...
How I feel about this article and religious boneheads.Yawn!
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Comment #17 posted by FoM on May 22, 2009 at 13:01:10 PT
Video: The History of Weed
http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1911961
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Comment #16 posted by BGreen on May 22, 2009 at 12:52:44 PT
Christian Science is neither Christian nor Science
There are just too many lies and quotes from dubious "experts" to rebut them all.Let me tackle just one.NORML likes to point out that marijuana accounts for the majority of illicit drug traffic from Mexico. End the illicit trafficking, and you end the violence. But that volume gives a false impression of marijuana's role in crime and violence, says Jonathan Caulkins, a professor at Carnegie Mellon and a drug-policy adviser in the US and Australia.It's the dollars that count, and the big earners – cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin – play a much larger role in crime and violence. In recent years, Mexico has become a major cocaine route to the US. That's what's fanning the violence, according to Dr. Caulkins, so legalizing marijuana is unlikely to quiet Mexico's drug war.OK, we're now to believe that the black market distribution of millions of tons of a plant that can be grown for almost nothing yet sells for a retail price of at least $50 per ounce plays almost no roll in making money for the drug cartels?WTF?!?The shear volume of cannabis versus real drugs mentioned by the "mellon"-head negates the difference between the higher profitability of the chemical poisons and the miraculous plant, and this supposed expert would have a hard time actually explaining his dubious hypothesis.WTF?!?The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #15 posted by Cheebs1 on May 22, 2009 at 12:43:59 PT:
No Medical Benefits?
http://blog.mpp.org/medical-marijuana/medical-marijuana-not-just-about-getting-high-journal-article-ends-the-argument/05222009/Scientists in other countries do not have the strict denial policies to navigate through that American scientists do so they appear to be at the leading edge of medical marijuana. Peace, Love, and Pot
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Comment #14 posted by AdaptBones on May 22, 2009 at 12:38:50 PT:
Expect Nothing Less
I would expect nothing less than this article of lies and prohibition propping up from a religious writer. A few things HAVE become abundantly clear to me. The first is that as more and more people turn away from religion in favor of self autonomy they church's are afraid. They are losing their control over people's lives and that scares them to the core. Another thing that has become clear to me is one of the most important issues that I don't hear talked about much. With access to the truth and the ability in this day and age to double check any story or information that is presented many people are losing respect and indeed beginning to not trust what the government and church's are saying because they can see for themselves they are lying. This undermines everything they have worked for because as more time rolls on and they still spout the same lies more and more people are turning away wholesale and not trusting the "authorities". Now while myself and many others feel this is a good thing because no one should ever accept on blind faith alone what they are told, it has all those in power now attempting to clamp down harder so they don't lose more control. This of course just increases the cycle at which people are turning away because they can not trust what they are being told in any capacity. I think if Obama and this administration REALLY want to turn this county around how about you try starting with the truth, and the WHOLE truth. In time people may come to trust again, but for now you are all liers and crooks. Blessed be.
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Comment #13 posted by runruff on May 22, 2009 at 12:19:51 PT
Will lie for work!
Joel W. Hay is professor of Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy in the School of Pharmacy at the University of Southern California.Gee Pa, ya think he might have a dog in this hunt?
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Comment #12 posted by Sinsemilla Jones on May 22, 2009 at 11:21:11 PT
And has the "Monitor" ever heard of ONDCP???!
The Partnership for a Drug Free America??????!Noticed the anti-cannabis commercials running all the time on TV??????!"...those who oppose legalizing marijuana must become vocal, well-funded, and mainstream...""become"?????!!!!!
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Comment #11 posted by FoM on May 22, 2009 at 11:09:29 PT
Kerlikowske Interview Podcast from KUOW
Kerlikowske Interview Podcast from KUOW interview this morning.http://www.kuow.org/podcast/WeekdayA20090522.mp3
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Comment #10 posted by Sinsemilla Jones on May 22, 2009 at 11:05:38 PT
The Monitor's Editorial Board -
I can only assume that it's now made up of Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, and Rush Limbaugh.Yet, while none of the "Christian" board members are willing to have their name directly associated with this article, they are more than happy to once again libel George Soros.I wonder if any one of the Christian Science Monitor's board has ever met or even talked to George Soros? Did they bother to attempt to contact George Soros, before writing this article? Did they only mention his name because they heard him mentioned as an "evil liberal billionaire" every few seconds on Fox?You know, public figures are fair game for public mockery, but I had never heard of George Soros, before the right wang media including the former drug czar, started attacking him on a regular basis. And I will be glad to testify to that fact, if George Soros were to decide to sue the "Monitor", Fox News, and other media that have characterized him as "evil" without ever giving him a chance to defend himself.
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Comment #9 posted by FoM on May 22, 2009 at 10:59:28 PT
New York Times Blog
What Would Happen if Marijuana Was Decriminalized? URL: http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/22/pot-quorum/?apage=1
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on May 22, 2009 at 10:49:49 PT
A Harmless Drug?
Most people don't say marijuana is harmless. Breathing air these days can be harmful if you live in a congested city.
The real harm that comes from marijuana is it's prohibition. People live in fear and feel like second class citizens and if arrested can go to jail. That is very harmful.Excerpt: A harmless drug? Supporters of legalization often claim that no one has died of a pot overdose, and that it has beneficial effects in alleviating suffering from certain diseases.
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Comment #7 posted by ezrydn on May 22, 2009 at 10:31:28 PT
What I Don't Understand.....
...is where they come up with something like this: "The far greater and lasting attraction is in a life rooted in MORAL and SPIRITUAL values.." In the early 1900s, these drugs were NOT illegal. And there was no "moral or spiritual" cascading effect then. So, where did it come from? Because a group of men came together and pronounced something "against the law," it suddenly becomes a "moral and spiritual" issue? I don't even allow my church to get away with that!The "morality" of drugs lies in it's ability to provide funding to specific groups. The "spirituality" phase comes in with the 'brainwashing' that must occur in order to accept such a position. Many of the Founding Fathers of the USA both farmed and toked on the same product. However, the government would probably want us to believe it was 1% THC or lower. Were these men "immoral" and "non-spiritual?" While it's ok for us to buy high-priced, government-approved THC at the 100% level, we're labeled "immoral and non-spiritual" if we elect to go the natural 8% level. Prohibs have been 'brainwashed' to believe this stuff. Law Enforcement didn't think this way at the beginning of the 20th century but they did at the beginning of the 21st. When you read a story, change the word "illegal" to "legal" and see if it still holds validity. For it's the "illegal" tag that is the crux of all the problems.
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on May 22, 2009 at 10:25:35 PT
Sam
I went to Catholic school and really liked it as much as I liked school but the history of the Catholic church is really bad. I honestly don't think the Church will survive much longer. Most young Catholic don't think like the Church anymore.
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Comment #5 posted by Sam Adams on May 22, 2009 at 10:00:54 PT
DonG
So true about religion. Just read in this morning's paper about the report on abuse in Catholic schools in Ireland. They had a system set up of molestation, many thousands of boy and girls were raped, the report says it went on from the 1800's right up to the end of the 1990's. The government would send kids that got in trouble to these Catholic Church-run schools, and trouble including things such as being born out of wedlock or being a runaway, getting girl pregnant, etc.Primitive and brutal and many of the individuals in the Vatican that were the overseers of this are still around.
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Comment #4 posted by Cheebs1 on May 22, 2009 at 09:40:36 PT:
Same Propaganda
True, marijuana cannot directly kill its user in the way that alcohol or a drug like heroin can. And activists claim that it may ease symptoms for certain patients – though it has not been endorsed by the major medical associations representing those patients, and the Food and Drug Administration disputes its valueI suppose organizations like the American College of Physicians, over 120,000 members, does not constitute a major medical association. Or maybe the Institute of Medicine. Again, they must not be large enough to be considered a "major" medical institution. The list actually goes on to include The American Nursing Association and many others.In examing the article it's very readily apparent that the prohibionist views of the "Christian" reporter are easily offended by the mere thought of autonomous freedom. Freedom of opinion and thought are something that is abhorrent to the mainstream "Catholic" religions. Faith is actually a code word meaning " unquestioning loyalty. Who cares if it doesn't make sense? Take it on faith and just blindly accept what we tell you"Many religious groups deplore the fact that their congregations no longer require a "priest" to read the bible to them and that they can go online to examine the validity of other view points, religious tennets, and moral credos. The fact that the American populace is actually shaking off the yolk of their religious masters has the church quaking in it's boots. Gone are the days of blind faith. Gone are the days of hatred toward others that don't believe exactly the way you do. Gone are the days of religious zealotry that this country is infamous for. Gone are the days of " My God can beat up your God", at least I, and hopefully, most others here, hope so. Keep lying and trying to control people through fear and eventually your dishonesty will do you in. Grasp at straws to maintain your prohibionist stand point. If you hold enough straws, eventually the flow of information you are trying to stem will flow through the straws to the populace. Peace, Love, and Pot
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on May 22, 2009 at 09:37:19 PT
Children
Using children as a scapegoat all the time is getting tiring. We are only talking about adults not children.
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Comment #2 posted by HempWorld on May 22, 2009 at 09:34:04 PT
I personally take offense to the lies printed in
this article. Lies, lies, lies ..."Now the Dutch are finding that normalization has its costs – increased dependence, more dealers of harder drugs, and a flood of rowdy "drug tourists" from other countries. The Dutch "example" should be renamed the Dutch "warning."The world could learn from us, the Dutch, but they choose not to. They choose not to even study and take note of what has been accomplished in the Netherlands, my home country.This country has the world's lowest abortion rate, heroin addiction or kids or adults living in poverty, yeah and we are a 'warning!'The fact that health care and spending is out of control in the US is in high part due to the 'war on drugs.'
Graphs comparing all drug use between the US and the Netherlands
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Comment #1 posted by dongenero on May 22, 2009 at 09:29:43 PT
I would argue
Marijuana is probably safer than religion. The greatest problems in the world today are due to religious fanaticism and fundamentalism.It's a shame as CSM has had some well positioned articles on marijuana. This one is dumb. Half baked arguments from proponents? This article is reheated leftovers.
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