We have long been on record as questioning the reasons behind, and conduct of, the so-called war on drugs — an effort that’s responsible for thousands of deaths, prison overcrowding and untold misery for a lot of people in a number of countries. A blanket prohibition on the use of certain drugs clearly isn’t working. But some politicians, law enforcement officials and professional drug warriors refuse to consider options that move us in the direction of drug legalizations. Passage of Amendment 44 at least sets the stage for a national debate on the issue, and possibly sets us on the road to a partial solution.

Proponents of the amendment say marijuana use is safer than alcohol, which is legal for those over 21. They point to links between drinking and domestic violence and argue that marijuana use does not lead to violent outbursts. Opponents of the amendment point to the dangers of prolonged use of marijuana as a reason to derail the proposal. They also point out that many drug users commit other crimes to support their habits. We won’t attempt to settle either argument today, because both are beside the point.

As libertarians, we simply don’t believe the government should tell adults what they can or can’t ingest, except when their irresponsible use of such substances brings them into conflict with the rights of others. The use of illegal drugs can sometimes do that, to be sure. But so can the reckless or irresponsible use of many legal drugs, as well as other legal products. Government attempts to meddle in these choices by barring the use of certain substances, while sanctioning or regulating the use of others, to us seems arbitrary, irrational and an encroachment on individual liberty.

Banning substances or products on the grounds that they might be dangerous in the hands of some people shouldn’t fly in a truly free society. Government is in the business of protecting us from others, not ourselves. It’s true that marijuana use is not risk free. But very little in life is, and free people should be able to make their own choices.

The drug war has been going on for decades and drugs are still readily available across the country, proof that current policy isn’t working. This is a good first step toward forcing government to abandon an approach that just doesn’t work.

We encourage freedom lovers to vote yes on Amendment 44.

Complete Article: http://tinyurl.com/y5ktpx

Source: Gazette, The (Colorado Springs, CO)
Published: November 03, 2006
Copyright: 2006 The Gazette
Contact: gtop@gazette.com
Website: http://www.gazette.com/

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http://www.safercolorado.org/

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Darkness and Light

Good and Bad

Night and Day

May I bring my fruit

To the One who see's Everything

Press that YES button and vote for Freedom, a World that "will" rise to the Stars and Worlds in this reality and Eternity.

FREEDOM

FREEDOM

and that YES

That first "breath"

YES

There is us people

When "we hug and embrace

I can know 'we can bring flowers sweet flowers

A Class 2 Petty Offense

I ask "who" has been offended?

If there is an offense" where is the victim?

Who has been offended?

What? has been taken wrongfully from any good citizen?

You can stand on "your" bible and declare to the night sky

How you feel outraged

In the meantime there is a lot of blood pouring at the foot,

Look around, what can you see?

Can you see a YES?

Can you see a better world?

I can and with good conscience

For I know my YES VOTE

In every filthy place of this existence

Will not except a stranger

Luk 10:30 Jesus took up the question and said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him up, and fled, leaving him half dead.

Luk 10:31 A priest happened to be going down that road. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

Luk 10:32 In the same way, a Levite, when he arrived at the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.

Luk 10:33 But a Samaritan on his journey came up to him, and when he saw the man, he had compassion.

Luk 10:34 He went over to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

Luk 10:35 The next day he took out two denarii, dollars or Pesos, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, 'Take care of him. When I come back I'll reimburse you for whatever extra you spend.'

It is time for FREEDOM and that YES in Colorado is a Hammer and a wake up sound:

Include my YES

November 3, 2006

The "Colorado Springs Gazette" today endorsed Amendment 44, which would legalize possession of small amounts of marijuana.

"We encourage freedom lovers to vote yes on Amendment 44," the newspaper said on its editorial page. "The long journey toward a more rational and workable national drug control policy begins with a single step."

If the amendment passes, Colorado would become the first state to legalize marijuana. Federal law still bars possession of marijuana, and the nation's drug czar came to Colorado to campaign against the amendment.

The newspaper said the federal drug warriors worry that Colorado's passage would start a flood of legalizations across the country.

Amendment 44 applies only to adults and limits possession to less than an ounce of marijuana. Colorado law would still make it illegal for minors to possess any quantity of the substance.

"A blanket prohibition on the use of certain drugs clearly isn't working," the editorial said. "We have long been on record as questioning the reasons behind and conduct of the so-called war on drugs, an effort that's responsible for thousands of deaths, prison overcrowding and untold misery for a lot of people in a number of countries."

Copyright: 2006: The E.W. Scripps Co.