cannabisnews.com: Case Against Amendment 44 Mighty Dopey Case Against Amendment 44 Mighty Dopey Posted by CN Staff on October 30, 2006 at 06:07:30 PT By Clay Evans, Camera Staff Writer Source: Daily Camera Colorado -- I was on an RTD bus recently when two young buffoons sparked up a doobie a couple rows behind me. I turned and stared as these clowns tried to hide their joint and hold searing lungfuls of smoke until I turned away. "Put it out," I said. "I don't want it in my face." "What?" one replied. So I reported the miscreants, and the driver kicked them off at the next stop — just a few blocks from where they'd barely managed to scrape together enough change for fare to Longmont. As the old commercial said, "Why do you think they call it dope?" I recount that tale so you don't think I'm just some scammin' pothead when I say we should pass Amendment 44, which would "legalize ... the possession of up to one ounce of marijuana for adults 21 years of age and older" in Colorado. Oddly, all the argument you need in favor of the amendment can be found in the flimsy, speculative, unsupported "Arguments Against" in the 2006 election "blue book" produced by the Legislative Council: "Marijuana may lead a person to use or possess other illegal drugs." Note the word "may." This old "gateway" argument has been largely discredited. Some pot smokers move on to "harder stuff," but the same can be said for those who drink alcohol or use nicotine. But substances don't create addicts; in most cases, there is an underlying psychological reason for drug use, abuse and addiction. "The only safe alternative to alcohol or drug intoxication is sobriety." I agree. But history demonstrates that prohibition doesn't lead to sobriety. "Policy discussions should not focus on whether alcohol or marijuana is a safer drug...." Pot can, and does, ruin lives; I've seen it. But let's not be asinine: Pot is a wisp of smoke next to the bonfire of destructiveness caused by booze, our special friend, which inspires cute commercials and strikingly juvenile behavior among supposed adults. (Eavesdrop sometime on grownups talking about how very clever they are for drinking alcohol or getting wasted.) "Colorado should enforce, not repeal, drug laws." No reason given here, but let's play this throwaway line. Let's go after and imprison — since our laws are focused on incarceration, not treatment — every citizen who breaks a drug law. Are you ready to pay the taxes to keep 'em all locked up, and for the reams of police we'll need to hire? Besides, the problem isn't so much that the laws aren't enforced, but that they are unenforceable. And having unenforceable laws inevitably leads to unequal treatment and a dwindling respect for the law. As Albert Einstein said in 1921, with regard to alcohol prohibition, "Nothing is more destructive of respect for the government and the law ... than passing laws which cannot be enforced. It is an open secret that the dangerous increase of crime in this country is closely connected with this." Ditto for 2006, with regard to drug prohibition. Even if Amendment 44 were to pass, federal anti-marijuana laws — which supersede state law — would still be enforceable. But federal officers generally aren't interested in small-fry. Trying to undo the foolish, feel-good, failed "war on drugs" state by state is inefficient. But since the feds remain slavishly devoted to wasting billions on an ineffective law-enforcement solution to a public-health problem, to filling up prisons with non-violent offenders — usually without addressing their underlying addiction, so that most go right back to using drugs as soon as they are released — this is the only way to do it. Source: Daily Camera (Boulder, CO)Author: Clay Evans, Camera Staff WriterPublished: October 29, 2006Copyright: 2006 The Daily CameraWebsite: http://www.dailycamera.com/Contact: openforum dailycamera.comRelated Articles & Web Sites:Safer Choicehttp://www.saferchoice.org/Safer Coloradohttp://www.safercolorado.org/ Officials, Pro-44 Lobbyists Clashhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22331.shtmlOpponents, Proponents Tangle Over MJ Ballothttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22330.shtmlSafety at Heart of Pot Debatehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22317.shtmlNo Logical Reason To Punish Adults for Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22312.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #32 posted by museman on October 31, 2006 at 10:03:24 PT FoM Thanks for it.I got online to promote my musical/spiritual 'agenda,' and then discovered the carnival, and the community. I have said before that, though I have attempted to interact with other online forums, only here have I felt welcome, and able to make some useful contribution. The over all babble of voices just outside these pages contrasts Cnews's uniqueness, and a startling degree of purety not found (at least by me) 'out there.' I am comfortable here, and for me that is saying a lot believe me. [ Post Comment ] Comment #31 posted by FoM on October 31, 2006 at 09:21:05 PT museman My husband and I sound a lot like you and your wife. If it wasn't for the Internet I wouldn't have gotten involved like I have. I love to use the Internet for learning not just activism. I do look forward to a day when my job here is done but I don't think it will be for quite a while. What a battle it has been. The one thing I am happy about is all the good people I have talked to on CNews. [ Post Comment ] Comment #30 posted by museman on October 31, 2006 at 09:09:53 PT FoM She keeps me from going too far into my 'barking dog' attitude, and I keep her from flying away into eternal bliss too soon. We have 'been through it' and the strength of our original committment to The Great Spirit has seen us through all of it. Perfect we are not however, and both of us are rather anti-social. If it weren't for this overpowering need to do something about the mess humanity, and the earth is in, we'd be quite content to live out our days as far away as we could get from the teeming masses. We can't quite do that however, so we just take things and people as they come...and they do come, believe me. [ Post Comment ] Comment #29 posted by FoM on October 31, 2006 at 08:38:46 PT Museman I bet I would get along just fine with Mrs. Museman. She seems so nice. [ Post Comment ] Comment #28 posted by museman on October 31, 2006 at 08:28:05 PT Hope,G_W "Mrs. museman" has a better sense of humor than me, and she is a confirmed passifist/follower of YSHWH - no gunning for folks from her.Hope, I am honored to be 'paired up' with your well grounded understandings.G_W, you are an amazing person yourself.P.S. I already voted. I wish I was still living in Colorado so I could vote on 44. I hope to see all these gaudy republican posters quietly disappear the day after. [ Post Comment ] Comment #27 posted by Hope on October 31, 2006 at 00:45:23 PT Oh my gosh, gw! You do have an imagination.Mrs. Museman might come a huntin you and me both!You're sweet though.I didn't know I was strong. I thought I was just stubborn. Thank you for thinking so, though. [ Post Comment ] Comment #26 posted by whig on October 30, 2006 at 22:44:15 PT PainWithNoInsurance So what you're saying is that neuroleptics are dope?You'd be right. [ Post Comment ] Comment #25 posted by PainWithNoInsurance on October 30, 2006 at 22:27:57 PT Call it Dope Call it dope, but pharmacy dope is some of the worst of all dopes. When our government has to hold a gun to our heads to get us to take pharmacy dope, that's proof that pharmacy dope is not as good as they hope it to be.Some of the worst things we consume in life come from man made chemisty and pharmacy dope is the king of the chem lab. I've heard alot about how man made food stuff is so bad for our health, and it makes me wonder why these things remain legal. At lease New York is doing something about trans fats and getting some fast food companies to change to natural oils. Why has the FDA allowed trans fats for so long if it is hurting our health? This is just one example of why health insurance cost is so expensive in America. They say the people US is the sickest in the world. [ Post Comment ] Comment #24 posted by global_warming on October 30, 2006 at 16:15:43 PT What ! Its only Monday Night [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by global_warming on October 30, 2006 at 16:06:32 PT re:by the testimony of two or three witnesses Mat 18:15 "If your brother sins against you, go and rebuke him in private. If he listens to you, you have won your brother.Mat 18:16 But if he won't listen, take one or two more with you, so that by the testimony of two or three witnesses every fact may be established.Mat 18:17 If he pays no attention to them, tell the church. But if he doesn't pay attention even to the church, let him be like an unbeliever and a tax collector to you.Mat 18:18 I assure you: Whatever you bind on earth is already bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth is already loosed in heaven.Mat 18:19 Again, I assure you: If two of you on earth agree about any matter that you pray for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven.Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there among them." [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by global_warming on October 30, 2006 at 15:52:12 PT re: what is that doubt Time to chooseThat idol you are hiding behindWas placed by 'me [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by global_warming on October 30, 2006 at 15:41:44 PT re: too much What is 7 or 8 days when the people voteI vote YesI vote end Cannabis ProhibitionI vote for FREEDOMI bow before father universeI bow before mother loveI will use every power that i haveto change this world [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by global_warming on October 30, 2006 at 15:33:12 PT re: as your heart chose You blinkedI did mention something about that blink,that one twinkleseeing is the beginninguse your good hand watch with your good eyeYES to tomorrow [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by FoM on October 30, 2006 at 15:32:13 PT global_warming I could see Museman and Hope getting married!Oh my! Mr. Hope and Mrs Museman might not like that! Too Much! LOL! [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by global_warming on October 30, 2006 at 15:23:22 PT re: who can say In this digital timewho can say? [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by global_warming on October 30, 2006 at 15:19:56 PT re: subject I could see Museman and Hope getting marriedHis Wisdom and Her StrengthSparks into the Night.Eternity is looking in the wedding roomA vote for YES is VoteIt is TimeInstead of bombsCan "We bring Healing HerbsMay "We Gather and Grasp Our Place [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by global_warming on October 30, 2006 at 15:05:54 PT re: subject But when you give to the poor, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,Mat 6:4 So that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. so that your giving "hand" may be in secret, much like that Good Eye. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.YES [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by global_warming on October 30, 2006 at 14:49:05 PT re: addressing their underlying addiction "Trying to undo the foolish, feel-good, failed "war on drugs" state by state is inefficient. But since the feds remain slavishly devoted to wasting billions on an ineffective law-enforcement solution to a public-health problem, to filling up prisons with non-violent offenders — usually without addressing their underlying addiction, so that most go right back to using drugs as soon as they are released — this is the only way to do it."It is going to happen state by state, starting with a Yes vote in Colorado and Nevada, 'We The People do not like the tone of this Legislature, "We The People Vote to Change the Law. [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by whig on October 30, 2006 at 12:48:04 PT FoM Colorado has their own Media Matters? Excellent! [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by FoM on October 30, 2006 at 12:28:39 PT Related News from Colorado Media Matters "Gunny" Bob said "brownshirt tactics" of pro-Amendment 44 protesters reminded him of "Ku Klux Klan," "Nazi Germany and Hitler's rise to power"URL and Audio: http://colorado.mediamatters.org/items/200610300002 [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by FoM on October 30, 2006 at 12:17:38 PT museman Wow what an experience that must have been for you and your wife by home birthing. That is amazing and I admire that you were able to go that route. Our young friends will get by but it will make it hard for him to ever buy ground to build a home of his own. This is his trade and he is good and he could do it and do it well but credit problems will keep them from achieving that dream and that is very sad to me. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by FoM on October 30, 2006 at 12:10:56 PT Just a Comment About Weeds Tonight is the finale. It seems from last weeks preview someone might get killed. Maybe not but that's what I think. This series has been very entertaining. It has nothing to do with activism but it has a good cast and I hope it is brought back for a 3rd season. I got my vanilla ice cream and root beer this week. LOL! [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by museman on October 30, 2006 at 12:09:20 PT FoM And it is directly attributed to the kind of enforced ignorance of the so many government 'social programs' laid on the economicly unendowed by the empowered elite, and their agendas of dominion. The idea, for example, that it is absolutely necessary to leave all medical responsibility and treatment to the select few (called dr.s), instead of the experience of many who have lived the situations, is an enforced ignorance. As example; My first child was born in the hospital- owing to that very ignorance I was referring, but because of that experience I learned that I would never again willngly subject my wife, or my child to be to such circumstance and conditions. I went on to home birth the other 6. I learned what was necessary, and delivered them myself. No Dr.s fees, nothing except having to avoid being charged by the state or county for 'practicing medicine without a license.'You know what? Like so many other things that have been 'natural conditions', and common knowledge of life, that have been co-opted by the owners of wealth, re-arranged to suit their comfort, and sold back to us as some kind of limited user agreement-like our life was software owned by the government, and only leased to us for the daily fees, taxes, and contributions of time and labor, that we render to those who rule that game,...(inhale) this situation to which you refer is a result of social ignorance, misplaced morality, and erroneous delegation of authority. Not the fault of the people who struggle for the most part unaware that they've been used, abused, and taken for a ride, but the fault, and the responsibility is getting easier and easier to see as we approach the next terminus of civilization. Corruption, bigotry, prejudice, arrogance- all negative human attributes that stink, that have a spiritual odor of death and destruction, and right now the world is getting a real big whiff of it.I guess what I am saying, is that like your young couple, america has let their 'leaders' lead them down a rosy path to nowhere, when at any time every one of us has had other options. Life is a risky business, the idea of insuring it is ludicrous. Doctors, Lawyers, Politicans, "professionals" all, but only human beings granted powers beyond the common, who make both common and uncommon mistakes.If I were them I'd take advantage of the time remaining before 'debtors prisons' are added to the growing industry, and ignore the collection agency, unless of course they are worried about their credit rating.It is unfortunate that decent hard-working folks should have to resort to such, but we may have to resort to a whole lot more before too long. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by FoM on October 30, 2006 at 11:46:35 PT Celaya I probably did click on the wrong link. I am glad to know that Colorado might be getting a Democrat as the new Governor. If for some reason it doesn't pass this year if a Democrat wins I bet it will win next year. I'm not saying it won't pass this time but I do know the fight has been a very hard one. Mason has done a good job. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by Celaya on October 30, 2006 at 11:42:53 PT FoM Nobody sounded like Limbaugh or talked about Michael J. Fox. I think you must have clicked on the wrong button. Anyway, you didn't miss much. I think the debate has achieved all it's going to. I'm ready for the vote! [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by FoM on October 30, 2006 at 11:37:08 PT museman I understand what you mean. You're welcome too. We have been working on our house and the one young man that is a good person, a talented person and a young man with a new wife and baby is being hurt by the system already. He didn't get married until he was 30 or a little older. He has spent his life learning all about construction and wood work. He is polite and tries very hard. Yesterday they had to rush their new baby to the hospital. He doesn't have insurance because when you are self employed it costs way too much money. He has to pay for the birth of the baby and his wife's after care. This is an example of why I feel so many talented young people get stopped in life and can't get ahead. The system allows for many young men and couples to just fall thru the cracks and it's wrong. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by museman on October 30, 2006 at 11:15:46 PT FoM It's good to be appreciated. Diversity and difference is an intended blessing, even if ignorance renders it a curse. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by FoM on October 30, 2006 at 11:04:15 PT Celaya I was trying to get the program but I only got news that sounded like Rush Limbaugh's voice when he was insulting Michael J. Fox so I kept turning it off and tried again but it seemed so right wing maybe I didn't try very hard to get it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Celaya on October 30, 2006 at 10:53:32 PT The "Unfair Protestors" I just got through listening to the debate between Tvert and the DEA guy on Denver's KOA radio. The debate was nothing much new. Tvert did good. The DEA guy said Ammendment 44 would cause more crime. What was really onerous is the announcer went on in the next hour to rail against the protestors who were at capitol building protesting the government drive to defeat Ammendment 44. This guy went on and on how it was terrible that the protestors were not allowing the governor to speak and shouting him down.People that called in were supporting his view, so I called to give some balance. Some guy came on and screened me and when he found I was in support of the protestors, he said, "Sorry, we can't use you."So much for fair and balanced.If I had been able to speak, I would have said the real issue here is CONTEXT. Who can blame the few daring marijuana consumers for being exhuberant and, yes, angry, for the decades-long suppression of their point of view?What they did, a lot of shouting, is pretty typical for protestors and doesn't really do any harm. What the government does, however, is a REAL suppression of free speech. Anyone who speaks out in support of marijuana reform becomes an immediate suspect and may soon find themselves in jail. Just ask Loretta Nall. That's exactly what happened to her. She wrote an article to the newspaper supporting marijuana reform, and a few days later, was raided by the police. Helicopters and all.So, we have many millions of people who are intimidated into silence. If anything, those protestors who came out should each be given a medal for their bravery and willingness to stand up for the millions of people who can't.I'm so sick of this land of bigotry. One of the many damages done by marijuana prohibition is that it sends the message that, "It's okay to hate!" And there's lots of people ready to jump on the bigot wagon.I think a big force behind maintaining marijuana prohibition are the large corporations. They want to continue to be able to exclude or get rid of people who smoke pot on the weekends. They just don't like them. They're not "our kind of people." But if marijuana prohibition was over, they wouldn't be able to give urine tests anymore. They wouldn't be able to deny people employment because they smoke pot on Saturday instead of drinking beer.The land of hate and fear. And they still want to think of themselves as "the good guys."[Retch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!] [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on October 30, 2006 at 10:33:25 PT museman I want you to know that I really appreciate your comments. My husband does too. I have always felt like a person who is not worthy in the eyes of the self righteous right for lack of a better way of saying it. I don't fight with them for the same reason Michael J. Fox won't bother. They aren't worth my time and energy. I just turn my back and go about my life my way. My father told me to always do it my own way. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by museman on October 30, 2006 at 10:27:21 PT scammin potheads Labels, profiles, and stereotyping. Nothing like an arrogant, judgemental, bigoted uphoder of the status quo switching sides in a war that should never have been in the first place.It's nice that some few right-wingers should justify their attitudes by making marijuana legalization 'the lesser of two evils' kind of like contemporary elections, but personally I think these disrespectful 'dopes' (i.e. 'stupids') should not be allowed in the playing field. Talk about 'mixed messages!'I understand the tactics of making a case for the failure of prohibition along economic lines, and 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend', but do I have to accept the blatant insult and disrespect of such persons just so I can gain back some of my personal liberties?It's nice that a person can feel empowered enough to tell a smoker on a bus to 'put it out'. Having things you don't like thrust in your face, isn't pleasant for anyone.Personally, I respect other people's space, and would never 'blow smoke' into that sanctum. However, I have to ask, "Where is my empowerment?" When I am forced to have to witness, day in and day out, the pure idiocy of right-wing prejudice, mockery, condemnation for everything that doesn't fit into their narrow confines of the status quo, when I have to 'bite my tongue' in public because some undead politician states an unequivacable lie as the truth, and then tells me that to disagree is treasonable?Sure, legalize pot, says this person, it's a disease, a social problem. Well I know without a doubt that the greater disease is within the condemning heart. And even as I personally try to forgive the daily crimes against myself, humanity, and the rest of the world, when people like this get heard because a few of their words are barely in agreement with the anti-prohibition, I have to restrain myself from losing my breakfast. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on October 30, 2006 at 10:05:40 PT Press Release from MPP Radio Ad Blasts "War on Terror" Priorities***October 30, 2006MPP Ad Slams Administration for Cutting Anti-Terror Funds While Arresting Medical Marijuana PatientsWASHINGTON, D.C. — The latest spot in an ongoing series of radio ads from the Washington, D.C.-based Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) blasts the federal government for taking anti-terrorism funds away from target cities like Washington, D.C. and New York City while using federal tax dollars to arrest and prosecute patients using medical marijuana legally under state law.URL: http://tinyurl.com/sz5tw [ Post Comment ] Post Comment