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Brad Pitt on the War on Drugs
Oct. 14th, 2012 10:46 amI didn't know Brad Pitt was big against the War on Drugs. Though, he does say that his own druggy days are behind him.
_ _ _
Brad Pitt is openly slamming the federal government’s so-called War on Drugs.
It's been "an incredible failure," The Fight Club star told The Huffington Post.
[...]
"The only way to end the war on drugs is to take the profit out of it…we have to look at the what-if-everything-was-legal and people were allowed to make their own choices," he said.
-- ONTD
_ _ _
I agree, of course, but as a practical matter I don't think the issue would help the Democratic cause, which is very much a struggling cause at this point. Naturally, there is no thought of the Republicans taking up the banner of Woodstock and legalized drugs. At the very best, there is a little hope in being able to make some headway in getting marijuana accepted as freely as booze, but even this is highly challenging in our political climate.
_ _ _
Brad Pitt is openly slamming the federal government’s so-called War on Drugs.
It's been "an incredible failure," The Fight Club star told The Huffington Post.
[...]
"The only way to end the war on drugs is to take the profit out of it…we have to look at the what-if-everything-was-legal and people were allowed to make their own choices," he said.
-- ONTD
_ _ _
I agree, of course, but as a practical matter I don't think the issue would help the Democratic cause, which is very much a struggling cause at this point. Naturally, there is no thought of the Republicans taking up the banner of Woodstock and legalized drugs. At the very best, there is a little hope in being able to make some headway in getting marijuana accepted as freely as booze, but even this is highly challenging in our political climate.
Brad Pitt on the War on Drugs
Oct. 14th, 2012 10:46 amI didn't know Brad Pitt was big against the War on Drugs. Though, he does say that his own druggy days are behind him.
_ _ _
Brad Pitt is openly slamming the federal government’s so-called War on Drugs.
It's been "an incredible failure," The Fight Club star told The Huffington Post.
[...]
"The only way to end the war on drugs is to take the profit out of it…we have to look at the what-if-everything-was-legal and people were allowed to make their own choices," he said.
-- ONTD
_ _ _
I agree, of course, but as a practical matter I don't think the issue would help the Democratic cause, which is very much a struggling cause at this point. Naturally, there is no thought of the Republicans taking up the banner of Woodstock and legalized drugs. At the very best, there is a little hope in being able to make some headway in getting marijuana accepted as freely as booze, but even this is highly challenging in our political climate.
_ _ _
Brad Pitt is openly slamming the federal government’s so-called War on Drugs.
It's been "an incredible failure," The Fight Club star told The Huffington Post.
[...]
"The only way to end the war on drugs is to take the profit out of it…we have to look at the what-if-everything-was-legal and people were allowed to make their own choices," he said.
-- ONTD
_ _ _
I agree, of course, but as a practical matter I don't think the issue would help the Democratic cause, which is very much a struggling cause at this point. Naturally, there is no thought of the Republicans taking up the banner of Woodstock and legalized drugs. At the very best, there is a little hope in being able to make some headway in getting marijuana accepted as freely as booze, but even this is highly challenging in our political climate.
Bill Maher on the Drug War
Aug. 8th, 2012 06:00 am“If I could tell [Obama] just one thing, it would be to remind him that each of the last three presidents could have gone to jail in their youth for doing drugs that other Americans are still being punished for. Just getting caught smoking pot once can follow you around for the rest of your life, blocking career and even housing opportunities. Three presidents in a row now have acknowledged partying in their youth. Our drug policy is a glaring hypocrisy.”
-- Bill Maher
Can you imagine what would happen if Obama put decriminalization of pot on his policy agenda? Is there any doubt that he would get killed electorally? So, not only would marijuana remain criminal, you also have a Rrepublican administration doing all those wonderful right-wing things. A liberal Democrat cannot do that, not in this environment of firebrad right-wing enthusiasm and Jesus idolators. A lot of Americans are willing to tolerate a little hypocrisy, but they will not embrace the offical acceptance of the laws of Sodom and Gomorrah.
-- Bill Maher
Can you imagine what would happen if Obama put decriminalization of pot on his policy agenda? Is there any doubt that he would get killed electorally? So, not only would marijuana remain criminal, you also have a Rrepublican administration doing all those wonderful right-wing things. A liberal Democrat cannot do that, not in this environment of firebrad right-wing enthusiasm and Jesus idolators. A lot of Americans are willing to tolerate a little hypocrisy, but they will not embrace the offical acceptance of the laws of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Bill Maher on the Drug War
Aug. 8th, 2012 06:00 am“If I could tell [Obama] just one thing, it would be to remind him that each of the last three presidents could have gone to jail in their youth for doing drugs that other Americans are still being punished for. Just getting caught smoking pot once can follow you around for the rest of your life, blocking career and even housing opportunities. Three presidents in a row now have acknowledged partying in their youth. Our drug policy is a glaring hypocrisy.”
-- Bill Maher
Can you imagine what would happen if Obama put decriminalization of pot on his policy agenda? Is there any doubt that he would get killed electorally? So, not only would marijuana remain criminal, you also have a Rrepublican administration doing all those wonderful right-wing things. A liberal Democrat cannot do that, not in this environment of firebrad right-wing enthusiasm and Jesus idolators. A lot of Americans are willing to tolerate a little hypocrisy, but they will not embrace the offical acceptance of the laws of Sodom and Gomorrah.
-- Bill Maher
Can you imagine what would happen if Obama put decriminalization of pot on his policy agenda? Is there any doubt that he would get killed electorally? So, not only would marijuana remain criminal, you also have a Rrepublican administration doing all those wonderful right-wing things. A liberal Democrat cannot do that, not in this environment of firebrad right-wing enthusiasm and Jesus idolators. A lot of Americans are willing to tolerate a little hypocrisy, but they will not embrace the offical acceptance of the laws of Sodom and Gomorrah.
George Will on the War On Drugs
Apr. 5th, 2012 07:30 pmThe human nervous system interacts in pleasing and addictive ways with certain molecules derived from some plants, which is why humans may have developed beer before they developed bread.
-- George F. Will at The Washington Post
George Will is taking on the problem of illegal drugs and the issue of legalization. But I think our governmenet, whether Republican-controlled or Democrat-controlled, is having too much fun with the War on Drugs for any real changes to be made in the next ten to twenty years.
-- George F. Will at The Washington Post
George Will is taking on the problem of illegal drugs and the issue of legalization. But I think our governmenet, whether Republican-controlled or Democrat-controlled, is having too much fun with the War on Drugs for any real changes to be made in the next ten to twenty years.
George Will on the War On Drugs
Apr. 5th, 2012 07:30 pmThe human nervous system interacts in pleasing and addictive ways with certain molecules derived from some plants, which is why humans may have developed beer before they developed bread.
-- George F. Will at The Washington Post
George Will is taking on the problem of illegal drugs and the issue of legalization. But I think our governmenet, whether Republican-controlled or Democrat-controlled, is having too much fun with the War on Drugs for any real changes to be made in the next ten to twenty years.
-- George F. Will at The Washington Post
George Will is taking on the problem of illegal drugs and the issue of legalization. But I think our governmenet, whether Republican-controlled or Democrat-controlled, is having too much fun with the War on Drugs for any real changes to be made in the next ten to twenty years.
Winning the War on Drugs
Mar. 15th, 2007 07:32 am♠
SAN FRANCISCO, March 14 — Federal appellate judges here ruled Wednesday that a terminally ill woman using marijuana was not immune to federal prosecution simply because of her condition...
On Wednesday, a three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit found that while they sympathized with Ms. Raich’s plight and had seen “uncontroverted evidence” that she needed marijuana to survive, she lacked the legal grounds to exempt herself from federal law.
-- Jesse McKinley for The New York Times
Score another for the War on Drugs!
See, we can win wars. You just got to know how to pick your enemies.
xXx
SAN FRANCISCO, March 14 — Federal appellate judges here ruled Wednesday that a terminally ill woman using marijuana was not immune to federal prosecution simply because of her condition...
On Wednesday, a three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit found that while they sympathized with Ms. Raich’s plight and had seen “uncontroverted evidence” that she needed marijuana to survive, she lacked the legal grounds to exempt herself from federal law.
-- Jesse McKinley for The New York Times
Score another for the War on Drugs!
See, we can win wars. You just got to know how to pick your enemies.
Winning the War on Drugs
Mar. 15th, 2007 07:32 am♠
SAN FRANCISCO, March 14 — Federal appellate judges here ruled Wednesday that a terminally ill woman using marijuana was not immune to federal prosecution simply because of her condition...
On Wednesday, a three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit found that while they sympathized with Ms. Raich’s plight and had seen “uncontroverted evidence” that she needed marijuana to survive, she lacked the legal grounds to exempt herself from federal law.
-- Jesse McKinley for The New York Times
Score another for the War on Drugs!
See, we can win wars. You just got to know how to pick your enemies.
xXx
SAN FRANCISCO, March 14 — Federal appellate judges here ruled Wednesday that a terminally ill woman using marijuana was not immune to federal prosecution simply because of her condition...
On Wednesday, a three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit found that while they sympathized with Ms. Raich’s plight and had seen “uncontroverted evidence” that she needed marijuana to survive, she lacked the legal grounds to exempt herself from federal law.
-- Jesse McKinley for The New York Times
Score another for the War on Drugs!
See, we can win wars. You just got to know how to pick your enemies.
YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!
Dec. 18th, 2006 08:15 am♠
And now another encouraging word from the War on Drugs:
(Source: Eric Bailey for The Los Angeles Times)
xXx
And now another encouraging word from the War on Drugs:
For years, activists in the marijuana legalization movement have claimed that cannabis is America's biggest cash crop. Now they're citing government statistics to prove it.I do not regard this as a particularly celebratory event. I prefer books myself. However, I think this does suggest the insensibility of expending a lot of law enforcement resources on criminalizing marijuana use. Regulate and tax, my friends, regulate and tax! I know government can do that.
A report released today by a marijuana public policy analyst contends that the market value of pot produced in the U.S. exceeds $35 billion — far more than the crop value of such heartland staples as corn, soybeans and hay, which are the top three legal cash crops.
(Source: Eric Bailey for The Los Angeles Times)
YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!
Dec. 18th, 2006 08:15 am♠
And now another encouraging word from the War on Drugs:
(Source: Eric Bailey for The Los Angeles Times)
xXx
And now another encouraging word from the War on Drugs:
For years, activists in the marijuana legalization movement have claimed that cannabis is America's biggest cash crop. Now they're citing government statistics to prove it.I do not regard this as a particularly celebratory event. I prefer books myself. However, I think this does suggest the insensibility of expending a lot of law enforcement resources on criminalizing marijuana use. Regulate and tax, my friends, regulate and tax! I know government can do that.
A report released today by a marijuana public policy analyst contends that the market value of pot produced in the U.S. exceeds $35 billion — far more than the crop value of such heartland staples as corn, soybeans and hay, which are the top three legal cash crops.
(Source: Eric Bailey for The Los Angeles Times)
This Is My Brain on WHAT?!?
Aug. 31st, 2006 04:38 pm♠
Watching cable news last evening, I saw the wave of stories about new studies concluding that those government commercials shooing kids away from drugs do not work. It is suggested that kids actually find the commercials encouraging, because it projects a picture of drug-use being common and hence popular.
They aired the old commercials, and it made Monk feel nostalgic. Those commercials somehow feel like part of his growing up, or his coming of age. We are talking about the ones using eggs, 'This is your brain. And this is your brain on drugs.' Sizzle, sizzle! As well as the later variations, including the cute, busty brunette in a tight t-shirt smashing a frying pan around the kitchen.
One might think that declaratory messages coming from on high would not work so well in the world of teens. We know that they are just trying to keep us down, and we just want to be free and have some fun. Peers rule!
Nevertheless, it is striking how much of an impression such a relatively small advertising campaign can have. It is a part of our lives, something we have shared in common, and made fun of together.
Anyway, I thought I'd also include a John Tierney column from a few days ago, contrasting the situation in America with our War on Drugs against the situation in the Netherlands and its liberality. Maybe we really just need more freedom and fewer wars.
( Tierney column )
xXx
Watching cable news last evening, I saw the wave of stories about new studies concluding that those government commercials shooing kids away from drugs do not work. It is suggested that kids actually find the commercials encouraging, because it projects a picture of drug-use being common and hence popular.
They aired the old commercials, and it made Monk feel nostalgic. Those commercials somehow feel like part of his growing up, or his coming of age. We are talking about the ones using eggs, 'This is your brain. And this is your brain on drugs.' Sizzle, sizzle! As well as the later variations, including the cute, busty brunette in a tight t-shirt smashing a frying pan around the kitchen.
One might think that declaratory messages coming from on high would not work so well in the world of teens. We know that they are just trying to keep us down, and we just want to be free and have some fun. Peers rule!
Nevertheless, it is striking how much of an impression such a relatively small advertising campaign can have. It is a part of our lives, something we have shared in common, and made fun of together.
Anyway, I thought I'd also include a John Tierney column from a few days ago, contrasting the situation in America with our War on Drugs against the situation in the Netherlands and its liberality. Maybe we really just need more freedom and fewer wars.
( Tierney column )
This Is My Brain on WHAT?!?
Aug. 31st, 2006 04:38 pm♠
Watching cable news last evening, I saw the wave of stories about new studies concluding that those government commercials shooing kids away from drugs do not work. It is suggested that kids actually find the commercials encouraging, because it projects a picture of drug-use being common and hence popular.
They aired the old commercials, and it made Monk feel nostalgic. Those commercials somehow feel like part of his growing up, or his coming of age. We are talking about the ones using eggs, 'This is your brain. And this is your brain on drugs.' Sizzle, sizzle! As well as the later variations, including the cute, busty brunette in a tight t-shirt smashing a frying pan around the kitchen.
One might think that declaratory messages coming from on high would not work so well in the world of teens. We know that they are just trying to keep us down, and we just want to be free and have some fun. Peers rule!
Nevertheless, it is striking how much of an impression such a relatively small advertising campaign can have. It is a part of our lives, something we have shared in common, and made fun of together.
Anyway, I thought I'd also include a John Tierney column from a few days ago, contrasting the situation in America with our War on Drugs against the situation in the Netherlands and its liberality. Maybe we really just need more freedom and fewer wars.
( Tierney column )
xXx
Watching cable news last evening, I saw the wave of stories about new studies concluding that those government commercials shooing kids away from drugs do not work. It is suggested that kids actually find the commercials encouraging, because it projects a picture of drug-use being common and hence popular.
They aired the old commercials, and it made Monk feel nostalgic. Those commercials somehow feel like part of his growing up, or his coming of age. We are talking about the ones using eggs, 'This is your brain. And this is your brain on drugs.' Sizzle, sizzle! As well as the later variations, including the cute, busty brunette in a tight t-shirt smashing a frying pan around the kitchen.
One might think that declaratory messages coming from on high would not work so well in the world of teens. We know that they are just trying to keep us down, and we just want to be free and have some fun. Peers rule!
Nevertheless, it is striking how much of an impression such a relatively small advertising campaign can have. It is a part of our lives, something we have shared in common, and made fun of together.
Anyway, I thought I'd also include a John Tierney column from a few days ago, contrasting the situation in America with our War on Drugs against the situation in the Netherlands and its liberality. Maybe we really just need more freedom and fewer wars.
( Tierney column )
Canada's Island of Misfit Toys
May. 24th, 2006 08:02 am♠
“Viewed from the prism of the N.F.L., the Canadian league is a quirky cousin, a pass-happy place with three downs instead of four, and an odd rush of receivers sprinting toward the line of scrimmage before the snap. It has long been a sort of island of misfit toys, filled largely with players who do not conform to N.F.L. standards and players hoping to use it as a steppingstone to the N.F.L.”
-- John Branch for The NY Times
With America cracking down harder on drug use in professional sports, Mr. Branch reports on how some football players get a second chance in Canada to play professional ball, as the Canadians are shrewd enough not to have drug tests.
Such is the case with Mr. R. Jay Soward, for example, who signed on with the Jacksonville Jaguars for a five-year, five and a half million dollar contract, but after getting washed out with bad drug tests and subsequently falling into alcoholism, he has found something of a second chance playing for Canada's Argonauts for fifty-thousand-dollars a year. It beats construction work.
xXx
“Viewed from the prism of the N.F.L., the Canadian league is a quirky cousin, a pass-happy place with three downs instead of four, and an odd rush of receivers sprinting toward the line of scrimmage before the snap. It has long been a sort of island of misfit toys, filled largely with players who do not conform to N.F.L. standards and players hoping to use it as a steppingstone to the N.F.L.”
-- John Branch for The NY Times
With America cracking down harder on drug use in professional sports, Mr. Branch reports on how some football players get a second chance in Canada to play professional ball, as the Canadians are shrewd enough not to have drug tests.
Such is the case with Mr. R. Jay Soward, for example, who signed on with the Jacksonville Jaguars for a five-year, five and a half million dollar contract, but after getting washed out with bad drug tests and subsequently falling into alcoholism, he has found something of a second chance playing for Canada's Argonauts for fifty-thousand-dollars a year. It beats construction work.
Canada's Island of Misfit Toys
May. 24th, 2006 08:02 am♠
“Viewed from the prism of the N.F.L., the Canadian league is a quirky cousin, a pass-happy place with three downs instead of four, and an odd rush of receivers sprinting toward the line of scrimmage before the snap. It has long been a sort of island of misfit toys, filled largely with players who do not conform to N.F.L. standards and players hoping to use it as a steppingstone to the N.F.L.”
-- John Branch for The NY Times
With America cracking down harder on drug use in professional sports, Mr. Branch reports on how some football players get a second chance in Canada to play professional ball, as the Canadians are shrewd enough not to have drug tests.
Such is the case with Mr. R. Jay Soward, for example, who signed on with the Jacksonville Jaguars for a five-year, five and a half million dollar contract, but after getting washed out with bad drug tests and subsequently falling into alcoholism, he has found something of a second chance playing for Canada's Argonauts for fifty-thousand-dollars a year. It beats construction work.
xXx
“Viewed from the prism of the N.F.L., the Canadian league is a quirky cousin, a pass-happy place with three downs instead of four, and an odd rush of receivers sprinting toward the line of scrimmage before the snap. It has long been a sort of island of misfit toys, filled largely with players who do not conform to N.F.L. standards and players hoping to use it as a steppingstone to the N.F.L.”
-- John Branch for The NY Times
With America cracking down harder on drug use in professional sports, Mr. Branch reports on how some football players get a second chance in Canada to play professional ball, as the Canadians are shrewd enough not to have drug tests.
Such is the case with Mr. R. Jay Soward, for example, who signed on with the Jacksonville Jaguars for a five-year, five and a half million dollar contract, but after getting washed out with bad drug tests and subsequently falling into alcoholism, he has found something of a second chance playing for Canada's Argonauts for fifty-thousand-dollars a year. It beats construction work.
♠
Of 629 convenience stores in the six-county area in the sting, 80 percent are owned or operated by whites, according to the A.C.L.U.'s court filing, but fewer than 1 percent of the stores in the sting are white-owned or operated. The filing said the clerk at the only white-operated store was known widely as a methamphetamine addict whose husband was in prison for making the drug. None of the Indians charged are accused of using or making methamphetamine.
-- Kate Zernike for The NY Times
The A.C.L.U. brings to light a little racist mischief in Georgia law enforcement. It is a reminder that this sort of racism is not something relegated to history, and that the A.C.L.U. is not just an extremist pinko organization as conservative Republicans would have it. It is a story that charges the blood in the morning, though the chill then follows.
( Zernike article )
xXx
Of 629 convenience stores in the six-county area in the sting, 80 percent are owned or operated by whites, according to the A.C.L.U.'s court filing, but fewer than 1 percent of the stores in the sting are white-owned or operated. The filing said the clerk at the only white-operated store was known widely as a methamphetamine addict whose husband was in prison for making the drug. None of the Indians charged are accused of using or making methamphetamine.
-- Kate Zernike for The NY Times
The A.C.L.U. brings to light a little racist mischief in Georgia law enforcement. It is a reminder that this sort of racism is not something relegated to history, and that the A.C.L.U. is not just an extremist pinko organization as conservative Republicans would have it. It is a story that charges the blood in the morning, though the chill then follows.
( Zernike article )
♠
Of 629 convenience stores in the six-county area in the sting, 80 percent are owned or operated by whites, according to the A.C.L.U.'s court filing, but fewer than 1 percent of the stores in the sting are white-owned or operated. The filing said the clerk at the only white-operated store was known widely as a methamphetamine addict whose husband was in prison for making the drug. None of the Indians charged are accused of using or making methamphetamine.
-- Kate Zernike for The NY Times
The A.C.L.U. brings to light a little racist mischief in Georgia law enforcement. It is a reminder that this sort of racism is not something relegated to history, and that the A.C.L.U. is not just an extremist pinko organization as conservative Republicans would have it. It is a story that charges the blood in the morning, though the chill then follows.
( Zernike article )
xXx
Of 629 convenience stores in the six-county area in the sting, 80 percent are owned or operated by whites, according to the A.C.L.U.'s court filing, but fewer than 1 percent of the stores in the sting are white-owned or operated. The filing said the clerk at the only white-operated store was known widely as a methamphetamine addict whose husband was in prison for making the drug. None of the Indians charged are accused of using or making methamphetamine.
-- Kate Zernike for The NY Times
The A.C.L.U. brings to light a little racist mischief in Georgia law enforcement. It is a reminder that this sort of racism is not something relegated to history, and that the A.C.L.U. is not just an extremist pinko organization as conservative Republicans would have it. It is a story that charges the blood in the morning, though the chill then follows.
( Zernike article )
Making Marijuana a Mortal Sin
Oct. 18th, 2005 12:29 pm♠
"It's all about accountability," the angel Nathanael said. "The rule of the Lord affords the complementary blessings of freedom and responsibility, and provides the governing framework under which man is punished or rewarded according to his deeds. The rules are very simple: You do the crime, you do the time. Eternity, in this case."
... Horowitz said that while drug offenders are literally rotting away in Hell, serial killers and other dangerous sinners are receiving "mere Purgatorial sentences, thanks to the asking-for-forgiveness loophole." Purgatory is a minimum-security state of limbo that affords its occupants the opportunity to repent their sins and eventually gain admittance to Heaven on good behavior.
"Drug offenders, many of whom have committed no prior mortal sin, rack up infinite consecutive life sentences," Horowitz said. "Meanwhile, rapists say they're sorry, recite a few Hail Marys, and wind up basking in God's divine radiance within 10 years."
-- The Onion, "Report: 92 Percent Of Souls In Hell There On Drug Charges"
Andrew Sullivan pointed the way to this spoof on the Administration's War on Drugs on the same day that he points out a report by the Marijuana Policy Project that concludes that 2004 saw more marijuana arrests (771,605) than arrests for violent crime (590,258), and that eighty-nine percent of these marijuana arrests were for mere possession.
Although one would like to think that this could be a reflection of America's low rate of violent crimes, this is more likely another good indication of the Administration's misplaced priorities - that distortive, warped lens through which our conservatives view problems and policies. When it comes to this War on Drugs, I was going to say let's make love, not war, until I remembered that we also have a War on Porn going on. We obviously do not have enough wars going on that we must make more up.
Monk is one to believe that life is a war of all against all, but this is too much even for his own Hobbesian heart.
xXx
"It's all about accountability," the angel Nathanael said. "The rule of the Lord affords the complementary blessings of freedom and responsibility, and provides the governing framework under which man is punished or rewarded according to his deeds. The rules are very simple: You do the crime, you do the time. Eternity, in this case."
... Horowitz said that while drug offenders are literally rotting away in Hell, serial killers and other dangerous sinners are receiving "mere Purgatorial sentences, thanks to the asking-for-forgiveness loophole." Purgatory is a minimum-security state of limbo that affords its occupants the opportunity to repent their sins and eventually gain admittance to Heaven on good behavior.
"Drug offenders, many of whom have committed no prior mortal sin, rack up infinite consecutive life sentences," Horowitz said. "Meanwhile, rapists say they're sorry, recite a few Hail Marys, and wind up basking in God's divine radiance within 10 years."
-- The Onion, "Report: 92 Percent Of Souls In Hell There On Drug Charges"
Andrew Sullivan pointed the way to this spoof on the Administration's War on Drugs on the same day that he points out a report by the Marijuana Policy Project that concludes that 2004 saw more marijuana arrests (771,605) than arrests for violent crime (590,258), and that eighty-nine percent of these marijuana arrests were for mere possession.
Although one would like to think that this could be a reflection of America's low rate of violent crimes, this is more likely another good indication of the Administration's misplaced priorities - that distortive, warped lens through which our conservatives view problems and policies. When it comes to this War on Drugs, I was going to say let's make love, not war, until I remembered that we also have a War on Porn going on. We obviously do not have enough wars going on that we must make more up.
Monk is one to believe that life is a war of all against all, but this is too much even for his own Hobbesian heart.
Making Marijuana a Mortal Sin
Oct. 18th, 2005 12:29 pm♠
"It's all about accountability," the angel Nathanael said. "The rule of the Lord affords the complementary blessings of freedom and responsibility, and provides the governing framework under which man is punished or rewarded according to his deeds. The rules are very simple: You do the crime, you do the time. Eternity, in this case."
... Horowitz said that while drug offenders are literally rotting away in Hell, serial killers and other dangerous sinners are receiving "mere Purgatorial sentences, thanks to the asking-for-forgiveness loophole." Purgatory is a minimum-security state of limbo that affords its occupants the opportunity to repent their sins and eventually gain admittance to Heaven on good behavior.
"Drug offenders, many of whom have committed no prior mortal sin, rack up infinite consecutive life sentences," Horowitz said. "Meanwhile, rapists say they're sorry, recite a few Hail Marys, and wind up basking in God's divine radiance within 10 years."
-- The Onion, "Report: 92 Percent Of Souls In Hell There On Drug Charges"
Andrew Sullivan pointed the way to this spoof on the Administration's War on Drugs on the same day that he points out a report by the Marijuana Policy Project that concludes that 2004 saw more marijuana arrests (771,605) than arrests for violent crime (590,258), and that eighty-nine percent of these marijuana arrests were for mere possession.
Although one would like to think that this could be a reflection of America's low rate of violent crimes, this is more likely another good indication of the Administration's misplaced priorities - that distortive, warped lens through which our conservatives view problems and policies. When it comes to this War on Drugs, I was going to say let's make love, not war, until I remembered that we also have a War on Porn going on. We obviously do not have enough wars going on that we must make more up.
Monk is one to believe that life is a war of all against all, but this is too much even for his own Hobbesian heart.
xXx
"It's all about accountability," the angel Nathanael said. "The rule of the Lord affords the complementary blessings of freedom and responsibility, and provides the governing framework under which man is punished or rewarded according to his deeds. The rules are very simple: You do the crime, you do the time. Eternity, in this case."
... Horowitz said that while drug offenders are literally rotting away in Hell, serial killers and other dangerous sinners are receiving "mere Purgatorial sentences, thanks to the asking-for-forgiveness loophole." Purgatory is a minimum-security state of limbo that affords its occupants the opportunity to repent their sins and eventually gain admittance to Heaven on good behavior.
"Drug offenders, many of whom have committed no prior mortal sin, rack up infinite consecutive life sentences," Horowitz said. "Meanwhile, rapists say they're sorry, recite a few Hail Marys, and wind up basking in God's divine radiance within 10 years."
-- The Onion, "Report: 92 Percent Of Souls In Hell There On Drug Charges"
Andrew Sullivan pointed the way to this spoof on the Administration's War on Drugs on the same day that he points out a report by the Marijuana Policy Project that concludes that 2004 saw more marijuana arrests (771,605) than arrests for violent crime (590,258), and that eighty-nine percent of these marijuana arrests were for mere possession.
Although one would like to think that this could be a reflection of America's low rate of violent crimes, this is more likely another good indication of the Administration's misplaced priorities - that distortive, warped lens through which our conservatives view problems and policies. When it comes to this War on Drugs, I was going to say let's make love, not war, until I remembered that we also have a War on Porn going on. We obviously do not have enough wars going on that we must make more up.
Monk is one to believe that life is a war of all against all, but this is too much even for his own Hobbesian heart.
