I love Ians link with Alice In Wonderland ie: Allison Wonderland. Fits perfect with our group! OR?, hmmmm...didn't David still need a job? hehehe, no wonder he's so mmmellllowwwww :)
what is the mark of a free society? This has been a central question in social and political theory for over 200 years and one of the clearestanswers to it was given by the 19th century English philosopher John Stuart Mill.In his essay On LibertyMill lays down and defends what he refers to as "one very simple principle" by which relations between society and the individual ought to be governed. A society, according to Mill, has the right to interfere in the freedom of choice of the individual only in the interest of preventing harm to others. Preventing harm to the individual him or herself is not a sufficient justification, and the social enforcement of a moral or religious ideals in the name of 'society' is even less defensible.
_____________________________________________
One body of evidence is the high level of crime that surrounds drug trafficking. Drug related theft, burglary and even murder are common features of daily news reports, and fairly common features of many ordinary people's lives. By contrast, with a very few exceptions, the trade in cigarettes and alcohol is restricted and orderly. But in assessing the relevance of this difference we need to look fairly closely at cause and effect. Are these drugs illegal because they cause theft and violence, or do they cause theft and violence because they are illegal? Once again, the evidence is far from certain, but we have the experiment of alcohol prohibition in the US to suggest that equal levels of violence and gangsterism could surround alcohol if it too were illegal. This is partly, perhaps mainly, because illegality creates a trade in which only the more unscrupulous are prepared to run, and forces up prices and enhance profits. The gangsters moved out of alcohol when prohibition was lifted. Perhaps they would move out of drugs too if the prohibition were lifted there too.
Here's an interesting little factoid I came across in a local monthly newspaper a couple of days ago:
"Our [referring to the United States] rate of incarceration dwarfs that of other industrialized Western nations and, in fact, we imprison almost three times as many nonviolentoffenders as the entire European Union does violent andnonviolent criminals, even though the EU has almost 100 million more people than the United States." [emphasis in original]
And we all know what those nonviolent offenders are in jail for: drug-related offenses, including simple possession. How much money do you suppose the various state governments could save on law enforcement if possession of marajuana was de-criminalized? Or, put another way, how many police officers and prison guards would lose their jobs?
My sons are 15 and 20. The oldest one was busted on campus last year for possession of pot, very small quantity. He had to appear in court in Mankato, pled guilty and paid a $70.00 fine. My basic advice to him was to finish high school before he tried it, and stay away from chemicals. As far as I know, that's what he did.
The youngest one may be curious, but I don't think he's interested in trying it yet.
There is a question on the fafsa loan app that refers to 'state or federal drug convictions'. Right or wrong, we (I) do not consider this a conviction.
Is it true that college students can lose their eligibility for financial aid if they have a drug bust on their record?
Yes- it's one of the more idiotic offshoots of the Drug War in recent years. Not that it doesn't have lots of company...most of the offshoots of the Drug War are pretty idiotic.
Just as an aside, when I went home for lunch today, and walked in through the front door of my apartment building, I detected the distinct whiff of some high-quality weed, along with the obligatory incense.
i thought they were doing that already. at least it would have explained most of their decisions.
My son 'dropped' a quality seed in our garden, and it began growing, and growing. I have had problems with the city maintaining the property that they own next to mine, and prior to going on vacation, sent off a number of e-mails to a city councilman, and the supervisor of Public Works.
We were gone 12 days, and I knew someone would be inspecting the property. Expecting the plant to die, but giving it a chance, I transplanted it into a clay pot, soaked it, and put it downstairs under two floodlights, and three spotlights, constantly turned on..
Almost immediately, the top uppermost part begin wilting. We had to leave, and I don't know what else I could do anyway. When we got home, it was doing fine, and had grown about six inches.
I'm not sure what to do next. It could be moved back outside at times. Natural sunlight would probably be best. But I wonder about moving it in and out, if the different types of light would matter.
Oh yeah, this is just for the purpose of photography ...
Detroit Police Chief Jerry Oliver is not convinced that expending more energy — and making more drug arrests — will help America win the crusade. "We will never arrest our way out of this problem," he says. "All you have to do is go to almost any corner in any city. It will tell you that. ...
"Clearly, we're losing the war on drugs in this country [and] it's insanity to keep doing the same thing over and over again."
The worst unintended consequence of the drug war is drug crime. Films like Reefer Madness told us that people take drugs and just go crazy. But, in reality people rarely go crazy or become violent because they're high.
In Amsterdam, using marijuana is legal. Holland now has hundreds of "coffee shops" where marijuana is officially tolerated. Clients pick up small amounts of marijuana the same way they would pick up a bottle of wine at the store.
The police regulate marijuana sales — shops may sell no more than about five joints worth per person, they're not allowed to sell to minors, and no hard drugs are allowed.
What has been the result of legalizing marijuana? Is everyone getting stoned? No. In America today 38 percent of adolescents have smoked pot — in Holland, it's only 20 percent.
What Amsterdam police did was take the glamour out of drug use, explains Judge Gray. The Dutch minister of health has said, "We've succeeded in making pot boring."
would have to be ganja chex mix! Just substitute the butter for ganja butter, everything else is the same.
its a munchie that gives you the munchies!
Soooo, MK, is this how to make 10 grand a week?
I love Ians link with Alice In Wonderland ie: Allison Wonderland. Fits perfect with our group! OR?, hmmmm...didn't David still need a job? hehehe, no wonder he's so mmmellllowwwww :)
its a munchie that gives you the munchies!
LOL!
i think i had way too much of that munchie yesterday.
ding ding ding We Have A Winner!
What does she win Bob?
A Cook Book called "Marleys Medical Marijuana Munchies"!
I have a recipe for some killer hash balls, but I haven't found the book yet. Oh, the memories...
““““
““““The President talks
Drugs, Freedom and Harm
what is the mark of a free society? This has been a central question in social and political theory for over 200 years and one of the clearestanswers to it was given by the 19th century English philosopher John Stuart Mill.In his essay On LibertyMill lays down and defends what he refers to as "one very simple principle" by which relations between society and the individual ought to be governed. A society, according to Mill, has the right to interfere in the freedom of choice of the individual only in the interest of preventing harm to others. Preventing harm to the individual him or herself is not a sufficient justification, and the social enforcement of a moral or religious ideals in the name of 'society' is even less defensible.
_____________________________________________
One body of evidence is the high level of crime that surrounds drug trafficking. Drug related theft, burglary and even murder are common features of daily news reports, and fairly common features of many ordinary people's lives. By contrast, with a very few exceptions, the trade in cigarettes and alcohol is restricted and orderly. But in assessing the relevance of this difference we need to look fairly closely at cause and effect. Are these drugs illegal because they cause theft and violence, or do they cause theft and violence because they are illegal? Once again, the evidence is far from certain, but we have the experiment of alcohol prohibition in the US to suggest that equal levels of violence and gangsterism could surround alcohol if it too were illegal. This is partly, perhaps mainly, because illegality creates a trade in which only the more unscrupulous are prepared to run, and forces up prices and enhance profits. The gangsters moved out of alcohol when prohibition was lifted. Perhaps they would move out of drugs too if the prohibition were lifted there too.
Right on, Ian.
Here's an interesting little factoid I came across in a local monthly newspaper a couple of days ago:
"Our [referring to the United States] rate of incarceration dwarfs that of other industrialized Western nations and, in fact, we imprison almost three times as many nonviolentoffenders as the entire European Union does violent andnonviolent criminals, even though the EU has almost 100 million more people than the United States." [emphasis in original]
And we all know what those nonviolent offenders are in jail for: drug-related offenses, including simple possession. How much money do you suppose the various state governments could save on law enforcement if possession of marajuana was de-criminalized? Or, put another way, how many police officers and prison guards would lose their jobs?
Incidentally, I love the pic of The Shrub holding a bong...
:-)
Thanks
I was assisting my son with a college paper and came across the J. S. Mill statement. He had it rightover a hundred years ago.
Ian, how do you handle the subject of drug use with your kids?
My sons are 15 and 20. The oldest one was busted on campus last year for possession of pot, very small quantity. He had to appear in court in Mankato, pled guilty and paid a $70.00 fine. My basic advice to him was to finish high school before he tried it, and stay away from chemicals. As far as I know, that's what he did.
The youngest one may be curious, but I don't think he's interested in trying it yet.
Is it true that college students can lose their eligibility for financial aid if they have a drug bust on their record?
NOT IN THE UK. we dont get financial aid anyway we have option of loans from the gov.
i vaguely recall reading something like that, chungking, on all of my paperwork. i think it only applies to federal loans and grants though.
Chungking, the last I heard that was still pending, but things may have changed since then.
There is a question on the fafsa loan app that refers to 'state or federal drug convictions'. Right or wrong, we (I) do not consider this a conviction.
as long as he pled guilty, ian, its a drug conviction.
It's just another way for them to stick the knife in and twist it.
I say that new congresscritters should be required to smoke a joint (each) at their swearing in ceremonies. Think of the good it could do the country.
Yes- it's one of the more idiotic offshoots of the Drug War in recent years. Not that it doesn't have lots of company...most of the offshoots of the Drug War are pretty idiotic.
Fight the power here:
http://raiseyourvoice.com
I say that new congresscritters should be required to smoke a joint (each) at their swearing in ceremonies. Think of the good it could do the country.
i thought they were doing that already. at least it would have explained most of their decisions.
Just as an aside, when I went home for lunch today, and walked in through the front door of my apartment building, I detected the distinct whiff of some high-quality weed, along with the obligatory incense.
No--they're clearly on LSD.
My son 'dropped' a quality seed in our garden, and it began growing, and growing. I have had problems with the city maintaining the property that they own next to mine, and prior to going on vacation, sent off a number of e-mails to a city councilman, and the supervisor of Public Works.
We were gone 12 days, and I knew someone would be inspecting the property. Expecting the plant to die, but giving it a chance, I transplanted it into a clay pot, soaked it, and put it downstairs under two floodlights, and three spotlights, constantly turned on..
Almost immediately, the top uppermost part begin wilting. We had to leave, and I don't know what else I could do anyway. When we got home, it was doing fine, and had grown about six inches.
I'm not sure what to do next. It could be moved back outside at times. Natural sunlight would probably be best. But I wonder about moving it in and out, if the different types of light would matter.
Oh yeah, this is just for the purpose of photography ...
Hee Hee
Hardy-Har
Yep, you betcha !
Uh-huh. So, when will you be ready to sell some of your "photography experiment"? :)
Detroit Police Chief Jerry Oliver is not convinced that expending more energy — and making more drug arrests — will help America win the crusade. "We will never arrest our way out of this problem," he says. "All you have to do is go to almost any corner in any city. It will tell you that. ...
"Clearly, we're losing the war on drugs in this country [and] it's insanity to keep doing the same thing over and over again."
The worst unintended consequence of the drug war is drug crime. Films like Reefer Madness told us that people take drugs and just go crazy. But, in reality people rarely go crazy or become violent because they're high.
In Amsterdam, using marijuana is legal. Holland now has hundreds of "coffee shops" where marijuana is officially tolerated. Clients pick up small amounts of marijuana the same way they would pick up a bottle of wine at the store.
The police regulate marijuana sales — shops may sell no more than about five joints worth per person, they're not allowed to sell to minors, and no hard drugs are allowed.
What has been the result of legalizing marijuana? Is everyone getting stoned? No. In America today 38 percent of adolescents have smoked pot — in Holland, it's only 20 percent.
What Amsterdam police did was take the glamour out of drug use, explains Judge Gray. The Dutch minister of health has said, "We've succeeded in making pot boring."
I've never
hadseen a plant do that. Does it need any special nutrients?Gives new meaning to "the early bird catches the worm" as in tequila!
http://websports.8m.com/graphics/buds/
those all come from that one particular spot, ian?
Yes, and there are many more. I wish I'd gotten more close-ups.
I don't like roaches. They are dirty little creatures.
Jamacia....what a wonderful place. :) If u like tropical rum drinks and good east Indies weed.
I forgot what day yesterday was....
Got any?
Nope.
nada
Not I
Bummer :-(
I'm almost out
[Edited by on Sep 21, 2004 at 07:51pm.]
Now thats a big bowl!
http://brainsturgeon.com/caption%20pyramid/captions/caption372.jpg
Holy Crap!!! I love it!
is that a keg???
I think I'd go broke just trying to fill it...
But once it was full, you wouldn't care anymore!
Wow