From: Platt Holden (pholden@sc.rr.com)
Date: Fri Dec 17 2004 - 15:20:08 GMT
Dan,
> First, should all drugs be legalized? I don't know. What I do know is that
> the separation of drugs as far as what is socially OK and what is not
> stands to
> reason. But I don't just look at the "drug" part of this question, rather
> the "concept" we have. While alcohol is socially acceptable marijuana is
> not. (Using these two examples) I have to say that the perception we have
> towards alcohol is that it's fun, manly, belongs...Marijuana is perceived
> as evil, leading to worse drugs, mentally depleting...Now, alcohol kills
> brain cells too. Both drugs are dangerous if consumed and that person is
> put behind a mechanical device. So I ask you what is the difference
> because I'm not sure I can take a side definitively. So, should all drugs
> be illegal or not? At this point in time, if you make one legal then why
> shouldn't they all be legal? AND...how about starting by changing the
> perception through education and getting rid of the "only evil criminals
> do drugs attitude".
I think many parents fear if their children start smoking pot they will be
tempted to try other, harder drugs with resultant long-range (in some
cases, short-range) harm, either to themselves or to others. That's why
our educational system tries to inculcate a "Just say no." attitude.
Likewise, there are many educational efforts to reduce alcohol based DUI's
including the "designated driver" campaign.
> Advertising appealing to romance, status and money...YES! How about the
> advertising of Threat Levels, Heroism (Bush in the flight suit), Yellow
> Ribbons (Support the troops?!?! More like War is Good)...
Well, how about the advertising of Bush as Hitler, or Bush as AWOL, or
Bush as a believer in God? I don't think you can say one side is worse or
better than the other.
> "Put the public official who takes a bribe in jail."
> With this do you mean "Kenny Boy"??? Yeah, right!
Kenny Boy? Who he? Is he a congressman who took a bribe to vote a certain
way? That's what I was referring to.
> I agree to putting an end to criminal drug behavior. Yet we still
> have a drug user getting 20 year sentences and the Senator who killed the
> motorcyclist received what??? 6 months probation!
What Senator and drug user do you mean?
> "Well, it seems you are being very judgmental about a lot of things."
> Maybe I'm a product of my environment!!!
I don't know of any human being who isn't judgmental, regardless of
environment. Even Jesus who advised "Judge that ye be not judged" was
making a judgment.
> Again, I think that our
> perception of evilness can funnel the reasoning. Look at the whole picture
> on this one. Example - if I served time for possessing a dime bag of
> marijuana for my personal consumption I would leave jail and become a
> productive citizen with a good job, right???
Who has gone to jail possessing a dime bag of pot?
> PS - Platt, I hope I am not coming off too confrontational. I have enjoyed
> reading all of your responses and look forward to your words enlightening
> my mind, seriously!
I don't think you're coming across as confrontational. In fact, I
appreciate your challenging my beliefs because in defending them in
writing I'm forced to consider them in greater depth by examining my basic
premises. I also appreciate that even though you may strongly disagree
with my positions, you have never have resorted to personal attacks To me
that's a mark not only of your goodwill, but high intelligence.
Platt
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