10-20-2002, 08:11 AM
Quote:Yes, it probably would, and the people of the United States have stated that drug use must be controlled in order to ensure those three rights to both the user and the people.I'd like to see where the people of the United States stated this. I'd also like to know how sending nonviolent drug users to prison helps anyone.
Quote:And please do not be so naive to say that "pursuit of happiness" actually means the pursuit to be happy.No, it doesn't. The personal decision to use or not to use drugs falls under the "Liberty" category.
Quote:And the author of that article doesn't seem to have a clear understanding of what type of government we have in place in the United States.Right now, we have a government that has greatly deviated from the ideals that the Constitutional Congress had in mind when they wrote the blueprint. While technically still a democracy, our government these days more resembles an aristocracy. I don't agree with everything in the article, I just said it was a good read.
Quote:oh, and since you guys are bitching that you would like to see some of your ideas on drugs and such enacted into law, you should try voting for a change.I do.
On the subject of marijuana (not taking into account other, "harder" drugs), I think it's a pretty well known fact that it was a legal substance before 1937, and then criminalized by the Marijuana Tax Stamp Act, pioneered by one Harry J. Aslinger, Director of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics . Aslinger had strong connections in the paper (Hearst) and chemicals (DuPont) industries, among others, and these were industries that had much to gain from the criminalization of marijuana (and more specifically, hemp). Of course, as is usually the case in politics, he drew his strength from public fears at the time in order to fulfill his agenda. Some excerpts from Mr. Anslinger's testimony before a Senate hearing on marijuana in 1937, shortly before the passing of the Marijuana Tax Stamp Act:
"There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the U.S. and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos, and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz and swing, result from marijuana use. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers and any others."
"...the primary reason to outlaw marijuana is its effect on the degenerate races."
"Marijuana is an addictive drug which produces in its users insanity, criminality, and death."
"You smoke a joint and you're likely to kill your brother."
"Marijuana is the most violence-causing drug in the history of mankind."
But hey, your buddy is an irresponsible fuck who smokes pot. Who am I to argue?