Let's fight back against the NDAA

[o.pwuaioc]

"Harmless life choices". Well, that's the crux of the problem, isn't it? I think going 5 over the speed limit is "harmless", but I say I'm being persecuted when I get a ticket.

[Inazuma]

Exactly. Not all laws are right. If something harmless is made illegal, it doesn't suddenly make it harmful or bad. I will break a law if there is no harm being done.

If one does too much drugs, it's possible to harm yourself. But that doesn't mean it should be illegal. We should have the right to harm ourselves if we choose to. Harming others is a different story.

Smoking a cigarette by yourself in your own home? Totally fine.
Smoking a cigarette around friends at a party? Fuck you. That's horrible.

Street drugs need to be made legal. However, second hand smoke and/or driving under the influence should be illegal, if it's actually bad.

[dsheinem]

I don't know what you call imprisonment of people for harmless lifestyle choices, but it looks a lot like persecution from this end. I can't think of any other way to describe it.

However, if one knowingly breaks a law you risk suffering the consequences.

You could have said the same about interracial marriage in the 60s, or gay sex in the 40s. The point isn't that people should break the law and get away with it. The point is that the law itself is oppressive.

I am all for the legalization of drugs, but if you think smoking pot is a "harmless lifestyle choice" while it is illegal, you clearly have no idea about the connection between drug trafficking and violence in this country and around the world. So let's not pretend that there's never any collateral baggage or dead bodies in between those drugs getting grown/created and them getting into your system. Unfortunately some kind of prosecution (fines or imprisonment) of everyone involved/caught is the only feasible and fair solution while a drug is illegal.

Legalization of marijuana would help end a lot of that violence, which in my book is a big mark in favor of getting the law changed. But pot smokers who think that they are somehow above the law and/or don't deserve to be prosecuted in any way strike me as someone well, who has done too many drugs. If you take the risk of smoking while it is illegal and know the consequences of being caught, well then you can't really complain about any "persecution" that comes your way.

[MrPopo]

I don't know what you call imprisonment of people for harmless lifestyle choices, but it looks a lot like persecution from this end. I can't think of any other way to describe it.

However, if one knowingly breaks a law you risk suffering the consequences.

You could have said the same about interracial marriage in the 60s, or gay sex in the 40s. The point isn't that people should break the law and get away with it. The point is that the law itself is oppressive.

I am all for the legalization of drugs, but if you think smoking pot is a "harmless lifestyle choice" while it is illegal, you clearly have no idea about the connection between drug trafficking and violence in this country and around the world. So let's not pretend that there's never any collateral baggage or dead bodies in between those drugs getting grown/created and them getting into your system. Unfortunately some kind of prosecution (fines or imprisonment) of everyone involved/caught is the only feasible and fair solution while a drug is illegal.

Legalization of marijuana would help end a lot of that violence, which in my book is a big mark in favor of getting the law changed. But pot smokers who think that they are somehow above the law and/or don't deserve to be prosecuted in any way strike me as someone well, who has done too many drugs. If you take the risk of smoking while it is illegal and know the consequences of being caught, well then you can't really complain about any "persecution" that comes your way.

Don't you see? He's fighting for justice, just like when a black and white couple wanted to get married. This is JUST as important as the civil rights movement.

Here's what I never understood. Before you smoke your first joint you are faced with one of the following two outcomes:

1. You don't enjoy it and you'd have been just as happy never having tried it
2. You enjoy it and now have to face the fact that you enjoy something that is illegal

It seems like a lose-lose situation to me.

[Breetai]

An effective poster:

[Inazuma]

Ron Paul seems like the best man for the job. He is far from perfect, but he is less horrible than everyone else.

[Hatta]

I am all for the legalization of drugs, but if you think smoking pot is a "harmless lifestyle choice" while it is illegal, you clearly have no idea about the connection between drug trafficking and violence in this country and around the world.

Firstly, you're assuming that I don't know exactly where my stuff comes from and exactly how many people died to get it to me. Secondly, the responsibility for the deaths to which you refer lies on the politicians who passed the law and now refuse to repeal it. Thirdly, I hope you don't fuel your car with imported petroleum, or eat bananas, or own a diamond.

But pot smokers who think that they are somehow above the law and/or don't deserve to be prosecuted in any way strike me as someone well, who has done too many drugs.

I didn't say any of that. I didn't say I was above the law, or that I shouldn't be prosecuted if I got caught. I said the law itself is persecutory.

Compare with, say, a woman caught driving in Saudi Arabia. As long as that is against the law there, it's hard to argue that a woman caught driving shouldn't get the appropriate punishment outside the law. That doesn't change the fact that the law itself is unjust and unsupportable by any sane concept of morality. Prohibition is the same thing.

[noiseredux]

Dave (Heineman's) not here, man.

[mjmjr25]

I don't know what you call imprisonment of people for harmless lifestyle choices, but it looks a lot like persecution from this end. I can't think of any other way to describe it.

Prison is teeming with pot smokers. No other convictions. Just a bit of green. 10 years. Persecution.

You are a funny guy (unintentionally, but still funny).

I do think its funny that you want the rule of law and established rights to be protected. Except in the very same thread, you want some sort of sympathy for your "persecution" for admittedly breaking a law. You do see the issue here, no? I do not care if smoking pot is legal or not - I have zero interest in it. The reality is, poll after poll shows the majority of American's are against it. Granted, the numbers are swayed to each polarity by generational categories, but regardless, isn't that what you want? The majority to be able to fight for what they prefer? To have their voices heard? The right to voice their opinions? I guess its only when their opinions are the same as yours, apparently.

[Hatta]

I do think its funny that you want the rule of law and established rights to be protected. Except in the very same thread, you want some sort of sympathy for your "persecution" for admittedly breaking a law.

You want to make a deal? Get Lloyd Blankfein prosecuted under RICO and I'll march my ass down to the local police office and turn myself in. If the rich can flout the law, I can too.

The reality is, poll after poll shows the majority of American's are against it. Granted, the numbers are swayed to each polarity by generational categories, but regardless, isn't that what you want? The majority to be able to fight for what they prefer? To have their voices heard? The right to voice their opinions? I guess its only when their opinions are the same as yours, apparently.

The reality is that billions upon billions of dollars have been spent lying to people about drugs. It's not the voice of the people you're hearing. It's the voice of the alcohol, tobacco, firearms, law enforcement, and prison industries.

I have no problem obeying legitimate government. But legitimate government is based on the consent of the governed. Consent is only valid if it is informed consent. People have been so thoroughly indoctrinated that there's simply not a shred of legitimacy left.