"Why Marijuana Should Be Legalized"

Between you and me, I'm opposed to mob rule, i.e., "democracy". I'm for doing what's right.

Most of the time, what's right isn't what the mob's interested in.

I'm afflicted with more than a few of those labels on that chart, brother, and could use some legalized relief right about now.

Unfortunately, we have children in charge of things in this country ... and children voting to put them there.

That is an insult to children. Most children have more sense. You can usually reason with a child. These are adults with agendas. Agendas designed to keep persecuting people that they do not agree with. Agendas that make sure that there is always something to hold over the heads of people that they deem "dangerous". Insane and incomprehensible drug and tax laws will always be there to make sure that everyone is prosecutable for something if he/she gets out of line.

Don't know what children you've been around but, "you can usually reason with a child" sounds more than a little naive. My experience has been quite different.

In any event, if the word "immature" works better for you than "children", it carries the meaning I mostly intended. I do know children who are mature beyond their years, but they're greatly the exception to the rule.

It is just that children have the capacity to learn and grow and the people in charge and the voters that put them there do not. Children have curiosity. Politicians and their their mindless followers are no longer curious about anything that does not fit into their narrow view of the world.

They are nothing like children. Children can be a pain in the ass but they are great. These people that make life difficult for others and do it on purpose have no redeeming value.

In my experience, children and adult alike can often and want often to learn and grow. Children do not have some unique ability that suddenly disappears when you're older. I'm one of many examples of an adult - now in my fifties - who are as capable if not more capable than ever. I also have an overabundance of curiosity and, again, there are many adults such as myself similarly passionate. I don't think the claim that adults in general lose these abilities - and the willingness - as they grow older is actually supportable. As I said, my experience has been quite different both in my own life and as I've observed in others on several continents around the world.

True, when you get older you do tend to establish routines and, true, many adults get set into their routines with little apparent change over the years. That can either be apathy or the person has found their happiness and is content to keep it. For myself, I pretty much deliberately stir things up daily just to keep them fresh. I'm quite certain that's not a unique way of life by any means. For some, it's a necessity - for me, it's simply choice. Circumstances do not drive me to seek novelty, it's just how I'm made.

I must disagree that adults are nothing like children. I happen to believe all of them are simply children with increased experience which, for more than a few, doesn't seem to have made a difference. I also know that there are many children who have all of the maturity they are likely to need before they actually "qualify" for the label adult. To me "adult" and "mature" are not synonymous and neither are "child" and "immature" synonyms.

To me the line between "child" and "adult" is rather arbitrary which is why I prefer the terms "immature" and "mature". You'll find children and adults in both categories.

How pathetically true! There's nothing left to do but to kick some corporate ass Wyley.

Thanks, he looks a lot like John Belushi!

Hadn't thought of that but you are right...wow haven't thought about him since I saw his brother last and that was a few years ago...

Good info, good comment. Voted way up.

Wow can't believe Volcker is on the list

We put those who poison themselves - assuming certain more destructive drugs - and those who promote valuable agriculture (weed) in jail while putting those who poison the Earth's atmosphere and the environment with mass chemistry and radiation in tall office buildings and limousines.

Something wrong with this picture?

We've evolved a culture that rewards and empowers the psychopathic mind. I could get all long-winded about it but that's my most fundamental belief about our situation. All else springs from that.

Can't say I agree with "psychopath" nearly as much as I agree with "sociopath". I think, for the most part, human beings are in healthy control of their bodies and minds, but most aren't really suited to civilized relationships. For most, civility takes a conscious decision. Sure, many make that choice if it doesn't just come to them naturally. The rest might be able to make the choice, but are simply unwilling to make the choice.

Like I said, healthy otherwise but not really suited for respectful human relationships - sociopaths or, in the least, socially dysfunctional. It's not a judgment of them as human beings, only as social beings.

Fair point.
But with regard to the folks in the "tall office buildings and limousines" I think psycopathy is the more defining factor. The popularization of the word "psycopath" tends to make us think of crazed killers. Clinically it just means they lack empathy to some degree. Combine a good native skillset with a high-end education and psycopathic tendencies and you have the perfect upwardly mobile corporatist, responsible, by law, to only the stockholders. For him, "empathy" takes the form of maximizing return for them.
Psycopathy can exist invisibly or, at least, not recognized for what it is. Sociapathy tends to be quite the opposite and can limit upward mobility except in extreme situations of genius, determination, and resources like, say, Howard Hughes.

Yes, I see what you mean. Certainly the problem is a lack of empathy - that which makes them predators on their own kind. Regardless of what science calls it, lack or deficient empathy for other human beings is certainly the problem.

I often say there are three plagues mankind struggles with and has for centuries - irrationality, i.e., an inability or unwillingness to get the genuine facts, inconsistent logic or poor reasoning skills and deficient empathy. These failings are the source of everything human beings call "evil" which is nothing more than a word referring to these plagues. Many or most think of "evil" as some existing force in the universe.

I do not. It is a superstition. It is these plagues or mental and psychological shortcomings that are real.

Now I'd like to see that! :)

Love the idea. Johnny Appleweed!

It'd only take a variety as aggressive as Kudzu to be deliberately released for the government's party and that of other busybodies to be over.

When human beings become agents of nature versus enemies of nature, most of our woes will be gone.

It's coming!

Thanks Joy! :)

LMAO! This is great! Thanks for posting, Joy. :)

My pleasure. :)

Oh so welcome! How did I miss that one?! :D

Yes!

You are welcome, sorry not to get back to you right away I needed some sleep!

I think it's a great idea too, kenny!
If it ever becomes legal, do you think there should be a law against smoking and driving?
The main reason I ask is because years ago, I was hit head-on by a DUI (he almost killed me and he did some major damage to my car); he wasn't drunk -- he was high. Very stoned.
That unfortunate incident of the past doesn't stop me from wanting to support legalizing marijuana, however, I do think it's important to think about the "driving" issue, too. Or, maybe we shouldn't need laws for common sense?

I read last year where Colorado was considering a driving while stoned bill. Not sure whatever became of it.

That's interesting. I wasn't aware of that happening in Colorado. Thanks for letting us know.

I see its happening this year as well.

http://www.denverpost.com/news/marijuana/ci_19740399

Thats a very good question, as long as the test was able to pick up recent use like within an hour! Right now the tests pick up usage within 30 days, I mean smoking a joint 2 days ago gets you busted?

Legalize pot - and other drugs - and legalize prostitution. And, hey, let's legalize farms in citites too.

Now that's what I call economic stimulus.