Waging War on Americans
According to the FBI’s latest annual uniform crime report, the Bush Administration is doing a spectacular job in combating what is surely this nation’s number one problem- marijuana users. In fact, more people were arrested for marijuana offenses last year than at any time in this country’s history. Over 770,000 people were cited for marijuana related violations in 2004, but nearly 90% of them were charged only with possession. I don’t know about you, but I feel much safer knowing that the supply of sandwich baggies will now surely increase with these people off the streets.
When are Americans going to stand up and say enough already? According to those same reports, over 96 million Americans have tried marijuana at least once in their lifetime. That represents nearly a third of all people in this country. Of the 19.1 million regular users of illegal drugs, over 75% of those users choose marijuana as their drug of choice. Medical marijuana users notwithstanding (but currently prime targets for the Bush Justice Department), it would seem that marijuana is the drug of choice for a vast majority of people who would rather not drink alcohol for their weekend high. The simple fact of such widespread acceptance of what is basically a harmless intoxicant flies in the face of governmental attempts to eliminate the drug, which have been only marginally successful at best. In fact, studies show only a small decrease in usage among high school students since the beginning of the “Just Say No” and D.A.R.E. programs.
I have previously written about the drug war, its lunacy and wastefulness of people and tax dollars in my essay Ending the War on Drugs, but it bears repeating again. The War on Drugs is nothing more than a War on the American People, and not just those who use pot, but on all of us. Much of this increased enforcement is being done at the behest of the White House. It seems that tracking down pot smokers is of higher importance than tracking down terrorists like Osama bin Laden.
In study after study, marijuana has been shown to be less harmful than alcohol, tobacco, and even many legal prescription drugs. In fact, the FDA has approved prescription medication that has as its main ingredients a simulated form of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. The obvious hypocrisy of allowing those things to be legal while outlawing marijuana itself isn’t lost on most Americans either, who would rather see use decriminalized and treated than have smokers locked up. This war on pot serves only to create a criminal class where none should exist. It ties up precious tax dollars. It destroys honest, hard working people.
Legislators, for their part, are nothing more than cowards to allow this to continue unchecked. I have yet to hear of a single elected federal official even broach the subject of decriminalizing marijuana. Instead, they skirt the issue or march lockstep with the propaganda, claiming to fight for and protect Americans while allowing the feds to hunt down and lock up average, otherwise law abiding citizens.
The War on Drugs, especially the wrath against marijuana is a waste at so many levels it boggles the mind. Is this really the biggest problem we face today? If it isn’t, why are we wasting so much time and money to eradicate it? Decriminalization would save money and save lives. It would eliminate the black market trade, the gang turf wars, the illegal smuggling, overcrowded prisons; the list goes on and on.
Pro-Life or Pro-Birth?
It’s time to stop allowing the opponents of abortion to label themselves as pro-life. What they really are is pro-birth. They spend their time fighting over the rights of the unborn, the frozen embryo, and the sanctity of life inside the womb, yet turn around and gut social programs that would actually improve the lives of the very people they say they are fighting for. Talk about another case of speaking out of ones rear end.
Pro-birth advocates use religion as the main basis in their arguments against abortion, but when religion is turned back on them regarding the social responsibilities of society in general, they balk at the chance to be consistent in their beliefs. Pro-birth advocates are less about saving and improving the quality of life than they are interested in controlling the behavior of everyone with a penis or vagina. Their aim is not to protect and increase the quality of life, something that the term “Pro-Life” alludes to, but instead they seek to force a religious point of view, specifically their own, on to the rest of the world around them. Curiously enough, abortion statistics show that those of faith are just a likely to have an abortion as those without faith, and Catholics, who are staunchly anti-abortion (at least according to official doctrine) receive over 30% of abortions in a given year.
A true Pro-Life stance would include promoting a social atmosphere that provided accurate information about the cause of pregnancy without all the scare tactics of abstinence only programs. A Pro-Life stance would seek to make access to health care and education more important than punishing a poor, single woman and an unborn child to a lifetime of poverty for an error in judgment or poor planning. Pro-Life should mean working to improve quality of life for the living, defending the freedom of the living, and promoting the welfare of the living. Pro-Birth, on the other hand, cares only about making sure people are born and cares nothing for the circumstances they may be born into.
How many conservative “Pro-Lifers” are taking in the children who would otherwise be aborted? How many abortion protestors are offering to adopt and pay for the pre-natal care of young pregnant women? The answer is few, very few. Instead, these Pro-Birth advocates seek to make it more difficult for people to prevent pregnancy in the first place, as is evidenced by the this administrations refusal to let the FDA pass the Plan B morning after pill that could preclude any need for abortions at all. They go so far as to bemoan the recently discovered vaccine that prevents cervical cancer at a rate of 100% because it will diminish their arsenal in their abstinence only endeavors. (Abstinence only classes are quite the joke anyhow. Telling people with raging hormones not to have sex at any cost while they live in a society that is agog with sexual innuendo and imagery is like throwing a dead horse in a hungry lion’s cage and telling him not to eat. Guess what happens?)
For all their talk of activist judges and the rule of law, the conservative anti-abortion foes can’t accept the fact the abortion freedom IS the law of the land and has been for over 25 years. The fact that they continually seek to have these laws overturned shows again their own hypocrisy, since it is now them who seek to install activist judges who would re-legislate from the bench. For more thoughts on this, read my previous post, The Abortion Debate.
Like the War on Drugs, the abortion debate is nothing more than a smokescreen devised to demonize portions of the population while distracting the American people from the fact the their government is corrupt, uncaring, and unequal to the promise of freedom and democracy.
November 16th, 2005 at 3:03 am
I was all set just to make the age old joke about the name of your Blog being an oxymoron,sense after all,is not that common.
I must admit that for once I actually read all the way though someone’s post.
Since I am an ex-con,ex drug dealer,ex drug addict,ex-thief,ex-fraud artist extraordinaire and all around nice guy,and adopted to boot,I feel more then a close tie to both issues,drug laws and abortion.
The practise of making criminals out of people just because you don’t agree with their morals is typical conservative jealousy,if they didn’t think of it first,then it’s wrong.You will notice there is no call for the return to probition,as so many “old money” fortunes came on the back of bootlegging!
I am totally pro-choice,but I feel that more money should go into promoting adoption,there are thousands of couples waiting to adopt,why not put some social spending into saving lives and makeing peopl happy.Tax the sale of marijiuana,and solve it all!
November 16th, 2005 at 4:39 pm
I would like to comment how much I hate the war on pot (sorry, my spelling is bad), but I do not want somebody from the Bush Administration breaking down my door. But if they are, I am in apartment #b, not #a like it says on my DL.
November 16th, 2005 at 7:27 pm
I can drink myself into an emergency room and the police won’t even bat an eye.
But if I smoke a joint, eat a snickers and go to bed, the police will kick my door down.
Go figure.
November 16th, 2005 at 8:45 pm
Wonderful post.
They had a show on Public Radio yesterday focusing on the drug war. They said that the US used herbicide to kill 40% of all the coca trees in Columbia. But the price of cocain on the street in the US actually fell. Either the supply and demand curve doesn’t work with drugs, or the War on Drugs doesn’t work. You be the judge…
November 16th, 2005 at 9:42 pm
Ken,
Sorry to be out of the loop. Been flat out ill for the last few days. No fear, I’m back in the saddle.
I think I may have posted similar sentiment on your orignal posts, but you are right, it bears repeating.
Topic 1 – Legalize it, don’t criticize it – but sure as hell tax the crap out of it. You are talking about some major new revenue streams for the feds here, but they are too blind by the “War-on-Drugs” industry – which I wouldn’t be all too surprised if it was staffed by Halliburton contractors.
Topic 2 – Most those who are pro-life stop their belief in pro-life at the womb. On thing I can’t abide is the pro-lifer going out and advocating or actually murdering other, full grown or not nearly full grown individuals for a cause they claim is “nobel.” Let’s leave that right there.
Blog on brother.
November 16th, 2005 at 11:28 pm
Fuckin’ A Ken. Again. You are consistent in your awesomeness..
November 17th, 2005 at 4:38 pm
The criminalization of pot goes back to the Mexican revolution as a way to discriminate and prosecute immigrants coming over. The laws against marijuana are completely irrational and based in racism.
Here is my post on the matter:
http://tonermishap.blogspot.com/2005/04/patented-marijuana-will-lead-to.html
November 17th, 2005 at 8:49 pm
Hello Ken!
I have so missed visiting your blog. We were hit pretty hard here by Hurricane Wilma and I have been disconnected from the world (I, frankly thought I would go mad). Another fabulous piece here.
I have made this argument regarding marijuana so many times. I don’t smoke myself (I found it only makes me want to eat and have sex). That alone could be the basis for a “Light ’em Up” debate, but I digress. I just never took it up myself. I will have my couple of drinks and have often said I would have rather taken up weed. My daughter smokes and does not drink. I have said often that if she needed a vice, I am glad it’s smoking instead of drinking. You don’t hear about ANYone getting toked up and getting in their car and killing someone. Legalization makes complete sense and has huge revenue generating possibility. But “they” have their agenda.
Great to visit you again. Stop by my place, my latest is kind of funny, you might like it.
Megan
November 17th, 2005 at 8:54 pm
Thanks for telling it like it is, as always, Ken.
Now I think I’ll go smoke a huge phatty and listen to “Dark Side of the Moon”.
November 17th, 2005 at 9:00 pm
You post about pro-birth people is brilliant. I might love you a little bit now.
November 18th, 2005 at 7:30 am
(responses)
Free- Glad I had something more to offer that an oxymoron. Though I can’t say you have an admiral past, at least we can agree on the issues at hand.
The War on Drugs is de facto prohibition, and plenty of “new money” is being made bootlegging. We could and should end that now.
Thanks for dropping by.
Hater- You wouldn’t really want your neighbors door kicked in now would you?
John- I’ve been trying to figure it for some time and can only conclude that there are corporate bastards behind at least part of it all. The rest is just gutless politicians perpetuating bad policy.
Good to hear from you.
Doc- Thanks! I don’t hear from often, so thanks for leaving a comment. I think it’s clear that this will always be a losing battle because it is not one that should even be fought.
Windspike- Hope you are feeling better! Oh yes- pro-birth people who advocate killing abortion doctors really do show their insanity and hypocrisy don’t they?
Such loving religious folks now aren’t they…
Chandira- I thank you for the comment. And good to hear from you again.
Misanthrope- Yes, that was one of the primary reasons for making marijuana illegal, and not just racism against Mexicans, but against blacks too.
YOur post does raise another interesting point about the commercial aspects of this plant and the continued desire of pharmaceuticals to block its legalization. But lets not forget the synthetic cloth and lubricant manufacturers who would stand to lose some business as well. Why it doesn’t occur to these people that they could continue to do business, just with another base product, is beyond me.
Thanks for leaving a note here.
Lesbiencestmoi- Long time since I’ve heard from you. Sorry to hear about your troubles with Wilma. Hope things are coming back together for you.
I suppose that if we were to advertise pot in commercials, we’d have to list sex and munchies as a side effect. OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! How scary that is!
I loved your latest post too! Funny how people seem to need to find things to be offended about. Check out her post folks. It’s good for a laugh and then some actual thought.
Brad- Great album. (Or Cd, if you will.) Enjoy yourself.
Shiela- Then I might love you a little bit right back. It’s a lot easier than being spiteful anyhow. Thaks for dropping by.
November 18th, 2005 at 7:45 pm
Great topic of dicussion – i like the way you guys write.
visit my site and help me get some more topics started.
http://www.getmad.ca
thanks
November 18th, 2005 at 10:16 pm
I have absolutely no qualms with marijuana use. To me, it is safer and healthier than drinking.
How many fights do you think would break out in a pot bar? How many in your average tavern? I think there is no comparison at all.
If pot was decriminalized (like we want to do up here in Canada), you are correct. Crimes would drop off some, and the government could regulate, tax and control the substance, just like booze. I suspect the only reason I can’t light up a joint right now is because of US policy.
Personally, I can drink a few beers, and then that pretty much takes up the night. No driving, no painting, not much of anything. In fact, a goo dnight drinking is just that. Drinking. The “use” goes on and becomes the event.
I can smoke a joint, drive to my buddies (most of the time; judgement is essential), paint, play music, do whatever, and really, the actual “use” is done with and the event is what I choose to do 😀
November 18th, 2005 at 10:35 pm
On the drug ‘war’ – I agree that the $ spent on trying to eradicate the use of marijuana is both unnecessary and futile. I’m not sure what they are so afraid of? I always hear about the ‘gateway drug’ argument. Well, perhaps the money saved (and gained) by legalization of marijuana could be well spent on programs for other harder drugs.
On abortion – Again I agree. I believe one of the major global problems today is overpopulation. And the more people there are just puts more of a drain on society, which as you say, hinders the quality of life for the living.
November 18th, 2005 at 10:48 pm
You would also think that the makers of Doritos and Twinkies would push for pot to be legal. I had a couple nights in college when I walked slowly to the gas station to get a few snacks.
I am not as worried about overpopulation as I am the fact that many people just don’t want to help those in less fortunate situations. I would probably agree that the wealthy paying taxes is unfair, but it is the right thing to do. America is not just about individual success, even though that is what society honors. It is about us all havign a chance and helping each other out. I understand people being against abortion, but before you get all high and mighty on me, tell me how you are going to take care of those unwanted children
November 19th, 2005 at 2:22 pm
(responses)
Anon- thanks for stopping by. By the way- there is no “you guys” on Common Sense, just me.
Glyn- Again, when looked at in the larger context, the anti-marijuana argument doesn’t hold water. And it is sad that other nations are bullied by US policy. But it seems that Canada is taking steps to get out from under the shadow of their neighbor to the south. And that is a good thing.
Thanks for the comment.
Surfer- Glad we agree on these topics. In fact, I think these views are more mainstream than politicians and others would have you think. Glad you dropped in.
Me4- Yes- why aren’t the junk food makers chiming in on this? They could stand to reap huge profits from the “munchie” crowd…
November 19th, 2005 at 11:39 pm
We do need to rid ourselves of the drug war and it’s rot.
Blaming Bush seems a bit of empty rhetoric though. We understand you don’t like him, but it hurts your point to say every bad thing is his fault.
The war on drugs has been around a long time on the federal level. Most of the arrests are from state laws, and enforced or ignored locally.
Blame Bush for things he starts as often as you wish, not lousy policies he inherited.
If you fake a bit more balance it would be easier to believe you.
November 20th, 2005 at 1:17 am
(response)
Allan- Actually, it is not my claim that increased enforcement of marijuana laws are under a directive from the white house. That can be attributed to officials in law enforcement, according to the front page report I read in the San Diego Union Tribune on Nov. 15th.
See, I understand that the drug war on Americans has been going on for a long time, but this administration has taken deliberate steps to increase arrests, including taking the states to court over their voter approved medical marijuana laws.
If you went to through the link to my previous article on the drug war, you may learn that I have a larger perspective on the issue.
Thanks for dropping by.
November 20th, 2005 at 6:59 am
Very impressive discussion, thanks for proving that there is an intelligent consensus worth sitting in a circle with. The abortion debate is exactly as you say Ken, which may be just too damn easy for some to understand. Too rational for them? Our voices simply need to become more and more unified. Good work. Now that we’ve got these two subjects resolved, stop bogarting that joint my friend.
November 24th, 2005 at 7:54 am
Excellent points made!
I think busting users is ridiculous. Our society seems to be becoming progressively more punitive… I’ve always thought that what someone does to their body is their own business. I am all for letting the government grow pot and regulate its sale.
Re. the abortion thing… I don’t really care for the idea of abortion unless it is to save a life or in cases of rape or incest. I heavily agree with Ken that the pro-lifers are mostly concerned with the welfare of fetii rather than with the welfare of children born into poverty or into tenuous situations. I have doubts that Jesus would have turned his back on such children, or that he would have favored anything but helping society find a way to help such kids. The pro-lifers seem to want to give a fetus all kinds of rights, but that fervor tends to decrease when the fetus becomes a child. What gives?