Obama must change federal drug laws.
Please excuse the teacher in me for a moment, but let’s review President Obama’s performance so far in bringing “Change” to America. In foreign affairs he has kept Bush’s Secretary of Defense and old time Cold Warrior Robert Gates on. He has made Hillary “I voted for American aggression in both Serbia and Iraq” Clinton his Secretary of State. His Chief of Staff, Rahm “Rhambo” Emanuel is a firm supporter of Israel whose dad actually perpetrated terrorist acts in the 1940s to bring about the birth of that nation. Lastly, it took him all of four days in office to authorize a cross border bombing of Pakistan.…
Article comments
26 - Roger Nowosielski
That is mud slinging of the worst kind. If anyone deserves that title was our former oil man, but I won't stoop so low and participate in these games. It should be beneath anyone posting articles on BC. It gives us all a bad name. So let's all try to be a little bit more responsible in our usage of words and keep the emotionalism down, even if it hurts.
27 - pablo
"25 handguy
"Calling Obama a "corporate stooge" is neither meaningful nor true. Why not use a more nuanced argument? Is it because you are unable to do so?
Yes Obama is a corporate stooge, and he has backtracked on all of the major issues that were of importance to those on the left that supported him. He is part and parcel of the Wall Street gang that is looting the country as we speak, through its subsidiary the CFR, which was created by JP Morgan and the Bank of England, at the behest of the Rothschild dynasty.
He hoodwinked the naive desperate left, and is part of the good cop bad cop (democrat/republican) syndrome, whereby both of these so called independent parties are under control of the dominant corporatocracy. Obama truly is an obmanation, and his agenda is to usher in the New World Order agenda. Similarly Bill Clinton during his tenure passed draconian police state legislation that would never have been passed at the time under a GOP presidency.
It never ceases to amaze me at how naive the left is, with particular reference to the main rags both online and in print that they subscribe to. The Nation Magazine, the Utne Reader, the Daily Kos and others. Hell even Democracy Now is funded by David Rockefeller.
In fact with the rare exception of a Dennis Kucinich, the left has no statesman. Kennedy is dying and his so called liberalism is a joke. I would also include Russ Feingold as one of the few on the left in power that have even an ounce of integrity.
Few of you realize that the biggest problem with the so called intelligence community is that not only are they listening in on EVERYTHING, but once the chatter is coalated it is used for the obvious, blackmail, the world's second oldest profession, hence many politicians are brought in under the umbrella of coercion through blackmail. One does not have to commit an overt criminal act in order to be blackmailed, there are numerous acts that can be used for this purpose.
God no, the CIA or NSA would never stoop to the level of blackmail, torture, kidnapping, or murder would they lefties? Smirk
28 - handyguy
Pablo, you are a sterling example of the dumb hyperbole that gives the blogosphere the bad reputation it has and deserves for political 'commentary.'
Obama has been in office less than 3 weeks. It would be rather hard to betray all one's campaign promises that quickly. Maybe he will save one or two for next month, eh?
And maybe, just maybe, some of us who believe he hasn't betrayed any campaign promises yet, are not naive. We're just paying more attention than you are.
29 - pablo
On the subject on the war on drugs I have this to offer. Take a basic appetite as old as sex, and turn it into a crime, then use this scapegoat to begin to strip away at fundamental constitutional guarantees. Now we have no peek warrants, no more exclusionary rule, national security letters, and the end of posse comititus. This police state mentality has sprung originally from the war on drugs, which was bogus, to the war on terror which is even more bogus, mostly with the complicity of the american people.
Probable cause is seen as a nuisance, habeus corpus as old fashioned, and the line between criminality and terrorism blurred to the extreme. I maintain this has all been done on purpose by the real evildoers, those that would take your god given freedom away, and turn you into a surf, which is precisely what is happening in amerika today.
You piss in a cup to get a job, your schools are massive surveillance prison camps, and Child Protective Services is ready to seize your children without a criminal conviction. Your assets are subject to forfeiture without a conviction too. Wake up and smell the fascism as it is all around you, but hey we still have free speech don't we?
Freedom has NEVER been given to anyone, it has to be fought for tooth and nail, and that fight will NEVER end as there are always tyrants and despots usually working at the behest of the vested financial criminal interests that are controlling you and your country. They are not your friend, and should be your sworn enemy if you love and value freedom and liberty.
30 - pablo
And Mr. Handguy you are a sterling example of just the sort of naivete that I am referring to. Last time I checked the fourth amendment to the constitution forbade wiretaps without warrant, ie probable cause that someone had committed a crime. I watched Obama take the goofed up oath to serve and protect that document, just as I watched all the other assholes in my life do the same, and then spit on it.
Last time I checked only Congress can declare war not the President the War Powers Act notwithstanding, (any act of congress that is in violation of the constitution is null and void), yet here we have Obama carrying out war crimes, both under OUR law the constitution and international law.
So in my opinion Mr. Handguy you are both naive and dumb, as well as most of your compadres that cast a vote for this obamanation.
So enjoy your opinion of me Mr. Handguy while I revel in mine of you.
31 - handyguy
Bugs Bunny said it better than I:
Wotta maroon.
32 - Roger Nowosielski
Handy,
I think he's just strongly convicted. I also don't appreciate being called naive, but he makes a lot of good points (except calling Obama this or that). The truth is, lots of these changes of the guard seem to be more in tone than in substance; and perhaps we should be more critical of all politicians and the system, beyond what makes us feel good. So I'm kind of ambivalent about Paul. I don't exactly share his totally dark view of things; yet, it is difficult for me to altogether dismiss it. If you two have a personal feud, that's another story and I am sorry for having butted in.
Roger
33 - pablo
If you say so handguy :)
34 - pablo
Handguy,
I suppose in your so called liberal view, it is ok for the president to kill human beings without congress declaring war. It is ok to wiretap millions of innocent americans violating not on the overt fourth amendment guarantees, but the penumbras emanating from various other amendments having to do with privacy.
And I am the maroon buddy? Sure I yam, and your as naive and a budding fascist as the come.
Surely you can do better than name calling handguy, or perhaps you are taking your marching orders from Nalle, who's debating style is nothing less than smear, ignore, and ridicule.
Try engaging me buddy, but noooooooooo you would rather sit in your high horse using silly names to an individual whos command of the vernacular is better than yours, who is more studied in american politics than you ever have been, and whos iq I would bet is higher than yours handguy.
So enjoy..........I am :)
35 - Dave Nalle
I'd smear, ignore and ridicule Pablo now, but I think his own behavior is making his real nature quite clear to those who mistakenly thought he was a fellow traveler.
Dave
36 - pablo
aww your so cute dave. :)
37 - Kenn Jacobine
Handyman, I misunderstood your first comment. I didn’t realize you were upset about the “corporate stooge” comment. A corporate stooge does rush back to Washington from the presidential campaign trail to vote for Bush’s Big Bank Bailout Boondoggle (October 2008). A corporate stooge does appoint a guy to be his Treasury Secretary who is a darling of Wall Street. A corporate stooge does take in huge campaign contributions from that sector; among Obama’s 10 biggest contributors were top Wall Street players, which include his second highest contributor, Goldman Sachs ($874,207); JP Morgan Chase & Co. was sixth ($581,460); and seventh was Citigroup Inc. ($581,216). Many of these same folks financed his extravagant inauguration at a time when the rest of the country is struggling. This is the definition of a corporate stooge and Obama fits it to a tee.
38 - Roger Nowosielski
So what were the options, Kenn? It's not commendable, I agree, but how else do you get elected? Your indictment then fits almost any politician about to run for high office.
39 - Roger Nowosielski
Actually, you're beginning to convince me, Kenn, that a proper dose of skepticism is very much appropriate when it comes to assessing the merits of the new administration. In spite of some positive signs, there is a great deal that is troubling - the continuation of the War on Drugs being an excellent case in point. I guess it's business as usual.
I do hope that the people wake up and try to hold Mr. Obama responsible for not living up to his campaign promises - the kind of change he talked about and thus energized much of the electorate.
Roger
40 - handyguy
Kenn, whom would you have preferred to see as president? I gather you are to the left of McCain, and you certainly are no fan of Hillary.
I think your criticisms are poorly reasoned and based on very scant evidence. But turn it around, stop throwing out monotonous insults at Obama and his cabinet for a minute:
What/Whom are you for?
41 - Maurice
One of my sons spent all of 2007 locked up. Another of my sons got out of jail yesterday. Both are admitted drug addicts and attend N.A. The heartache and sorrow I have endured these past years has aged me noticeably. When my one son over dosed on datura for the 2nd time I took pictures of him in the CCU in the hopes of shocking him. Hoping that if he saw himself hooked up to all the hoses and machines he would change his behavior.
I have little tolerence for the idea of relaxing the war on drugs. In fact I would like to intensify it.
The biggest problem in my mind is that kids become addicts before they are capable of making rational decisions. My sons were doing mushrooms at age 12. Coricidin and Robotusin became a way of life for them. Everywhere they look are triggers that could restart their addiction.
One last thought. I am amazed at how compasionate and professional the judges, counselors and guards have been through this entire ordeal.
42 - Zedd
Maurice,
I know you are not a religious man but I will say a word for your boys. I am aching for you.
43 - handyguy
Even if drugs were legalized [highly unlikely], no one I've heard of wants to make them legally available to kids.
But if we took even half what we now waste on drug law enforcement, and spent it instead on addiction prevention and treatment and education, we might well accomplish more.
44 - Maurice
handyguy (if that is your real name) coricidin and robitusin are not legal for kids and yet it is a very big problem for kids starting as young as 6th grade. Unfortunately the stores put it right out there on the counter where the kids can steal it!
My personal beef is that drugs are all pervasive and they need to be opposed on all sides.
Just for fun go to an N.A. meeting and feel the vibe. You will meet amazing people.
45 - handyguy
I meant no disrespect. I believe a lot of law enforcement efforts in this area, however, serve little useful purpose. We punish people instead of helping them.
46 - El Bicho
Maurice, I am very sorry to hear about the turmoil your family has been going through. Although I am sure I can't imagine the depths of anguish, I have no doubt it has been excruciating for all involved.
However with that being said, while I understand your position, as I do with families who have been tragically affected by gun violence, I don't think public policy should be solely dictated by the poor choices made by children.
47 - Christopher Rose
I would like to understand what is happening in the lives of these kids to make them take drugs. A war on drugs is a war that can only be lost. A war on the causes of drug use, maybe that could work to a better extent for less money.
48 - Christopher Rose
Or, of course, just decriminalise drug use, which would be in line with the USA's love of freedom and capitalisim and simultaneously save the government billions of dollars and reduce the disturbingly high proportion of its citizenry that are in jail.
49 - MarkSaleski
that's crazy talk c. rose! why, we can't even allow industrial hemp to be grown here because somebody might be tempted to smoke a couple hundred pounds of it.
50 - Christopher Rose
No self respecting weedhead would smoke that industrial stuff, Mark. It's great for chemicals, ropes and fabrics but far too weak for smoking. Or so I heard!
51 - Maurice
Zedd - I know you do. Thank you.
handyguy - I was not disrespected by your comments. I do have to disagree with your comment about law enforcement. Police officers, judges, counselors from Metal Health have all been very helpful. My 16 year olds P.O. even comes to the house to do U.A.s and generally is more like a guidance counselor than a P.O.
El Bicho - my take on this subject is certainly skewed. I would say public policy should at least go far enough to remove known troublesome drugs from the shelves of the local store.
Another thing to ponder. Heroin is making a big come back. Mainly because it is inexpensive. If we can make it inconvenient and expensive to get and abuse these drugs maybe we could prevent another family from having to go through what my family is going through right now.
52 - Cindy D
RE: #47
I think Christopher makes the best point--causes of drug use would be the right focus.
Kids use inhalants, glue, cleaning products, as well as OTC medication and street drugs.
It would be very difficult to remove everything from the world to keep them safe.
Besides, war or no war on drugs. Kids will get drugs if they want them. That is a fact. People in prison can get drugs. How is someone going to keep drugs off the street?
When did criminalization even work? I think it's a moral position not a practical solution.
53 - Kenn Jacobine
handyman,
There was only one candidate in both the Republican and Democratic parties that represented true change not the media created change image we are all use to in campaigns. That candidate was Ron Paul. He was the only policymaker that ran for president who forecasted this economic depression years ago. If he had been elected president he wouldn't be mortgaging America's future through a policy that resembles the reasons we are in this mess in the first place. He would have abolished the Department of Homeland Security and restored our constitutional liberties, ended the War on Drugs, and instituted a non-interventionist foreign policy - meaning trade and exchange with nations and not bombs and bullets.
Kenn
54 - MarkSaleski
El Bicho - my take on this subject is certainly skewed. I would say public policy should at least go far enough to remove known troublesome drugs from the shelves of the local store.
there's a nasty cough/cold/sinus thing currently going around in the northeast, so i've been to the store twice in the past week to get some cold medication. both times i've had to have my license scanned. also had to sign a verification form. this was at a rite-aid, not sure if it's being done at all locations where the drugs in question are sold.
my wife works at a girls shelter and sees it all the time. not just heroin or coke, but cold meds, huffing, etc. etc.
55 - handyguy
So Kenn, with his simplistic articles full of one-liner insults to elected officials, is a Paultard. It explains so much. Although Mr. Paul himself is considerably more articulate.
56 - Maurice
Cindy #52
Kids use inhalants, glue, cleaning products, as well as OTC medication and street drugs.
It would be very difficult to remove everything from the world to keep them safe.
Guns are everywhere but we make an effort to keep them out of the hands of kids. What ever we can do to make it difficult for kids to get drugs should be done.
57 - Cindy D
Maurice,
I think we need to change how the community operates to tackle drugs.
58 - Cindy D
drug use, i meant.
59 - Maurice
The community could start by taking coricidin and robitussin off the shelf and put it behind the counter.
Glad to hear that is what has happened in Mark's (#54) neck of the woods.
60 - Kenn Jacobine
handyman,
You are the Don Rickles of the blogosphere.
61 - Clavos
You are the Don Rickles of the blogosphere.
No, he isn't. Rickles is funny.
62 - handyguy
Don Rickles = masterful insult comedian
Jacobine = clumsy thrower of second-hand, non-insightful insults at elected officials, albeit sans humor
Clavos = cranky yacht owner, apparently growing crabbier by the minute in a world suddenly ruled by liberal dems
handyguy = truth teller.
If you laugh at my jokes, fine. If you don't, you may just be proving my point.
63 - Roger Nowosielski
Kenn,
#60 is unlike you. You don't have to play that game.
64 - Dave Nalle
What, he's not allowed to make a joke. Lighten up, Roger.
Look at Handy's clumsy and humorless response. He deserves to be laughed at a bit when he takes himself so seriously.
Dave
65 - Roger Nowosielski
Do you see me responding to Handy? No longer. So perhaps Kenn was only trying to break through the morbid seriousness of it all. In that case, I buy it.
66 - bliffle
Unfortunately, the cause of our drug culture, IMO, is advertising, and there is no force within America that can confront and change the dreamworld that ads create for our aspirations. Nor is there any force in America that can deter the purveyors of ads from their course.
At some point in our lives we are forced to start making conscious acquiescence to the Societal Norms portrayed in ads or else we will make ourselves outcasts. Perhaps we join in the chorus of voices telling lies about Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, etc.
But to participate in these lies would make us psychotics who truly believe in things that are not true, so we mitigate that by reserving a little place in our minds where the truth can hide out.
So we speak conventional lies and desperately cling to Truth while it hides out in the caves of the mind.
This makes us schizophrenic. I suppose then, if we can hold outright schizo madness at bay and continue as high-function members of society that we are considered normal, or, as Asperger people say "Neurologically Typical", "NT" for short.
It's hard to maintain the facade of NT while staring at the abyss between words and thoughts, lies and truths (especially when those words and thoughts, lies and truths, are one's own), but drugs can knock the rough edges off.
67 - Cindy D
At some point in our lives we are forced to start making conscious acquiescence to the Societal Norms portrayed in ads or else we will make ourselves outcasts.
I think probably grammar school age sounds about right.
68 - Fiona May Osborne
After reading all the comments in this site, I have reached the conclusion that most posters will be ever so happy if Pres. Obama steps down but, according to me, only after the Stimulus begins to have an effect. It would be pleasant to see what happens and how we are again seen throughout the world after all it's the President who is liked and not us.
Then we could perhaps call W to come back and take over his wonderful legacy which is nothing else than what we deserve.
What we did not dare to demanded in eight years of the worst ever administration [the previous one]is now being demanded from the one who has been in the job for less than a month. That is how fair we Americans are.
If this were to happen we will then know what is to become of this poor country and how on earth we will get out of the mess we have inherited from the previous administration.
69 - Roger Nowosielski
I am in total agreement with you, Fiora. But there is so much ideological hatred that people don't even realize what they're saying. What happened to us, Americans, rooting for this country? And now, would you believe, that some posters here look forward to Sarah Palin as our next fearless and future leader. It's amazing.