[FairfieldLife] Re: Think the war in Iraq is stupid?
Edg, marijuana's relatively easy cultivation would skim some off of the taxable base, but to get really primo bud, like anything else, requires a high degree of sophistication and hard work. Here in Humboldt County there are lots of growers, lots of hydroponic supply companies, guilds of professional trimmers, and other examples of a growing infrastructure; it takes knowledge, people and lots of work to produce high-end product. I think that the demand for the good stuff would remain and be the basis for a taxable product. ** --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Duveyoung [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Marek, If weed was legal, there'd be weed growing in every ditch -- they wouldn't get nearly the taxes that they're getting for alcohol and tobacco. The hemp industry however would greatly benefit the economy. As far as I can tell, the law against pot is a racist tool to imprison African Americansplain and simple. Edg --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Marek Reavis reavismarek@ wrote: Why on earth the government hasn't legalized marijuana (at least), regulated its use and taxed it to provide for needed government programs puzzles me. Here in Humboldt County the estimates of how much marijuana cultivation contributes to our local economy ranges from $200 million on the conservative side to half-a-billion on the optimistic side. And that's just a single California county; you can imagine how much in potential tax revenues that single crop could generate if it was legalized. And the savings in law enforcement, probation services, court and related court services themselves would be tremendous in and of themselves. Some portion of revenues could be directed towards drug education and rehabilitation services for those who become caught up in drug addiction, though marijuana ain't one of the drugs that causes problems (outside of its illegality). And, although there will always be something of a black market for any desirable product, the heavy duty criminal element that is drawn to high-risk, high- profit ventures would exit the market. I don't think that will happen until we have a responsible Republican administration that will make the argument an economic one; once you examine current drug laws through that lens I don't believe you can long endorse this well-intentioned but fundamentally flawed drug war. ** --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues curtisdeltablues@ wrote: I'm reading a book called Dry Manhattan, Prohibition in New York City. It is such a strong parallel to what is going on now with an important exception. Because of the depression, society got sick really quickly of financing an unwinnable war which creates a mobster underground making untaxible billions. The same issues of black market impurities causing more health issues than the drug itself happened back then also with private stills cranking out some nasty stuff. Cry'n Mama, Mama, Mama, cry'n canned heat kill'n me Cry'n Mama, Mama, Mama, cry'n Sterno is kill'n me If canned heat don't kill me, I believe I'll never die. Sterno strained through bread was a favorite drink. Only problem was is was wood alcohol, not grain alcohol. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Marek Reavis reavismarek@ wrote: Thanks for posting this piece, Bob. Seeing firsthand how this so- called war is fought, at least on the jurisdictional battlefields I've been in, is a scary eye-opener to just how ineffective and crazy the whole enterprise is. One of the very worst examples of how a good intention goes terribly bad is the asset forfeiture laws that essentially create self-funding task forces that receive percentages of property and cash seized from drug arrests. It makes these multi-agency task forces into freebooters who profit from their busts. ** --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, bob_brigante no_reply@ wrote: Think the war in Iraq is stupid? The war on drugs is much dumber: http://www.slate.com/id/2178795/
Re: [FairfieldLife] Re: Think the war in Iraq is stupid?
In a message dated 12/3/07 11:58:22 P.M. Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: The hemp industry however would greatly benefit the economy. As far as I can tell, the law against pot is a racist tool to imprison African Americans...African Americ Edg Using this logic, I guess if us whities wanted to really get tuff, we could outlaw fried chicken and watermelon. **Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest products. (http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop000301)
Re: [FairfieldLife] Re: Think the war in Iraq is stupid?
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: In a message dated 12/3/07 11:58:22 P.M. Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: The hemp industry however would greatly benefit the economy. As far as I can tell, the law against pot is a racist tool to imprison African Americans...African Americ Edg Using this logic, I guess if us whities wanted to really get tuff, we could outlaw fried chicken and watermelon. It's actually a fact: Marijuana was first outlawed in 1937. Not long after, the feds planned to conduct a national raid to round-up black jazz musicians who smoked pot. The plot failed because the agents couldn't infiltrate the jazz milieu. http://www.talkleft.com/story/2003/06/01/405/84468 Which refers to an article (link provided) in the NY Times. This has been a long known fact in the drug culture. The image of FBI agents trying to infiltrate the jazz scene is hilarious.
Re: [FairfieldLife] Re: Think the war in Iraq is stupid?
In a message dated 12/4/07 2:00:28 P.M. Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: In a message dated 12/3/07 11:58:22 P.M. Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] (mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]) writes: The hemp industry however would greatly benefit the economy. As far as I can tell, the law against pot is a racist tool to imprison African Americans... African Americans Edg Using this logic, I guess if us whities wanted to really get tuff, we could outlaw fried chicken and watermelon. It's actually a fact: Marijuana was first outlawed in 1937. Not long after, the feds planned to conduct a national raid to round-up black jazz musicians who smoked pot. The plot failed because the agents couldn't infiltrate the jazz milieu. _http://www.talklefthttp://www.http://www.http://ww_ (http://www.talkleft.com/story/2003/06/01/405/84468) Which refers to an article (link provided) in the NY Times. This has been a long known fact in the drug culture. The image of FBI agents trying to infiltrate the jazz scene is hilarious. But my point is, if it's just a tool to imprison African/Americans, why would they stop with drug laws? **Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest products. (http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop000301)
Re: [FairfieldLife] Re: Think the war in Iraq is stupid?
They don't stop with drug laws. There is one law for the white man and another for the black man. [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: In a message dated 12/4/07 2:00:28 P.M. Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: In amessage dated 12/3/07 11:58:22 P.M. Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED]writes: The hemp industry however would greatly benefit theeconomy. As far as I can tell, the law against pot is a racisttool to imprison African Americans...AfricanAmeric Edg Using this logic, Iguess if us whities wanted to really get tuff, we could outlaw friedchicken and watermelon. It's actually a fact: Marijuana was firstoutlawed in 1937. Not long after, the feds planned to conduct a nationalraid to round-up black jazz musicians who smoked pot. The plot failedbecause the agents couldn't infiltrate the jazz milieu. http://www.talkleft.com/story/2003/06/01/405/84468 Whichrefers to an article (link provided) in the NY Times. This has been a longknown fact in the drug culture. The image of FBI agents trying toinfiltrate the jazz scene is hilarious. But my point is, if it's just a tool to imprison African/Americans, why would they stop with drug laws? - Check out AOL Money Finance's list of the hottest products and top money wasters of 2007. Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com
Re: [FairfieldLife] Re: Think the war in Iraq is stupid?
In a message dated 12/4/07 5:04:52 P.M. Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: They don't stop with drug laws. There is one law for the white man and another for the black man. Would you name a few currently on the books? **Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest products. (http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop000301)
[FairfieldLife] Re: Think the war in Iraq is stupid?
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: In a message dated 12/4/07 5:04:52 P.M. Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: They don't stop with drug laws. There is one law for the white man and another for the black man. Would you name a few currently on the books? ...any affirmative action program... **Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest products. (http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007? NCID=aoltop000301)
Re: [FairfieldLife] Re: Think the war in Iraq is stupid?
They're not on the books, but it is very obvious that black people get short shrift with the law. The reason I know that is that I was married to a black man for thirty years. I raised a black daughter and saw the prejudice she faced in school. But I constantly saw black friends and relatives by marriage railroaded by the white man's law. I returned from China just in time to keep my black grandson from being tried as an adult on trumped up charges and sent to an adult prison. He was sixteen. If I hadn't come back when I did, there would have been no saving him. I've seen a lot. a [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: In a message dated 12/4/07 5:04:52 P.M. Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Theydon't stop with drug laws. There is one law for the white man and another for the black man. Would you name a few currently on the books? - Check out AOL Money Finance's list of the hottest products and top money wasters of 2007. Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com
Re: [FairfieldLife] Re: Think the war in Iraq is stupid?
In a message dated 12/4/07 6:06:58 P.M. Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: --- In [EMAIL PROTECTED] (mailto:FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com) , [EMAIL PROTECTED], MDi In a message dated 12/4/07 5:04:52 P.M. Central Standard Time, mailander111@ mailander111@ They don't stop with drug laws. There is one law for the white man and another for the black man. Would you name a few currently on the books? ...any affirmative action program... Wow! Never thought of that. **Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest products. (http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop000301)
[FairfieldLife] Re: Think the war in Iraq is stupid?
Thanks for posting this piece, Bob. Seeing firsthand how this so- called war is fought, at least on the jurisdictional battlefields I've been in, is a scary eye-opener to just how ineffective and crazy the whole enterprise is. One of the very worst examples of how a good intention goes terribly bad is the asset forfeiture laws that essentially create self-funding task forces that receive percentages of property and cash seized from drug arrests. It makes these multi-agency task forces into freebooters who profit from their busts. ** --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, bob_brigante [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Think the war in Iraq is stupid? The war on drugs is much dumber: http://www.slate.com/id/2178795/
Re: [FairfieldLife] Re: Think the war in Iraq is stupid?
Would they be above planting drugs on someone if they could get away with it? It's an appalling law. Marek Reavis [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Thanks for posting this piece, Bob. Seeing firsthand how this so- called war is fought, at least on the jurisdictional battlefields I've been in, is a scary eye-opener to just how ineffective and crazy the whole enterprise is. One of the very worst examples of how a good intention goes terribly bad is the asset forfeiture laws that essentially create self-funding task forces that receive percentages of property and cash seized from drug arrests. It makes these multi-agency task forces into freebooters who profit from their busts. ** --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, bob_brigante [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Think the war in Iraq is stupid? The war on drugs is much dumber: http://www.slate.com/id/2178795/ Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com
[FairfieldLife] Re: Think the war in Iraq is stupid?
I'm reading a book called Dry Manhattan, Prohibition in New York City. It is such a strong parallel to what is going on now with an important exception. Because of the depression, society got sick really quickly of financing an unwinnable war which creates a mobster underground making untaxible billions. The same issues of black market impurities causing more health issues than the drug itself happened back then also with private stills cranking out some nasty stuff. Cry'n Mama, Mama, Mama, cry'n canned heat kill'n me Cry'n Mama, Mama, Mama, cry'n Sterno is kill'n me If canned heat don't kill me, I believe I'll never die. Sterno strained through bread was a favorite drink. Only problem was is was wood alcohol, not grain alcohol. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Marek Reavis [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Thanks for posting this piece, Bob. Seeing firsthand how this so- called war is fought, at least on the jurisdictional battlefields I've been in, is a scary eye-opener to just how ineffective and crazy the whole enterprise is. One of the very worst examples of how a good intention goes terribly bad is the asset forfeiture laws that essentially create self-funding task forces that receive percentages of property and cash seized from drug arrests. It makes these multi-agency task forces into freebooters who profit from their busts. ** --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, bob_brigante no_reply@ wrote: Think the war in Iraq is stupid? The war on drugs is much dumber: http://www.slate.com/id/2178795/
[FairfieldLife] Re: Think the war in Iraq is stupid?
Angela, there are bad cops, of course, and planting drugs on suspects must happen from time to time, but I haven't ever participated in a case where that was a real issue. If the case is big enough to warrant a significant civil forfeiture, however, you're dealing with lots and lots of contraband that would be nearly impossible to plant. ** --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Angela Mailander [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Would they be above planting drugs on someone if they could get away with it? It's an appalling law. Marek Reavis [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Thanks for posting this piece, Bob. Seeing firsthand how this so- called war is fought, at least on the jurisdictional battlefields I've been in, is a scary eye-opener to just how ineffective and crazy the whole enterprise is. One of the very worst examples of how a good intention goes terribly bad is the asset forfeiture laws that essentially create self-funding task forces that receive percentages of property and cash seized from drug arrests. It makes these multi-agency task forces into freebooters who profit from their busts. ** --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, bob_brigante no_reply@ wrote: Think the war in Iraq is stupid? The war on drugs is much dumber: http://www.slate.com/id/2178795/ Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com
[FairfieldLife] Re: Think the war in Iraq is stupid?
It's amazing that so many people (under the rubric of the agency they work for or religion they subscribe to -- or both) feel perfectly justified in fucking with other people's lives. Until Nixon announced the war on drugs and created the DEA to enforce the (then) newly introduced Controlled Substances Act, it was accepted without question that the individual had the constitutional right to put pretty much anything into their own body. A criminal act is just as criminal whether one is stone cold sober or under the influence of a drug; to criminalize how a person feels after the ingestion of a certain chemical rather than how they act (whether or not they are intoxicated) is fundamentally wrong-headed, in my opinion. ** --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, TurquoiseB [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Marek Reavis reavismarek@ wrote: Thanks for posting this piece, Bob. Seeing firsthand how this so- called war is fought, at least on the jurisdictional battlefields I've been in, is a scary eye-opener to just how ineffective and crazy the whole enterprise is. One of the very worst examples of how a good intention goes terribly bad is the asset forfeiture laws that essentially create self-funding task forces that receive percentages of property and cash seized from drug arrests. It makes these multi-agency task forces into freebooters who profit from their busts. Interestingly, Marek, this has a historical precedent in the 13th century. There was an NGO back then that had the power to accuse anyone of the highest crime in the land, torture them until they confessed (it was a foregone conclusion that if they were accused they were guilty), and then execute them and seize all their property and assets. This non- governmental organization was called the Inquisition. As a result, the Dominican Order became one of the richest entities in Europe. Sadly, whatever amazing boondoggles governments can think up to fuck people over, religions can do better, and chances are they did it first.
[FairfieldLife] Re: Think the war in Iraq is stupid?
Why on earth the government hasn't legalized marijuana (at least), regulated its use and taxed it to provide for needed government programs puzzles me. Here in Humboldt County the estimates of how much marijuana cultivation contributes to our local economy ranges from $200 million on the conservative side to half-a-billion on the optimistic side. And that's just a single California county; you can imagine how much in potential tax revenues that single crop could generate if it was legalized. And the savings in law enforcement, probation services, court and related court services themselves would be tremendous in and of themselves. Some portion of revenues could be directed towards drug education and rehabilitation services for those who become caught up in drug addiction, though marijuana ain't one of the drugs that causes problems (outside of its illegality). And, although there will always be something of a black market for any desirable product, the heavy duty criminal element that is drawn to high-risk, high- profit ventures would exit the market. I don't think that will happen until we have a responsible Republican administration that will make the argument an economic one; once you examine current drug laws through that lens I don't believe you can long endorse this well-intentioned but fundamentally flawed drug war. ** --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I'm reading a book called Dry Manhattan, Prohibition in New York City. It is such a strong parallel to what is going on now with an important exception. Because of the depression, society got sick really quickly of financing an unwinnable war which creates a mobster underground making untaxible billions. The same issues of black market impurities causing more health issues than the drug itself happened back then also with private stills cranking out some nasty stuff. Cry'n Mama, Mama, Mama, cry'n canned heat kill'n me Cry'n Mama, Mama, Mama, cry'n Sterno is kill'n me If canned heat don't kill me, I believe I'll never die. Sterno strained through bread was a favorite drink. Only problem was is was wood alcohol, not grain alcohol. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Marek Reavis reavismarek@ wrote: Thanks for posting this piece, Bob. Seeing firsthand how this so- called war is fought, at least on the jurisdictional battlefields I've been in, is a scary eye-opener to just how ineffective and crazy the whole enterprise is. One of the very worst examples of how a good intention goes terribly bad is the asset forfeiture laws that essentially create self-funding task forces that receive percentages of property and cash seized from drug arrests. It makes these multi-agency task forces into freebooters who profit from their busts. ** --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, bob_brigante no_reply@ wrote: Think the war in Iraq is stupid? The war on drugs is much dumber: http://www.slate.com/id/2178795/
[FairfieldLife] Re: Think the war in Iraq is stupid?
I don't think that will happen until we have a responsible Republican administration that will make the argument an economic one; once you examine current drug laws through that lens I don't believe you can long endorse this well-intentioned but fundamentally flawed drug war. I totally agree. Like George Schultz from the Reagan administration or William F. Buckley who both advocated legalization. Democrats can't dare to appear soft on crime so they will never risk this move. It makes me sick to spend money and locking people up, destroying families for weed. Our tax dollars. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Marek Reavis [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Why on earth the government hasn't legalized marijuana (at least), regulated its use and taxed it to provide for needed government programs puzzles me. Here in Humboldt County the estimates of how much marijuana cultivation contributes to our local economy ranges from $200 million on the conservative side to half-a-billion on the optimistic side. And that's just a single California county; you can imagine how much in potential tax revenues that single crop could generate if it was legalized. And the savings in law enforcement, probation services, court and related court services themselves would be tremendous in and of themselves. Some portion of revenues could be directed towards drug education and rehabilitation services for those who become caught up in drug addiction, though marijuana ain't one of the drugs that causes problems (outside of its illegality). And, although there will always be something of a black market for any desirable product, the heavy duty criminal element that is drawn to high-risk, high- profit ventures would exit the market. I don't think that will happen until we have a responsible Republican administration that will make the argument an economic one; once you examine current drug laws through that lens I don't believe you can long endorse this well-intentioned but fundamentally flawed drug war. ** --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues curtisdeltablues@ wrote: I'm reading a book called Dry Manhattan, Prohibition in New York City. It is such a strong parallel to what is going on now with an important exception. Because of the depression, society got sick really quickly of financing an unwinnable war which creates a mobster underground making untaxible billions. The same issues of black market impurities causing more health issues than the drug itself happened back then also with private stills cranking out some nasty stuff. Cry'n Mama, Mama, Mama, cry'n canned heat kill'n me Cry'n Mama, Mama, Mama, cry'n Sterno is kill'n me If canned heat don't kill me, I believe I'll never die. Sterno strained through bread was a favorite drink. Only problem was is was wood alcohol, not grain alcohol. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Marek Reavis reavismarek@ wrote: Thanks for posting this piece, Bob. Seeing firsthand how this so- called war is fought, at least on the jurisdictional battlefields I've been in, is a scary eye-opener to just how ineffective and crazy the whole enterprise is. One of the very worst examples of how a good intention goes terribly bad is the asset forfeiture laws that essentially create self-funding task forces that receive percentages of property and cash seized from drug arrests. It makes these multi-agency task forces into freebooters who profit from their busts. ** --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, bob_brigante no_reply@ wrote: Think the war in Iraq is stupid? The war on drugs is much dumber: http://www.slate.com/id/2178795/
[FairfieldLife] Re: Think the war in Iraq is stupid?
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Marek Reavis [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: It's amazing that so many people (under the rubric of the agency they work for or religion they subscribe to -- or both) feel perfectly justified in fucking with other people's lives. Until Nixon announced the war on drugs and created the DEA to enforce the (then) newly introduced Controlled Substances Act, it was accepted without question that the individual had the constitutional right to put pretty much anything into their own body. A criminal act is just as criminal whether one is stone cold sober or under the influence of a drug; to criminalize how a person feels after the ingestion of a certain chemical rather than how they act (whether or not they are intoxicated) is fundamentally wrong-headed, in my opinion. And what about that most fundamental aspects of the Declaration of Independence: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? Sure, I understand that the D of I isn't per se a constitutional document but, hey, if one wants to pursue happiness by ingesting all sorts of chemicals and he isn't hurting anyone but himself, why doesn't the constitution let him? ** --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, TurquoiseB no_reply@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Marek Reavis reavismarek@ wrote: Thanks for posting this piece, Bob. Seeing firsthand how this so- called war is fought, at least on the jurisdictional battlefields I've been in, is a scary eye-opener to just how ineffective and crazy the whole enterprise is. One of the very worst examples of how a good intention goes terribly bad is the asset forfeiture laws that essentially create self-funding task forces that receive percentages of property and cash seized from drug arrests. It makes these multi-agency task forces into freebooters who profit from their busts. Interestingly, Marek, this has a historical precedent in the 13th century. There was an NGO back then that had the power to accuse anyone of the highest crime in the land, torture them until they confessed (it was a foregone conclusion that if they were accused they were guilty), and then execute them and seize all their property and assets. This non- governmental organization was called the Inquisition. As a result, the Dominican Order became one of the richest entities in Europe. Sadly, whatever amazing boondoggles governments can think up to fuck people over, religions can do better, and chances are they did it first.
[FairfieldLife] Re: Think the war in Iraq is stupid?
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Marek Reavis [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Why on earth the government hasn't legalized marijuana (at least), regulated its use and taxed it to provide for needed government programs puzzles me. Here in Humboldt County the estimates of how much marijuana cultivation contributes to our local economy ranges from $200 million on the conservative side to half-a-billion on the optimistic side. And that's just a single California county; you can imagine how much in potential tax revenues that single crop could generate if it was legalized. Hey, it's the #1 cash crop in the U.S.: http://tinyurl.com/vl538 And the savings in law enforcement, probation services, court and related court services themselves would be tremendous in and of themselves. Some portion of revenues could be directed towards drug education and rehabilitation services for those who become caught up in drug addiction, though marijuana ain't one of the drugs that causes problems (outside of its illegality). And, although there will always be something of a black market for any desirable product, the heavy duty criminal element that is drawn to high-risk, high- profit ventures would exit the market. I don't think that will happen until we have a responsible Republican administration that will make the argument an economic one; once you examine current drug laws through that lens I don't believe you can long endorse this well-intentioned but fundamentally flawed drug war. ** --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues curtisdeltablues@ wrote: I'm reading a book called Dry Manhattan, Prohibition in New York City. It is such a strong parallel to what is going on now with an important exception. Because of the depression, society got sick really quickly of financing an unwinnable war which creates a mobster underground making untaxible billions. The same issues of black market impurities causing more health issues than the drug itself happened back then also with private stills cranking out some nasty stuff. Cry'n Mama, Mama, Mama, cry'n canned heat kill'n me Cry'n Mama, Mama, Mama, cry'n Sterno is kill'n me If canned heat don't kill me, I believe I'll never die. Sterno strained through bread was a favorite drink. Only problem was is was wood alcohol, not grain alcohol. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Marek Reavis reavismarek@ wrote: Thanks for posting this piece, Bob. Seeing firsthand how this so- called war is fought, at least on the jurisdictional battlefields I've been in, is a scary eye-opener to just how ineffective and crazy the whole enterprise is. One of the very worst examples of how a good intention goes terribly bad is the asset forfeiture laws that essentially create self-funding task forces that receive percentages of property and cash seized from drug arrests. It makes these multi-agency task forces into freebooters who profit from their busts. ** --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, bob_brigante no_reply@ wrote: Think the war in Iraq is stupid? The war on drugs is much dumber: http://www.slate.com/id/2178795/
[FairfieldLife] Re: Think the war in Iraq is stupid?
Marek, If weed was legal, there'd be weed growing in every ditch -- they wouldn't get nearly the taxes that they're getting for alcohol and tobacco. The hemp industry however would greatly benefit the economy. As far as I can tell, the law against pot is a racist tool to imprison African Americansplain and simple. Edg --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Marek Reavis [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Why on earth the government hasn't legalized marijuana (at least), regulated its use and taxed it to provide for needed government programs puzzles me. Here in Humboldt County the estimates of how much marijuana cultivation contributes to our local economy ranges from $200 million on the conservative side to half-a-billion on the optimistic side. And that's just a single California county; you can imagine how much in potential tax revenues that single crop could generate if it was legalized. And the savings in law enforcement, probation services, court and related court services themselves would be tremendous in and of themselves. Some portion of revenues could be directed towards drug education and rehabilitation services for those who become caught up in drug addiction, though marijuana ain't one of the drugs that causes problems (outside of its illegality). And, although there will always be something of a black market for any desirable product, the heavy duty criminal element that is drawn to high-risk, high- profit ventures would exit the market. I don't think that will happen until we have a responsible Republican administration that will make the argument an economic one; once you examine current drug laws through that lens I don't believe you can long endorse this well-intentioned but fundamentally flawed drug war. ** --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues curtisdeltablues@ wrote: I'm reading a book called Dry Manhattan, Prohibition in New York City. It is such a strong parallel to what is going on now with an important exception. Because of the depression, society got sick really quickly of financing an unwinnable war which creates a mobster underground making untaxible billions. The same issues of black market impurities causing more health issues than the drug itself happened back then also with private stills cranking out some nasty stuff. Cry'n Mama, Mama, Mama, cry'n canned heat kill'n me Cry'n Mama, Mama, Mama, cry'n Sterno is kill'n me If canned heat don't kill me, I believe I'll never die. Sterno strained through bread was a favorite drink. Only problem was is was wood alcohol, not grain alcohol. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Marek Reavis reavismarek@ wrote: Thanks for posting this piece, Bob. Seeing firsthand how this so- called war is fought, at least on the jurisdictional battlefields I've been in, is a scary eye-opener to just how ineffective and crazy the whole enterprise is. One of the very worst examples of how a good intention goes terribly bad is the asset forfeiture laws that essentially create self-funding task forces that receive percentages of property and cash seized from drug arrests. It makes these multi-agency task forces into freebooters who profit from their busts. ** --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, bob_brigante no_reply@ wrote: Think the war in Iraq is stupid? The war on drugs is much dumber: http://www.slate.com/id/2178795/
[FairfieldLife] Re: Think the war in Iraq is stupid?
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Duveyoung [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Marek, If weed was legal, there'd be weed growing in every ditch -- they wouldn't get nearly the taxes that they're getting for alcohol and tobacco. I still think many a lazy ass would rather buy it then grow it. The hemp industry however would greatly benefit the economy. As far as I can tell, the law against pot is a racist tool to imprison African Americansplain and simple. I think maybe crack fits a racist profile. Weed seems to be an equal opportunity destroyer legally. Edg --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Marek Reavis reavismarek@ wrote: Why on earth the government hasn't legalized marijuana (at least), regulated its use and taxed it to provide for needed government programs puzzles me. Here in Humboldt County the estimates of how much marijuana cultivation contributes to our local economy ranges from $200 million on the conservative side to half-a-billion on the optimistic side. And that's just a single California county; you can imagine how much in potential tax revenues that single crop could generate if it was legalized. And the savings in law enforcement, probation services, court and related court services themselves would be tremendous in and of themselves. Some portion of revenues could be directed towards drug education and rehabilitation services for those who become caught up in drug addiction, though marijuana ain't one of the drugs that causes problems (outside of its illegality). And, although there will always be something of a black market for any desirable product, the heavy duty criminal element that is drawn to high-risk, high- profit ventures would exit the market. I don't think that will happen until we have a responsible Republican administration that will make the argument an economic one; once you examine current drug laws through that lens I don't believe you can long endorse this well-intentioned but fundamentally flawed drug war. ** --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues curtisdeltablues@ wrote: I'm reading a book called Dry Manhattan, Prohibition in New York City. It is such a strong parallel to what is going on now with an important exception. Because of the depression, society got sick really quickly of financing an unwinnable war which creates a mobster underground making untaxible billions. The same issues of black market impurities causing more health issues than the drug itself happened back then also with private stills cranking out some nasty stuff. Cry'n Mama, Mama, Mama, cry'n canned heat kill'n me Cry'n Mama, Mama, Mama, cry'n Sterno is kill'n me If canned heat don't kill me, I believe I'll never die. Sterno strained through bread was a favorite drink. Only problem was is was wood alcohol, not grain alcohol. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Marek Reavis reavismarek@ wrote: Thanks for posting this piece, Bob. Seeing firsthand how this so- called war is fought, at least on the jurisdictional battlefields I've been in, is a scary eye-opener to just how ineffective and crazy the whole enterprise is. One of the very worst examples of how a good intention goes terribly bad is the asset forfeiture laws that essentially create self-funding task forces that receive percentages of property and cash seized from drug arrests. It makes these multi-agency task forces into freebooters who profit from their busts. ** --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, bob_brigante no_reply@ wrote: Think the war in Iraq is stupid? The war on drugs is much dumber: http://www.slate.com/id/2178795/
