Posted on 03/08/2012 9:21:14 PM PST by Mariner
RICHMOND, Va. -- Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson says marijuana should be legalized and treated like alcohol because the government's war on drugs has failed.
The outspoken evangelical Christian and host of "The 700 Club" on the Virginia Beach-based Christian Broadcasting Network he founded said the war on drugs is costing taxpayers billions of dollars. He said people should not be sent to prison for marijuana possession.
The 81-year-old first became a self-proclaimed "hero of the hippie culture" in 2010 when he called for ending mandatory prison sentences for marijuana possession convictions.
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
I’ve smoked pot and my soul is fully intact.
Same here.
I have to say that in my 60+ years of living, I can’t recall ever seeing a stoned person that wanted to fight anyone. I can’t say the same for persons that have been drinking.
I’m 61 and can say the same.
Provide your documentation that the Mafia is not now only a minor player. Tax (NOT DRUG) prosecutions brought the Mafia low.
Why is it that normally rational, thinking people lose all common sense when it comes to a legalization discussion?
You said:
“That is my main issue with pot (especially harder drugs) is the health issues related to long term use.”
It therefore follows that:
Trans-fats are bad for you. They have have proven, long-term health risks. Ban trans-fats!
Tobacco has proven, long-term health risks. Ban it!
Drinking too much alcohol has proven, long-term health risks. Ban it!
Who pays for the proven, long-term problems asociated with obesity? Should we lock up every over-weight person? Shut down any restaurant that serves a customer a meal over 200 calories? Mandate what foods may be eaten? Why must I pay for the health care services of fat people?
Then you said:
“Now if they opted out of any health care services related to long term use then maybe its truely a matter of individual choice.”
It therefore follows that:
If every fat person opted out of any health care services (or anyone with any health issues opted out of any health care issues related to long term lifestyle choices for that matter) then you might have an argument because it would truely be a matter of individual choice.
Come on... if you look at what you said, objectively, then there is absolutely no way you can believe you have any kind of an argument here.
Pat is making stupid comments lately. Just last month he said he wished Santorum “would stop talking all this theology nonsense”. Since when does a preacher want a public person to stop talking about God???
Pat is also a big Romney supporter. I knew he was senile when I heard that.
When the person talking about God is a Catholic.
I didn’t say anything pro or con. I was replying to the poster who said Switzerland. Thanks for the attitude though...
Just so you know you used the phrase “ban it” not me.
You also said,”It therefore follows that:
If every fat person opted out of any health care services (or anyone with any health issues opted out of any health care issues related to long term lifestyle choices for that matter) then you might have an argument because it would truely be a matter of individual choice.”
You might be on to something. Someone in the medical field correct me if I am wrong but there are a lot of people diagnosed with diabetes, or even High Blood Preasure, that would not be if they would lose 50 or a 100 lbs. Or, at least they wouldn’t be consdiered “disabled” by it.
Its simular to if I slip and fell on your sidewalk. Are you the property owner to blame if I wasn’t paying attention where I was stepping? How about if I am drunk and slip on your property..should you the property owner pay my hospital expenses?
If a pot head who gets high two or three times a day for 5 or 10 years developes respiratory problems should everyone else pay for his care?
We all know he is going to get the care but don’t kid yourself into thinking pot smoking is only harming the one who indulges in it.
OK, I admit that there is a cultural element in getting stoned. But, the main point is not simply to look cool and fit in but to get stoned.
I hear that pot makes music sound better. When pot usage doubles after legalization, guess a whole bunch of people will better enjoy themselves. 
Does the same apply to alcohol and quarter pounders?
“It make come as a dramatic shock to you, but alcohol has killed more people,”
You commit the fallacy of comparing incomparable units.
Pot and alcohol are alike in some ways, but vastly different in other ways. Someone might argue that alcohol is worse. But, this still doesn’t refute my claim that to compare pot to alcohol is a false analogy.
The question isn’t “lets be consistent and ban all harmful substances that can be abused.”
The question being discussed is: “Let legalize — and thus vastly increase usage — of a harmful substance that can be abused.”
It is like saying:
X (fill in the blank of a legal, harmful thing) is more dangerous than smoking pot, and X is legal, therefore we should be consistent and legalize pot.
We should not make our society worse for the sake of consistency.
Gee, ya think professor?
The graveyards full of those from alcohol related deaths, cheer your keen perception!
“Now if they opted out of any health care services related to long term use then maybe its truely a matter of individual choice.”
Does the same apply to alcohol and quarter pounders?
I guess it would depend. If you drink a glass of alcohol every week or two or whether you are drinking a bottle every day or two. If you are drinking a bottle every day or two who is RESONSIBLE if you develope cirrhosis of the liver.
Likewise, if you eat two or three quarter pounders a day and you clog your artiries whose RESPONSIBLE for your medical bill?
Don’t misunderstand me I am not saying the government is obligated to make sure you eat healthy. However, if you do eat unhealthy and you have a heart attack because of it. No OWES you any medical help.
If you believe its nobody’s business if you live a high risk lifestyle then take responsibility for it. If, and likely when, it comes back to bite you then except the conscequences.
Thats all.
I have terrible migraines too. If I could, I’d try weed. As it is, I have to destroy my liver with pain medication instead.
They decided that they did with Terri.
I was friends with all kinds of people in high school. I associated with just about every group that comes to mind when one thinks of high school cliques. The stoners were by far the least combative, least arrogant group. Certainly some were losers who didn’t make the grades, but there were those in every clique. On Friday nights after the games, it was those drinking alcohol who were the most destructive and violent. (The movie Detroit Rock City portrays that pretty well and is too funny.)
while I agree with you about how we all were back in high school, I am now 25 yrs. beyond that now.
What do I see now?
The stoners are still back “there”. It’s like the drug froze them in time. They don’t seem aware of it either.
Everyone else seems to have grown up & matured.
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