Once you're hooked, it's all downhill

Liberty Magazine, Reflections Column | Feb 2003 | Chris Henderson

[Joe Bonforte]

I admit it. I'm addicted. I'm hooked on the white powder. I know it's dangerous. I know it can kill me. I know many people (including the rich and famous) have died as a result of doing it. But I can't help it. The rush I get when I'm doing it is incredible. And even though it is pretty expensive and my nose gets all red, dry, and painful after every episode, I plan to keep on doing it. I can't help it. When I'm not doing it, I think about how bad I want to go right back to it.

I've had debates with my conservative friends about whether or not the government has a vested interest in keeping people like me from doing stuff like this. Especially since it is inherently dangerous. They seem to think it is just fine for government to prohibit people from doing stuff like this. Not me, however. I'm going to seek out this incredible white powder whenever and wherever I can, no matter the danger. Yep, I'm going to keep on skiing.

[Joe Bonforte]

Me too.

By the way, Liberty Magazine is not on the web (as best as I can tell). This is typed in from the print edition. Any typos are my fault.

[Blue Screen of Death]

Skiing is a sport of the wealthy. It is unfair that there are few, if any, ski areas in the poorer areas of Miami or Phoenix. No, in these cities poor people, often of color, must settle for basketball courts.

Many ski areas are on government property (National Forrest) so the government is again subsidising the life style of the rich at the expense of poor minorities.

In the interest of fairness, skiing must be banned until there is parity between the haves and have nots. Sort of a Title IX for economic justice.

Each ski area should be required to impliment an affirmative action program to encourage participation by those Americans who have not won lifes lottery. A surcharge should be placed on tickets and equipment to provide equal access and oportunity for all Americans, even if they hate the idea of jumping off a mountain with a couple of pieces of wood strapped to their feet.

[Archangelsk]

You forgot the sarcasm tag. Also, how dare the Austrians, Swiss, and Italians have all the best Alps! I mean last time I was in St. Anton I skiied from the Valluga down to the village and it took me about two hours! And how dare they nationalize the ski areas so that if some dumb ass tries to ski above his level - and breaks his leg - and he tries to sue the resort, they laugh.

[BillyBonebrake]

Skiing is ok but snowboarding is funner ;-)

[Blue Screen of Death]

You forgot the sarcasm tag.

I always enjoy the hate mail from folks that miss the sarcasm and suggest I do things to myself that are physically impossible for a tubby middle aged guy.

[TightSqueeze]

Yep, I'm going to keep on skiing.

Till it's illegal, face it if it is fun and stimulating, some federal bastard or some friggin' LEO will determine that it should not happen, besides its for your own good, you could break your neck or put an eye out.

[2banana]

You know how many kids are seriously hurt and killed on ski slopes? Not to mention the huge environmental damage. This is one activity that must be banned (except for the politically connected and rich/famous).

[coloradan]

This is one activity that must be banned (except for the politically connected and rich/famous).

You're right, the way things are now even kids can buy ski passes with no proof of ID and no background check, no questions asked.

As a result there is blood on the slopes.

Ski resorts need to go to "may issue" lift tickets so that only approved people who have passed safety classes and who lock up their skiing arsenal are able to ski.

[T Minus Four]

When sking is outlawed, only outlaws will ski.

I intend to be one of them. After all, I'm one of the wrong people anyway, and I own an evil SUV.

T

[jlogajan]

Pretty clever way to get around FR's ban on posting any anti-WOD sentiments. The admin moderators are probably all in a tizzy wondering what to do. Oh my!

[Old Professer]

Be careful, don't land Sonny-side down.

[weikel]

I post them all the time.

[dirtboy]

Pretty clever way to get around FR's ban on posting any anti-WOD sentiments.

Oh, puh-leeze. I rail against the WOD all the time, and never have problems.

[jlogajan]

Oh, puh-leeze. I rail against the WOD all the time, and never have problems.

JediGirl was banned for posting anti-WOD articles.

[dirtboy]

JediGirl was banned for posting anti-WOD articles.

And from what I gather, she was a bit over-the top with talk of drug use as well. Once again, I've been here over four years and never had a problem debating the subject, so I find your cries of persecution rather hyperbolic...

[RJCogburn]

"By the way, Liberty Magazine is not on the web (as best as I can tell). "

Try here, Joe...http://www.libertysoft.com/liberty/

Nowhere up to date or complete, but has some stuff.

[RJCogburn]

Also interesting stuff on the LP/Browne campaign 'scandal' which helped turn me off from the LP after many years of support.

[Doctor Mongo]

Skiing is a sport available to all, rich and poor. Used skis, boots and poles can be purchased very reasonably at Ski Patrol benefit auctions. Snowboarders have made fancy ski clothes on the slopes optional. Passes for ski lifts, on the other hand, are quite expensive for those unwilling to do the herringbone stomp to the top of the mountain.

[Brett66]

The dems should make this their new platform. The redistribution of ski resorts would be a less Marxist pursuit than their normal line.

[Billthedrill]

Addiction? Don't talk to me about addiction - three days away from FR and I start to get the shakes...