Yep, you read it correctly: MY pothead Congressman. U.S. Rep Earl Blumenauer, (D) East Portland, just came all out (or was that all in?) for Federal MJ legalization. He gets Maroon of the Month for that.
Before all you Libertarians jump all over me, I'm coming around to the idea of legalizing weed by states, but not by the dot.gov. Simple, really. The government can't afford to be in the business of encouraging stoners, simply because unlike fine whisky drinkers like me, they are a motley lot.
Seriously, let's get real. NO Government has any business legalizing ANY sort of intoxicant until and unless it can detect and control intoxicated behavior where such behavior is legally and practically inappropriate. The Government can do that, more or less, with alcohol, but has NOT learned how to do it with weed. Hell, the Government can't even control intoxication by prescription drugs, which it DOES control at the front end, but does NOT control at the user end.
Now comes pot and it's millions of users.
Society is getting further and further behind the power curve on protecting itself from people doing complex, dangerous tasks while impaired by intoxication.
Earl Blumenauer wants to make it worse.
Oh, well, I'm represented by a pot puffer. It could be worse. I could be represented by an actual socialist.
Oh wait...
I'm not particularly anti-pot, although it does seem to be rather dumb to break the law when I'm happy with mid-range Scotch or beer (cheap to yuppie range).
Is it God's joke or a government plot that there is no test that I am aware of determining state of pot influence, but there are tests that will show whether one smoked a fair amount two weeks ago?
For God's sake, pipe tobacco smokers such as myself and cigarette smokers like my best beloved are so villified by the majority anti-smoking faction, will stinky pot ever be legalized by the majority? (Okay, pot may have less harmful chemicals added - until it is commercialized and big business gets involved.)
Having held and cherished a Class A CDL for numerous decades, I am totally against any and all mind-altering or mellowing influence when driving.
'Tis a wonderment.
Posted by: Richard Bergerson | February 07, 2013 at 09:24
THE CORRECT PRONOUNCIATION OF HIS NAME IS REALLY "EARL
BLUE MANURE"!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Mountain Mike | February 06, 2013 at 18:41
Legalize it. Should cut the population down a few percentage points right off the bat.
EDITOR'S NOTE: yeah, you're right, attrittion, except I don't want the stoners attritting out against ME. Laws of physics, and all that.
Posted by: PaulB | February 06, 2013 at 17:58
I smoke myself, and I agree with you fully. While I would never operate a vehicle or otherwise endanger anyone else while under the influence, there are obviously people who will. Until that is worked out, I am against legalization.
Posted by: Anthony L. | February 06, 2013 at 05:08