Friday Follies...
End of another week...and about time, too.
I was poking through today's paper an came across this interesting article which happens to have sudden relevance, and you'll see why soon enough. This story is from the AP and here's the link to the entire article:



http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20100514/NEWS03/305149952
Now, I'll give you a little time to read the story....(plays Jeopardy theme)....
I find it humorous that the dateline is MEXICO CITY...!
I mean where are the vast majority of illegal DRUGS coming from, anyway?
The article goes on to mention that the coca cultivation has moved from Colombia to Mexico and it's cost the USA more than $6 BILLION.
(uh....close the border?)
The story also says that $49 BILLION has been spent for enforcement along our borders to stem the tide of drug trafficking.
(uh...close the border?)
Gee, doesn't a LOT of this all boil down to FENCING OFF THE DAMN BORDERS?
The judicial system is taking a huge financial hit as well, with rising numbers of incarcerations for mere possession of marijuana.
Looks like our "fearless leader" wants to decriminalize pot....be careful with that.
Yeah, imagine you can buy pot at the local tobacco store...or a liquor store (that's sure to encourage more ROBBERIES at said establishments).
I'd admit illegal drugs are one of THE major problems in America these days.
And many of our "other" problems stem from the use and abuse of those controlled substances.
But does legalizing automatically mean that these other issues connected with drugs will simply VANISH overnight?
I'm not seeing that happen one damn bit.
If everyone can buy pot LEGALLY, there will ALWAYS be those that want to get it "for free", and that means burglaries, robberies, assaults, battery, theft...anything that is required to obtain whatever substance is desired.
One thing I DO agree with (provisionally) is that many of those in jail for marijuana possession need not be there. if they are NON-VIOLENT felons with no previous entanglements with the law, then lighten the sentence...maybe longer probation, or electronic monitoring.
And maybe not allow such people to OWN or PURCHASE firearms while you're at it.
I mean, if you're going to go against the law, then you have to ante up SOMEWHERE, right?
As for the harder drugs, if the country that is allowing production of them does not (or will not) find a method of halting the flow HERE, then we cutoff any aid to them...period.
AND...we SECURE our borders and ports...makes them as airtight as possible.
We've enough to concern ourselves about regarding terrorist activities, and I feel many times, we're being pulled in TWO directions at once with the drugs AND terrorism.
Stretch-Armstrong time, folks!
This country has to start getting down to brass tacks, and that means getting TOUGH...very tough.
But any and all ideas put forth to further halt the flow of drugs INTO this country doesn't quite address the issue of DOMESTIC cultivation and sale, does it?
We still have pot growing in the WILD (the Appalachian Trail come to mind), if not in controlled venues by unscrupulous people.
We still have those "one-pot" METH labs-on-wheels, with morons driving all around us with volatile chemicals which, if not handled properly could blow the hell up, injuring innocent people along the way.
I still firmly believe we, as a nation AND as a people CAN win the "war" on drugs.
We just have to (as in most wars) keep the "politics" the hell OUT of it.
As in Vietnam, we won EVERY SINGLE encounter with the enemy...never lost a battle...BUT we pretty much gave it all up for POLITICAL reasons. (try explaining THAT to over 52,000 souls on a black wall in D.C.)
Personally, I think we have PLENTY of problems with people abusing ALCOHOL (which is legal, because prohibition failed miserably), and I can only imagine what the consequences of so many MORE irresponsible people toking on a blunt while driving would be.
And again, we find that it doesn't come down to the alcohol...OR the drugs, does it?
It ALWAYS comes down to...(all together, kids)....the PEOPLE.
Freedom and liberty are fantastic gifts (rights) bestowed upon every one of us, but I have YET to find anything (anywhere) that says we have the freedom to ACT IN A STUPID MANNER...or the freedom to PLACE INNOCENT PEOPLE IN HARM'S WAY on our streets.
I find NO evidence that supports any notion that we are ALL free to BE IRRESPONSIBLE.
That wouldn't have gotten this nation very far back in the late 18th century, would it?
When people can all understand what it means to be held accountable, and to act in a responsible manner...when they can learn that moderation is the best way to proceed with nearly everything in life...and when they can appreciate making better decisions about themselves as well as others, and choosing to NOT deny others their rights along the way...we will ALL become a more civilized people.
With that will come a higher standard of morality, ethics, integrity...and civility. It still won't be Utopian, but it WILL be a lot better place for a LOT more people. Lastly, tomorrow is ARMED FORCES DAY.
It was created in 1949 to celebrate those serving in all FIVE branches of the military, which used to have separate celebratory days.
It's usually commemorated with parades, air shows, and the like.
So, be sure to fly your flag, have yourselves a fantastic weekend...
and, as always...
Stay safe out there, America.