Opinions

LessThanZero

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_opinions-6?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:f726adca-42c1-4c91-86dd-53a5a2a089a5Post:caadf20f-8c19-4733-afb3-b54b4af35f02">Re: Opinions</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Opinions : Cant the same argument be made about cocaine then?  Since it comes from the coca plant?
Posted by Blueyed228[/QUOTE]

Eh, that is a little iffy. You can literally grow marijuna and then smoke it.


Cocaine actually is made through chemically altering the coca plant to produce the powder. I don't know, to me that's not the same thing. If people were rolling up  the coca plant and smoking it, that would be comparable.

blush64

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_opinions-6?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:f726adca-42c1-4c91-86dd-53a5a2a089a5Post:9afd069a-987a-4084-843d-e1fa60ca745a">Re: Opinions</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Opinions : This. But I don't think she was lumping these two items in with prostitution, I asked her for what other opinions she had and she was listing them. I took them as separate from the prostitution debate. I will say I don't think the sexualization of children is anything new though. Just look at Michael Jackson when he was in the Jackson 5 singing songs about love and tell girls to "shake it, shake it baby". I mean it was far more innocent than Toddlers in Tiaras, but the sexualization of children did just start up overnight.
Posted by kcullen37[/QUOTE]

Thanks, that's what I was saying. They are just two other things, completely separate from each other and from that debate.

No, the sexualization of children began earlier but I believe it's getting worse and more acceptable. Too bad.

Blueyed228

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_opinions-6?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:f726adca-42c1-4c91-86dd-53a5a2a089a5Post:19ba41f5-12cc-4c44-8a55-ae3815a7c61f">Re: Opinions</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Opinions : Yea, but it's altered in a way that it no longer resembles the plant when it's the finished product. Weed, you can just go trim the bud off and have at it (not that I know or anything...).
Posted by maratea[/QUOTE]

Maybe, but how often is pot ever really 100% pure?

maratea

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_opinions-6?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:f726adca-42c1-4c91-86dd-53a5a2a089a5Post:86bcdbcc-c436-444d-8544-bda1dedc81e2">Re: Opinions</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Opinions : Tim actually got hit by a drunk driver a few years ago. The guy was drinking at the bar all day (11am - 8pm) and did not consume any food. The bar just kept serving him drink after drink and then let him on his merry way. 5 minutes after leaving the bar he slammed into Tim while he was driving home from work. The courts decided that the bar was 50% at fault. Surprisingly, I'm torn on the issue. I'm all about personal responsibility and owning up to your actions, but at the same time this guy was a known drunk and they just let him leave.
Posted by JenGin74[/QUOTE]
This sucks. And in this instance, I do think the bar is at fault because they kept serving the dude and didn't make an effort to keep him from driving. But if a bar cuts a person off and tries to get the person a cab, but the person refuses or takes off, it's beyond the means of the bar, other than someone at the bar calling the cops on the drunk (which I'm a-ok with).

Sweded

I just don't think that the risks of making marijuana legal (or prostitution for that matter) outweigh the benefits.  You don't have to like it.  You don't have to partake.  It just seems silly to me to let gangs and hard core criminals make money of things that the government to regulate and tax making things safer for all involved.  As with prostitution, I think people are judging based on their morals and feelings on the mater more than the facts.  I really don't think decriminalizing marijuana will cause a huge increase in those who use it.  It will simply decrease the people eing arrested and it's one less thing for gangs to shoot each other over.  Then law enforcement can focus on the drugs that are truly dangerous. 

LessThanZero

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_opinions-6?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:f726adca-42c1-4c91-86dd-53a5a2a089a5Post:e3b52649-8400-48b2-8d34-1766621a674f">Re: Opinions</a>:
[QUOTE]Plus LTZ- there are hundreds of drugs used for medical purposes, should they all be made legal and readily available too? Im only asking because that is part of what I meant by making 1 legal over another.
Posted by Blueyed228[/QUOTE]

I wasn't saying any of them should or shouldn't be made legal. I guess I read your statement wrong. When you said you don't see how anyone can claim that one is ok and not the other, I was agreeing but saying that that's exactly what the government and FDA do.

Maybe that's not how you meant it? I don't know.

I'm not advocating that pot and cocaine and meth all be legalized and sold in ever convenience store, I'm just saying that I also find it weird that there is a pick and chose between what is legal and what is not. I don't know if that makes sense.

Blueyed228

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_opinions-6?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:f726adca-42c1-4c91-86dd-53a5a2a089a5Post:3d628faa-faf7-42fa-b411-35d6c73c7635">Re: Opinions</a>:
[QUOTE]I just don't think that the risks of making marijuana legal (or prostitution for that matter) outweigh the benefits.  You don't have to like it.  You don't have to partake.  It just seems silly to me to let gangs and hard core criminals make money of things that the government to regulate and tax making things safer for all involved.  As with prostitution, I think people are judging based on their morals and feelings on the mater more than the facts.  I really don't think decriminalizing marijuana will cause a huge increase in those who use it.  It will simply decrease the people eing arrested and it's one less thing for gangs to shoot each other over.  Then law enforcement can focus on the drugs that are truly dangerous. 
Posted by Sweded[/QUOTE]

I think even if it is made legal, the gov't will tax the shiit out of it and the drug dealers would still be selling the "illegal" stuff anyways at a cheaper rate.

avsfan33

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_opinions-6?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:f726adca-42c1-4c91-86dd-53a5a2a089a5Post:86bcdbcc-c436-444d-8544-bda1dedc81e2">Re: Opinions</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Opinions : Tim actually got hit by a drunk driver a few years ago. The guy was drinking at the bar all day (11am - 8pm) and did not consume any food. The bar just kept serving him drink after drink and then let him on his merry way. 5 minutes after leaving the bar he slammed into Tim while he was driving home from work. The courts decided that the bar was 50% at fault. Surprisingly, I'm torn on the issue. I'm all about personal responsibility and owning up to your actions, but at the same time this guy was a known drunk and they just let him leave.
Posted by JenGin74[/QUOTE]

In a scenario like that, I would say it's the bars fault. We're supposed to push food on people, even if it's just something like a bag of chips - it's SOMETHING. Obviously there are scenarios like yours where I would say the bar should own up to their mistake.

I had a lot of regulars that would sit there from opening until late at night, but half the time they drank slow, ate food or they were cut off and would sit there and drink pop. They also never drove. I had one guy who consistently tried to drive home so when I knew he was on his last beer, I had to call my boss who would drive him home.

maratea

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_opinions-6?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:f726adca-42c1-4c91-86dd-53a5a2a089a5Post:90e59572-88e7-4e64-81d0-cfd979753675">Re: Opinions</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Opinions : Maybe, but how often is pot ever really 100% pure?
Posted by Blueyed228[/QUOTE]
If you grow your own... then it is. :) Also, if it were legalized, then standards could be set up to make sure the weed a person is buying is pure. Like, quality control or something. I haven't thought this through yet, but it seems like if it's going to be legalized, taxed, etc., it would need to have some sort of quality standards to meet.

Sweded

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_opinions-6?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:f726adca-42c1-4c91-86dd-53a5a2a089a5Post:90e59572-88e7-4e64-81d0-cfd979753675">Re: Opinions</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Opinions : Maybe, but how often is pot ever really 100% pure?
Posted by Blueyed228[/QUOTE]

100% of the time if you know the grower.

This is why I think it should be legalized and regulated.  The government could monitor the growers and test it to ensure purity.  Personally, IF I were still smoking and it was legal, I would just grown my own.  Problem solved. 

Blueyed228

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_opinions-6?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:f726adca-42c1-4c91-86dd-53a5a2a089a5Post:68347096-b005-4c0a-8e00-9037d7ac5171">Re: Opinions</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Opinions : I wasn't saying any of them should or shouldn't be made legal. I guess I read your statement wrong. When you said you don't see how anyone can claim that one is ok and not the other, I was agreeing but saying that that's exactly what the government and FDA do. Maybe that's not how you meant it? I don't know. I'm not advocating that pot and cocaine and meth all be legalized and sold in ever convenience store, I'm just saying that I also find it weird that there is a pick and chose between what is legal and what is not. I don't know if that makes sense.
Posted by LessThanZero[/QUOTE]

It makes sense.  I thought you meant you dont see how it is ok for medical use and not for recreational use.  To me, the difference is like how we look at all drugs used for medical purposes.  Its used as needed.  If we were to make pot legal just because Dr's are allowed to prescribe it to people for pain etc, then we should make all prescription drugs legal and readily available.  Or at least IMO.

avsfan33

I'm just curious...

is there more gang related crimes in regards to pot or coke? I keep seeing the argument about gangs need to be stopped so pot should be legal, since it would reduce gang related crimes. If that's the case, shouldn't all illegal substances be made legal and taxed?

Blueyed228

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_opinions-6?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:f726adca-42c1-4c91-86dd-53a5a2a089a5Post:4061ad2e-469a-49c6-ab41-85006227fa18">Re: Opinions</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm just curious... is there more gang related crimes in regards to pot or coke? I keep seeing the argument about gangs need to be stopped so pot should be legal, since it would reduce gang related crimes. If that's the case, shouldn't all illegal substances be made legal and taxed?
Posted by avsfan33[/QUOTE]

Yup.  I feel the same way. 

Sweded

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_opinions-6?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:f726adca-42c1-4c91-86dd-53a5a2a089a5Post:a186fe86-4d77-4e8d-8f9f-b7082ec74e60">Re: Opinions</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Opinions : I think even if it is made legal, the gov't will tax the shiit out of it and the drug dealers would still be selling the "illegal" stuff anyways at a cheaper rate.
Posted by Blueyed228[/QUOTE]

Probably.  But who knows what the government would be selling it for?  I'm sure dealers put a pretty hefty mark up on it and it gets bigger and bigger the lower you get in the dealer totem pole.  Eventually, though, I think there would be less and less illegal activity.  Why risk getting arrested when you can go to the store and buy stuff you know is safe for a couple dollars more? 

Are people still making homemade moonshine?  Sure.  But there are far more people getting their booze at the liquor store. 

Blueyed228

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_opinions-6?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:f726adca-42c1-4c91-86dd-53a5a2a089a5Post:14e66fde-2901-45cc-9962-8de1aa6d1dfa">Re: Opinions</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Opinions : Probably.  But who knows what the government would be selling it for?  I'm sure dealers put a pretty hefty mark up on it and it gets bigger and bigger the lower you get in the dealer totem pole.  Eventually, though, I think there would be less and less illegal activity.  Why risk getting arrested when you can go to the store and buy stuff you know is safe for a couple dollars more?  Are people still making homemade moonshine?  Sure.  But there are far more people getting their booze at the liquor store. 
Posted by Sweded[/QUOTE]

I disagree.  If its taxed anything like tobacco and alcohol are, then even with the drug dealers mark up, it would still be a friggin bargain.

Sweded

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_opinions-6?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:f726adca-42c1-4c91-86dd-53a5a2a089a5Post:4061ad2e-469a-49c6-ab41-85006227fa18">Re: Opinions</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm just curious... is there more gang related crimes in regards to pot or coke? I keep seeing the argument about gangs need to be stopped so pot should be legal, since it would reduce gang related crimes. If that's the case, shouldn't all illegal substances be made legal and taxed?
Posted by avsfan33[/QUOTE]

Oh, I'm sure there are more regarding the harder drugs and IMO, legalizing those isn't worth it. 

I guess what I'm saying is that it just one less thing for them to make money off of and one less thing law enforcement has to waste their time with.  If we decriminalize marijuana, maybe they could spend more time cracking down on drugs that are actually killing people. 

JenGin74

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_opinions-6?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:f726adca-42c1-4c91-86dd-53a5a2a089a5Post:8c26556f-d549-4764-92d4-cca8dba42498">Re: Opinions</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Opinions : This sucks. And in this instance, I do think the bar is at fault because they kept serving the dude and didn't make an effort to keep him from driving. But if a bar cuts a person off and tries to get the person a cab, but the person refuses or takes off, it's beyond the means of the bar, other than someone at the bar calling the cops on the drunk (which I'm a-ok with).
Posted by maratea[/QUOTE]

I've called the cops several times on people who were about to drunk drive. I've also given rides to drunk strangers and taken people to hotels to sleep it off. I don't fvck around when it comes to drunk driving.

ETA: I don't work at a bar. As a patron, when I see other patrons about to possibly kill themselves or someone else I step in and make the choice for them because I'm a horrible controlling biitchface.

Blueyed228

I dont think cops are going after gangs just because of pot.  Im pretty sure they go after them for the violent crimes they commit.

Sweded

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_opinions-6?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:f726adca-42c1-4c91-86dd-53a5a2a089a5Post:fd725246-91b5-4566-9163-9e6b82e1ea39">Re: Opinions</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Opinions : I disagree.  If its taxed anything like tobacco and alcohol are, then even with the drug dealers mark up, it would still be a friggin bargain.
Posted by Blueyed228[/QUOTE]

I don't know if it would be all that far off.  I guess it would depend on the "brand".  Still, most of the people I was speaking of (productive with good jobs) would probably rathe rpay more and not risk arrest or buying a laced bag. 

ricksang

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_opinions-6?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:f726adca-42c1-4c91-86dd-53a5a2a089a5Post:82daa567-5675-4478-85f7-4ea09e3dc28a">Re: Opinions</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Opinions : My opinion is that it's treating a woman's body as body parts. (an object) Men can pick one out according to size and shape of body like they would buy a car.    I don't expect a lot of agreement with my opinion. I wouldn't say it's slavery but it objectifies women and makes them less than the male.
Posted by blush64[/QUOTE]

I agree with this.

OBX2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_opinions-6?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:f726adca-42c1-4c91-86dd-53a5a2a089a5Post:90e59572-88e7-4e64-81d0-cfd979753675">Re: Opinions</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Opinions : Maybe, but how often is pot ever really 100% pure?
Posted by Blueyed228[/QUOTE]

100% of the time unless it's laced with something.

It is a natural plant, you can take the bud right off and get to smoking

Celles

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_opinions-6?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:f726adca-42c1-4c91-86dd-53a5a2a089a5Post:4061ad2e-469a-49c6-ab41-85006227fa18">Re: Opinions</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm just curious... is there more gang related crimes in regards to pot or coke? I keep seeing the argument about gangs need to be stopped so pot should be legal, since it would reduce gang related crimes. If that's the case, shouldn't all illegal substances be made legal and taxed?
Posted by avsfan33[/QUOTE]

It doesn't have to be an all or nothing situation. Marijuana is relatively harmless: the strongest argument anyone here has conjured against is that it's a "gateway drug" (which, again, is debateable). Perhaps keeping a relatively harmless and already readily available recreational drug off the streets isn't worth the crime that it gives rise to or the resulting strain on our legal system. But perhaps keeping a more harmful and far more addictive drug -- such as cocain, heroin or meth -- <em>is</em> worth these things.

We can draw a line between what is an acceptable level of risk and what is not. (And as LTZ has pointed out several times, we already do via the FDA, so there is obviously precedent.)

Sweded

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_opinions-6?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:f726adca-42c1-4c91-86dd-53a5a2a089a5Post:c1b5a95e-6d2d-4795-9fe5-eb7367c26306">Re: Opinions</a>:
[QUOTE]I dont think cops are going after gangs just because of pot.  Im pretty sure they go after them for the violent crimes they commit.
Posted by Blueyed228[/QUOTE]

Right, but <em>some</em>of those crimes stem from territory disputes over selling drugs.  If we take one of those drugs off the table, it should reduce these violent crimes at least a little bit and allow law enforcement to focus more on the others. 

Sweded

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_opinions-6?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:f726adca-42c1-4c91-86dd-53a5a2a089a5Post:3b694e2a-1ee0-4224-a4d3-6edf91794922">Re: Opinions</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Opinions : It doesn't have to be an all or nothing situation. Marijuana is relatively harmless: the strongest argument anyone here has conjured against is that it's a "gateway drug" (which, again, is debateable). Perhaps keeping a relatively harmless and already readily available recreational drug off the streets isn't worth the crime that it gives rise to or the resulting strain on our legal system. But perhaps keeping a more harmful and far more addictive drug -- such as cocain, heroin or meth -- is worth these things. We can draw a line between what is an acceptable level of risk and what is not. (And as LTZ has pointed out several times, we already do via the FDA, so there is obviously precedent.)
Posted by Celles[/QUOTE]

*sigh*  Celles, how did you get so damn eloquent?  And how did you get in my brain and express my thoughts better than I could? 

avsfan33

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_opinions-6?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:f726adca-42c1-4c91-86dd-53a5a2a089a5Post:dff563b8-6f24-4a49-b305-132b08833e85">Re: Opinions</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Opinions : Right, but some of those crimes stem from territory disputes over selling drugs.  If we take one of those drugs off the table, it should reduce these violent crimes at least a little bit and allow law enforcement to focus more on the others. 
Posted by Sweded[/QUOTE]


Wouldn't that lead to pushing harder drugs on people or increasing other drug related crimes? If you take one thing off the table, they're just going to add something else to it.

OBX2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_opinions-6?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:f726adca-42c1-4c91-86dd-53a5a2a089a5Post:14e66fde-2901-45cc-9962-8de1aa6d1dfa">Re: Opinions</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Opinions : Probably.  But who knows what the government would be selling it for?  I'm sure dealers put a pretty hefty mark up on it and it gets bigger and bigger the lower you get in the dealer totem pole.  Eventually, though, I think there would be less and less illegal activity.  Why risk getting arrested when you can go to the store and buy stuff you know is safe for a couple dollars more?  <em>Are people still making homemade moonshine?</em>  Sure.  But there are far more people getting their booze at the liquor store. 
Posted by Sweded[/QUOTE]

Get outta my head Swed!

Yes they are and Apple Pie is the best btw, lol

Blueyed228

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_opinions-6?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:f726adca-42c1-4c91-86dd-53a5a2a089a5Post:dff563b8-6f24-4a49-b305-132b08833e85">Re: Opinions</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Opinions : Right, but some of those crimes stem from territory disputes over selling drugs.  If we take one of those drugs off the table, it should reduce these violent crimes at least a little bit and allow law enforcement to focus more on the others. 
Posted by Sweded[/QUOTE]

Sorry, but I disagree.

Saying we should make pot legal to end gang crimes is ridiculous to me.

avsfan33

Btw, I'm indifferent to it. I don't necessarily want it decriminalized because I have seen lives ruined from weed but it's not like my life would be drastically changed from it becoming legal.

ricksang

Anyone who thinks being a stripper of a prostitute is empowering must not know the business. The money might be good but in no way is selling your body empowering. That being said it should be legal so that we can tax the "profession".

anna.oskar

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_opinions-6?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:f726adca-42c1-4c91-86dd-53a5a2a089a5Post:b4be30ff-56ef-4e61-b164-1f4fcad1db8b">Re: Opinions</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Opinions : Sorry, but I disagree. Saying we should make pot legal to end gang crimes is ridiculous to me.
Posted by Blueyed228[/QUOTE]


Like saying we should offer pizza in all schools to decrease childhood obesity.