Then, we could revisit relationships between people looking for some stability in their lives. That's all that marriage ever was, anyway. Special care is needed in the matter of children born into the relationship. Those incapable of having children can have a different arrangement. Just plain old legal contracts, well written, with provision for rights and duties of the parties with proper provision for damages to be assessed for breach. Whatever you do, leave holiness out of the deal. This is strictly an arrangement between people, no Gods allowed.

Another thing. Among many things beyond the control of humankind is the growing of weeds. We need to outlaw any laws trying to do away with weeds. They are just too easy to grow and too numerous to eliminate. Smoke 'em if you got 'em ought to be the practical rule.

To say that america should "keep pace" with a liberlizing america is a slap in the face of the facts. More Americans claim to be conservative than liberal, and it is in fact the liberals who are trying to change what has been a very traditional, conservative nation. Even when they force these law changes upon us, there will one day be a revolt by the American population to force a return back to the traditional values of this nation.

Baby boomers needing some relief from aging is what will change marijuana laws.

Now theres a pretty picture. Maybe you should get more fiber for your right to match your left moron.

Wow...more hate spewed in the name of Christianity.

I love your Christ...I don't like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ. Gandhi

It seems to me that while religion is on the right...God is surely on the left.

I first would like to say that the right to travel is a fundamental right, and although I admittedly have not followed all of former President Bush's administration thoroughly, infringing on this right must be for a reason that is highly scrutinized and would pass constitutional muster, such as national security. That being said, addressing the other issues brought up is what everyone seems to want to do, and I will not disappoint.

As far as Marijuana for medical purposes is concerned. The same conservative arguments are always bounced around (that it is a 'gateway' drug, and that once this is allowed, the slippery slope of regulated cocaine or ecstacy is not far behind) and they are tiresome. The slippery slope argument always has credit, but that is because it is looked at in a 'worst case scenario' context, which always frightens people of a worse possibility and generally scares people enough to go against the said cause. The liberal arguments are the same as well (tax it to help the economy, it's not a gateway drug, alcohol kills and it is still available, it helps medical problems) and they also have been mentioned so often that the effectiveness of them is minimal. While I don't discount the fact that it does serve medicinal purposes, the overwhelming majority of those clamoring for the legalization of marijuana will not use it for that purpose. Further, while I agree that taxing it would be a good idea and would help rejuvinate the economy, it has about as much power as the slippery slope argument for conservatives; it works in an extreme scenario. Marijuana has never been proven to form a chemical dependance in users like alcohol but there is one big difference between the two: alcohol has been legalized two different times.

For the writer of this article to compare marijuana to a stage of prohibition with alcohol is simply ridiculous. As I previously stated, alcohol was legal until prohibition outlawed it for a short time. To claim that prohibition was a 'failed experiment' is simply preposterous. There is no way to know exactly what the mind set of the legislators was at that time. However, it is easier to find out what their intentions are if there is the legalization of marijuana in the present time. If there ever is any legislation that finally allows marijuana to be legalized for any purpose (medical or otherwise), it would more thanl ikely be to distract Americans from potential problems with the current (or future) administration that the legislation passes under. Also, it would be used as an excuse to boost the economy.

The only positive comparison I see to Marijuana and Alcohol being mentioned in the same breath for prohibition is the fact that if something is illegal, it is not cut off from society, rather illegal avenues are created and the legal system becomes clogged with those on the supply side of this issue. Legalization would in theory, clear up unecessary clogs in both our prison and court system d

Interesting, I myself was subject to "irresponsible, abusive, even malicious parentage" yet I wish I had parents who instead had been"drug-addled, alcohol-possessed, vice-inhibited" instead of ones that were addled, possessed, inhibited by the conservative backlash they were forced to grow up in and the endless pursuit of business and profit at the expense of any semblance of a life (or parenting skills)

Mr./Ms. "S2McH":

Again, you fail to see the practical side of things. Drug abuse is never "moral" by Western standards. However, the fact remains drugs are a part of society, and shouting down from some imaginary, self-righteous pulpit won't solve any problems.

Marijuana use is already extremely prevalent and widespread. It is pointless punishments resulting from prohibition laws that contribute no benefits to American society. Currently, fines serve merely as extra revenue for police officers, and jail terms only pack our already crowded prisons. It isn't a "gateway" drug - why wouldn't tobacco and alcohol have been considered as such? One legal decision changes relatively little; in essence, it will only provide the additional possibility of medical applications. How is the alleviation of intense suffering not justified? From what you claim to have experienced, you should understand this firsthand.

Destructive behaviors are constantly opposed; however, current approaches need reevaluation. The education system ought to be the solution for curbing drug addiction, for encouraging well-informed and responsible decisions. Too many politicians channel too much effort into arguing - when a simple improvement of public health classes might help thousands in the future.

The results of parenting cannot be quantified. In the final analysis, there are just certain individuals who lack the mental and ethical capacity to raise conscientious, socially responsible children (in reference to your previous argument, this includes both heterosexuals and homosexuals). Education may, again, be a key solution. In stead of sacrificing precious time and energy in enforcing iron-fisted consequences of drug usage, we ought to inculcate sound judgment in children from an early age. Intrinsic motivation will always trump negative reinforcement.

sounds like an excuse to me just to smoke up with your friends there is other ways than just popping pills or smoking dope to over come depression... you even talk like your addicted that is sad sad sad....

It's too bad that the people you mentioned had to suffer while medical marijuana, in a few states and counting, has been legalized to help them cope. Suffering through a poor quality of life is preferable to just living? I see that it made her jittery and restless, but that passes with ease. The plant is a natural painkiller. Other health benefits include: slowing the growth of cancerous tumors in the lungs, breast and brain "considerably" (AACR); lowering intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients; stop the neurological effects and muscle spasms suffered by MS patients; and it's the perfect alternative for the addictive Ritalin used by those with ADD or ADHD. Rather than ripping your stomach up with too much ibuprofen the week before you can get to the dentist's office, take what's recommended on top of a joint. There are many more. Or would you rather be in pain?

It's too bad that the people you mentioned had to suffer while medical marijuana, in a few states and counting, has been legalized to help them cope. Suffering through a poor quality of life is preferable to just living? I see that it made her jittery and restless, but that passes with ease. The plant is a natural painkiller. Other health benefits include: slowing the growth of cancerous tumors in the lungs, breast and brain "considerably" (AACR); lowering intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients; stop the neurological effects and muscle spasms suffered by MS patients; and it's the perfect alternative for the addictive Ritalin used by those with ADD or ADHD. Rather than ripping your stomach up with too much ibuprofen the week before you can get to the dentist's office, take what's recommended on top of a joint. There are many more. Or would you rather be in pain?

"There is no way to know exactly what the mind set of the legislators was at that time."

The story hasn't been lost in translation just yet; it's in the history books, and we know what their mindset was.

What about the Qu'ran? Or the Bhagavad Gita or Upanishads? Among others.

The world is a big, big place; the majority of them have their own sacred text to believe.

People are not animals. There is no factual basis for that statement. Theories, no facts.

Your statement that "only" obstacles to freedom and happiness are....you are defining freedom and happiness? Based on what wisdom, authority, or empiricism? You are stating opinions, but presenting them as factual.

No, the world does not "need" the kind of "anything goes" compassion, acceptance, whatever else you want to throw in there. The difference between the moral character, and the (violin's playing) your weak, permissive definition of compassion and acceptance is a mind so open your brains slosh and fall out on the pavement.

A misplaced compassion degrades both the victims, who are reduced to objects of pity, and their would-be benefactors, who find it easier to pity their fellow citizens than to hold them up to impersonal standards, attainment of which would entitle them to respect.

We pity those who suffer, and we pity, most of all, those who suffer conspicuously; but we reserve respect for those who refuse to exploit their suffering for the purposes of pity.

It is our reluctance to make demands on each other, much more than our reluctance to help those in need, that is sapping the strength of democracy today.