***Official Political Discussion Thread***

[gry60]

Embarrassed to be living in the same country as these idiots. When will Benjamin Franklin Carson get some shine I'm getting furious. He's Da Barson. Can we at least get a fake news story on him.

His time to shine is coming soon; rent control reform is keeping him busy.

 

[rexanglorum]

Remember that when it comes to conservative politics, they rely on two big things: fear of the unknown and divide and conquer rhetoric.

Conservatives demagogue against all sorts of big things like racial equality and universal healthcare and gay marriage and living wage laws and small things like mandatory reusable plastics bags and mandated calorie counts on menus.

Conservatives hate Obamacare and they hate States like Massachusetts and California because we provide a preview and model for liberal policies. When a conservative boogey man becomes actual policy, even if it is tentative or incomplete, it is harder to say how horrible will be when it is fully implemented. Obamacare expanded coverage and there were no Death panels, whites are no longer a majority in California and whites are still thriving in California, the Massachusetts Supreme Court imposed gay marriage in 2004 and now it is mainstream in 2017. Minimum wage gets increased to $15 in certain cities and there is no mass job loss and conservatives get worried. California institutes mandatory reusable bags and suddenly grocery shopping is easier and the roads are cleaner. Conservatives hate the idea of liberal policies but once they live under those policies, they soften their stance.

Conservatives love to speak against a program or a law when it is totally hypothetical but once it becomes a reality and people thrive and enjoy better outcomes, conservatives are on the road to losing the debate. In that vein, I supported recreational marijuana in California. I want there to be tangible models and success stories of drug prohibition being rolled back even when it is done incrementally and selectively.


On the other hand, there is the other conservative tactic of divide and conquer. Conservatives don't want to demonize entire groups so they demonize a group and they name a subset of that group as the good ones: Asians are the good minorities, black Republicans are the good blacks, STEM students are the good college students, firefighters are the good public employees, soldiers are the good millennials, welders are the good blue collar workers, demure but financially successful white women are the good feminists.

When it comes to drugs and drug policy, pot heads are doing the conservative work of divide and conquer for them. Pot heads are like "well State level legalization of cannabis was a success because Cannabis is so clinically different from heroin or other "hard " drugs." By saying that, they are helping the war on Drugs.

Instead of letting successful cannabis legalization stand as testament to the failures of war on drugs you guys are giving drug warriors cover. They have avoided taking an L and now the drug warriors are re-positioning themselves. By posting cannabis as the good anti-heroin, anti-opioid sort of drug, you have validated the Drug War establishment's realignment and have thus revitalized the war on drugs.

By revitalizing the war on drugs, you sustain it and as long as the war on drugs is going on, no one who uses illegal drugs is truly safe even those who use cannabis.



I suppose I should be happy with the current State of affairs. State wide cannabis legalization provides a model for future universal legalization and at the same time this new Federal heat reminds the cannabis community that the war on drugs is not over until ALL narcotics are removed from the purview of the criminal justice system.

 

[aepps20]

His time to shine is coming soon; rent control reform is keeping him busy.

Thanks for the positivity. Rent control reform would he AMAZING. It would touch everyone including a neighborhood in New York that rhymes with Flights. Who do you think has the inside track for Barson's VP pick for 2020? Brother Steven Harvey is my choice but Sister Sage Steele would really be an excellent pick.

 

[whywesteppin]

They are counting on us to be pushovers, to not know how to use a gun, to be more interested in peace than justice, to divide rather than unite.

Either we will turn out to be the ******* they always made fun of us for being or they will be in for a big surprise.

 

[Belgium]

I didn't think it would only take a month for the Trump administration to go full lügenpresse mode and start banning some of the press from the WH briefings. I've always argued against the Hitler comparisons but this is straight out of the fascist playbook.
They even banned the BBC, which is probably the closest you can get to neutral in the press pool.

 

[gry60]

His time to shine is coming soon; rent control reform is keeping him busy.

Thanks for the positivity. Rent control reform would he AMAZING. It would touch everyone including a neighborhood in New York that rhymes with Flights. Who do you think has the inside track for Barson's VP pick for 2020? Brother Steven Harvey is my choice but Sister Sage Steele would really be an excellent pick.

Here's who I want in my 2020 cabinet: Harvey as VP, Lil Wayne as AG, and Paula "Butter Biscuits" Deen in charge of the DOJ.

 

[moe fab]

I agree with most of your point, it is well argued y todo, but, I don't like the bag law, nor do I agree with your stance on the marijuana n "War on Drugs" issues.

I dislike the bag law because I didn't vote for it

I don't agree with your stance on the "War on Drugs" tho. I think, by legalizing recreational marijuana, you actually are moving closer towards ending said "war". If you can take results, n statistics, from "Legalizing it", presuming it is a success, you can then start towards the same type of legislation for other drugs. I think a more thorough Healthcare plan, to which I mean to say "Obamacare", would help to expedite that process. By expanding the umbrella of drugs (Prescription), by adding marijuana to it, you set the precedent of a previously illegal substance, being useful in medicine. By doing this, you open up more research opportunities to gain a better understanding of how that drug actually works. If the precedent, stated before, were utilized effectively, in court, by a good attorney, then a reasonable judge may rule in favor for the argument for medicinal research on a heroin, cocaine, etc. This, then, would expand our knowledge on that drug, which could change the stigma associated. Because there would be more knowledge of the drug, even if people still did abuse it, there would be a better understanding on how the drug works, which then allows better avenues towards rehabilitation. By giving a drug "due process" through scientific research, the thought of it doing more good than harm (The overall reform, not necessarily the drug) is more feasible.

rexanglorum

 

[aepps20]

Here's who I want in my 2020 cabinet: Harvey as VP, Lil Wayne as AG, and Paula "Butter Biscuits" Deen in charge of the DOJ.

Excellent picks. That's a dream team. Do you think Sir Charles Barkley or Stephen Anthony Smith will have advisory roles?

 

[Armada]

 

Here's who I want in my 2020 cabinet: Harvey as VP, Lil Wayne as AG, and Paula "Butter Biscuits" Deen in charge of the DOJ.

Excellent picks. That's a dream team. Do you think Sir Charles Barkley or Stephen Anthony Smith will have advisory roles?

This would finally be the last straw for me and i'd leave the country 

 

[swendro]

 

[EddieDoyers]

Here's who I want in my 2020 cabinet: Harvey as VP, Lil Wayne as AG, and Paula "Butter Biscuits" Deen in charge of the DOJ.

Excellent picks. That's a dream team. Do you think Sir Charles Barkley or Stephen Anthony Smith will have advisory roles?

Shaq would be in charge of DOJ
Screamin A Smith would be press secretary
Charles Barkley would lead the department of edumucation

 

[rexanglorum]

I agree with most of your point, it is well argued y todo, but, I don't like the bag law, nor do I agree with your stance on the marijuana n "War on Drugs" issues.

I dislike the bag law because I didn't vote for it

I don't agree with your stance on the "War on Drugs" tho. I think, by legalizing recreational marijuana, you actually are moving closer towards ending said "war". If you can take results, n statistics, from "Legalizing it", presuming it is a success, you can then start towards the same type of legislation for other drugs. I think a more thorough Healthcare plan, to which I mean to say "Obamacare", would help to expedite that process. By expanding the umbrella of drugs (Prescription), by adding marijuana to it, you set the precedent of a previously illegal substance, being useful in medicine. By doing this, you open up more research opportunities to gain a better understanding of how that drug actually works. If the precedent, stated before, were utilized effectively, in court, by a good attorney, then a reasonable judge may rule in favor for the argument for medicinal research on a heroin, cocaine, etc. This, then, would expand our knowledge on that drug, which could change the stigma associated. Because there would be more knowledge of the drug, even if people still did abuse it, there would be a better understanding on how the drug works, which then allows better avenues towards rehabilitation. By giving a drug "due process" through scientific research, the thought of it doing more good than harm (The overall reform, not necessarily the drug) is more feasible.

rexanglorum

I want the war on drugs totally ended.

I worry that by carving out exceptions for cannabis and by giving users of "hard" drugs the options for rehab, it creates a sort of political saftey valve for drug warriors. If folks couldn't get pot and the kids of wealthy people went to jail for snorting cocaine or popping pills, the war on drugs would collapse. By preserving the structure of the war on drugs, marginalized people will be still be sanctioned, surveiled, harassed and plunder due to their personal choices regarding recreational narcotics.

On the other hand, I agree with you. check my last post, I said that State wide cannabis legalization provides a model for broader legalization in the future. It also helps moderate and even conservative voters overcome the fear of the unknown. If cannabis legalization did not do any damage then we can think about other types of legalization.

That is why I supported recreational cannabis in California but incrementalism can only work if we ward off complacency and I have been seeing too much complacency among too many cannabis only users out there. I hope that not much comes from Jeff Session's new policy alignment but I do hope that it shakes the complacency out of a number of privileged cannabis users who have been talking and acting as if the war on Drugs had been consigned to the dust bin of History, it has not been, as we are all seeing right now.

 

[moe fab]

I agree with most of your point, it is well argued y todo, but, I don't like the bag law, nor do I agree with your stance on the marijuana n "War on Drugs" issues.

I dislike the bag law because I didn't vote for it

I don't agree with your stance on the "War on Drugs" tho. I think, by legalizing recreational marijuana, you actually are moving closer towards ending said "war". If you can take results, n statistics, from "Legalizing it", presuming it is a success, you can then start towards the same type of legislation for other drugs. I think a more thorough Healthcare plan, to which I mean to say "Obamacare", would help to expedite that process. By expanding the umbrella of drugs (Prescription), by adding marijuana to it, you set the precedent of a previously illegal substance, being useful in medicine. By doing this, you open up more research opportunities to gain a better understanding of how that drug actually works. If the precedent, stated before, were utilized effectively, in court, by a good attorney, then a reasonable judge may rule in favor for the argument for medicinal research on a heroin, cocaine, etc. This, then, would expand our knowledge on that drug, which could change the stigma associated. Because there would be more knowledge of the drug, even if people still did abuse it, there would be a better understanding on how the drug works, which then allows better avenues towards rehabilitation. By giving a drug "due process" through scientific research, the thought of it doing more good than harm (The overall reform, not necessarily the drug) is more feasible.

rexanglorum

I want the war on drugs totally ended.

I worry that by carving out exceptions for cannabis and by giving users of "hard" drugs the options for rehab, it creates a sort of political saftey valve for drug warriors. If folks couldn't get pot and the kids of wealthy people went to jail for snorting cocaine or popping pills, the war on drugs would collapse. By preserving the structure of the war on drugs, marginalized people will be still be sanctioned, surveiled, harassed and plunder due to their personal choices regarding recreational narcotics.

On the other hand, I agree with you. check my last post, I said that State wide cannabis legalization provides a model for broader legalization in the future. It also helps moderate and even conservative voters overcome the fear of the unknown. If cannabis legalization did not do any damage then we can think about other types of legalization.

That is why I supported recreational cannabis in California but incrementalism can only work if we ward off complacency and I have been seeing too much complacency among too many cannabis only users out there. I hope that not much comes from Jeff Session's new policy alignment but I do hope that it shakes the complacency out of a number of privileged cannabis users who have been talking and acting as if the war on Drugs had been consigned to the dust bin of History, it has not been, as we are all seeing right now.

I agree the War on Drugs needs to be ended. I also agree it does affect the marginalized disproportionately. I think it was poor comprehension on both sides. I was actually trying to articulate my thoughts as a path towards ending the War on Drugs. I don't think I explained it clearly enough, when I spoke about rehabilitation n abuse. I meant to say, all things equal, ultimately a legal, or illegal, substance, even if a person did start to abuse a drug, heroin for example, there would be a better way to rehabilitate that person, being it a form of therapy, counseling, a (Potentially better) substance, or any combination of, or different method from, the 3.

I hope that clears it up, I've been enjoying some bud tonite

 

[rexanglorum]

I agree the War on Drugs needs to be ended. I also agree it does affect the marginalized disproportionately. I think it was poor comprehension on both sides. I was actually trying to articulate my thoughts as a path towards ending the War on Drugs. I don't think I explained it clearly enough, when I spoke about rehabilitation n abuse. I meant to say, all things equal, ultimately a legal, or illegal, substance, even if a person did start to abuse a drug, heroin for example, there would be a better way to rehabilitate that person, being it a form of therapy, counseling, a (Potentially better) substance, or any combination of, or different method from, the 3.

I hope that clears it up, I've been enjoying some bud tonite

Enjoy it man. Despite having mad man and a cadre of bad guys in The White House, California is about the safest place to be in the US right now.

 

[whywesteppin]

The American people deserve an answer:

Does donald trump wear diapers?

 

[ryda421]

just saw that trump banned certain newspapers from attending white house press conferences this is insane

 

[noskey]

Here's who I want in my 2020 cabinet: Harvey as VP, Lil Wayne as AG, and Paula "Butter Biscuits" Deen in charge of the DOJ.

Excellent picks. That's a dream team. Do you think Sir Charles Barkley or Stephen Anthony Smith will have advisory roles?

Shaq would be in charge of DOJ
Screamin A Smith would be press secretary
Charles Barkley would lead the department of edumucation

Where does Stacy Dash fit in to the administration?

 

[whywesteppin]

someone's gotta get peed on.

 

[everysingletime]

just saw that trump banned certain newspapers from attending white house press conferences this is insane

Isn't that unconstitutional?

 

[ksteezy]

So far CNN and Times are banned....this is MINDBLOWING....dude is legit black balling anything and anyone that doesn't line up with his agenda....can a sitting president be sued?....

 

[gry60]

So far CNN and Times are banned....this is MINDBLOWING....dude is legit black balling anything and anyone that doesn't line up with his agenda....can a sitting president be sued?....

Never thought I'd say this, but I'm rooting for the Intelligence Community rank and file.

 

[moe fab]

I agree the War on Drugs needs to be ended. I also agree it does affect the marginalized disproportionately. I think it was poor comprehension on both sides. I was actually trying to articulate my thoughts as a path towards ending the War on Drugs. I don't think I explained it clearly enough, when I spoke about rehabilitation n abuse. I meant to say, all things equal, ultimately a legal, or illegal, substance, even if a person did start to abuse a drug, heroin for example, there would be a better way to rehabilitate that person, being it a form of therapy, counseling, a (Potentially better) substance, or any combination of, or different method from, the 3.

I hope that clears it up, I've been enjoying some bud tonite

Enjoy it man. Despite having mad man and a cadre of bad guys in The White House, California is about the safest place to be in the US right now.

I always do fam

I knew Cali would be the safest spot, but with that Anaheim vid, it's hitting closer to home; more so than usual

 

[Nawzlew]

I agree the War on Drugs needs to be ended. I also agree it does affect the marginalized disproportionately. I think it was poor comprehension on both sides. I was actually trying to articulate my thoughts as a path towards ending the War on Drugs. I don't think I explained it clearly enough, when I spoke about rehabilitation n abuse. I meant to say, all things equal, ultimately a legal, or illegal, substance, even if a person did start to abuse a drug, heroin for example, there would be a better way to rehabilitate that person, being it a form of therapy, counseling, a (Potentially better) substance, or any combination of, or different method from, the 3.

I hope that clears it up, I've been enjoying some bud tonite

Enjoy it man. Despite having mad man and a cadre of bad guys in The White House, California is about the safest place to be in the US right now.

I always do fam

I knew Cali would be the safest spot, but with that Anaheim vid, it's hitting closer to home; more so than usual

oc went blue for the first time in like 80 years

 

[moe fab]

That is true, but that's kuz Mexicans, yes those "Trump loving" Mexicans, have gained more residence there...which is also prolly why that white man had so much animosity

 

[gry60]

http://www.thehill.com/homenews/senate/321104-breitbart-ceo-confirms-gop-mega-do
nor-mercer-family-is-part-owner-report#

http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN16329P

White House says too early to guess at motive in Kansas shooting

X
A White House spokesman, addressing the fatal shooting of an Indian engineer and the wounding of two other men in Kansas this week, said on Friday any loss of life is tragic but it would be absurd to link the action to President Donald Trump's rhetoric.

Spokesman Sean Spicer told reporters it was too early to guess at the motive for the incident, in which a man opened fire in a bar, prompting concern that Trump's "America First" stance on immigration and jobs has fueled a climate of intolerance.

Of course. **** face.