Had pole smoking queen Barney Frank come out in support of heroin legalization a decade ago, I’d probably have reflexively knee-jerked him (which he may or may not have liked).
Why? Because a decade ago I was press secretary to a Republican governor – and Republicans just don’t come out in support of things like drug legalization, especially in a state like South Carolina.
Then there’s Frank himself, who as this website has noted in the past bears direct responsibility for the implosion of the U.S. housing market that spawned the still-lingering American recession. And in addition to being shamelessly corrupt, he’s a rubber stamp for all sorts of totally unsustainable, deficit-busting spending in support of all manner of demonstrably failed liberal programs.
But when it comes to waving the white flag in America’s failed “War on Drugs,” though … Frank has a point. In fact he has several points, all of which he plans on making in a forthcoming book.
According to the Massachusetts Democrat, drugs like marijuana, cocaine and heroin should all be legalized.
“The question is are there drugs that have a very good likelihood of making me misbehave towards others? I do not believe heroin is in that category,” Frank told The Huffington Post. “What makes people misbehave is the need to steal money to buy heroin. First of all, with cocaine, let’s just cut through the bullsh*t. There are a lot of very high-functioning people in this society on cocaine. Cocaine is the rich people’s drug. That is just silly.”
Exactly … take Thomas Ravenel, for example, who won a statewide campaign and was serving with distinction as South Carolina’s Treasurer before he was conveniently (for U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, at least) popped on a cocaine bust in 2007. I know Ravenel was high-functioning because I managed his 2006 campaign for the late, great Rod Shealy – who was tied up at the time with then-Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer’s reelection bid.
But because our government believes it has the right to enter into our homes and send us to prison for making recreational choices that hurt no one – including ourselves – Ravenel’s promising career was cut short.
I used to shoot heroin. I used to snort cocaine. I used to drop acid, eat mushrooms, roll ‘X,’ smoke meth, hashish and, of course, marijuana … in short if there was a drug to be done, I did it. I was also a drunk for the entire four years I was in the governor’s office – sucking down Warsteiner, Grey Goose and Maker’s Mark like it was my job.
Thankfully, I got sober seven years ago – with an assist from my friend Thomas Ravenel, incidentally – and haven’t had a drink or touched a drug since.
But just because I made the right decision to veer from a self-destructive path doesn’t mean alcohol and drugs are a self-destructive path for everyone. And even if they were, that still doesn’t mean government has the right to police us from bad decisions that don’t impose on the liberties of others.
Here’s the distinction: I’m an addict. Always have been, always will be. I can’t start because I don’t know how to stop. My brain doesn’t work that way.
There are plenty of non-addicts who recreationally use drugs who do know when to stop though – and spending billions of dollars a year in a colossally failed effort to try and keep them from exercising that freedom is ridiculous. And anti-American.
Barney Frank is right: Heroin should be legalized, along with every other recreational drug that Americans are going to continue using anyway whether we like it or not.
So why keep ratcheting up the expenditures? And the “no-knock” raids?
Legalize it … all of it.
***
68 comments
Why are tolls allowed to use multiple anonymous names and then give (shove) themselves thumbs up (them). It’s not fair and I’m going to whine. Tough shite forever.
Why are tolls allowed to use multiple anonymous names and then give (shove) themselves thumbs up (them). It’s not fair and I’m going to whine. Tough shite forever.
Good post, will.
Good post, will.
Legalizing vice is a bad idea. The outcomes (or panaceas) are never what is claimed by the dull purveyors….Legalizing disease is a cause for childish, irresponsible idiots (see FITS) who have no self-control. People like you are always perpetuating more weakness in an already-ailing society…because others have done your heavy lifting…
I grew up on tough streets…but I grew up. The difference: Your father got paid by the state to tear down our culture preaching leftwing Dogma. You were a legacy pledge-type, who took the easy path, career-student, that ‘Daddy’ made for you…
For those of us who have to MAKE this society work, we don’t need the no-talents and the easy-roaders, preaching to us…
You started on third base, and you’ve managed to get back to first….I was on the bench and have had to work my @$$ off just to get up to bat…I don’t need a cheater stepping out, trying to F*#k up what I’ve earned. So STFU…
FITS: I grew up on tough streets…
Sesame Street doesn’t play around, huh?
Do you think feeding heroine to people already struggling is a strategy that will result in success???
Don’t you already blame Reagan for introducing Crack in South Central, to take down the black community???…
So are you and FITS LIARS or Racists….????
Funny shit, Smirks!
Before you bother to edit “heroine” let me make sure you’re in the right context.
Heroine: the god awful movie or a : a mythological or legendary woman having the qualities of a hero. b : a woman admired and emulated for her achievements and qualities?
I have dined on a fine admired woman on occasion, it’s very addicting I must admit.
You, like Smirks, are just another ignorant mother-f#*k#*, who hangs on my every word…Because you have no story, other than a Dull, white bread dolt existence…and you’re too stupid to think of anything beyond that…
Typical, wannbe-relevant, liberal…
Because you have no story, other than a Dull, white bread dolt existence…
BigT/GrandTango’s gotst street cred, Beechez!!
Not every word, T…just the misspelled and outrageous shit.
Oh, fuck me…everything you write is basically crazy, so yes, we do T, we do…
You know….the scary thing is….i just got around to reading this, and when I read GrandTango’s comment….I thought to myself : “I’m surprised he didn’t spell it – h-e-r-o-i-n-e.”
Heh!
What amazes me is that we completely and stubbornly block medicinal uses for these drugs. Other countries actually use heroin to treat heroin addictions. It isn’t the best option for every person but for many it works a hell of a lot better than methadone.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/20/health/research/20heroin.html?_r=0
Then again, the War on Drugs was never meant to stop drugs, it hasn’t and it never will.
What amazes me is that we completely and stubbornly block medicinal uses for these drugs. Other countries actually use heroin to treat heroin addictions. It isn’t the best option for every person but for many it works a hell of a lot better than methadone.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/20/health/research/20heroin.html?_r=0
Then again, the War on Drugs was never meant to stop drugs, it hasn’t and it never will.
“Pole smoking queen?” I’m not the PC police but this is just beyond the pale.
Pole…. …. beyond the pale.
Nice.
Will drank during the four years in the Governor’s office, no wonder he never caught on the Governor’s cheating with the Argentine.
“Pole smoking queen?” I’m not the PC police but this is just beyond the pale.
Pole…. …. beyond the pale.
Nice.
Will drank during the four years in the Governor’s office, no wonder he never caught on the Governor’s cheating with the Argentine.
Didn’t Barney Frank and FITS tell us Ronald Reagan introduced Crack in South Central LA to debilitate the Black Community???
Barney Frank, and FITS, must be Racists….
Drugs: clearly not for addicts (those with no concept or physical ability to practice moderation). Good post Will.
Drugs: clearly not for addicts (those with no concept or physical ability to practice moderation). Good post Will.
Congratulations and good luck on remaining sober.
There must be a trade-off between the costs of a war on drugs and the costs to our society of the social Darwinism of unfettered access to all addictive drugs.
BTW, you really gotta give up that BS that Barney Frank “bears direct responsibility for the implosion of the U.S. housing market that spawned the still-lingering American recession.” Unless you have a better link than one that leads back to FitsNews.
Right, Tom. It was Chris Dodd’s fault, too.
Congratulations and good luck on remaining sober.
There must be a trade-off between the costs of a war on drugs and the costs to our society of the social Darwinism of unfettered access to all addictive drugs.
BTW, you really gotta give up that BS that Barney Frank “bears direct responsibility for the implosion of the U.S. housing market that spawned the still-lingering American recession.” Unless you have a better link than one that leads back to FitsNews.
Right, Tom. It was Chris Dodd’s fault, too.
Barney is my personal hero.
Barney is my personal hero.
“Those who refuse to learn from the past are doomed to repeat it.”, don’t remember who said that but it is true. These drugs haven’t always been illegal; in fact the illegality of these drugs is a relatively recent occurrence. Back in our history (U.S.) these drugs were legal and used and severely abused. Drugs as well as alcohol had a very detrimental affect on American society. Drugs were outlawed as was alcohol (prohibition) and while prohibition didn’t last the temperance movement did help ameliorate the problem with alcohol. I have seen damned few that can handle drugs though nearly all I have seen swore up and down they had it under control. Mr. Folks, you had it very lucky but try talking to the good folks at the Lexington County jail sometime and they will show you the bad side that is worse than what you experienced. While I see no problem with legalizing marijuana if you were to legalize cocaine and heroine the scourge would return and our great nation would go to hell an awful lot faster than it is with the current administrations economic policies.
Plenty of the people at the Lexington County Jail are on their way to being locked up for long periods of time in federal prison for holding very small amounts of drugs due to federal mandatory minimum sentencing laws. You think “the temperance movement did help ameliorate the problem with alcohol?” How, exactly?
“Those who refuse to learn from the past are doomed to repeat it.”, don’t remember who said that but it is true. These drugs haven’t always been illegal; in fact the illegality of these drugs is a relatively recent occurrence. Back in our history (U.S.) these drugs were legal and used and severely abused. Drugs as well as alcohol had a very detrimental affect on American society. Drugs were outlawed as was alcohol (prohibition) and while prohibition didn’t last the temperance movement did help ameliorate the problem with alcohol. I have seen damned few that can handle drugs though nearly all I have seen swore up and down they had it under control. Mr. Folks, you had it very lucky but try talking to the good folks at the Lexington County jail sometime and they will show you the bad side that is worse than what you experienced. While I see no problem with legalizing marijuana if you were to legalize cocaine and heroine the scourge would return and our great nation would go to hell an awful lot faster than it is with the current administrations economic policies.
Plenty of the people at the Lexington County Jail are on their way to being locked up for long periods of time in federal prison for holding very small amounts of drugs due to federal mandatory minimum sentencing laws. You think “the temperance movement did help ameliorate the problem with alcohol?” How, exactly?
I know you are a provocateur and all, but do you really have to call Frank a “pole smoking queen”? I’ve never thought twice about Frank being gay.
Know how you love to characterize us as backwards, backwoods, inbred, redneck, incestuous hicks and then point to your own fine taste as proof that you are above it? When you say “pole smoking queen”, you aren’t just joining us, you are dragging the rest of us down with you. Now we have to be bigoted, backwards, backwoods, inbred, redneck, incestuous hicks. Gee, thanks.
Go smoke a pole,and INHALE…
I’d have to ask for diplomatic immunity. But then, I’ve never been to Poland.
lowercase,’p’
I don’t think Polish people would like to be considered “lowercase.” But I did hear a rumor that 47% of them were.. or was that American voters..?
I know you are a provocateur and all, but do you really have to call Frank a “pole smoking queen”? I’ve never thought twice about Frank being gay.
Know how you love to characterize us as backwards, backwoods, inbred, redneck, incestuous hicks and then point to your own fine taste as proof that you are above it? When you say “pole smoking queen”, you aren’t just joining us, you are dragging the rest of us down with you. Now we have to be bigoted, backwards, backwoods, inbred, redneck, incestuous hicks. Gee, thanks.
Go smoke a pole,and INHALE…
I’d have to ask for diplomatic immunity. But then, I’ve never been to Poland.
lowercase,’p’
I don’t think Polish people would like to be considered “lowercase.” But I did hear a rumor that 47% of them were.. or was that American voters..?
If you could the check and balance on what the government puts into law enforce with drugs. I feel you would have an answer on why it is not legal. Look at all the legal money that people would not get. No wonder Charleston was last city to approve prohibition. MONEY MONEY MONEY.
If you could the check and balance on what the government puts into law enforce with drugs. I feel you would have an answer on why it is not legal. Look at all the legal money that people would not get. No wonder Charleston was last city to approve prohibition. MONEY MONEY MONEY.
Some of us readers are libertarians (with a little “L”). Many of us are Conservatives (with a big “C”). A small few of us are either progressives with little “P” or Liberals without portfolio. The latter have no souls, so their comments will not matter nor have an effect. But the progressives do have souls – I just vigorously disagree with them on every issue.
Conservatives believe that laws preserve societal values.
I believe that you can’t legislate morality. Sooooo, smoke if ya got ’em. Just don’t let the cops see you.
Some of us readers are libertarians (with a little “L”). Many of us are Conservatives (with a big “C”). A small few of us are either progressives with little “P” or Liberals without portfolio. The latter have no souls, so their comments will not matter nor have an effect. But the progressives do have souls – I just vigorously disagree with them on every issue.
Conservatives believe that laws preserve societal values.
I believe that you can’t legislate morality. Sooooo, smoke if ya got ’em. Just don’t let the cops see you.
“Thomas Ravenel, for example, who won a statewide campaign and was serving with distinction as South Carolina’s Treasurer”
“Serving with distinction.” Bwahahahaha!
As I recall his tenure was distinguished by the fact that he began whining about the office hours as soon as he took the oath of office.
“Thomas Ravenel, for example, who won a statewide campaign and was serving with distinction as South Carolina’s Treasurer”
“Serving with distinction.” Bwahahahaha!
As I recall his tenure was distinguished by the fact that he began whining about the office hours as soon as he took the oath of office.
How about this..
We make everything illegal. Then, we fire ALL the police and all the judges.
That way, those who want to judge everybody can do that, and those who think everything is unfair will also get a break. Both can believe that they are righteous, but the jails will empty and everybody’s on their own. Those who hate Toal get a break and those who hate the Highway patrol and DHEC and ALL authority get a break, but since everything is illegal, those who care can hang their heads in disgust and talk about how awful everything is. Right? I mean, nobody’s doing anything about the bad stuff now, anyway..
I’m just sayin’
How about this..
We make everything illegal. Then, we fire ALL the police and all the judges.
That way, those who want to judge everybody can do that, and those who think everything is unfair will also get a break. Both can believe that they are righteous, but the jails will empty and everybody’s on their own. Those who hate Toal get a break and those who hate the Highway patrol and DHEC and ALL authority get a break, but since everything is illegal, those who care can hang their heads in disgust and talk about how awful everything is. Right? I mean, nobody’s doing anything about the bad stuff now, anyway..
I’m just sayin’
Great one,Fits.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eszCRHkI9zA
Great one,Fits.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eszCRHkI9zA
Barney Frank and the Law of Unintended Consequences: How the Frank Amendment Helped Terrorists get Legal Visas
http://amzn.com/B006O6NORU
Barney Frank and the Law of Unintended Consequences: How the Frank Amendment Helped Terrorists get Legal Visas
http://amzn.com/B006O6NORU
‘Heroin’ was originally marketed by ,Bayer as a cure for morphine addiction.
If there is a real ,War On Drugs,the drugs won.
‘Heroin’ was originally marketed by ,Bayer as a cure for morphine addiction.
If there is a real ,War On Drugs,the drugs won.
Very good post, Will.
Very good post, Will.
Interesting to see the comment on “no-knock” raids. It calls to mind the words of the late African-American poet and proto-rapper Gil Scott-Heron who recorded a piece entitled “No-Knock” in 1972 in opposition to the “no-knock” policies of Attorney General John Mitchell (who eventually was convicted of perjury, obstruction of justice and conspiracy in the Watergate Scandal). Yes, “No-Knock” started with that paragon of rectitude and integrity — Richard Nixon (the only president to be named an “unindicted co-conspirator” by a federal prosecutor).
Check it out: http://lyrics.wikia.com/Gil_Scott-Heron:No_Knock
Interesting to see the comment on “no-knock” raids. It calls to mind the words of the late African-American poet and proto-rapper Gil Scott-Heron who recorded a piece entitled “No-Knock” in 1972 in opposition to the “no-knock” policies of Attorney General John Mitchell (who eventually was convicted of perjury, obstruction of justice and conspiracy in the Watergate Scandal). Yes, “No-Knock” started with that paragon of rectitude and integrity — Richard Nixon (the only president to be named an “unindicted co-conspirator” by a federal prosecutor).
Check it out: http://lyrics.wikia.com/Gil_Scott-Heron:No_Knock