tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6557458849091969678.post593439059873416002..comments2023-06-15T09:13:45.467-04:00Comments on Liberty's Torch: Tension And Habitat Part 6: SummationFrancis W. Porrettohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862584203772592282noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6557458849091969678.post-59578135227250179252012-05-05T07:02:13.747-04:002012-05-05T07:02:13.747-04:00It's not really on-topic, Linda, but the argum...It's not really on-topic, Linda, but the arguments over the War on Drugs aren't about Utopias or panaceas; they're about better and worse. Trade-offs, as Thomas Sowell would say. <i>Would the situation be better or worse if recreational drugs were legal?</i> It's an arguable point -- I happen to think the answer is yes -- that involves several factors, including whether a regulatory regime such as that which applies to alcohol should be instituted.<br /><br />The stories Riis told were, first of all, dramatized; second, they were unverifiable; third, he was writing about the period before there was any alcohol regulation of any sort. Whatever your convictions about recreational drugs -- and I think we share this one: that they're extremely bad for you and that any sensible person would avoid them -- it's always wise to avoid comparing things that are greatly dissimilar in important ways. That certainly applies to alcohol consumption in the pre-Prohibition years and the contemporary use and availability of banned recreational drugs.Francis W. Porrettohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05862584203772592282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6557458849091969678.post-769413463269384872012-05-05T06:38:39.427-04:002012-05-05T06:38:39.427-04:00The drug legalization crowd have always irritated ...The drug legalization crowd have always irritated me - they focus on the wonders they believe will follow legalization, without dealing with likely consequences:<br /><br />- more underage people using<br />- more drug-related traffic accidents<br />- increase of addiction<br /><br />As a teacher, I see that even with strong penalties against use, a certain percentage of the students will indulge. It WILL increase in the aftermath of legalization. The pre-20th century situation, where there were no legal restrictions on kids drinking, led to child drunks in the streets (see the Jacob Riis photos of slums in that time period). Does anyone really doubt that such could easily occur again?LindaFhttp://rau.3littlefoxes.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6557458849091969678.post-67869226563069335512012-05-02T09:55:27.613-04:002012-05-02T09:55:27.613-04:00When they turn the pages of history, when these da...When they turn the pages of history, when these days have passed long ago <br />Will they read of us with sadness for the seeds that we let grow <br />We turned our gaze from the castles in the distance <br />Eyes cast down, on the path of least resistance <br /> <br />The hypocrites are slandering the sacred halls of Truth <br />Ancient nobles showering their bitterness on youth <br />Can't we find the minds that made us stong <br />Can't we learn to feel what's right and wrong <br /><br />Cities full of hatred, fear and lies <br />Withered hearts and cruel, tormented eyes <br />Scheming demons dressed in kingly guise <br />Beating down the multitude and scoffing at the wise <br />Can't we raise our eyes and make a start <br />Can't we find the minds to lead us closer to the HeartAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com