Open Thread

The hosting system I use has gotten new servers, and over the past couple of days, they’ve been migrating DrugWarRant and others to new hardware. Because of this, there may have been a couple of downtimes for the site, and it’s also possible that there may have been a glitch or two in the transition. Let me know if you see any problems.

Ultimately, this should mean a more reliable server in the long run.

I’ve also been busy with end of the year activities at work. Our Fine Arts Commencement ceremony, which I help organize, was last night, and it went beautifully. We’re sending some very good young people out into the world.

This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.

24 Responses to Open Thread

  1. Bungy says:

    Been working fine for me all week.

  2. Servetus says:

    TV preacher and trash-talker, Chaplain Gordon James Klingenschmitt (PhD) hates pot hippies, especially those hippies who talk about cannabis being featured in the Bible. So he’s conjured up a whole new theory about forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden: it was really marijuana :

    “There are certain weeds in the garden, even in the Garden of Eden, that were forbidden by God,” Klingenschmitt said, saying that the Bible never uses the word “apple” to describe just what it was that Adam and Eve ate but “the Bible does use the word ‘forbidden weed.'”

    Apples never grew in the Middle East at the time Eden is alleged to have originated. The only hanging fruit that might have qualified for such a role is the pomegranate, which has yet to be vilified.

    The apple was considered evil by various Protestants during Prohibition 1.0 because of its connection to the Genesis story, and because apples were used to make alcohol in the form of hard cider and applejack.

    • DdC says:

      I obey the Laws of Physics. They are truly Immediate Justice on those who fail to abide. Disobey gravity and no cops, courts or jails required. In the “alleged” Garden of Eden. God only prohibited the Tree of Good and Evil, Knowledge. Education, that teaches how to kill God’s creations to profit with human inventions. To manipulate, adulterate and bastardize God’s works. The difference between good and evil is determined by the definer. He who wrote the definition in context with the times it was written.

      All dictators share an enemy with informed people. Censorship has to be maintained and repeated to be effective. The problem is when other sources such as physics, conflict with the religionists writings. They may be able to censor cannabis completely out of the Bible. But it leaves more questions than answers. If it was so bad why not elaborate or mention it. Is it worse than eating animals with cloven hooves? Apparently not since Rabi says Ganja edibles are Kosher. Preachers and Cops circumventing Science to sell their products, at all cost in spite of the misery caused to the very people flocking to them for temporary safety

      “Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man;
      that which cometh out of the mouth defileth a man.” (Mat. 15:11).

      It was Archeologists who found Hashish traces in the Incense Cantors and Hemp to be used in the area at the times since Moses. From Hemp Rope, Blankets, Robes, Linen, Burlap and Canvas to Swaddling Cloth, Gruel and Popcorn. Sources of protein and essential fatty acids. Surely God would not condemn such a gift. Incense of Hashish. I enjoy watching ministers and priests faces when I ask, did they not inhale? So it seems removing all traces from the writings, leaves even more doubt. Requiring fear driven blind allegiance or the herded masses of MalWart. Hemp was grown and Sythians trafficked in Ganja. Humans HisStory is written by the Victors.

      It was also a test of Loyalty. To see if the kids could be trusted with the Cannabis Tree of Life. It was never prohibited, but it was hidden behind the Tree of Knowledge. Genesis says clearly why A&E were banished. Lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life and live forever as all of the Gods do.

      Gen.3 [22] And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

      The 7 Corporal Works of Mercy With Cannabis

      Prov.3 [18] She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

      The word kaneh-bosm has been mistranslated as calamus, a common marsh plant with little monetary value that does not have the qualities or value ascribed to kaneh-bosm. The error occurred in the oldest Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, the Septuagint in the third century BC, and was repeated in the many translations that followed.”

      When we take a chronological look at biblical references to kaneh-bosm, we reveal more than just the story of cannabis in the Old Testament. Another exciting and concealed story emerges as well, that of the suppression of the worship of Astarte, also called Ashera, known to the ancient Semites as the Queen of Heaven. The First Reference to Kaneh-Bosm

  3. NorCalNative says:

    “We’re sending some very good young people out into the world.”

    Thanks Pete for your own role in making this happen. Teaching is an art, and based on reading this blog for a few years it’s clear that you’re an awesome instructor.

    • Crut says:

      Unfortunately, stupid people use weed too. On top of that, some of the stupid people that don’t use it, vote!

      Sabet will have to make room for this in his “Fanatical extreme anecdotal evidence that disproves all science” file. I don’t think he’ll be able to get as much use out of this one though.

  4. Welfare Cuts Hurt Canada says:

    Few Drug War Topic Forums exist here.
    Found One, Login Required;
    Draw Your own conclusions regarding its operator, one Agent K.

    http://gangstersout.blogspot.ca/

    • Paul McClancy says:

      From the blog:

      “Let’s think about it. Anything that gets you stoned or baked or wasted, can’t be good for you. It’s no different than alcohol. Getting sh*t faced isn’t good for your health. People respond with anything in moderation to which I concur. But people aren’t smoking pot in moderation. If you smoke pot every day or more than once a day that’s not moderation”.

      Besides playing the “my vice is better than yours” card, he gets his facts wrong on just about everything else. According to his logic, drinking a glass of wine a day isn’t moderation. The primary reason pro-alcohol prohibitionists think they can get away with this crap is because technically it’s possible to not experience psychoactive effects from one drink.

      But let’s be brutally honest, how many people who currently drink DON”T experience an alcohol buzz? Usually when prohibs hear this they respond with some bogus anecdote from nowhere’s land. So what if your drug of choice doubles as a beverage? If people stopped lying to themselves they’d realize that very few wine aficionados exclusively drink for taste, texture, and whatnot.

      • primus says:

        I recall the results of a study done years ago, where they looked into the effects of small doses of alcohol. They determined that there is a measurable change in brain activity with the consumption of a small fraction of one ounce of alcohol. Anyone who says they don’t drink for the buzz should instantly be offered a ‘near beer’ or dealcoholized wine or a soda. When they choose alcohol, call them on their hypocrisy. The only reason for ‘cocktails’ and other mixed drinks, as well as those vile swills called ‘beer’ and ‘wine’ to exist, is to trick our taste buds into allowing this poison into our system. Absent that, our defences rightly reject it. I was on the road to alcoholism, just like my parents, when I decided not to follow along. Early on, I discovered cannabis. I have used it faithfully for over 30 years, and do so daily now. I rarely drink. (Don’t like the taste, don’t like the effects.) My health is far better than drinkers I know of my age. I thank my good fortune for taking me down a different path.

      • Duncan20903 says:

        .
        .

        “…think they can get away with this crap is because technically it’s possible to not experience psychoactive effects from one drink.”

        Obviously you never had occasion to be around my sainted mother on the rare occasions that she would decide to take a drink. Because if you had you would have been able to make that claim with a straight face.

  5. DdC says:

    Happy Mothers Day of Action
    http://endingcannabisprohibition.yuku.com/topic/1756
    Today I hope that mothers will join me and pay attention to some peaceful solutions for marijuana.

    Ganja Mothers, Ganja Babies
    http://endingcannabisprohibition.yuku.com/topic/1648

    Mothers Against the Drug Czar’s War on Kids
    http://endingcannabisprohibition.yuku.com/topic/1499

    Mama Coca wants Colombia’s fumigation to end
    http://endingcannabisprohibition.yuku.com/topic/373

    Mama Say’s, http://www.mamas.org/

  6. Bermuda says:

    “The report also says The Department of National Drug Control should be placed under the Ministry of Health, where there could be a greater emphasis placed on “demand reduction with a focus on prevention and treatment.”

    It recommends personal possession of cannabis be decriminalized immediately. The government should also allow for cultivation of a limited number of cannabis plants, according to the recommendations.

    The CRC says the legal age of consent for access and consumption both cannabis and alcohol on the island should be 21. Any change to existing laws, should be made in consultation with labour unions, employers and insurance companies. The CRC favors a phased approach to cannabis reform that would reduce Bermudians being denied access to the U.S. by being placed on a “Stop List.”

    The government should take “immediate action to enable access to medical cannabis with a prescription” under existing regulations until new legislation is approved, according to the CRC.”

    http://tinyurl.com/nx3a7l2

  7. Paul McClancy says:

    I hope you had a good time at the ceremony, Pete.

  8. N.T. Greene says:

    OT: I hate to make a scene, but at this point you guys are the closest thing to a family that I have. You see, I haven’t been 100% for years now, struggling with depression, suicidal ideation, and other related problems. My child’s mother leaving me for another man certainly didn’t help. Graduating college and being stuck working at a fucking gas station and having to live at home rubs salt in it. My life is pretty much a sham. I have problems with my teeth, but make too much money for state assistance despite crushing student loan payments and pending health insurance to boot. Right now, I want to die, die die. Because I can’t even afford to pull the infected tooth I have. I can hardly afford antibiotics. And being down a tooth would make me less attractive than a kid, a shitty job, and living at home already do. What can I do, really, when I can’t even afford maintenance? I thought I had a good mind. Talent even. A keen eye. But what is it good for? It doesn’t buy food or dampen my loneliness. So here I sit, complicating societal solutions while I fall apart.

    What do, what do..

    • primus says:

      Old guy talking: Life sucks. Sometimes. Other times it’s wonderful. It ebbs and flows. Good stuff doesn’t last, neither does bad stuff. The rainbow follows the rain. Right now, you are in a bad part. Don’t let it get to you. Look around. You will find friends. Contact dentists until you find one who will arrange to accept payments for your work, or do what I do and go to Mexico and pay a third the price. Keep on sending out your CV and looking for that ‘good’ job, all the while keeping on at your ‘not good’ job. Persevere. Maintain. Don’t quit. Persistence is the key. If you persist, you will prevail. Your persistence will lead you to the good job, the good friends and the good life you seek. Bon chance.

    • DdC says:

      Seems to me the older I get, the faster the earth rotates.

    • drwoo says:

      Antibiotics…… You can afford them. Buy some fishmox Google it. It’s amoxicillin for fish but it’s the same shit for humans much cheaper no script. Order off of eBay or some where online you can get 100 tablets for $25 keep it in the freezer it will last you years.

    • claygooding says:

      Find something that will use up your talents and keep your mind exploring,,you are stagnating,,,I would suggest you start growing plants,,weed if you can get away with it or a herbal garden if too chancy,,,sitting and watching my plants grow is the most soothing hobby I have ever had.
      I saw one jump 1/16th of an inch the other day.

    • pfroehlich2004 says:

      Hey N.T.,

      I don’t know what type of custody arrangements you have with your ex, but if it’s possible for you to relocate to another country, you really ought to consider teaching English in Asia. As a US citizen and college graduate, you are virtually guaranteed a job in any country between Korea and Indonesia (one can teach in other parts of the world, but the salary to cost-of-living ratio won’t be nearly as good). I came to Vietnam ten years ago to teach EFL and it was the best move I ever made. I earned enough money teaching to live a very comfortable lifestyle and accumulate enough capital to start a business, which, while it hasn’t made me wealthy, has given my family a secure, middle-class existence.

      If you’re interested, http://www.eslcafe.com is a great place to learn the lay of the land. I guarantee it beats the fuck out of living at home and working at a gas station. Oh, and you can get great dental work here at a fraction of the U.S. cost.

    • B. Snow says:

      Ibuprofen = It works to stop inflammation of the gums/mouth better than any other NSAID, and in my experience help prevent toothaches better than nearly anything.

      You still need to worry about infection – I’d consider swapping out 1 “brushing” for “mouthwashing”, at least short term, Just to spare yourself some of the pain.

      You still need to see a dentist, but I’d also suggest you consider having teeth pulled over getting fillings & root-canals and the various stuff they try to get you to fork-out major $$ for… You may have to find an older more pragmatic dentist as the younger ones often seem to be all about the $$.

      I’m gonna guess you also have “dry-mouth” (I don’t mean “cottonmouth” per se) but from some other medicine(s).
      If your tooth-enamel is relatively intact you can fighting the dry-mouth with ‘Biotene’ = If you’ve got persistently bad teeth, It could be from acidic & ‘sugary’ drinks/diet. If you don’t get ahold of the situation it can become a ‘lost-cause’ fight quickly…

      IDK, if it helps -but- this is seemingly more & more common. Also, IMHO don’t worry about how it looks, worry about the possible serious long-term risks/effects caused by dental infections. In the current economy – way more people are having this type of problem, and in today’s culture people are going to be less embarrassed of (and less able to hide) teeth problems from everyone…. and the “stigma” of the past will hopefully fade. As everyone realizes this ISN’T a character problem its often a genetic/environmental/cultural problem, People judging you on your teeth aren’t people you really need in your life.

      • Windy says:

        Oil of clove helps manage toothache, if you cannot find it ground cloves packed in the cavity also works. Mouthwashing for five minutes with organic virgin coconut oil kills many microbes including bacteria, and zylitol does the same (just don’t let your pets ingest any, it’s safe for people but will kill a dog, no antidote), silver colloid is also an antimicrobial. My daughter has been dealing with the same problem for a couple months, but her job has finally kicked in with dental insurance, so she can have it pulled (too late to save the tooth) and get an implant. Such a shame, she’s always had such beautiful teeth and has always taken excellent care of them (her new dental hygenist complimented her on how free of tartar they are).

  9. DdC says:

    … and the Incremental Retardation spreads…

    142 Oregon cities and 26 counties pass cannabis bans

    Oregon cities and counties assuring kids have 300 seizures instead of 3 or 4. Such cowards to continue appeasing bloated police budgets. Seems Oregon prefers cops seizures over assisting little kids. Boycott the businesses of these backwoods hicks.

    Marijuana Stops Child’s Severe Seizures
    http://endingcannabisprohibition.yuku.com/sreply/667

    Seizures By Police Help Fund Drug War
    http://endingcannabisprohibition.yuku.com/topic/499

    Government Property Seizures out of Control
    http://endingcannabisprohibition.yuku.com/topic/508

  10. Cigarette Burn! says:

Comments are closed.