Obama's Answer on Marijuana Policy Was a Disgrace

[wideright82]

http://www.splicetoday.com/politics-and ... a-disgrace

Had Barack Obama merely addressed the question of marijuana legalization with his trademark gravitas at the Open For Questions forum, the sane among us would likely have just grumbled and sighed, disappointed but not horrified. But Obama’s answer to the question was mired in the same outdated War on Drugs mentality that frames this issue as a Footloose-style quarrel between stoners and respectable citizens:

There was one question that voted on that ranked fairly high and that was whether legalizing marijuana would improve the economy [audible snickering] and job creation. And, uh, [Obama snickers] I don't know what this says about the online audience, [audience and Obama laugh] but ... this was a fairly popular question. We want to make sure it's answered. The answer is no, I don't think that's a good strategy [laughing and clapping] to grow our economy.

Politically, this is a staggering miscalculation by the typically savvy Obama; why on earth would you laugh at “the online audience” during the first online town hall meeting in presidential history? Have you forgotten who helped get you elected in the first place? And isn’t this the candidate who finally moved us beyond the ridiculous Clinton-era tap dance around this issue, stating in the debates, “I inhaled frequently… that was the point”?

[wideright82]

My bad, wrong damn board. WILLIEEEEEEEE!!!!!! Help a brother out.

[JMU DJ]

You continue to post this political filth in the locker room... you are severely inhibiting my ability to enjoy this site.

[JMU DJ]

Sorry... meant to include " " in my last post

[wideright82]

You continue to post this political filth in the locker room... you are severely inhibiting my ability to enjoy this site.

I know, I know.

[Wedgebuster]

I felt kind of sorry for him, the question dominated all others on the forum, and he had to respond to it.

Would have possibly been political suicide to say how he really felt about it, let alone the risk of giving a Tommy Chong answer to the question.

[travelinman67]

I felt kind of sorry for him, the question dominated all others on the forum, and he had to respond to it.

Would have possibly been political suicide to say how he really felt about it, let alone the risk of giving a Tommy Chong answer to the question.

Wedgie...

...that is one of the few "honest" answers Obama's gotten right. Marijuana will never be legalized, and the pot smokers are just incapable of accepting that.

[Ibanez]

My bad, wrong damn board. WILLIEEEEEEEE!!!!!! Help a brother out.

There ya go brotha

[wideright82]

My bad, wrong damn board. WILLIEEEEEEEE!!!!!! Help a brother out.

There ya go brotha

Thanks, Mark. Willie is useless. Sitting there spilling his guts about his weekly man crush on Whitey, not payin attention to the people.

[Gil Dobie]

He should have just said legalize it, he's a rock star and wouldn't be phased a bit by political backlash, but would have millions of people behind him to support it.

Even Rush could relate.

[ASUMountaineer]

I think it's ridiculous for him to have this close minded attitude. There is so much that could be helpful from hemp, industrial hemp could be a new cash crop, but he won't consider it. What a shame.

[Wedgebuster]

His response was purely political, and the safest answer he could have used. What is so surprising about that?

We know for sure that BO is a politician, as for being "The Messiah" as the Pubs like to call him I believe the jury is still out.

[Purple For Life]

I felt kind of sorry for him, the question dominated all others on the forum, and he had to respond to it.

Would have possibly been political suicide to say how he really felt about it, let alone the risk of giving a Tommy Chong answer to the question.

Wedgie...

...that is one of the few "honest" answers Obama's gotten right. Marijuana will never be legalized, and the pot smokers are just incapable of accepting that.

The benefits outweigh the costs (financially and otherwise) of keeping it illegal.

If we're going to keep it illegal, let's start taxing booze more--cigarettes are already taxed like crazy.

[Ivytalk]

I felt kind of sorry for him, the question dominated all others on the forum, and he had to respond to it.

Would have possibly been political suicide to say how he really felt about it, let alone the risk of giving a Tommy Chong answer to the question.

"Michelle's trying to wean me off tobacco by letting me smoke a joint each night. We have our own private stash of Colombian Gold in the (tee, hee!) Blue Room. Or is it the Red Room? Sometimes it's (tee, hee) both. Or is it purple? Right now, I can't even READ the teleprompter, man! Now, where's that next damn e-mail?"

[D1B]

I felt kind of sorry for him, the question dominated all others on the forum, and he had to respond to it.

Would have possibly been political suicide to say how he really felt about it, let alone the risk of giving a Tommy Chong answer to the question.

Wedgie...

...that is one of the few "honest" answers Obama's gotten right. Marijuana will never be legalized, and the pot smokers are just incapable of accepting that.

Yes it will, when your generation and earlier ones are finally gone. The young today are much less easy to scare.

[slycat]

It'll be legalized someday.

[Wedgebuster]

It'll be legalized someday.

Many truly believed that back in 1976, but the subject got thrown out with the garbage, then came Nancy.

[slycat]

It'll be legalized someday.

Many truly believed that back in 1976, but the subject got thrown out with the garbage, then came Nancy.

I guess many don't want to open that can of worms for fear it may blow up in their face, even if it would generate billions for the country.

If any thing they will pass laws like Denver has so they don't have to make as many arrests. Has the law really made a difference in Denver?

[D1B]

It'll be legalized someday.

Many truly believed that back in 1976, but the subject got thrown out with the garbage, then came Nancy.

People like John McCain are afraid of Marijuana. When they pass on, so will their silly beliefs and stunted thought processes.

[D1B]

http://www.splicetoday.com/politics-and ... a-disgrace

Had Barack Obama merely addressed the question of marijuana legalization with his trademark gravitas at the Open For Questions forum, the sane among us would likely have just grumbled and sighed, disappointed but not horrified. But Obama’s answer to the question was mired in the same outdated War on Drugs mentality that frames this issue as a Footloose-style quarrel between stoners and respectable citizens:



Politically, this is a staggering miscalculation by the typically savvy Obama; why on earth would you laugh at “the online audience” during the first online town hall meeting in presidential history? Have you forgotten who helped get you elected in the first place? And isn’t this the candidate who finally moved us beyond the ridiculous Clinton-era tap dance around this issue, stating in the debates, “I inhaled frequently… that was the point”?

Agree, but Obama needs to be careful right now. This is not a battle he needs to get into.

[Ivytalk]

"Michelle, don't bogart that joint!!"

[houndawg]

D1b's right, BO doesn't need this distraction right now.

Legalizing weed will effect very little change, revenues will be greatly offset by the fact that anyone who wants to smoke dope will grow their own and not pay anybody anything. There are also unanticipated consequences such as: Who are we going to fill our prisons with, and whatever are we going to do with all the pendejo cops? Jesus, legalizing weed could precipitate massive layoffs in the prison industrial complex and bring one of California's most powerful unions to it's knees. We should leave things the way they are for now; let the 70 million Americans that currently ignore the idiotic marijuana laws continue to do so, with the caveat that they should be encouraged to stop sending our money abroad, do the patriotic thing, and Buy American.

[Gil Dobie]

Agree, but Obama needs to be careful right now. This is not a battle he needs to get into.

Congress wrote his bailout, why can't some congressional minion come up with a proposal that makes more sense than Charlie Rangel and his wasted time and money military draft bills. Making pot legal will stop making criminals out of people that get caught smoking pot while their PC neighbors are sipping champagne. Thinking Obama doesn't need this battle kind of kicks the change thing in the nuts. This can happen if people are postitive and push for change.

[houndawg]

Agree, but Obama needs to be careful right now. This is not a battle he needs to get into.

Congress wrote his bailout, why can't some congressional minion come up with a proposal that makes more sense than Charlie Rangel and his wasted time and money military draft bills. Making pot legal will stop making criminals out of people that get caught smoking pot while their PC neighbors are sipping champagne. Thinking Obama doesn't need this battle kind of kicks the change thing in the nuts. This can happen if people are postitive and push for change.

The reefer economy works well as it currently exists. In today's economic climate it is helpful for the average citizen to have an "off the books" option for augmenting income. The high price of weed is probably keeping hundreds of thousands of people off the welfare rolls.

[AshevilleApp]

No need to legalize. Just decriminalize.