We now return to our regularly-scheduled madness
<p>Andy, I'm not much of a gambler and there is no way you could get me to bet on McCain or Nader. McCain will get a lot of votes, however. Personally, Isee Ralph Nader as nothing more than an attention whore. Where has he been and what has he been doing for the past four years? Like a quadrennial groundhog, hepops his head up when it's presidential election time. I dislike rodents. To me, the only thing they are good for is snake chow.</p><p>I really do feel that this is a historical election year, not only because the Democratic candidate will be either a black man or a woman, but because Ibelieve that one of them will become our next president. It's been a long time coming.</p><p>On the issue of drugs vs crime, one big reason I am in favour of legalising marijuana is because of the crime factor. Unfortunately, if the government getsinvolved, special interest will be involved as well. All will be determined by Big Weed (or whatever term we'd call the industry, much like we refer to BigTobacco) and the government. It would not stop people from growing their own or obtaining it from what would still remain illegal sources, but I think it wouldbe a lot cheaper. We are missing out on SO much by keeping it illegal. Like hemp, the fiber from <em>C. sativa</em> can be used for clothing, and oil from theseeds can be used as a bio fuel.</p><p>When weed is made legal, it lessens the taboo factor. People then don't do it to be rebellious (actually, adults; kids will do it out of rebellionbecause it won't be legal for those under 18 or 21, I'm sure) or to "fight the man." You remove the illegality of it and allow people to growtheir own and drug cartels and gangs will focus more on other drugs.</p><blockquote> Kids who may never had used a gun, or weapon, suddenly have this power thing come over them</blockquote><br>That is a prime reason why many of us have been brought up around guns. Here's that taboo factor thing again. When kids are brought up to respect firearmsand how to use them properly, there isn't such a "Look at me! I have a gun! I'm cool!" thing. I don't feel that everyone should own agun, however. Some people can not be trusted with a can opener, much less a deadly weapon; it increases the risk that someone else will get hurt. Ifthey're incredibly stupid and fire a rifle with a lot of recoil/kick-back, hopefully the butt of the rifle will smack their head hard enough to convincethem not to ever again touch one.<p>Don't get me on the child rearing subject. I piss off enough people already. I'll just say only those prepared to actually <em>raise</em> a childshould ever create one, and leave it at that.</p><p>Chris, if you get The History Channel, check this week's episode of <em>Gangland</em>. It addresses the issue of gangs in the military, who join not toserve their country, but to serve their homies back in the gang, so they can learn tactics and weapons so that when they get out, they can be more efficientkilling machines. If that doesn't scare you, nothing will.</p><p>Andy again: whoa, whoa, now. I must have been really tired or didn't fully read a post because I completely missed anyone being compared to members ofNAMBLA. Hoo boy. It was asked previously who will be the executioner. I'll volunteer when it comes to those guys, but I sure as hell don't see anyonearound here who even comes close to comparison to them.<br></p>
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