Legalize Pot And All Controlled Drugs? Are They Nuts?
Posted: Sunday, May 03, 2009
by Gary W. Halsey Sr.
All Season Karaoke and D.J.
I'm not sure what page you folks are on about this subject, but there is allot of talk going on in a local newspaper here in Tucson, by one of the freelance writers of the newspaper saying that they should legalize "Pot" and all controlled drugs, to end the drug cartel wars in northern Mexico. Locals here seem to think that the cartel wars will find themselves on this side of the border, waging war amongst themselves, and leaving blood all over our streets if we don't "neutralize" it by making it legal to buy controlled substances in your local drug stores supplied by pharmacies, who would of course buy from the lowest bidder of the drug lords in Mexico. This writer claims that if we make them legal, that the demand for the drugs would diminish, therefore making the drugs no longer in demand, hence ending cartel wars now being waged in northern Mexico. The writer then states and I quote, "Consider the findings of George Friedman of Stratfor Global Intelligence (stratfor.com), a private intelligence-gathering firm. According to Mr. Friedman, the drug cartels warring in northern Mexico have actually formed small armies that are well-equipped and well-trained. In these areas, they actually rival the Mexican army."
As I read on, I am finding out that this writer is afraid of what may happen in the streets of Tucson, and eventually throughout the United States if the cartels should cross over our borders. He is afraid that the cartels will offer our government, or people in our local governments, the "Silver or Lead" choice if they do not play along with the cartels. In other words, the politicians could either become very rich, or very dead, them and their families. Then Mr. Hoffman states and I quote, "We are witnessing the commandeering of an entire country, Mexico, by drug cartels, with the prospect of private army turf wars in American cities". This is reminiscent of the Al Capone days of the 20's, where we had cartels and back in those days it was about alchol prohibition. We beat them then, and what does this writer think we are going to do now, roll over for these cartels that have no value for lives. There have been over 8,000 people that have died over the last two years in northern Mexico from drug-cartel warfare.
The writer then said, "For years, I have argued for an end to drug prohibition. It seems like a rather simple moral argument to me: If one is free, not a slave, then one has dominion over his body, mind, etc." (In other words, folks can destroy their lives if they want too). He also said that and I quote, "It saddens me that so many people engage in this sort of self-destructive behavior, but I'd prefer an increase in it (I would assume he means drug consumption) to the corruption of our governments and blood in our streets". To say the least, I was very upset when I read this article, and I wrote an online comment online on his article, about legalizing controlled drugs to the public! I stated that I thought he was nuts. It is true that we have been fighting this drug problem for years, and it would be great if we could end this problem, but legalizing drugs? I'm not sure that is the answer. I saw an article today that was sent to me from a online fan, and it showed that someone had cloned a Texas DOT truck, and was driving it over the border in Texas, and these pictures were captured when it was seized.
Texas DOT Vehicle stopped by an alert DPS Trooper on highway I-10 between San Antonio and Seguin, TX
This is the impostor truck made by the drug dealers
This is what was in the back of the truck. Pot.
There was more in the tool chest
Even inside the truck was filled with Pot.
Here is the looser who was transporting it. Nice bracelets don't you think?
His Little Nest Egg,....he's only trying to get by.
Upon further investigation, the found more of the nestegg. Sorry the picture is a little fuzzy, but its all money stacked in a closet, banded and ready to use.
A little more of the nestegg in another closet.
He even had a little more stashed away. Just a little.
His friends were watching the other stash as well, plus he liked to collect rare guns, (one with a silencer) I wonder how many people met there fate with these people?
Here is the money they were sitting on.
They like to collect nice guns, with silencers too, how nice.
I wonder how many people have died over all of this money??
This is what the cartels are fighting over, there is enough money in this building alone, just on drug sales to fund a entire war. I can't believe that people would even consider making drugs legal, it appears it's all about the money duh! Cartel wars will still rage onward, because of the loot they make, and which of the cartels is going to get the loot. It's hard for me to imagine who's lives were taken by those guns, and how many more bodies that are not even accounted for in the desert, how many holes were dug out there. Make controlled substances legal, I don't think so unfortunately, the majority of the money is American. It really shows how big the demand is doesn't it? And this freelance writer wants to legalize controlled substances?? There is a reason why it's call controlled substances, because it is CONTROLLED! Again, I don't think so.
The writer then said, "For years, I have argued for an end to drug prohibition. It seems like a rather simple moral argument to me: If one is free, not a slave, then one has dominion over his body, mind, etc." (In other words, folks can destroy their lives if they want too). He also said that and I quote, "It saddens me that so many people engage in this sort of self-destructive behavior, but I'd prefer an increase in it (I would assume he means drug consumption) to the corruption of our governments and blood in our streets". To say the least, I was very upset when I read this article, and I wrote an online comment online on his article, about legalizing controlled drugs to the public! I stated that I thought he was nuts. It is true that we have been fighting this drug problem for years, and it would be great if we could end this problem, but legalizing drugs? I'm not sure that is the answer. I saw an article today that was sent to me from a online fan, and it showed that someone had cloned a Texas DOT truck, and was driving it over the border in Texas, and these pictures were captured when it was seized.
Texas DOT Vehicle stopped by an alert DPS Trooper on highway I-10 between San Antonio and Seguin, TX
This is the impostor truck made by the drug dealers
This is what was in the back of the truck. Pot.
There was more in the tool chest
Even inside the truck was filled with Pot.
Here is the looser who was transporting it. Nice bracelets don't you think?
His Little Nest Egg,....he's only trying to get by.
Upon further investigation, the found more of the nestegg. Sorry the picture is a little fuzzy, but its all money stacked in a closet, banded and ready to use.
A little more of the nestegg in another closet.
He even had a little more stashed away. Just a little.
His friends were watching the other stash as well, plus he liked to collect rare guns, (one with a silencer) I wonder how many people met there fate with these people?
Here is the money they were sitting on.
They like to collect nice guns, with silencers too, how nice.
I wonder how many people have died over all of this money??
This is what the cartels are fighting over, there is enough money in this building alone, just on drug sales to fund a entire war. I can't believe that people would even consider making drugs legal, it appears it's all about the money duh! Cartel wars will still rage onward, because of the loot they make, and which of the cartels is going to get the loot. It's hard for me to imagine who's lives were taken by those guns, and how many more bodies that are not even accounted for in the desert, how many holes were dug out there. Make controlled substances legal, I don't think so unfortunately, the majority of the money is American. It really shows how big the demand is doesn't it? And this freelance writer wants to legalize controlled substances?? There is a reason why it's call controlled substances, because it is CONTROLLED! Again, I don't think so.
Footnote: I'm not sure what the fix is for this, if any, but I do know that if this is the threat we are honestly faced with, that we need to crush these so call cartels, and all of their followers. Keep in mind that Mexico is a very poor country, and if you have ever been across the border, you are met by a bunch of pan handlers that are selling gum and trinkets. Life is hard down there, and the cartels don't make it any easier for the honest person down there to make a living other than transport and distribute their products under durest with the threat of their families being shot and killed. The United States in my opinion, and my opinion only needs to finally close the borders down, and it should be harshly controlled by our homeland security team and border patrols. We need to secure our borders once and for all, and do all we can to stop this illegal activity. Shut it down totally, no one comes across until these cartels are brought down. Once Mexico cleans up their act, and takes control of their government, and knocks out the cartels, then we may entertain opening up the borders on a very limited basis. Eliminate the root of the problem, and the problem will be eliminated. The Mexican people need to control their people, and reckon with the illegal cartels once and for all. "Just an opinion". Most Mexican's just want to make a honest living, and live in peace, that is the majority, its those few rotten apples that need to have a wake up call, and be eliminated. For our sake, and for the sake of the Mexican people, perhaps the world.
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Top-level comments on this article: (8 total)What makes people think that they can make things better by ignoring all the rules and allowing anything?In some parts of Canada you can get a license for growing pot, but only in small quantities and for medicinal purposes only. Apparently it helps relieve problems caused by MS and others. Other than that, it is still illegal.David, I am with you on that one my friend. I was quite disappointed in the writer of that article to legalize the controlled substances. There is a reason why this stuff became controlled in the first place, and illegal is illegal in my book....!!! Thanks my friend for taking the time to read this article, and to comment, People need to be made aware of what is happening in our newspapers, and the irresponsible comments that are being made in them although I am a advocate of freedom of speech. I guess he has just as much right of making his point as I do making mine, I just don't agree with legalizing controlled substances.....Again thanks for taking the time to read my article....Your fan, and friend ..... Gary
Thank you for a great article. I agree with you completely. Why aren't our laws that we already have in place enforced. What is our government thinking?Linda DThat is a good question...I think our government is right in making these drugs controlled substances, but I think they need to just shut down the borders until this cartel business is shut down, especailly the borders to the south...enough is enough, I've had it with illegal immigrants, and illegal drugs, and illegal cartels. They need to shut em down!!! Thanks for reading my article, and commenting, your fan, and friend.......Gary
You have your head in the sand. Al capone and his clones came to the end when the U S let the sales of alchol resume and taxed it. Those who want to die by drugs or alchol will do so. We could then know who was a problem and possibly help them recover. Now we don"t know who has a problem. We can't continue to fill prison's with dealers who have no other way of making a living. If it were legall we could tax it and controll it. What a way to get rid of our debt. Rest assured their many people in our elected offical circles who fight to death to stop us from legalize all drugs. No more under the table money.Richard, you have the right to say what you want, and to think what you want, and you even make a valid point about the alcohol being taken out of circulation in the times of prohibition, and brought back. What you say is true, I may very well have my head in the sand, and I truly understand what you are saying, even parts of it make sense, but I must be very hard headed, because even though I get what you are saying about taxing and controlling the substances, quite frankly I see no control of alcohol to this day! People are still being identified as having problems, but
they are still killing other innocent people with drunk driving, and themselves with the slow death of liver disease and murdering people in a drunken stupor but hey, we can tax it at the expense of the victims, I mean if they are going to kill others or themselves anyway with alcohol, or controlled drugs, we may as well tax it and make money off of their misfortune! I guess that could or would make sense, but I would feel like I am no better than the cartels. Oh, those politicians that are making money under the table as you say, they have been, and always will find a way to
make money under the table, what makes you think that will ever change? Yep, I reckon your right, I do have my head in the sand. But thanks for making your valid points and comments and reading and commenting on the article, I do appreciate the support...Gary. Just my opinion, take it or leave it....it's okay.
Gary, Mexico has it's own set of rules. It's hard to explain.I find myself torn here. Alcohol causes so much pain and destruction, but is perfectly legal. What makes people think legalizing marijuana will solve anything?At the same time, why have alcohol legal and pot illegal? Isn't that a double standard?Still, a very good article with great points for discussion. Was there a problem with the pics? I couldn't see them.Ken, I hope there isn't a problem with the pics, I can see them....I'm not sure, I will have to see if Bruce can see them. But yes, Mexico has it's own set of rules, and the pictures had to do with a huge bust in Texas. I really wanted the article to be thought provoking, and it seems it is....I don't agree that making it legal will "fix" the cartel problems, then again, who knows. I really think that any substance that is abused, will cause harm to not only the users, but their victims, drunk driving, drug induced suicides, murders, etc. Some folks seem to lean to making this legal, and they think it will fix the problems associated with cartels, and the like, but I don't think making a controlled substance legal, will eventually fix the problems, look at the alcohol problems we are still having and that has been since prohibition. I think that there are morals and ethics that need to be exercised here, instead of just throwing in the towel to the drug cartels. I think that most folks think if you make them legal, it will take the steam out of the cartel wars, because now the demand won't be there, but, in my opinion, if it isn't drugs that the cartels aren't warring over, it will be something else....cartels are what they are...Murderers, thugs, hoodlums, and people that have no respect for life...they are who they are. I don't know why people can't see that.....Thanks for reading my article, I will ask Bruce to check out the pic's to make sure they are being viewed.....Your fan, and friend......GaryThe pics are there, Gary. The computer at work was not allowing them to load.
Take it from an 'old hippie'--we don't need legalized drugs, cigarettes, or alcohol. Anything that destroys brain cells should be out-lawed---look what it has done to our government officials! And I totally agree--close all our borders and make it as tough for foreigners to get into our country as they make it for Americans to get into theirs.Great article, Gary.SandraThanks so much for your comments Sandra, I am glad that I'm not the only one that thinks this is wrong. I don't know, I just don't see how legalizing controlled substances, (taking care of the "Problems associated with the cartels), will make things any better. It's all about money. Some folks think that legalizing drugs will make the cartels fail, but I don't, they'll just fight about something else that is illegal...that is what they do. Next it will be arms. Where does it end? Thanks for reading my article, Richard seems to think I have my head in the sand, and perhaps I do, but I still don't agree with it!!! hahahahhaha, thanks for reading and commenting, your fan, and friend, ...... Gary
Drugs cause problems, but outlawing drugs causes only causes more problems. How long has marijuana been illegal? And its criminalization has solved what, exactly?Thank you Anonymous for your comments, and for reading the article. Pot is a controversy as it is also used as a medicine for folks with Glaucoma,and assorted other ailments, and I personally don't have a problem with that, its the hard drugs I have a problem with, the hallucinogenics that I have a problem with. I know what you are saying, but its the hard drugs that I have a problem with. I know there are some folks out there that would love to make all drugs legal, I for one am against it. Even though I know tons of tax money could be made from it, there are some folks out there that really don't have to much control of THEMSELVES, to be responsible enough to use them, and could harm themselves and others. But Pot....I wouldn't waste my time fighting over it....Thanks for the comment....Gary.
hey gary!On my raod trip across country I bumped right up next to the Mexico/Us border. Actually drove through a check point and all! They actually just waved this all american blond girl on through while stopping any box truck or van or vehicle with a dark skinned occupant. Note to all you drug smugglers and illegal alien transporters, hire a white girl to get your stuff through the check points!What a joke our border policies are. Every corner in California has illegals waiting to be picked up for a days work. It is a controversial subject but I do think we should protect our borders better and not pick and choose which laws we enforce based on political correctness...and I'm talking all borders, not just the mexican/us border. Before someone thinks I'm racist, I'm not, I love Mexican culture and the wonderful people in that country...it is ashame the drug cartels give the country such a bad reputation but it is our border policies that foster the violence and criminal acts...I'm not sure legalizing drugs would solve the problem becasue the goverment would surely regulate it and therefore the prices would be 10 times what they should be and the drug runners would still be in business. Just my opinion.What a well thought out and written article Gary. I bet this took quite a while to write, thanks for the valuable contribution! lolMyla, good to see you back, and I agree with you about all borders. I think that the Mexican folks are for the most part honest, hard working folks that just want to live in peace and make a living for their families. I understand that, but the law is the law, and if we leave our borders open, then we open the flood gates for uncontrollable crime, and drug trafficing. Same for the east coast, and west coast, north and south, all of them need to be closely watched and strictly controlled. Again, great to see you back, and I hope your here to stay awhile.....Your fan, and friend ...... Gary
Gary, good job as usual. You ned to be careful though you are a Texan to boot. kEEP UP THE GOOD WORK I read you often while writing to my own blog. Best wishes, RobertThanks Robert for reading this article. I appreciate your input, and comments, they mean allot to me. I need to get to your site, to read some of my favorite authors works, I have been working hard lately, and have barely had time to even write let alone read....I will certainly make the time....Thanks buddy, your fan and friend .... Gary
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