Rasheed and Damon

[24 on/ 48 off]

Busted.

Posession of an illegal drug.

However, I saw the press conference where those two apologized to their family and fans. What struck me was Rasheed's sincerity. He doesn't often speak to the media, but he sure seemed sincere in his apology.

What do you guys think?

--spud-- :smile:

[GutshotApe]

The radio news report said they were in a HumVee going down I-5 at 84 mph. Not too smart.

[Lipripper]

'Sheed had a great game in Seattle. Guess you could say he was smokin on and off the court. :grin:

That's the way the ball bounces.

[Spoiled Daddy]

I think it is time for the Blazer management to acknowledge the problem, suspend them for 10-12 games and let them go at the end of the year or trade them off.

They make millions a year, both are currently making commercials endorsing their team and are looked upon by kids and adults alike as positive role models. Damon has failed twice now on the drug issue and Wallace is a hot head with anger management problems. [img]graemlins/icon_argue.gif[/img]

Time to move both of them on! SD

[The Fishing Geek]

Geez. It's only pot.

Free all POW's from the "War on Drugs" Make room for the real criminals.

[WaterDog]

And I wonder why I havent watched a bozo game in 2 years. Yeah these guys are great role models. What ever happend to having a work ethic. I hope they get traded for a roll of toilet paper and a 15th round pick. bout all they are worth. [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img]

[The Fishing Geek]

But as was already said he had a great game that night. Would we rather he throw back a few drinks instead?

Neither of them were driving.

[STGRule]

Smoking pot aside, stupid is as stupid does.

[1pump]

Every time I start to rag on these guys I stop myself and remember what I was like at that age. Not too different, except I made $4 an hour and drove a beat-up Datsun. And whenever I got popped by the cops, nobody wanted to call a press conference.
I was amazed when Damon's attorney said that as many as 12 people had access to his house when he was gone. Then I remembered that my house used to look like a youth hostel for unemployed derelict white trash.
But these young millionaires gotta remember that cops love a high-profile arrest, even if it's a chickens--- weed bust.
Just ask Winona Ryder. :tongue:

[Straydog]

Legalize the pot, stop making "heros" out of kids that are good athletes and keep it off the news.....you don't think they love the publicity, good or bad?

I know lots of people that have been victims of phoney pot laws that you will never see on TV or in the papers other than the police log.

[blacktail]

Even if it's "just pot", it is still illegal and you would think that with the positions these guys are in they would be a little smarter.

A bright yellow Hummer cruising down I-5 at 85 mph?? Geez, doesn't take a brain surgeon to realize that is going to get some attention.

Mike

[Straydog]

Blacktail,

I agree with your message except, nothing in my life experience makes me think these guys would be smarter than to speed in a bright yellow car.......

Most were escorted through highschool and college by very influencial coaches and AD's with a pattern of people turning their backs to their shortcomings because they were good athletes. They are used to being treated "special" and come to expect it over time.

In my mind, society in the form of fans that spend huge dollars and seem to worhsip these people are very much the root cause of these problem people.

[Deepslayer]

I am sure they never inhaled! This excuse worked for Clinton, why not for some poor ghetto kids!!!! :grin: :grin:

[The Fishing Geek]

Originally posted by Deepslayer:
I am sure they never inhaled! This excuse worked for Clinton, why not for some poor ghetto kids!!!! :grin: :grin:

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">That is a very closed-minded and borderline racist statement. If you would have been paying attention you would know that both Damon and Rasheed have already apologized publically at a news conference, and admitted fault.

[ry]

They did apologize, however I would question their sincerity. Rasheed did look somewhat sincere, however Damon looked like he was was going to bust out laughing at any tiime. If they are going to say "I'm sorry" they could at least sit up straight, look at the camera and apologize like a man!

[24 on/ 48 off]

I have to agree. Damon looked like a four year old who just got caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

--spud-- :smile:

[TheRogue]

It's time for a MAJOR changeover....starting with Trader Bob!!

Does Whitsitt have nude photos of Paul Allen, or what Until he goes away, nothing will change for the Blazers.

Doesn't matter if it's pot, crack, or heroin. At this point in time, it's ILLEGAL!! And like it or not, these yayhoos are widely respected, idolized, and even worshipped, by many kids in the upper, middle, and lower classes. That's wrong, in my book, but it is reality.

This town has always stood behind the Blazers, they're the only game in town. Whitsitt's mentality is driving the support away.

TR

[NEUTRON]

Straydog...good comments. "sincere apology"
horse manure... They were smirking and holding back laughter, it's a big joke to them. They can afford high price lawyers.

To accept the use of or condone the use of is in my opinion is exactly what's wrong. Which ever drug you refer to (liquor), it's still wrong.
"It's only pot", it's only meth, it's only cocaine...

Sorry, DJ. I think you are way off base here. If you buy in on that phony apology. I guess if you make millions, you can expect to live under a microscope.

[Kaptn Ken]

Personally, I think it should be legalized and the jails emptyed of all those "Pot Heads" there. That being said, I personally know (Uh, because a friend told me...!) that pot makes you a bit drowsey and slow to react in a stressfull situations. He goes on to say that he misses 2-4 yard projects each weekend if he happens to toke, er, uh, inhale 3 puffs, or so...He then "lays back" and watches other guys work...At football, or veg's and listens to the Moody Blues....Anyway, It should be "governed" like alcohol, plain and simple and legalized. What the Trailblazers did was WRONG especially driving that BILLBOARD of a car, a bright Yellow Hummer @ 85mph...Sheesh...What were they thinking??? Duh!

[poshie]

I heard the apologies and I didn't hear them
say anything about admitting fault. If you didn't know what had happened, you would not have known from their apology what they
were apologizing for. As a matter of fact, I believe the last line that
Rasheed mumbled was something about "the truth will come out".
Anybody who drives to Seattle frequently knows that if you are an Oregonian, and want a ticket, just drive that area faster than a speeding bullet.

[Jettin' Fool]

Now starting at forward.....RA-WEED WALLACE!

That news conference was a joke.They were kicked back in there chairs with dumb smirks on there face. Oh yeah, thanks for looking presentable....they looked like hoodlums. Mix in a suit and apologize like a man [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img]

The fans dont care...he makes a couple 3 pointers and all is forgotten. There is enough talent on that team to make a few good trades and come out with a good team that has respectable humans.

Enough is enough

[winterkill]

Slavery was legal at one point, but does that make it morally right? It's only weed. They could have been smarter 85 in a 70 at like midnight. Come on. I'm sorry Neutron but I can't agree with you, because what people do in their own homes or cars is their business, not ours...
Ian

winterkill,
Homes-yes
Cars-NO!!!

[24 on/ 48 off]

April, 1999.

Drving from Roseburg, Oregon to Bremerton, Washington.

I-5 Roseburg to Jantzen beach.. 4 Oregon State Police cars.

I-5 from Vancouver to Bremerton... 14 Washington State Patrol cars.

--spud-- :smile:

[CATCH AND EAT]

Winter kill, not when it concerns drugs and the safety of children. What we do in our homes is just as important as what we do out in the world. We live by example or at least we should.

Did you guys catch this mornings paper? Ruben Patterson is arrested for domestic abuse. Oregonian Metro page C4. Say, we need a three man trade deal for quality persons to play for this team. then, we need to say goodby to Bob's your Uncle too. What a dipstick. :depressed:

[Gone Fishin]

Tonight, my daughter Liz will be one of an 18 member vocal ensamble that is travelling by bus from Tillamook to sing the National Anthiem in front of the fans at the Rose Garden for tonights game. Not to get off the subject here, but I think it's cool!

Proud Dad, -Marty

[Salmon Stryker]

I've got tickets to the Seattle game on December 21st if any of you Jail Blazer, wife beater, pot sympathizers would like to go and support those over paid punks. I've had it with them. Somebody make me an offer they are 105.00 tickets I have 2. Do I hear $1????

$1.00 is way too much! I'd rather get bit by a vicious dog!

[The Fishing Geek]

You all are confused, so I'm going to lay it out there for you to understand.

The Blazers aren't supposed to win. They're supposed to have one of the largest payrolls in the NBA (if not THE largest). However, they are not supposed to win. If they did fantastically well, then they wouldn't lose as much money. And if they didn't lose as much money, then "fabulously wealthy but needing a tax write off" owner Paul Allen wouldn't have that write off.

When they have players who are good citizens (Brian Grant, Steve Kerr, Steve Smith, etc) they send them down the river, and when they spot a player who has a propensity for self-destructing who has a sizable contract (or plays well enough and is towards the end of his contract so they can overpay him) then they bring him into the fold. Explain the Shawn Kemp for Brian Grant deal as being anything other than this. Explain keeping Rasheed Wallace over Mike Dunleavy. Explain taking Rubin Patterson.

It's obvious. Portland is being used, and the city is letting them. I haven't been a fan since Adelman left.

[winterkill]

As I understand the driver passed a field sobriety test. SoI don't understand where the issue of children amd safety comes up? It makes no difference if Damon, and Rasheed were baked. Catch and Eat, YOU ALONE are the one to set a good example to your children, Not another citizen. If we made every law accomodate to children we wouldn't live in a Republic like we do.
Ian

[NEUTRON]

Winterkill...I acknowledge your viewpoint but see it differently. The impact drug abuse and alcoholism has on our society is tremendous.
So someone uses in their own home, you say harmless. How and where do the drugs come from. Shady culture, what would you say about someone dealing from the house next door? What is so bad about life itself that you would feel the need to get high with any drug.
Go outside on clear day and soak up Mount Hood, how can it get any better than that?
Sorry, in my opinion drugs are for losers and will cheat you in the long run.

Nutron,
The impact of prohibition has been the cause of most cime in this country. Morality can't be legislated.

[24 on/ 48 off]

Marijuana is illegal. Just like snagging. Until such day that our legislature says otherwise, how can we say smoking dope is ok?

--spud-- :smile:

[Cool Texan]

They should be treated just as any of us would be treated. If that means jail time, so be it. If I am the owner or coach of the Blazers, I bench them for a while.

[J.Slay]

Nuetron,

I understand where you are coming from, but do you feel that people who smoke cigarettes and drink caffeine should also go check out Mt. Hood and not feel the need to do drugs? Are they too losers? That is all those substances are. They will get you in the long run too, and I am tired of people putting marijuana on an island just because it has never been legalized or becasue they don't think it is moral. Had it not been for the big industialists at the turn of the century who wanted to squelch marijuana becasue it would infringe upon their profits it would be a legal drug, like a ton of other drugs are. Are Budweiser, RJ Reynolds, and Pepsi any less of a negative impact on our society or shady culture because their drugs are legal? Their commercials certainly lead us to believe they as american as apple pie. Yes caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol are a big part of our culture. Well, like it or not, so it pot. It may be a shady culture to you, but no worse than so many other things "legal" in our society today. And if I want to enjoy Mt. hood on a nice sunny day with fresh air, I won't need a coke or a pack of Marlboro's, but will bring my pipe and pack a nice bowl of Oregon's finest in your honor.

[Wannabe]

These players are examples to a lot of kids and so with that I believe they have a responsibility. I wouldn't want my kids going to school, driving, etc under the influence of drugs or alcohol because they have seen public figures doing it so figure it's ok! Like the man said above and forest gump said a while back "stupid is..as stupid does". If there going to do it, I hope it's behind closed doors out of public eye.
&lt))&gt;&lt;

[Pete]

The world is full of people with problems. Certainly the ones on the Trailblazers are high profile ... but the ongoing problems suggest to me that the real problem ... the selection of individuals with a history of troubles and the tolerance of this behavior until it hits the news paper ... lies further up the chain of command. I think the Blazers will continue to have trouble until Bob Whitsett finds a new job.

[Straydog]

I'm with Keta and J Slay on this one.....

Man has used mind altering substances since the beginning of time and telling them one is a no-no while others are OK is senseless.

We are wasting billions on a war we simply are not going to win. If we haven't figured that out by now we aren't paying attention.

Further, it is the height of hypocrisy when we tell our kids to "just say no" to illegal drugs but they can not sit through an hour of family TV without seeing multiple advertisments for the "benefits" of prescription drugs.

"Just say no to drugs" unless they are made by one of the major pharmacuetical giants, then they are the answer to all of your problems....... just how dumb do we really think our kids are??? :whazzup:

Further, the approaches they take to reach the kids are rediculous. I remember laughing at the reefer madness film in health class in the '60's.... todays anti drug ads are just as absurd only with a glossier finish.

[Hogmaster]

Here's my .02 on this topic.

1) For you pipe fillers you might keep in mind there are many from the law enforcement community reading this thread. :shocked:

2) Sure, I too remember doing dumb things in my early 20s. The difference is that these are very high (sic) profile individuals and they may or may not want to accept the "role model" label. But they are big influencers of culture regardless if they want to be or not. Kinda. See, if they are willing to accept millions of dollars for their legitimate activity they are RESPONSIBLE for all their activity. If they made 8 bucks an hour and got pulled over in a 73 Pinto and got popped, very few would notice or care. But the fact is they are under the microscope! It comes with the territory.

3) Anybody notice that Eric Barkley just got kicked out of the Greek league for having dope in his system? The problem is not (just) with the Blazers, it is a weak position under the collective bargaining agreement with the players and the NBA. The league has not stepped up to its social responsibility to keep the game clean. Most companies will not allow a drug abuser to retain their status on the job if there are arrests...

4) Regardless of how anyone feels about the effects of pot versus alcohol, the fact remains that pot is illegal and booze isn't. That is why anyone in the public eye should not break the pot law. Winonna, politicians, athletes, whoever. Kids ARE influenced by the behaviors of those public personas and if you don't think so ask a middle schooler to define what "having sex" is these days.

[KingFisher85]

I'm with hog. [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]
But ALSO I think that they should be kicked from the game. I know people that smoked pot and they lost there job.
They should be kicked out of the NBA and "if" they stay drug free for 2 years, they can come back to play.
There are to many small kids that say I wanna grow up to be a basketball player. Having them watch on TV about the two druggies smoking pot is sure going be putting them in the right direction.

[The Fishing Geek]

Here is where I step in waving my arms wildly and pointing at the article done by the San Jose Mercury News in 1996 showing that the CIA trucked huge amounts of crack cocaine into Los Angeles to fund their operations that they could never get passed through Congress.

War on Drugs, indeed.

With that said, they were dumb for getting caught. If they smoke weed privately it's their choice, and their union won't let the NBA stop them. So be it.

Don't get caught.

[TheTexan]

Get a rope and string them all up!

[Hogmaster]

Keta,

Again, the point is that it is illegal. I personally abhor so called "victimless" crimes. And I agree legislating the war on drugs does not fix the problem. People should be allowed to make their own choices on sex drugs and rock and roll (not to mention gambling).

But public figures should not get away with breaking the laws whether they are right or wrong laws. Kids are influenced by the behavior. If it is OK for them to speed and smoke dope, then is it OK to beat the wives or kick them out of the house naked? You might say no, and you might understand the difference but younger folk in their formulative years do not.

If you bring me a pro-pot inititive, I will support it for you. Don't do the stuff myself anymore as I found it to be too amotivational. I have found that people who quit and then try it again hate the feeling because they feel "stupid". But I don't disaprove of it as long as it isn't used in a way to influence or hurt others.

Hope the distinction is understood.

A couple multi-millionaires can't figure out a way to get a few tokes off a blunt besides doing 85 in a Madwizerd style Humvee in the middle of the night? [img]graemlins/stupid.gif[/img] These jokers ought to be suspended from the league for gross idicoracy in the second degree!

[TheRogue]

Hogmaster....

You da man, I'm agreeing with you hands down with this one!! It's illegal plain and simple. Just like the speeding.....most of us have a car that is a newer model, with good tires, that is perfectly capable of doing 85-90 mph in normal freeway conditions!! But it's NOT legal!! We simply cannot allow laws to be broken "just because". Where does it stop??

If you don't think that drugs should be illegal, then work to legalize them!! Until the laws changed, they're illegal, and that's that. Careful how hard you work for it, though, you'll end up on one of Ashcroft's "secret lists"

TR

Fighting prohibition is a waste of my time and not something that I am interested in. I rather be fishing.

[BCFISHON1]

well i think this is all a bunch of bull.sure what they did was illegal as the law states but as jesus said let the person that has never broken the law throw the first stone.im sure every citizen has broken a law at one time or another in there life whether it be speeding or sneeking that first sip of beer as a youngster.so lets not get so picky on to the letter of the law ,they smoked weed its not like they were drunk and driving with there daughter and a friend and had a fatal accident killing everybody.also if the the news wasnt so big on exploiting famous peoples personal problems then noone would be the wiser so you could say the media is a little to blame as far as the role model thing goes .people should have some kind of privacy in their lives no matter how famous.also and as far as patterson is concerned i think he is considered inoccent till proven guilty at least last time i checked thats the way it worked.who knows maybee the little woman was on the rag and had a beef and called the fuzz just to make a point with the old man all a woman has to do is say a guy looked at her wrong and off to the state motel for him.now im not saying that if he is guilty that he doesnt deserve a stiff penalty like a good beating and some jail time but lets wait and see if hes guilty before we convict him.as far as the morality of smoking pot well i believe it is a lot less harmfull to society than cigaretts and alchohol and the sad part is that dealers will sell it to any age group.i remember when i was a kid i could get weed easier than beer.but if we want to fill our jails with dope smokers and not have enuf room for rapest,child molesters,murderers,and drunk drivers that kill people i guess thats a decision that we will have to bear.

Legalize it, tax it, control it! Just think what our wonderful new governor could do with the new revenue. Maybe even cut your income tax (not mine, I'm not working :depressed: ).

I can also pass a whiz quiz without studying!

[24 on/ 48 off]

If they want to llegalize it, then fine. Call your local politician.

Until then, lets not tolerate it.

--spud-- :smile:

[tag-a-long]

Yeah,
Legalize it, so you can have more wasteoids ripping people off to get money for pot that costs 3 times what iit is today because of all of the taxes. It is a proven fact that it hinders reflexes. How stinking hard will it be to convict someone for driving stoned? You want to make it legal? Why?
So the non-smoking population can be taxed more for the jerks locked up because they rip people off or drive stoned and get caught, because the state can't afford to house the criminals. Or the fact the cops need more equipment to stay on top of all of the new crime. Does anyone really think when they say legalize?????????? [img]graemlins/stupid.gif[/img]
I am not just on a soapbox here... I used to toke it up like there was no tomorrow. It led to an addiction that I couldn't control. I was never arrested for my habit, but I did see how it destroyed my life at that point, and the lives of many other people. It was not just pot. The pot got to be.... not enough. It went to meth. Have any of you got any idea what a 600.00 a week habit will do to a guy? It isn't pretty. I can thankfully say I am clean, and have been for five years and a few months. I don't see any good reason for the legalization of pot.
Tah idea of the tax isn't nearly enough!!!!!!!!!!! Look at the cigarette tax. Just not enough... Just my 2 cents.

[HT Buzzo]

Good arguments on both sides.

Setting a responsible example as public figures- viewpoint 1
Sacrificing your public standing to show tolerance for questionable legislation (unlawful prohibition)-viewpoint 2

Check out this recent report by a lawyer about the new "Homeland Security Act".
How do the effects of unlawful or questionable legislation translate into our public life?
How do our opinions of public figures change?
Not to change this into a discussion of recent political events, but as our economy fluctuates and more heavy-handed political tactics are brought to bear on our civil liberties, the actions of star athletes or other "role models" function only as a kind of litmus test. (Its too bad it wasn't Shaq with crack, but Oregon also got Kip Kinkel.) Social taboos and acceptable leniency has to continue, and the most law-abiding citizens are the ones that are going to have to make the biggest sacrifices. We are backing away from the fact that this nation is still young. If you put lions, tigers, lamas, cougars, horses, and dogs all on the same island, there is going to be inevitable turmoil. Some individuals will have to sacrifice more for change to occur.

On Native Ground
THE AMERICAN POLICE STATE IS NOW COMPLETE
by Randolph T. Holhut
American Reporter Correspondent
Dummerston, Vt.

DUMMERSTON, Vt. - We got a preview of what the 108th Congress is going
to be
like with the Republicans' performance in ramming the Homeland Security
Act
through this month's lame duck session. The bill, which started out as
a
32-page document, was magically transformed after the GOP's midterm
election
triumph into a 484-page document loaded with pork, corporate welfare
and
special interest favors for the GOP's friends. The pro-gunners got a
provision
to arm airline pilots. The drug companies got liability protection for
developing new vaccines. The various companies that make anti-terrorism
technology got similar legal protection. U.S. companies that have set
up their
headquarters overseas to avoid paying taxes are now eligible for
government
contracts. And, as a going-away gift to outgoing Texas GOP Senator Phil
Gramm,
Texas A & M has been awarded a homeland security research center.

This
is only the first of what will likely be more legislative outrages like over
the next two years.

In an eerie replay of what
happened last
October with the USA Patriot Act, Congress overwhelmingly approved a
massive
law with many far-reaching consequences for Americans' civil liberties
without
even attempting to read the fine print. Quite simply, put the Patriot
Act
together with the Homeland Security Act and what you get is the
foundation for
the creation of the modern equivalent of the Gestapo or KGB.

Think that statement is an exaggeration? Here's a sampler of what to
expect
from from the new Department of Homeland Security:

· It will have the power to eavesdrop on your phone calls and read your
mail.
It can call up your Internet service
provider and monitor all your e-mail and web browsing habits. It
doesn't need
a court warrant to do these things,
nor will it need one to enter your home or stop you in your car and
conduct a
search at any time for any reason if
there's reason to suspect that you are a "terrorist."

· It can walk into your bank and demand to see your checking and
savings
account statements. It can require credit card companies to turn over
your
account information. It can go to the library or your local book seller
or
video store to check on what you've been reading or watching. Again, no
search
warrant is needed.

· You could be held in jail for 30 days or more without filing charges
or
without even being allowed to tell anyone that you are in custody. Due
process
or probable cause no longer matters under this law.

· Even the definition of the word "terrorist" is being refined. It's
not just
someone who uses violence to frighten civilians and change how a
government
functions. Now, under the new law, terrorism is any act "that is a
violation of
the criminal laws of the United States or of any State or other
subdivision of
the United States" that "appears to be intended to intimidate or coerce
a
civilian population." It's not much of a stretch to believe that this
vague
wording will ultimately be applied toward anyone who opposes the
government and
its policies. Be prepared to see anti-war protesters and other
opponents of the
Bush administration to be classified as terrorists.

Some may say the threat of terrorism demands tougher security
measures. I say
there's no threat anywhere that justifies such draconian abuse of our
civil
liberties - especially when you give this power to the most ruthless
and
unscrupulous presidential administration this nation has ever seen.

[The Fishing Geek]

Originally posted by tag-a-long:
Yeah,
Legalize it, so you can have more wasteoids ripping people off to get money for pot that costs 3 times what iit is today because of all of the taxes.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">You act as though pot growing and distribution is currently a low-margin operation. Legalizing it would take a lot of funding from organized crime (Asian, Russian, and Hispanic gangs, mafia, CIA, etc) and put it into agriculture. Taxes generated could go towards treatment centers for addicts.

It is a proven fact that it hinders reflexes.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">As does alcohol. As does lack of sleep (common to anglers).

How stinking hard will it be to convict someone for driving stoned?

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">No harder, and no less serious, than someone driving while impaired by the effects of alcohol.

So the non-smoking population can be taxed more for the jerks locked up because they rip people off or drive stoned and get caught, because the state can't afford to house the criminals.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">The funny thing about addicts is that they will always find something to become addicted to. There is no legion of people out there who are just itching to become addicted to pot the moment it becomes legal.

You make it sound like if pot was legalized tomorrow that half of America would suddenly turn into Cheech and Chong and smoke pot-impregnated dog doodies. I'll counter that those who want to smoke pot already can get the product easily and most likely already smoke it. If I were so inclined I could get a baggie of weed before sundown, and I don't hang with that crowd.

Or the fact the cops need more equipment to stay on top of all of the new crime. Does anyone really think when they say legalize?????????? [img]graemlins/stupid.gif[/img]

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">Please cite your sources that lead you to say that there will be more crime if we legalize pot. For every source that you can site that says so I can come up with a countersource that says otherwise.

I am not just on a soapbox here... I used to toke it up like there was no tomorrow. It led to an addiction that I couldn't control. I was never arrested for my habit, but I did see how it destroyed my life at that point, and the lives of many other people. It was not just pot. The pot got to be.... not enough. It went to meth. Have any of you got any idea what a 600.00 a week habit will do to a guy? It isn't pretty. I can thankfully say I am clean, and have been for five years and a few months. I don't see any good reason for the legalization of pot.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">Bravo to you for being clean, and I sincerely mean that. While I've never had a chemical addiction, I come from a long line of alcoholics and know what addiction can do to a person and a family. Our family would have benefitted from a low-cost program to help the addicted party in my family get the help that they needed.

Tah idea of the tax isn't nearly enough!!!!!!!!!!! Look at the cigarette tax. Just not enough... Just my 2 cents.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">You are right. The cigarette tax isn't nearly enough, although the numbers of people smoking has gone down with each increase in tax. Eventually the tax will get high enough that it both deters people from buying them and pays for the health care of those on welfare who are experiencing the health degradation caused by years of smoking and/or living with a smoker.

I say all of this as a non-smoker, non-drinker, and a person who tried pot and decided that I needed no help in getting the munchies or being tired.

[Straydog]

To say ones use of pot led to his Meth addiction is no more valid than saying a drunks problem is because he drank milk.

Two totally different substances and highs.

There are those that have addictive tendancies and those that do not. End of story.

Good for you that have controlled or overcome your addictions!

As it is now, our public lands are slowly being taken over by the Mexican drug cartels that have learned that it is much easier and more profitable to move thugs into the forests of No. Cal and So. Oregon to gow their pot than to smuggle it over the boarder for distribution.

Check out what is happening in Mendocino, Humboldt and Sonoma Counties and then tell me legalizing it would not benefit society overall.

[Straydog]

Speaking of Homeland Security and Pot Laws.....
------------------------------------------------------------

The Grass is Greener on the Other Side

By Don Thompson, Associated Press
Source: Denver Rocky Mountain News

When 8-year-old Matthew Hunt and his father, William, were shot as they hunted on their own land last fall, it illustrated a growing danger in California. The pair stumbled onto a marijuana garden hidden in a remote El Dorado County section of the Sierra foothills.
They were wounded by a man police say was hired to guard the patch and about 1,200 harvested marijuana plants. They survived, while their alleged assailant and his purported employer are awaiting an April trial on attempted-murder charges.

"Right now, we're starting to get into planting season," said U.S. Forest Service spokesman Matt Mathes. "But the most dangerous time is during the fall harvest season."

In the past few years, pot farms have started popping up in the Sierra foothills and near metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles, said California Department of Justice spokesman Mike Van Winkle.

What's more, authorities confirmed through drug-transaction records seized last year that California's dangerous and heavily polluting methamphetamine labs are increasingly tied to marijuana production.

"We saw the Mexican cartels control the large-scale meth labs, and they're using the profits for their marijuana operations," Van Winkle said.

In October, state and federal authorities arrested 10 people alleged to be members of a Mexican drug cartel growing marijuana in California national forests.

Drug agents seized drugs with an estimated street value of $200 million.

As many as eight people tended one San Bernardino National Forest garden outside Los Angeles.

Mexico-based drug operations that once smuggled marijuana into the United States figured out in recent years that it's easier to simply grow the crop here.

The crops are often planted in remote areas on public land such as California's national forests, where the number of marijuana plants seized jumped nearly fourfold -- from 22,000 in 1999 to 100,000 last year.

Most of the sites have armed guards -- particularly during harvest season, when poachers might steal the ripening marijuana.

"There's where the big threat to public safety comes in," said Mendocino County Sheriff Tony Craver.

Last year, his teams pulled up 31,583 plants, second only to Kern County, according to the state Justice Department. Statewide, more than 345,000 plants worth $1.3 billion were seized in 263 raids -- but just 16 people were arrested.

Kern County, north of the greater Los Angeles area, vaulted to the top over the Emerald Triangle counties of Mendocino, Humboldt and Trinity in remote northwestern California after deputies found a 59,000-plant garden in the Sequoia National Forest last year.

It was the largest pot plot ever discovered in California, accounting for more than one-sixth of the total marijuana seized last year. Police found 40 sleeping bags along with food and other supplies -- but the camp was abandoned.

Note: In California, they're taking their marijuana operations to remote locales, including private land, national forests.

Complete Title: For Drug Growers, Grass Greener On Other Side of The Tents

Source: Denver Rocky Mountain News (CO)

[ 11-29-2002, 11:22 AM: Message edited by: Straydog ]

Good for your daughter Marty [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

Anyway....uh......um.... I forgot what I was going to say in this post........Oh yeah now I remember :grin:
It's been proven that smoking marijuana will cause short term memory loss.....

Seriously though speeding down the freeway in that monster bright yellow SUV probably wasn't the smartest thing they could have done. You get these athletes that go from being middle-class to suddnely being multi-millionaires does not necessarily mean they automatically get a lot of common sense to go along with all that money.

[ 11-29-2002, 07:30 PM: Message edited by: Shane S ]

[KingFisher85]

This is getting good :shocked: . This is good reading materials

[ 11-29-2002, 09:04 PM: Message edited by: KingFisher85 ]

[Trick]

I have to wonder how many times these boys or other failblazers have driven down the road under the influence of drugs or alcohol? So what....the driver passed the sobriety test. How many times has this guy done this without getting caught? How many times was he under a higher (no pun intended) influence?

It's a shame that we as a society tolerate this behaviour from athletes. If I test posistive for drugs at my job, that's it....no questions asked.

These men are in there mid-20's and are grown adults. They are old enough to make responsible decisions and are old enough to pay for their mistakes.

It's not OK to drug/drink and drive. Those people sharing the roads with these pukes are my nieces, sons, nephews, mother, father, brothers, etc.....It's not right and there are no acceptable excuses for their terrible behaviour.

Druggers and wife beaters......bunch of trash in my book.

Thanks Whittsit for another failed experiment!

[GutshotApe]

I know this isn't politially incorrect because it was in today's Oregonian:

"Blazer fans should go easy on team members who break laws, behave badly and flout social convention. Interviews indicate they speak English as a second language and can't be blamed for not understanding our ways."...................Gene McIntyre, Keizer

:grin:

[ 12-01-2002, 09:26 AM: Message edited by: GutshotApe ]

What's their first language, Ebonics?