Lite Up A Fattie For Pat Robertson!

[dales]

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/08/us/pa ... &seid=auto

Pat Robertson Says Marijuana Use Should be Legal

By JESSE McKINLEY

Published: March 7, 2012



Of the many roles Pat Robertson has assumed over his five-decade-long career as an evangelical leader — including presidential candidate and provocative voice of the right wing — his newest guise may perhaps surprise his followers the most: marijuana legalization advocate.

“I really believe we should treat marijuana the way we treat beverage alcohol,” Mr. Robertson said in an interview on Wednesday. “I’ve never used marijuana and I don’t intend to, but it’s just one of those things that I think: this war on drugs just hasn’t succeeded.”

Mr. Robertson’s remarks echoed statements he made last week on “The 700 Club,” the signature program of his Christian Broadcasting Network, and other comments he made in 2010. While those earlier remarks were largely dismissed by his followers, Mr. Robertson has now apparently fully embraced the idea of legalizing marijuana, arguing that it is a way to bring down soaring rates of incarceration and reduce the social and financial costs.

“I believe in working with the hearts of people, and not locking them up,” he said.

Mr. Robertson’s remarks were hailed by pro-legalization groups, who called them a potentially important endorsement in their efforts to roll back marijuana penalties and prohibitions, which residents of Colorado and Washington will vote on this fall.



<snipper>

[Gob]

“I believe in working with the hearts of people, and not locking them up,” he said. and added, "ripped still beating and warm, from their chests, dripping life giving blood into my chalice."

[Lord Jim]

Good for him.

There is absolutely no issue where there has been more collective political cowardice in this country, on both sides of the political aisle, than the WOD....

(And that's saying something, because there are plenty of issues that don't suffer from a lack of political cowardice)

[dales]

Follow the $$$$$$, Jim.

[Lord Jim]

There's more to it than that Dale...

There's the fear factor....

The moment an office holder from either party stands up and publicly admits what they must already know is a fact; that the WOD has been a complete, utter, counter-productive failure and that we need a new approach...

They will immediately find themselves facing an opponent for their next race who will run around yelling:

"Senator/Congressman/Governor so-and-so wants to make it legal to sell crack to elementary school children!"

This completely crosses party lines...

In the last referendum we had out here on the modest steps involving decriminalization of marijuana under very controlled conditions, every single major Democratic office holder....

Including Brown, Feinstein, and the ultra-liberal Babs Boxer...

came out in strong opposition....

[Crackpot]

Our state legislature is actively trying to undermine Our Medical Marijuana laws

[BoSoxGal]

Same here; they passed extensive reforms which a District Court judge blocked in part - the case goes before the Montana Supreme Court soon

Meanwhile, the Feds raided most of the marijuana grow operations that came into being in the years following the Medical MJ Act's passage - putting most out of business. This despite Obama's early promise to stay clear of medical MJ.

As a former and future defender and a current prosecutor, I agree wholeheartedly with Robertson on this issue - I'm sure it's the only time I'll ever say that.

If/when the stuff is legalized, I'll be sparking a fattie on Friday nights.

[Jarlaxle]

Wow...Robertson proves that even a blind jackass finds a feedbag now and then!

[rubato]

iree mon!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUsv4Lb7 ... re=related

[Andrew D]

I am in such a state of multi-directional agreement that I suspect that the universe may have imploded and been replaced while I wasn't looking. Have I ever before agreed with Lord Jim, bigskygal, Jarlaxle, and dales in the same single-page thread?

[dgs49]

This is one of several areas where a clear and vast majority of the populace favor an initiative, but politicians cannot force themselves to support it.

Here in PA, we have an antiquated, costly, pointless State agency that controls and SELLS all wine an spirits in the state. The people want the "State Stores" to be closed and replaced with private businesses. The governor and both houses of the legislature are Republican-majority, and all factions have promised an end to the "state stores." Latest development: The Governor (who promised to close the state stores) wants to "modernize" them. Are you fucking kidding me?

I believe that the reason for the MJ hesitancy and other similar phenomena is that there is no UPSIDE for a politician to, for example, sponsor legalization of marijuana. Many people will vote AGAINST him specifically for this initiative, but for those in favor, it will not be a deciding factor in whom to vote for. Bottom line, much to lose, nothing to gain.

I don't think money has anything to do with it, but ironically, vast sums of taxpayer money would be saved by legalization.

[Scooter]

And there is a major reason why it won't be passed. There is too much money to be made by too many powerful interests in drug prohibition. Could you imagine telling the police and prisons that their budgets are going to be slashed by a quarter or a third because they will no longer be able to pad their arrest and detention stats with drug users? They would stage an armed coup.