Spring Break
U.S. policing drugs breaches our liberty
LOUIE BROGDON
Issue date: 3/18/09 Section: Opinions
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By midday, the column had sparked a robust debate on The Red & Black Web site about the pros and cons, costs and benefits and facts and opinions concerning marijuana and its use.
People referenced clinical studies, economic principles, government policies, and a few commentators even wagged their fingers at the illusive "moral issue" involved with the perilous plant.
I was distressed to find one argument missing from the dialogue: the issue of liberty.
We elect the government and grant it the right to set policy for us, so our society can function on a daily basis. Self government and laws are good, but how deeply into our private lives should those restrictions apply?
Is it a good idea for minors to be able to buy pot from the grocery store? No. Should people be allowed to get stoned while they are driving? No. But should the decision to smoke a joint in your living room be up to you? Yes!
On the subject of marijuana - and other drugs - I think we have allowed our government to overstep its bounds.
Have people's lives become so infiltrated by our far-reaching Big Brother that they haven't taken the time to question why their own liberty is being curtailed?
Of course smoking pot is bad for you. If you inhale something that is on fire, your body isn't going to thank you for it. People already know that.
Yes, we are paying a ton of money in taxes to get people with drugs off the street, and our prisons are overcrowded for it. This just means we will pay more money to build more prisons. Who is winning?
The illegal drug trade fills the coffers of violent criminals, dangerous cartels, terrorists and those drug-dealing jokers who don't pay their taxes.
As we watch honest industries in this country fail, history has shown that the dishonest ones will continue to flourish. It would be great to undercut a considerable part of the bad guys' income and simultaneously recover some revenue - not to mention open up a new domestic industry.
I don't smoke. I have before, but I don't like it. I do not enjoy feeling slow, hungry, thirsty and self conscious - so grass just isn't my thing.
Do I think smoking pot is a bad decision for some people? Absolutely. But do I think that my personal feelings or observations should be imposed on other responsible citizens? Of course not.
After all, there are some folks who should never go near a bottle of Scotch. But if that were made illegal again, God help me I would certainly lead a life of crime.
Legal or not, people who want to smoke pot will. If they act responsibly about it, and don't infringe another person's rights, I say they have the right to do so. Our elected officials should recognize that.
What part of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness have we forgotten?
- Louie Brogdon is a senior from McDonough majoring in newspapers.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 78
abower
posted 3/18/09 @ 8:05 AM EST
Where do we draw the line?
Should we legalize heroin, cocaine, meth, and other illegal drugs while we are at it? Can't they use the same arugments you've just used for pot? Should the decision to shoot up heroin or smoke crack be up to each person?
A line has to be drawn somewhere. (Continued…)
Jeremy
posted 3/18/09 @ 8:25 AM EST
We're still discussing this? No one is convincing anyone. You potheads and sympathists are going to be in favor, and the rest of us are going to be against. (Continued…)
NWD
posted 3/18/09 @ 8:41 AM EST
Nice column. Thanks for addressing this issue. It did come up very late in yesterday's discussion, but probably after you'd already written this.
To be honest, I usually don't play the "liberty" card in such debates because, in my experience, prohibitionists often seem to reject it without consideration. (Continued…)
Give it a rest already
posted 3/18/09 @ 10:26 AM EST
Look, I think it's ridiculous that people can't smoke pot if they want to and that being high is not treated like being drunk for criminal purposes, but can we read about something else going on for a change? How about some reporting on how the State legislature is screwing UGA and Athens, for instance?
Christy
posted 3/18/09 @ 11:19 AM EST
Personally, I would like to hear more of the arguments. The anti-pot arguments seem to be losing hands down on the message boards, while the pro-pot arguments are getting better, and better. (Continued…)
a shame
posted 3/18/09 @ 12:29 PM EST
These arrest could have probably been averted if these students knew how to exercise their rights. I suggest everyone watch "BUSTED: The Citizen's Guide to Surviving Police Encounters" found here
http://www. (Continued…)
Clifford Schaffer
posted 3/18/09 @ 8:43 PM EST
Louie, your argument is valid, correct, and in perfect keeping with the constitutional principles of liberty on which this country was founded.
Unfortunately, it convinces no one. (Continued…)
Clifford Schaffer
posted 3/19/09 @ 12:03 AM EST
abower wrote:
>I know that. Im making a point. Where do we draw the
>line? Can't other drug users use the same argument?
Are you actually interested in an answer, or are you just entertaining yourself with your own argument?
The answer is that we draw the line where prohibition does more harm than good. (Continued…)
Jeremy
posted 3/19/09 @ 7:43 AM EST
Nick,
As far as immigrants are concerned, the Center for Immigration Studies has no idea exactly how many illegal aliens live in this country. Many of Homeland Security's estimates every year generally state that they could be off as much as a million people. (Continued…)
Nick Panetta
posted 3/19/09 @ 9:44 AM EST
To prove my last point, click my name, or check out this article:
http://blog.seattlepi.com/normstamper/archives/163778.asp
It is written by the NEW Chief of Police in Seattle. (Continued…)
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