What Kind of Example Is This?

JimHeim 2 months, 3 weeks ago

While Mexico's gun death rate is slightly higher than that of the US (11 per 100,000 compared to 10 per 100,000), the drug war is the culprit. Without that slaughter there would be no comparison.

And the NRA works ceaselessly to keep that flow of assault weapons from the US flowing. I hear it's good for their business.

JimRussell44 2 months, 3 weeks ago

And we should carry the drug war argument to the next logical step, which is to say that the Mexican drug wars are fought the rights to supply the USA with drugs. Take away the demand for drugs in the USA and you end the drug wars, which will greatly reduce the numbers killed both in Mexico and the USA.

mymindwanders 2 months, 3 weeks ago

How would you go about reducing the demand for drugs in America?

JimHeim 2 months, 3 weeks ago

It's long past time to end the prohibition on drugs. Without the criminal element, the street prices would tumble and the profit would be largely gone. Add a sensible tax system and turn the problem from one of crime to one of public health.

I expect the improvement would be dramatic.

It would reduce the need for cops and prison guards, but no plan is perfect.

mymindwanders 2 months, 3 weeks ago

So, more legal drugs, but less legal guns?..

dentman65 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Are there any examples of countries that have legalized some drugs that have improved murder ratios and demand pricing for it? Just curious if it has worked any where else. Legal or not, I 'm not gonna do them - how does anyone function and earn a living on drugs all the time.

jimt 2 months, 3 weeks ago

There are far fewer murders per capita in the Netherlands compared to the U.S (1.1 per 100,000 vs. 4.8 per hundred thousand). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_...

While this lower rate may reflect sociological differences between the countries, it is demonstrably true that there is little drug-related crime there compared to the U.S. Interestingly, drug use per capita, across age groups also appears to be lower in the Netherlands than in the U.S.

.

geoffcutler 2 months, 3 weeks ago

"It's long past time to end the prohibition on drugs. Without the criminal element, the street prices would tumble and the profit would be largely gone. Add a sensible tax system and turn the problem from one of crime to one of public health." Jim Heim

So rampant legal drug use, plus added federal revenue taxing drug sales and presto, public drug use/addiction is no longer an American problem. It's "public health."

I don't know how I feel about legalizing certain drugs, might be a good idea, but Jim, what in God's name are you smoking?

Themis 2 months, 3 weeks ago

I have no problem with them legalizing certain drugs. It would lessen the pressure in our prisons and and the backlogs in court. Just because alcohol is legal does not mean we all grow up to be drunks, I didn't. I smoked pot in high school, can't smoke it any more, it makes me sickly. Unlike Clinton, I did inhale for the record. I have never had a person smoking pot bother me.they usually just chill out and relax, but I would not want them flying my jet liner. As JIm Heim said, if we could find a way to gain some tax income from as much of it as we could, I think it would be worth a try to help keep some programs running that help our elderly and veterans.

skylinefirepest 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Jim Heim, this comment may not stand but you are a LIAR. The NRA has nothing to do with the thousands of "assault rifles" going to Mexico, many from foreign countries. The administration has refused to be honest with "we the people" and will not own up to it's involvement in this trade. And once again, you are referring in part to semi-automatic rifles which are definitely not "assault rifles". But you know that and therefore you are a LIAR! You are spouting your party line and will not take any responsibility for the actions of your liar in chief.

The_AnonymusProfit 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Legalizing drugs is lunacy. Marijuana being the only exception.

As to the assault weapons flowing to mexico.......Please dont pick a fight you cant win Jim. Fast and Furious...................

JimHeim 2 months, 3 weeks ago

skyline- The NRA fights every move ATF makes to stem the flow of weapons to Mexico. NRA exists for the sole purpose of facilitating gun sales and they don't care if it's to you, al Queda or Sinaloa. A dollars a dollar to them.

JimHeim 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Fast and Furious was an attempt to track the illegal flow of guns. It may have failed but at least they tried. And those aren't pop guns the Texas gun shops are so profitably supplying to the Mexican drug cartels.

Apparently drug lords have second amendment rights.

The_AnonymusProfit 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Jim, you cant defend this one.

Themis 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Marijuana has wonderful healing and medical propeties,especially for the terminally ill as it has been proven.

skylinefirepest 2 months, 3 weeks ago

You just don't get it do you Jimmy??? Spout the party line long and loud and maybe the media will back you up again and ignore the incompetence and lies. The NRA stands for Second Amendment rights...totally...and supports Democrats as well as Republicans towards that goal. Without the NRA the Dems probably would have done away with that embarassing amendment long ago. Wouldn't it be nice for a change if this administration would tell the truth and let the workings behind F and F be told??? Nah...then the media might have to admit that the annointed one is a liar.

JimRussell44 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Hey skylinefirepest, so everyone is a liar. Got it. But they all can change. In your case, you are a coward and nothing you will ever do can change that fact. Now slip back into that black hole with your semi automatic weapons with the high capacity magazines and continue to be afraid of everything around you.

JimHeim 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Feel free to tell me what a hell-hole America was before marijuana and opiates were banned. Tell me about how effectively the hundreds of billions of dollars have been spent on it. Tell me about the millions of Americans who have populated our jails and prisons for simple possession of these natural, generally organic products.

Tell me why you will become a junkie if drugs become legal or decriminalized. If not, tell me how you are so exceptional that you're immune, while the rest of us are uncontrollable.

And tell me how it is that a drug problem can only be solved violently; that there is no workable, constructive alternative.

It's interesting that when faced with a problem, conservatives instinctively turn to guns and violence.

The_AnonymusProfit 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Jim you want to no what opiates do? Come meet me for a short ride and i will ahow you first hand. You cant understand until you have been there

jimt 2 months, 3 weeks ago

The only drug that unquestionably should be illegal is meth.

I'm open to a discussion about all the others. For me, the key question is how the user is "impaired" or "incapacitated," when they are under the effect of the drug. We hold drunk drivers responsible for their actions. We have a legal basis for doing so with other drugs as well. What seems to be missing, and I don't know if this is a legal or a technical issue, or both, is measuring the "degree" of impairment or incapacity. If you get into a car accident while legally drunk, you are in bigger trouble than if you are in a car accident and you're not legally drunk. We need to be able to do the same for marijuana and all other "recreational" drugs.

Maybe Mr. Heim's wife, or her compatriots, can shed some light on this, since she is a doctor

skylinefirepest 2 months, 3 weeks ago

JR, just what is your basis for calling me a coward?? A simple disagreement about firearms or politics doesn't make one a coward, does it?? Just curious.

Yukonjohn 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Jim, I say let's legalize ALL drugs. The govt cannot stop people from using them, and the demand for them drives crime. You say absolutely do not legalize meth. I agree meth is one of the most destructive substances ever known to man. I lost a step-daughter as a direct result of meth. I still say legalize it. It will weed out the weak and if someone is going to use it, trust me, there is nothing you or l can do to stop it. We tried so very very hard to get my wife's daughter off it, with little to no success and she finally destroyed herself. Get the crime out of drugs, and you will see our crime rate nosedive!! Look how well prohibition worked? It is no different with drugs!!

JimHeim 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Legalize is not the same as encourage and decriminalization might be a better approach than total legalization for meth (and perhaps other drugs). That being said, I'd prefer dealing with the problem as a health concern and not a criminal one.

For the most part, those who abuse drugs harm themselves more than others. Some drugs (as with alcohol) spread the pain. But the war on drugs has been a complete and utter failure for forty years or more. If we keep doing what we're doing, we'll keep getting what we're getting.

I've smoked opium. It's really quite pleasant.

Yukonjohn 2 months, 3 weeks ago

LMAO...well, there is something we totallly agree on Jim. There is not much, but opium is a very pleasant experience. I have traveled the world several times over, and the asians have been around a long time, they love it too. The fact that is illegal and not readily available is the only reason that l do not recreationally use it now. And as adults, that is what should be the case in our country. As l said before, the weak will get weeded out in the process. It is a health issue, not a criminal one. Another place where l go away from the Republicans/religious right.

bufordsplay 2 months, 3 weeks ago

I have a question Mr. Heim. How do you track weapons without tracking devices? Also, Obama said that FAST AND FURIOUS was a Bush program and yet he evoked Executive privilege. Why?. Those weapons were funneled to Mexican drug cartels with the intent that they be used to kill. [Those guns were used in the murder of over 300 Mexican civilians]. The weapons would then be traced to U.S. gun shops, and that could be used to undermine our Second amendment. Obama is a liar, a thief and a murderer.

JimRussell44 2 months, 3 weeks ago

skylinefirepest: From the Merriam-Webster Dictionary: Coward - (noun) - one who shows disgraceful fear or timidity. How this word applies to you: 1) you are afraid of much of the world around you. 2) You hide behind "skylinefirepest" because you fear having your name associated with your political viewpoints. 3) You only feel safe when armed. 4) You use the 2nd amendment as a shield to hide your fear. 5) You are only as big a man as your firearms allow you to be.

JimRussell44 2 months, 3 weeks ago

I agree that the "war on drugs" is not working. Our criminal justice system is overrun with people using illegal drugs. Decriminalizing most drug use would solve part of the problem and could even help increase revenue if it were taxed accordingly. Just as we have people who drink too much, we'll have people who use drugs too much. The tools needed to deal with drug abuse should be the same as what we do for those who abuse alcohol...both the criminal justice system and the health care system. By enabling the currently illicit drugs to be sold in stores, taxed and treated as a business, we would remove the need for all the drug cartels to wage war with each other for the rights to the US drug users market. No drug wars means fewer guns needed. Fewer guns needed means the gun industry and the NRA will be against any such plan. When the NRA is against something, their membership starts quoting the constitution. When that happens, all of us looking for solutions to problems are branded traitors who are trying to ruin this great country. And so it goes.

Yukonjohn 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Not sure l agree with you JR44. And, for the record, l do not have a care in the world what the NRA thinks about how we run our country. I do agree with alot of your post. We take everything away from the drug cartels when we legalize drugs. As we will see in CO and WA, legalization of marijuana will do nothing bad for their states. If anything, it will increase tourism and bring in needed funds to their states. I do think we get "push back" from law enforcement and the criminal justice system, as they see their money going away. Are we willing to have less prisons? Less of a need for LE's? That is where l think the push back will come from.

JimHeim 2 months, 3 weeks ago

bufordsplay - Our federal government does not arm drug cartels so they can kill people. Period.

Please remember that guns don't kill people. People kill people. I forget where I heard that.

skylinefirepest 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Wow, JR, fascinating comments from a person I have never met...but remember, I have offered to meet with you ( which would mean you would have my name ) and you have refused. Doesn't sound cowardly to me!! Now, not knowing me, you are ill informed to make judgements about my lifestyle. I am certainly not one to be afraid of the world around me BUT I have worked in areas where there was definite danger to one's wellbeing and so maybe I have a more realistic view of the dangers we face than perhaps you do. And I spend a fair amount of time with local law enforcement so I keep pretty current on what happens even in the best neighborhoods of Moore County. Actually, I am not armed most of the time...so your point is not made. I view the 2nd Amendment as a protection of our God given rights in this country...and I view this administration as not wanting this country to survive as a world leader. Makes for an interesting conversation topic, eh?? "only as big as my firearms allow me to be?" Wow again...I thought that the way I've lived my life was a testimony to how big a man I might be percieved to be...not my ownership of firearms! I'd say we could probably be friends if you'd get that firearms hating chip off your shoulder. You are so concerned with "twitchy fingers" and I have to admit that if I meet Dusty on the street perhaps my "twitchy finger" will get the better of me...my twitchy middle finger, that is. But you started on these boards as a reasonable voice on the liberal side and now you have denigrated into being just another name calling commenter. That's a shame.

Themis 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Yukon- I'd have to agree that may be where the push back is coming from. Less bad guys could mean less need of so many good guys. I wonder what happened to all of the G-men when prohibition was repealed. I guess if they couldn't chase pot smokers they could chase illegal phone texters.....I actually saw a guy on a moped the other day texting.

jimt 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Jim Heim, would you ask your wife if it is possible to determine just how "high" someone is on various drugs, marijuana, hash, et.al. in order to a metric in comparison to alcohol?

The best hash I ever smoked was 1/3 opium, or so I was told. Would not have had any trouble driving, or at least I think not since, in fact, I did not drive after smoking.

JimHeim 2 months, 3 weeks ago

jimt - She says it's complicated. There are lab tests to determine degree of impairment, but they don't yet translate to field tests (like blood or saliva). Too, even more than alcohol, drugs have varying effects on different people. One person might be unable to operate a car while someone else would scarcely be affected by the same drug exposure.

Performance-based observations to determine individual impairment tend to be subjective and if the cops doesn't like you for whatever reason, you can make you look bad in court.

In Colorado the cops are saying that a driver with any detectable THC (from pot) will be cited as DUI. That's unfortunate, as THC can be detected for many days after any possible impairment would be gone.

As with much of modern life, legalizing (or decriminalizing) drugs will lead to controversy and likely poor legislation. But it's gotta be better than what we're doing now.

Thatcher 2 months, 3 weeks ago

JimHeim (5 hours, 19 min. ago)-- "I've smoked opium. It's really quite pleasant." That is "shocking" and "completely unexpected." By chance was this during your economics course? Cheers!

Yukonjohn 2 months, 3 weeks ago

LMAO, Thatcher, hope your day is going well for you and yours. That is too funny, albeit a little below the belt!! I am still laughing though. I have smoked opium as well, and of all the drugs l did, and it was about all the ones that were out there in the 70s, it was the best!! Of all that l would even consider doing again, other than marijuana, it would be at the top of the list, and as a libertarian, l feel that it should be legal for me to do so. It is not, and my job means much more to me than to risk my retirement over any drug, including alcohol. That is a good one though...LOL

JimRussell44 2 months, 3 weeks ago

skylinefirepest, you might be right. We could be friends if I lost the "gun hating chip on my shoulder" and you lost the "everything about guns is wonderful" chip on your shoulder. I'll loose mine when you loose yours. As for me denigrating into just another name calling commentator, again, I have said I will give what is give. When you start treating the President of the United States with the respect his position deserves, I'll quit picking on you. If you so hate this administration, do something positive and support and elect people who represent your views.

Thatcher 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Yukon!! Great to see you here! My post to JimHeim was not to judge his past drug use (I don't care), but to point out that his posts here on economics are ridiculous...as I've posted many times before. I never did any drugs in high school, college, or grad school...although I often drank a fair amount of beer. But many of my friends did these things (drugs, etc.), and most of them are still the greatest friends in the world today. Everybody experiments, and then everybody hopefully grows up...whether drugs or alcohol. We're getting sleet here now...which you beasts up there call "summer." Cheers my friend!

Yukonjohn 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Hey Thatcher, l know you were not condemning Jim's prior indiscretions, but that was sure funny!! I hope he takes it in good humor. I talked to my folks today and they said it was a bit chilly there today. I hope you don't get a bunch of ice, that is nasty. We are having bright, bright sunshine, and warm temps. I think it is about 15 above out this afternoon, up from 10 below this morning. The Iditarod started today in Anchorage, and they had warm weather as well. Easy for the mushers, not so much for the dogs. Take care my friend, and have a great rest of the weekend!!!

Thatcher 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Thanks Yukon! You guys stay warm up there...and feed those sled dogs (some folks here and elsewhere condemn the Idiatrod as being inhumane to the dogs, but the folks there seem to treat their dogs better than anyone down here treats their dogs...and those dogs up there are born to run!). Cheers my friend!

clarabelle 2 months, 3 weeks ago

" Thatcher - JimHeim (5 hours, 19 min. ago)-- "I've smoked opium. It's really quite pleasant." That is "shocking" and "completely unexpected." By chance was this during your economics course? Cheers!"

versus you hitting the "skoals" during a GED break.............. cheers!

Thatcher 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Clarabelle-- The word is "Skoal," and yes I dipped Skoal when I played high school baseball...also chewed Levi Garrett. As best I can remember, I never was invited to a GED break. "GED"...isn't that what liberal elitists think those beneath their intellectual prowess call the dad in Beverly Hillbillies? I mean, let's get real Clarabelle...you should never even talk to someone with a GED, because you are so much smarter than they are. Or maybe they are just as smart as you, but more polite. Cheers!

clarabelle 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Thatcher ............ you are much adieu about nothing............. cheers!

clarabelle 2 months, 3 weeks ago

can you imagine wd40 after drugs are legalized....................... there goes the welfare check!

Thatcher 2 months, 3 weeks ago

clarabelle-- Nothing personal against you. My older brother has a GED, and he is one of my heroes. A great man who is so kind to my children. Hope you can meet him someday. Cheers!

jimt 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Answer to wdd's question:

http://www.drugwarfacts.org/cms/?q=node/1212

Thatcher 2 months, 3 weeks ago

clarabelle-- "Thatcher.........you are much adieu about nothing...." Perhaps. But you are someone's wife, daughter, mom, and/or sister...and I'm sure a friend to many. And in all those relationships, I wish you the best. Cheers!

geoffcutler 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Much "adieu" about nothing? Yes, T, you are much "farewell" about nothing....Sweetheart, you don't impress anyone in English. Best leave French alone. Nothing like starting the day off with laughter.

JimHeim 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Thatcher - No. It was when I was working in Southeast Asia for Halliburton.

Spocks_Brain 2 months, 3 weeks ago

There is no 'given'....this reminds me of a comment on yahoo on the Tsunami (aftermath) in Japan vs, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina-there was little if any looting in Japan vs what happened in New Orleans-of course the blacks blamed this on Bush...Im sure DR and HEIME do also-the comment was the US is a Christian nation and look at the looting-Japan is not a Christian nation and there was little looting...so every society is different....I propose a system here where guns are kept in safekeeping and checked out for us, and only certain guns are allowed for home protection; and an oath is given and taken when guns are sold

Spocks_Brain 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Anyone calling for the legalizing drugs is insane-there is a such a thing as being'morally straight' of course in our feel good society where democrats have become the new deity, we are now told what to accept even if it is perverted and immoral

Yukonjohn 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Spocks Brain, There is something that the religious right cannot get through their head. You cannot legislate morality!! Just because it is YOUR belief, it might not be mine. I do not want your morals, and l can safely guarantee that you do not want mine. Live and let live. Drug legalization only makes sense. Do you remember Prohibition? It did not turn out so well. Not for America, not for Americans. America finally came to her senses and got rid of it. Same applies to other drugs.

clarabelle 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Thatcher - how the heck can I insult you when you are so damn nice............ stop it already :)

btw............. believe it or not - I am an educator - and your are indeed correct - a GED is nothing to be ashamed of!

Thatcher 2 months, 3 weeks ago

clarabelle-- Thanks for the kind comment, and I'm glad to know we agree on a GED. For what it's worth, I'm not suprised you are an educator...you are obviously very bright. I suggest you use your knowledge here to enlighten folks on things they may not know, which helps every civil discussion. And leave the insults to others...you don't need insults, even if insults are all they have. Cheers!

Spocks_Brain 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Yukon good go ahead live in the gay anarchy of the US your choice...when you stand in front of God you will be zapped like a bug on one of those lites

JimHeim 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Spocks_Brain - The comparison of Fukushima and Katrina (vis a vis looting) was debunked long ago. There us no there there.

And as for supporting marriage equality and gay rights, I'll happily take my chances in the afterlife.

JimHeim 2 months, 3 weeks ago

wdd - What proof do you have that your doctor doesn't use cocaine now? Do you really think it's that hard to get? What makes you think your doctor or the pilot on your next flight isn't drunk? A more likely threat is a lack of sleep for either of them.

It has been my observation that legal activities are easier to monitor than illegal ones. If you think prohiobition has been working, you are delusional.

Thatcher 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Spocks_Brain-- I would caution you to attempt to speak for God on matters such as these. From your posts here, it seems that you have not heard about God's grace and God's love, and you should not put yourself in God's place to determine judgment of anyone. And yes, I am aware that you consider me to be a "gay apologist." Truth is, I'm just as much as an "apologist" for you and all other sinners, including myself. Please give it some thought. Cheers!

Yukonjohn 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Thanks Thatcher, it kind of makes me think back to the scripture about "Judge not the ye be not judged" At any rate, everyone's relationship with their creator is their business, and none of ours. I'm with you, being an "apologist" for myself and the rest of the world. Be well, my friend.

Yukonjohn 2 months, 3 weeks ago

You know Jim you are right. My doctor is a very very good doctor IMHO. He is sought out constantly for advice on medical issues. That said, if he is recreationally using cocaine, that is none of my business. I would not stop going to him....l still trust him with my life.

Thatcher 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Yukon! The sleet here stopped and it got to 47 today...or to you guys up there, a heat wave. I hope Spock comes around. Be well up there you beast! Cheers!

Spocks_Brain 2 months, 3 weeks ago

No way Im coming around-hot off the press - our Gay president is arguing in the SCOTUS vis a vis Prop 8 (gay marriage) that a mother is not necessary to raise a child..if you guys still support this clown I feel sorry for you

This is surreal

http://cnsnews.com/news/article/doj-children-do-not-need-and-have-no-right-mothers

Spocks_Brain 2 months, 3 weeks ago

'...a child has no inherent right to a mother and father'

http://cnsnews.com/news/article/doj-children-do-not-need-and-have-no-right-mothers

O tolerant ones thank you for chastising me

Thatcher 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Spock-- I'm not chastising you. You are free to believe what you believe. I'm pretty sure most folks on here know I'm a conservative. Cheers!

Spocks_Brain 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Jesus Christ you cant believe what I wrote above and quoted

Thatcher 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Spock-- I don't know what Jesus believes about what you think. Cheers!

Yukonjohn 2 months, 3 weeks ago

And Spocks Brain, l do not know what ever gave you the idea that we support the President. He IS the President of all of us, but l disagree with most everything he is doing. As far as religion, that is a private thing between you and whomever you feel is your higher being. If that is God the father, son and holy ghost, so be it, but you do not need to preach to us. If you are correct, God will judge us someday just as he will you. so you can let it be, and be happy with your relationship with your supreme being. I will do likewise.

JimHeim 2 months, 3 weeks ago

wdd - You are mostly right about Halliburton, though they are scarcely unique. I got to watch the government waste millions on a single project in Thailand. And although the contractors made out like bandits, the government types who should have been limiting excesses seemed to be part of the game.

Senator Hatch wanted me to speak to Congress about it, but the threats were too real. I'll keep mostly quiet.

Yeah, I've worked for Dick Cheney and Rupert Murdoch. Strange world...

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What Kind of Example Is This?

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