General Discussion

Scootaloo

(25,699 posts)

37. But it IS a major issue

Sun Jan 19, 2014, 08:26 PM

Jan 2014

Granted, perhaps not to a majority of voters. But a majority of voters also think that the world was created by a magical ghost-creature waving its hand. "A majority of people think..." is not an actual indicator of veracity.

Marijuana - or rather the criminalization of it - is a huge contributor to the prison population and the militarization of police. Both of which are enormous drags on community, security, and economy. Legalization wouldn't result in a utopia like High Times readers might postulate.. .but it will make things better overall.

On top of that, the drug itself certainly has a less harmful impact than say... alcohol, the example the president chose. Which is perfectly legal for anyone over a certain age to purchase, possess, pass around, and ingest in any quantity they feel the need for.

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Obama shouldn't 'evolve' on anything. [View all] Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 OP

The evolution of views happens rapidly enough that it's hard to predict the future. lumberjack_jeff Jan 2014 #1

He did? Was he wearing a mask? Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #4

Well he has minions. And not the cute little ones. MyNameGoesHere Jan 2014 #30

Yeah, he should stay stuck in a mind warp like ol Cha Jan 2014 #2

I doubt evolution of his personal views has anything to do with his public stances. El_Johns Jan 2014 #3

I'm all for evolving. tblue Jan 2014 #5

Hear! Hear! BlueCaliDem Jan 2014 #52

Sadly Blue_Adept Jan 2014 #113

Should/shouldn't. Why has the President evolved his stance on pot? DisgustipatedinCA Jan 2014 #6

You're both wrong. randome Jan 2014 #9

I realize it gets you off to tell me that I'm wrong DisgustipatedinCA Jan 2014 #14

I meant postulating that he received some sort of 'special insight'. randome Jan 2014 #20

I'm pretty certain myself that you're correct about this--no special insight DisgustipatedinCA Jan 2014 #39

Polls. joshcryer Jan 2014 #78

When politician's views change whenever opinion polls change, MannyGoldstein Jan 2014 #7

As if there were ever any other kind... Helen Highwater Jan 2014 #34

Is he actually thinking about legalizing pot? That would be interesting considering that most Number23 Jan 2014 #8

Those laws are used to disenfranchise a lot of blacks Fumesucker Jan 2014 #16

I'm sure you know that I am a black woman. Which makes your attempts to goad Number23 Jan 2014 #19

You were the one who said disenfranchisement was as important as flag burning Fumesucker Jan 2014 #22

I said legalizing MJ was considered about as important as flag burning to people Number23 Jan 2014 #23

You said the same thing about MJ as my conservative white neighbors Fumesucker Jan 2014 #24

I'm sure there's a reason they felt you were sympathetic. Number23 Jan 2014 #25

Yeah, they get defensive too Fumesucker Jan 2014 #31

Yeah, judging by how defensive and irrational you are in this thread Number23 Jan 2014 #35

You'd be surprised how many Americans have a loved one touched in a bad way by the drug war Fumesucker Jan 2014 #91

it's racism, the thing is minorities face racism in many areas of their lives, you don't think JI7 Jan 2014 #99

I think the person I responded to sees pot legalization as a libertarian issue Fumesucker Jan 2014 #110

You read so much that isn't there. Your posts have been absolutely shameful and beyond idiotic Number23 Jan 2014 #126

And considering that has absolutely fuck all to do with ANYTHING that I've said Number23 Jan 2014 #127

I think he's very open to the idea now... Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #26

"it isn't a major issue." Couldn't agree more. And the calibre of the folks so determined to MAKE Number23 Jan 2014 #28

But it IS a major issue Scootaloo Jan 2014 #37

What you're saying is fine. But I'm just saying that in terms of what people are marching about Number23 Jan 2014 #40

I wasn't even going to touch the race issue Scootaloo Jan 2014 #73

That's true until you start talking about their special snowflake Fumesucker Jan 2014 #95

I disagree completely that "this isn't a major issue" fujiyama Jan 2014 #44

I meant in the eyes of the country... Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #69

Actually 58% now say is should be legalized. progressoid Jan 2014 #38

Thanks, and that's good to know. I don't doubt that those polled are mostly in favor Number23 Jan 2014 #42

I think once the people see the economic imact it has in CO and WA progressoid Jan 2014 #47

Do you have any articles handy on how it's helping the economies in those regions? Number23 Jan 2014 #130

Colorado One Year Later: Thousands Not Arrested for Marijuana, Millions of Dollars Saved progressoid Jan 2014 #134

And I think you're correct. BlueCaliDem Jan 2014 #55

he didn't shift on gay marriage until the polls did either joshcryer Jan 2014 #64

Yup. n/t progressoid Jan 2014 #67

it's being primed as a 2016 issue joshcryer Jan 2014 #62

Politically it's probably low on the radar, but socially and economically, it is very high up. joshcryer Jan 2014 #82

As long as he arrives at the right conclusion CFLDem Jan 2014 #10

I would settle for a President that reflected OUR views as Democrats... Demo_Chris Jan 2014 #11

This is ProSense Jan 2014 #18

It would be a surprise if Cha Jan 2014 #49

Well said. nt woo me with science Jan 2014 #61

So, after all the insults you tossed at me, you "would've liked Obama to speak out... polichick Jan 2014 #12

+1000 Katashi_itto Jan 2014 #15

What insults? Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #27

"Calling a spade a spade is not an attack. It's the truth." That's what I do re the prez. polichick Jan 2014 #29

It's interesting you can lob insults at Obama and yet get the least bit offended... Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #36

Where are the quotes in which I "lob insults at Obama?" polichick Jan 2014 #43

Prove me wrong... Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #45

Your rudeness and ignorance is clearly on display - proven all by yourself. polichick Jan 2014 #46

Your lack of facts was apparent from the start. Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #48

I could say that your whole view is warped by an infantile fascination... polichick Jan 2014 #50

Like I said before... Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #53

Read more carefully - I agree when I agree and don't when I don't... polichick Jan 2014 #56

I'm not taking it personal. The only reason I got into this debate is because you misstated a fact. Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #57

Oh yes, I used a figure of speech and said "the whole country" - what a crime... polichick Jan 2014 #63

Your point was flawed because you assumed a huge majority supported it... Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #68

The potential benefit is huge - leadership is about real people and their lives... polichick Jan 2014 #74

You're right about that. Which is why his decision was commendable... Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #75

My intentions are about standing up for justice - not about propping up... polichick Jan 2014 #76

Got it. You get to decide when it's acceptable and not acceptable to come out in support of it. Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #77

All you've got is personal attacks. polichick Jan 2014 #85

No...that's where you're wrong. Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #89

Agree, he's done it to me too Katashi_itto Jan 2014 #104

Thank-you. I've seen him do it to others too... polichick Jan 2014 #105

Most likely that would be best tactic, just a massive ego operating there and not much else Katashi_itto Jan 2014 #106

"massive ego operating there and not much else" - True dat! polichick Jan 2014 #117

It might be the best to just put me on ignore... Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #114

I don't put anyone on ignore - would hate to miss the laughs. polichick Jan 2014 #115

Likewise. Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #116

Insults against the president come with the territory. morningfog Jan 2014 #70

Why do people have such a hard time praising the President? Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #72

Praise is a strange word to focus on. morningfog Jan 2014 #98

Not at all... Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #112

DU has the BOG if you want a criticism free zone. morningfog Jan 2014 #118

I don't want a criticism free zone... Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #119

I don't see constant hate here. morningfog Jan 2014 #120

When you constantly criticize the President, it's hate... Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #121

That is not the definition of hate. morningfog Jan 2014 #122

Yeah it is. Drunken Irishman Jan 2014 #123

That is still not the definition of any DUers I've seen. morningfog Jan 2014 #124

Praise be to Obama! (feel better now?) Dragonfli Jan 2014 #131

"talking about showing up"? Huh? joshcryer Jan 2014 #79

Why wait until the polls turn? Leaders LEAD. People are still going to jail for... polichick Jan 2014 #86

And they will for many years yet. joshcryer Jan 2014 #87

"uber pragmatist" is one way to put it. polichick Jan 2014 #88

It's the "nice way" to put it. joshcryer Jan 2014 #93

The nice way? Maybe, but I'm not convinced it's about color... polichick Jan 2014 #100

Of course not. joshcryer Jan 2014 #101

"Bipartisan" is one thing - a cabinet of corporate tools is another... polichick Jan 2014 #103

BS, he campaigned on a bipartisan cabinet. joshcryer Jan 2014 #107

Read more carefully - re bipartisan cabinet. polichick Jan 2014 #108

Wait two years. joshcryer Jan 2014 #109

I meant that yes, he said the cabinet would be bipartisan, but no... polichick Jan 2014 #111

he said he'd put republicans on it! joshcryer Jan 2014 #125

It might be cool to evolve ahead of the general public and lead sometimes. TheKentuckian Jan 2014 #13

The general public, while polling "yeah sure, it shouldn't be a lock-up offense :shrug:"... Schema Thing Jan 2014 #17

Exactly. But some on DU consider this the quintessentially most important issue ever Number23 Jan 2014 #21

Interesting. I hadn't thought about if from that angle. Schema Thing Jan 2014 #128

If his evolution on pot has begun Politicub Jan 2014 #32

Hey you, Politicub.. Cha Jan 2014 #51

Yeah, who needs a President that listens to the people anyway! JaneyVee Jan 2014 #33

So that would be an admission that we were right? progressoid Jan 2014 #41

Being as rigid as Teabaggers.... AlbertCat Jan 2014 #54

Obama didnt evolve frwrfpos Jan 2014 #58

*Gasp* So many insults! You must hate our prez!!! polichick Jan 2014 #65

thank you frwrfpos Jan 2014 #66

No, the only empty tin cans are the ones Cha Jan 2014 #71

Indeed, seems we had the same thought. joshcryer Jan 2014 #81

Thank you for your perspective, joshcryer. I'm actually Cha Jan 2014 #83

+1, hemp and medicine will finally be researched. joshcryer Jan 2014 #84

Obama's not a dictator. The DoJ is not his to control. joshcryer Jan 2014 #80

.. Cha Jan 2014 #90

Yup, Phillips / cigarette industry is estatic, though. joshcryer Jan 2014 #92

Good ol Colorado.. born and raised there. :) Cha Jan 2014 #94

CO rocks. joshcryer Jan 2014 #97

Is this a joke? The DOJ is headed by AG Holder, who serves at the President's pleasure. Romulox Jan 2014 #129

You still have to act within the constitution. joshcryer Jan 2014 #132

Yes. At least he showed up. davidthegnome Jan 2014 #59

I applaud his evolution. 100%. Just like I applaud Glenn Greenwald's political Luminous Animal Jan 2014 #60

This screed demonstrates nothing so much as your determined ignorance and suicidal partisanship. Egalitarian Thug Jan 2014 #96

Anyone who isn't politically naive knows how Obama feels about weed. MADem Jan 2014 #102

Obama's public stances will reflect public opinion. Shoulders of Giants Jan 2014 #133