Yesterday, I received an automated email from my conservative Republican
state senator, telling me how very upset he is concerning the growing use of
heroine and "smack" on Long Island. Apparently, children of friends and
colleagues, all white conservative Republicans too, no doubt, have been
involved. One died of an overdose. He's talking about increasing treatment
facilities and also, about increasing and coordinating law enforcement
response. I wish he would read Chasing The Scream.
Miriam
________________________________
From: blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Charles Krugman
(Redacted sender "ckrugman" for DMARC)
Sent: Saturday, February 06, 2016 2:24 AM
To: blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [blind-democracy] Re: Federal Drug Policy Softens as Whites Become
Face of Heroin Addiction
In the early seventies when I did my internship with the probation
department of the court in Grand Rapids we would all of the college students
that got busted for smoking a joint on the beach at Lake Michigan. We ran
them through their drug classes and if they successfully completed the
classes and it was their first ofrfense they were diverted. I had my
standard lecture that I gave them about how they werent guilty of much for
smoking pot but they were more guilty of the crime of stupidity for doing it
so blatantly they got caught. My boss loved it!
Chuck
From: joe harcz Comcast <mailto:joeharcz@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, January 30, 2016 5:57 AM
To: blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [blind-democracy] Re: Federal Drug Policy Softens as Whites Become
Face of Heroin Addiction
On a side note....There is a proven medical aspect to marijuana that doesn't
apply to us, but with which I' very familiar with and is often not
discussed.
I have many, many dear friends and comrades who have CP, MS, are people with
quadplegia, or paraplegia. My brothers and sisters with these and other
conditions are often racked with uncontrollable spasms. Conventional
anti-spasmatic but legal and high priced drugs have many negative side
effects, sometimes worse than the spasms themselves.
But, pot is highly effective in mitigating spasms and is widely used in this
community whether legal, technically or not with great effect.
I've witnessed the impact over years now and can attest to the effacy.
Now, truth be told I'm not all that big of a pot smoker myself though it is
readily available and I could even get a medical marijuana card here. It's
just one of those things I don't pursue too much for a variety of reasons,
mostly logistics and money wise.
A few years back I grew my own as well as others I know of.
But, that said pot has been effectively de-criminalized since the early
seventies here. If one was white and not ttraficking one didn't get busted.
Note the white part here?!
Basically though even in the black community cops are loath to go after pot
busts for simply long ago they decided they've got more important things,
even in the criminal realm to consider.
And, for the record over the past several years I've literally been around
campfiers where off duty cops themselves toked along with the others when a
joint was passed around.
----- Original Message -----
From: Bob Hachey <mailto:bhachey@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Saturday, January 30, 2016 4:47 AM
Subject: [blind-democracy] Re: Federal Drug Policy Softens as Whites
Become Face of Heroin Addiction
Hi Joe,
No doubt todays grass is a good deal more potent, (and expensive)
than the weed I smoked back in late high school and college. A small joint
usually lasts me two days.
Never mind driving, I wouldnt think of going out for a walk by
myself with a guide dog or cane while under its influence.
Bummer that your CD player is broken.
Ive switched over to playing music on the victor stream or the
iPhone.
My cds are all copied onto my computer.
Someday, when I get an extra few hundered bucks, Im going to get
one of those new receivers that connects wirelessly to the PC.
AS our infrastructure crumbles, our technology does improve.
Bob
From: blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of joe harcz Comcast
Sent: Friday, January 29, 2016 7:06 PM
To: blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [blind-democracy] Re: Federal Drug Policy Softens as Whites
Become Face of Heroin Addiction
No doubt that I agree and mind you I like to drink ....
But, again you make my point here Bob and so does Chuck.
People should not be prosecuted for consumption of intoxicants of
any sort but, rather for behaviors that are empirical, demonstrable, etc.
and given due process and equal protection under law.
Moreover, people with substance abuse issues alone, not actions
based upon substance abuse, should be given the incentives, supports and
appropriate treatments free of any state penalty.
Regardless, back to drinking and driving, I've long thought that the
programs for giving or making available transportation to and from bars is a
good, and pragmatic thing.
And even though a "libertarian" of sorts I think that for those who
drive that it might be an appropriate form of regulation to have the same
sorts of "breath ealizer" locks on ignition systems for all as are required
for those out on probation for prior alcohol offenses.
the bottom line is that all impaired drivers impact other people's
rights.
Let folks get as drunk as they want. I'm not opposed and, in fact am
working on beer number six myself as I'm writing this.
But, I'm not driving anything more dangerous than this keyboard.
There is a "balancing act" here between the known rights of the
individual and those of society. But, they really aren't all that
complicated in my mind.
BTW this should go to all intoxicants including those I favor
legalizing, which nowadays includes all drugs. Again, people have the right
to kill themselves even with drugs. But, they don't have the right to
endanger others in the public domain and don't have the absolute right
against criminal exposure for acts conducted "under the influence".
And though I'm for legalizing pot I must say I know that it is much
more potent than the old Mexican dirt reefer of my youth. I again believe it
should be legalized mind you. But personally I smoked some pot a couple of
months ago that literally put a stagger and a stupor on me that a simple six
pack of bud couldn't do.
It was a full body buzz, and while mind was relatively placid and
ccool the body did not respond to what it should have by a long shot. In
other words I was really impaired and should have never been behind the
wheel, period even if I could see and had a license, and, if indeed I could
have staggerred to the car, turned it on, and tried to drive it down the
road.
Fortunately I am blind and I just went to bed and layed back and
listened to some tunes.
For the former I should have been arrested in my mind and for the
latter should not have been so.
Bottom line is what folks do in their own homes when alone isn't any
of the state's fucking business and isn't something we should ever sanction.
Now, I must end this rant to go and suck down another Labatt Blue.
My pot is gone and my CD is broken.
So I guess I'll drink some Canadien beer and have some hockey
fantasies or something....
Stupid, yes. Socially harmful no.
Illegal, this should never be.
lol.
----- Original Message -----
From: Bob Hachey <mailto:bhachey@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Friday, January 29, 2016 5:12 PM
Subject: [blind-democracy] Re: Federal Drug Policy Softens
as Whites Become Face of Heroin Addiction
Hi Charles and all,
While theres no doubt we have way too many people in prison
and are in badly in need of criminal justice reform, one group Id crack
down harder on are drunk drivers. Same goes for drivers impaired by other
substances be they legal or illegal. Impaired driving kills too many people
and ruins too many lives.
I have no problem with folks who want to get drunk or
stoned, but dont get behind the wheel when youre impaired.
Bob Hachey
