Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and Michael Bloomberg might each agree that with heightened concerns about drought and warnings of worldwide crop shortages due to rising temperatures, we need to put science first when dealing with climate change.
And to that list we might also include fellow eco-activists equally concerned with rising crop shortages -- Sir Richard Branson, the high-flying tycoon who's trying to leave cleaner skies across the world; the president and founder of Farm Aid, Willie Nelson; Global Green USA's representative, Brad Pitt; the recipient of the Entertainment Industry Environmental Leadership Award, Woody Harrelson; and the Environmental Justice Foundation's "Save The Sea" spokesperson, "Mad Hatter" Johnny Depp.
But just what kinds of crops are causing such concern? Certainly there's corn, wheat, rice and soy, but add to that list the almighty, yet still illegal, "righteous bush," "giggle weed," "laughing grass," "catnip," "420," "ace," "diggidy," "hash," or "hydro." Ahhhh -- good old-fashioned marijuana.
Delivered as a bag, bowl or a bale and served up as a joint, spliff or roach, the above glitterati not only include a who's-who of dedicated politicians, multi-national moguls, Hollywood film stars, and global eco-activists, but also a list of confessed weed-whackers as well.
To that litany of the perma-fried or those simply compelled to either a toke, a drag or a hit, we can also add the illustrious former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill; the longest reigning monarch in English history, Queen Victoria; the thirty-fifth President of the United States, John F. Kennedy; the most lauded English poet and playwright, William Shakespeare; the brilliant American jazz trumpeter and singer, Louis Armstrong; the Spanish surrealist painter, Salvador Dali; the innovator of agricultural science himself, George Washington Carver; and -- the newest inductee -- the 14 career Olympic gold medalist, American swimmer and hero, Michael Phelps.
Sure, there are some who might think that allowing himself to be photographed while bingeing on a bong is a bit immature and probable cause for his particular brand of professional "no more brand endorsement" suicide. But cut the kid some slack!
From fellow herbal-enthusiast Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," we read, "The Caterpillar puffed [on his hookah] and said, 'So you think you're changed, do you?'" As if the insect were speaking directly to Phelps instead of Alice, Phelps fell through the looking-glass and was most certainly changed -- a three-month disqualification from official USA Swimming competitions, suspension of his training finances, and his "portrait on the box" contract from Kellogg's gone up in smoke. Kinda harsh. (Not the weed, the reaction.) One minute of videotaped indiscretion has automatically turned Phelps into a Frosted Flake.
But to all of the half-baked hypocritical inhalers our there (even some at Kellogg's, I'd venture to guess!), I submit the following:
"I inhaled frequently, that was the point!" (President Barack Obama).
"When I was in England, I experimented with marijuana a time or two." (Former US President, "I never inhaled" - Bill Clinton).
"You bet I did. And I enjoyed it!" (New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg).
In an economy quickly going down the toilet faster than a nickel bag when the police come a-knocking, decriminalized and government-sanctioned "ganja" could 'pot'-entially create more and literally 'green' jobs, add much needed tax revenues, and end the criminality and high-cost incarceration (inordinately of young black males) attached to its production, sale and consumption.
In an ideal world, the government's attitude towards marijuana should rise above blue-nosed public hysteria or so-called religious morality and rather, look to science, medicine and public health while pondering important lessons from history (like the great success of Prohibition -- not!). As the Administration develops strategic economic plans and "bale" outs -- they should consider including legalizing pot -- thereby removing the high stakes from our current reefer madness. But even though many throughout history have enjoyed it -- painters, playwrights, poets, Prime Ministers, Presidents, many a Joe the Plumber and his sidekick, Joe Six-Pack, or even just your ordinary, run-of-the-mill Olympic gold-medalist -- it seems that legalized "good times" are, at least for now, only a pipe dream.
And let's not forget that the cotton industry was a reason marijuana is illegal anyway. Hemp is cheaper, easier to grow, softer and stronger than cotton. And can be used as paper.
Legalize marijuana. Save the trees.
BTW, I quit smoking when I was 18. I just still find no reason to keep the drug illegal.
With decriminalization, we'd still buy and sell marijuana produced by innumerable grow operations through black markets at inflated prices, and we'd still have social problems related to the questionable activity that's often associated with the drug trade.
But with legalization, marijuana is a normalized market commodity we buy at volume retailers integrated with industrial-scale producers, whose low low prices force small producers and distributors out of the market.
Each approach has its potential advantages and disadvantages, and the end states look very different. Most people involved in the marijuana trade adamantly oppose legalization and decry the economic hardships already suffered due to the pseudo-legalized dispensaries in California.
We have intelligence agencies and others who are financially supported by the proceeds from illegal trafficking, who continue to benefit from it being illegal. They could care less how many lives are ruined as a result of these failed policies. There has been a blurring of the line between organized crime and government. The victims are the working class, poor, and minorities.
This is becoming a humanitarian crisis in our own country now, with nearly a million people in prison for smoking cannabis.
There will be a march on DC on Aril 20th, everyone should go.
Time to pull our heads out of the sand, and make this right.
while deplorable the raids in Cali included 0 arrests. not that uncle sam can't come by in 2 years and arrest everyone involved with evidence seized in the raid. .
It's no surprise that every time a global warming (or is it climate change?) alarmist comes out with new "data", it is always shown to be somehow skewed or even incorrect. As is with the latest case of the recent Steig data: www.climateaudit.org
Global warming, can trigger another ice age. It has to do with the salt content of....Oh scrooit.
Also, the ground is droughty and sandy from high burn of grasses, during the higher temperatures of 105 and unless we have a canopy to cover the plant from the heat, or frequently water the crop, cost more, we are in danger of not being able to feed the future populace. Not to mention the tons and tons of chemical pesticides that are destroying the bee population that pollinates the crops for ripeness.
Get back to me for more, when you have something substantive. These are known facts around the world. Bush kept this from you. Fox doesn't do green energy.