GT40FIED
06-07-2005, 02:07 PM
As many of you know, I'm not for smoking weed. I did my fair share and your fair share and your friend's fair share when I was in high school...but I've moved on. HOWEVER...there's a new law being presented in congress that would essentially turn everyone around you (and you yourself) into a spy in the "war on drugs" (which I'm pretty sure we lost in the 80's). I wish I were making this up. Here's a brief overview: http://www.drugpolicy.org/news/051805sensen.cfm . For you lazy bastards who don't like to read, here's a quick excerpt:
This bill would have serious consequences for our democracy, requiring you to spy on all your neighbors, including going undercover and wearing a wire if needed. Refusing to become a spy for the government would be punishable by a mandatory prison sentence of at least two years.
Here are some examples of offenses you would have to report to the police within 24 hours:
- You see someone you know pass a joint to a 20-year old college student.
- Your cousin mentions that he bought Ecstasy for some of his college friends.
- You find out that your brother, who has kids, recently bought a small amount of marijuana to share with his wife.
Your substance-abusing daughter recently begged her boyfriend to find her some drugs even though they're both in drug treatment.
In each of these cases you face jail time if you don't call the police within 24 hours. It doesn't matter if the offender is your friend or relative. It also doesn't matter if you need 48 hours to think about it. You have to report the person to the government within 24 hours or go to jail. You also have to assist the government in every way, including wearing a wire if needed. Refusing to cooperate would cost you at least two years in prison (possibly up to ten). In addition to turning family member against family member, the legislation could also put many Americans into dangerous situations by forcing them to go undercover to gain evidence against strangers.
That's right...don't wanna spy on your friends? BAM! Two years in jail. What I'm left pondering is how could this in any way be legal? Or moreover, how many parts of the constitution does it violate?
I may disagree with the use of most drugs, but I value personal freedoms much MUCH more than I care about someone smoking a joint.
This bill would have serious consequences for our democracy, requiring you to spy on all your neighbors, including going undercover and wearing a wire if needed. Refusing to become a spy for the government would be punishable by a mandatory prison sentence of at least two years.
Here are some examples of offenses you would have to report to the police within 24 hours:
- You see someone you know pass a joint to a 20-year old college student.
- Your cousin mentions that he bought Ecstasy for some of his college friends.
- You find out that your brother, who has kids, recently bought a small amount of marijuana to share with his wife.
Your substance-abusing daughter recently begged her boyfriend to find her some drugs even though they're both in drug treatment.
In each of these cases you face jail time if you don't call the police within 24 hours. It doesn't matter if the offender is your friend or relative. It also doesn't matter if you need 48 hours to think about it. You have to report the person to the government within 24 hours or go to jail. You also have to assist the government in every way, including wearing a wire if needed. Refusing to cooperate would cost you at least two years in prison (possibly up to ten). In addition to turning family member against family member, the legislation could also put many Americans into dangerous situations by forcing them to go undercover to gain evidence against strangers.
That's right...don't wanna spy on your friends? BAM! Two years in jail. What I'm left pondering is how could this in any way be legal? Or moreover, how many parts of the constitution does it violate?
I may disagree with the use of most drugs, but I value personal freedoms much MUCH more than I care about someone smoking a joint.