Well?

I didn't really know what's considered a 'soft drug'...

No,no,no and no.

I don't really see a link between communism and hate-mongering, but I reckon you simply put that one on par with fascist parties to appease *cough* certain people... In a way, they may promote "hate" against large companies and capitalism, but I don't think you should put it on par that easily with fascism - there are some substantial differences between the two. And spare me any history lessons regarding communism put into practice, there's not that much wrong with the ideology itself - That it simply doesn't work in practice is no reason to ban any communist parties by default. They can ban any political parties that use extreme and violent measures to "make a point" if it's up to me though, whether left or right, as well as those promoting hate against others who aren't judged in such a hateful manner because of something they did to actually deserve such an ill treatment, but merely by their cultural background or beliefs.


And Lord, soft drugs are drugs like weed and marihuana - and despite popular misunderstanding, aren't as addictive as, say, cigarettes. I don't believe it has ever even been proven that marihuana is addictive, but I'm sure every opposer has their own context-ripped anecdotes and pseudo-scientific researches ready to disprove my words. Whatever.

Anyways, being in the happy circumstances to live in the progressive nation of the Netherlands, I'm glad #1 and #3 are already legalised over here, mostly to (attempt to) keep it out of the hands of criminal organisations and under governmental control. Pity it only complicates matters for countries with stricter drugs laws, as our country is in result a relatively large exporter of drugs to the rest of the world. Ah well. "Our" system works relatively well, just not in combination with those of other countries.

And I'm opposed to gun ownership, but that's not that much of a surprise, I suppose.

[ 02-21-2004, 03:21 PM: Message edited by: Grojlach ]

Yup, I'm a conervative liberal...but that automatically equals beign a conservative around liberals and a liberal around conservatives...though I'm neither...oh well. Sometimes it seems like there are no moderates in the backwater parts of the US...

Prostitution will always be there. Legalize it and have 'em in the yellow pages. Make them get checkups like they do in England... It's the oldest profession, and it's not going anywhere. People need to accept that.

You're right. I did put it in to appease 'certain people'. I wonder if this'll put me on the black list of the communist parties ;)

I don't really have an opinion on prostitution, and I don't see a problem with legalizing drugs like Pot, Acid, or shrooms but thats just me if people are doing them and not causing trouble or harming anyone else I don't see a problem with it. But as for gun ownership I feel it should be <font color=red> WAY HARDER </font> to buy a gun and ammunition.

I was surprised to see how many people voted against Soft Drugs because they were 'addictive'. Have you tried them yourself, or are you just speaking generally because you got that idea from someone or something?

Perhaps the term "soft drugs" isn't as current in other countries as it is in the Netherlands, and people automatically generalise it mentally to include any kind of drugs? Not sure.

this is what I said-

Prostitution..?

Sounds like a good idea. It's impossible to get rid of, so why not place it under government supervision?

<font color=lime> well this is true, and there isn't really much you can do about it.</font>

Gun ownership..?

Only light firearms should be made legal. No one needs an M16 for hunting.

<font color=lime> by this I mean the likes of shotguns, they arent exactly what I would class as light firearms, but it was the closest I could get to my point. I mean I think hunting is fine and clay pigeon shooting etc. I also think that police-gun issue should be sorted out, I mean they are just normal people, I know they need some rights to guns but I think they have too much at present. </font>

Soft Drugs..?

Sure. It will cause the price of soft drugs to drop, and kill the main income of many criminals organisations.

<font color=lime> I know there are dangers if you take drugs although I quite like the Holland approach, and would like others to follow, I mean ok so the likes of canabis aren't exactly good for you, but some people like to take them for a good time etc. And I don't think these people should get so much grief about it, this however I would only say about soft drugs. </font>

also great poll dreamer!

Political parties on the extreme sides of the political spectrum (Fascist/Commy)

Calling for hate against certain groups is unconstitutional. Such parties should be outlawed

<font color=lime> although these parties have the right to express there opinions I personally think they are a waste of space, I mean there is a very small chance that they would come to power and I don't really think discrimination is the way forward. </font>

[ 02-22-2004, 08:47 AM: Message edited by: RoSs_bg2_rox ]

Yeah, um, in Kentucky (eastern-middle of the US, if you aren't aware), especially along the Appalachain Mountain chain, people tend to not go to college, and not work (nor attempt to), instead allowing their lives to consist of eating, watching television, and consuming "soft drugs." It makes the cultural, social, and economical advancement of the region unlikely, and is a blighting disease. If we (meaning the denizens of the region) geuinely believe in democracy, then soft drugs must not be legalized. To say otherwise kind of implies that democracy doesn't work, doesn't it?

Not so sure whether Marijauna is addictive or not, as I haven't tried it or felt a need to. The only proof I have is that some of my friends have pretty much devoted much of their money in pursuit of it, claim they can quit anytime, and wonder why they're always short on money then ask if they can borrow twenty bucks so they can get some weed because they 'need some weed'.

I have friends who use Marijauna. Once or twice a week. They smoke a joint or two, then quit for the rest of the night.

Same here. One friend smokes at least 3/4 joints a day, for more than 10 years now. Yet he is not addicted. There are situations that he can't smoke a single joint for weeks in a row (because of work), and that's no problem at all. No withdrawel signs or something. I'm pretty sure you can't get physically addicted to marihuana, but mentally you can. Same goes for cocaine btw, but that's just my humble opinion.

I voted for legalisation of all drugs. Most of them are less harmful and addictive than alcohol and tobacco, and for those that are harmful and addictive it does not help anyone if addicts and users are criminalised.

I agree with you about marijuana johnny, not at all physically addictive and there is no withdrawal, but can be psychologically addictive - but then anything can be psychologically addictive if you're that way inclined, do we ban shopping because a psychological addiction to it causes some people financial difficulties?

I disagree about cocaine btw, it is physically addictive because regular use alters the dopamine system in the brain (it is self regulating so will produce less dopamine if you use coke regularly) so there is a withdrawal - chemical depression due to longterm low dopamine levels which take some time to regulate back to normal dopamine levels. That's no reason not to legalise it though imo.

Yea, I'm leaning more toward a Psychological Dependance than Physical.

prostitution: Sounds like a good idea. It's impossible to get rid of, so why not place it under government supervision?

drugs: Of course. Adults can decide for themselves whether or not they choose to use Soft Drugs. Smoking is legal, this should be as well..

guns: No. Guns cause more problems/crime then they solve.

political parties: Calling for hate against certain groups is unconstitutional. Such parties should be outlawed

BTW those political parties are already outlawed in Hungary.

I agree it's mostly psychological, I was just being pedantic (I can't help myself!) in my previous post, because there is a small element/chance of physical dependency, but to get to that point you'd have to be psychologically addicted for a long time beforehand.

I should have been clearer on that.

Cool.

Agreed. Also, they could probably lessen the spread of STDs from Prostitution if it was moderated. The only problem is that it's a question of 'morals' for our Government. (I quote morals because I think Morals are something that should be only enforced on oneself, and not others (Unless they can't make morals for themselves but most Adults can)

If you really look at it, compared to other countries, USA is definitely more prudish.

That and most politicians love spouting about morals but rarely practice them. America is definately not as open about sex as other countries are. It's almost like a sign of immaturity. We *are* a young country, after all, so I suppose it's allowed... For now.

LOL so true.

Same here. One friend smokes at least 3/4 joints a day, for more than 10 years now. Yet he is not addicted. There are situations that he can't smoke a single joint for weeks in a row (because of work), and that's no problem at all. No withdrawel signs or something. I'm pretty sure you can't get physically addicted to marihuana, but mentally you can. Same goes for cocaine btw, but that's just my humble opinion. </font>[/QUOTE]yep, i also have friends who often smoke it (i have never) and they are perfectly ok and not addicted, one of them used to smoke a bit too much but quit (or at least cut down a huge ammount) which is an obvious sign that it isn't addictive, also it is illegal here in Australia

Quote:

Calling for hate against certain groups is unconstitutional. Such parties should be outlawed

that statement is a bit contradictive (unless it was ment to be a joke)

but yes we live in a democracy, and these parties have rights, BUT there is a limit to the freedoms they should have, for example extreme right such as (Neo) Nazies, should not exist as a political party in my opinion but that is my opinion, BUT some of these partie's idology/ideas are great and would really help society, but everything in moderation and hate against groups/racism etc is completly wrong.

[ 04-24-2004, 12:50 PM: Message edited by: Intrepid ]

As long as you have a license to own it, it is legal to have it.
If soft drugs is marijauna etc, NO.
New Zealand is already the largest consumer of marijuana in the world. MORE THAN US+AUS PUT TOGETHER

In Finland they have legalised Marijuana.... they let students use it, because it relaxes them. [img]graemlins/crazyeyes.gif[/img]

Could not agree more. It makes it safer for the sex worker and for the customer. Brothels are legal in most parts of Australia (all?) as long as they meet strict standards. Not be close to schools, churches, shopping malls etc. Basically they are placed in Industrial areas 'out of sight and out of mind'. Street walking pro's are supposed to be illegal.

Just a pedantic point. Prostitution is not the oldest profession, begging is :D

someone begged for sex before someone had the bright idea of charging for it [img]graemlins/laugh2.gif[/img]

*Gun ownership should be limited as much as possible. Even the police should only have limited acces to them.*

This is the way IMO... and the more people excuse thousands of deaths each year because 'we have the right to bear arms' makes me sick. REALLY sick. But I guess while they are busy making excuses they will never see the wood for the trees.

guns for everybody :D