Observations...

[Russian]

Should what be legal? Buying underage? No... I started off with stating that the legal age to drink was just fine. Buying underage, if you are caught- should be prosecuted according to the law. However, what do you think you will be more likely to get off of- drinking underage or in possession of marijuana? Both are illegal- but one will guarantee you some problems with the law, the other(depending on the cop) won't. Guess which one.


I’m not aware that cops are not doing their job in civilian world, I’m sure that this is not true. Not all bland are stupid

 

Well, barley is what they make beer from... and a bride is a wife.. but you wanna know why marijuana is illegal? Then continue reading...


English is not my primary language, if you’d like I can show you’re mistakes, there are plenty of them.

 

Oh no, you see... Marijuana is illegal based upon lies and misinformation of the '30s during which time illegal immigrants were a big problem and that's how they were making there money. One of the common commercials/informercials of the '30s was that you would beat your parent (in the commercial- a mom) unconscious to get your fix. A little bulltoejam? Oh yes.  


Did you read that study or this is “he said she said”


No, LAWS do not make it easier to buy drugs- but by making CERTAIN laws this means that adults will be less receptible while children (unaware of laws, and generally more receptible to influencial things) will willing buy into certain things. Why do you think telemarketers target younger audiences????


Commercial are running 24/7 about drugs, commercial tell that they are illegal. School teaches kids that they are illegal. What part they are unaware? Educate youth and they will think for them self.  


Addiction requires both a mental and physical addiction. Which means you NEED that drug to get through. There is no such thing as an addiction to marijuana.  


That was a joke…


Alchohol has always been a drug- everything you buy from aspirin to androtestorone is a drug. You may wanna read up on this stuff. Here ya go, and I quote: "President Reagan issued Executive Order12564 in September of 1986, which required all federal agencies to develop programs and policies to achieve a drug-free federal workplace, required an agreed-upon definition for drugs. Because of the political climate at that time, drugs actually meant illicit drugs. In 1988 the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) “Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs” limited the drugs that are to be tested for to the following used illicit drug classes: marijuana, opiates (heroin, morphine), cocaine, amphetamine and methamphetamine, and phencyclidine.

Hmmmmm... a "agreed upon definition"... but that isn't the REAL definition of drugs.  


I see… that doesn’t make a lot of sense to me, that seems to be just generic term. What are you basing your dislike on? I personally don’t like alcohol but if person can drink responsible, why not let them

 

Yes, they sure do... and your point is? Do they have this on alchohol? This destroys brain cells, your liver, your SKIN and your kidneys... you ever paid attention to WHAT alchohol does to you?  


Well, no…I choose not to drink. But information is out and it is public knowledge. It’s just time before alcohol companies will have to publish risk on battles.  

 

Yes, and some laws have been changed- that's the point of laws. If they are bogus, they can be changed.


Agreed

 
I would, but let me know when one of those fellas steps forth.


LOL

[AKDejaVu]

Not everyone that does drugs is a bad person or a loser.  The assumption is simply flawed.

So is the assumption that not doing drugs is the sign of a naive social misfit.

I've seen no correlation between drug use/abstenance and decency.

I do know this... getting busted as a youth or young adult for drugs can close alot of doors quite quickly.  I don't expect teens to understand the impact of that... I know I didn't when I was a teen... but I have greatly understated it.

Its simply amazing how many doors you can open or close as a teen making simple decisions that most teens simply are not ready to make.

AKDejaVu

[Sandman]

Originally posted by eskimo2
Tex & Oct,

As a teenager, I never gave in to the drug, alcohol and tobacco "peer pressure" either (and I still haven't at age 37).  I knew it was a bad road to go down.  Many (OK most) of my friends experimented with substances.  I watched many of my old friends practically ruin their lives, becoming alcoholics and druggies, mixing with worse and worse people in order to maintain access to drugs, or eventually getting into serious trouble with the law.  Others "got over it" and realized what was happening, gave up on drugs/alcohol.  I think almost everyone eventually regrets getting hooked on tobacco, drugs or alcohol.  I can relate to you.  I never regretted not trying these things.  Not for a second.
eskimo

There's a third category. Those that used, didn't get hooked and still continue to use... all the while being active, productive members of society and even parents.

No question. Drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, whatever can be dangerous, but they aren't necessarily the road to ruin.

That said, DJV is spot on regarding the closed doors. If you're young and hellbent to experiment, stick to alcohol and nicotine. Unless you develop a problem or have some sort of criminal incident, doors simply don't close for drink and smoke. It's socially acceptable.

[Octavius]

Originally posted by texace
I have yet to see anyone that acts their own age or acts their own way at my high school. No one there is nearly as civil and caring as my brother and I. We are the "super nerds" of Lake Worth High School, as we're part of the very few who give a damn.

Hehehe...  now ya dont have to call yourself THAT :-D  I'm in a different world when I want to be myself.   People like us come in all different shapes n sizes.  I'm not a geek 100% of the time.  I tend to be more on the athletic side.  A cap'n on the football team, swimmer, track (pole vaulting), and baseball.  I have a busy schedule all year.  Then, on the other side, I also like to be a geek.  I dabble in the fantasy-RPG games, flight sims such as Aces High, and many other activities such as lucid dreaming, yoga, chakra excersizes and the like.  I try to experience as much as I can just for the sake of experiencing it.  I dont try to become everyone's friend because that is fairly impossible IMO  If I don't like someone damnit I'll let them know!  I dont hold back   All in all.. I try to be a well-rounded person.  So far, I think i'm succeeding.

[Elfenwolf]

Originally posted by Ripsnort


Incidently, Oct, Semperfi, and BlueiceJ are all under 18 and fly for VMF-323.

I thought it was a violation of Ripsnort's parole to have contact with minors over the internet.

[Animal]

texace your whole concern has existed forever. you are simply uptight and dont realize that people change as they gain experience.
the people who act because they want to be cool, well, they will pay for that.

as for screwing chicks, drinking, experimenting, just for the sake of being cool? whoever does this, is seriously screwed up.

i screw chicks because it feels amazingly good[/b]
i drink because it can help me relax and have fun in situations i would otherwise be bored. this may be a character flaw, but who cares? it works.
i experimented with drugs because i was curious. didnt like any of them, no harm done, my body and mind are more healthy than the average person my age.

as for marijuana, i'm with swulfe on this one. i smoke about once every two months, usually alone when i'm getting into some interesting science book or being creative musically. it helps in that i can think clearly from a different perspective. strangely, instead of turning into a rambling idiot, marijuana has a different effect on me. it helps me focus on certain things that i would never be able to do sober.
i guess this is something i can do without drugs with a certain ammount of discipline, but i'm working on it. meanwhile, being curious about it helped me explore parts of my mind and my spirit that would have probably gone unnoticed.

texace, stop seeing the world in black and white. not everyone around you is as you think. when you get to college, you will understand things more clearly and your views on the world and your generation will change. hopefully, you will be proud.

because honestly, aside from the usual rotten apples, i am proud to be part of a generation that grew up in freedom, and took it for granted in such a way that we dont have to live in fear of acting as someone imposes. and for that reason, we have endless capability. wonderful things will happen when my generation is finally handed control of things

[eskimo2]

Originally posted by Sandman_SBM


There's a third category. Those that used, didn't get hooked and still continue to use... all the while being active, productive members of society and even parents.

No question. Drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, whatever can be dangerous, but they aren't necessarily the road to ruin.

That said, DJV is spot on regarding the closed doors. If you're young and hellbent to experiment, stick to alcohol and nicotine. Unless you develop a problem or have some sort of criminal incident, doors simply don't close for drink and smoke. It's socially acceptable.

Sandman, if you honestly believe this, then please answer these questions:

1.  As a kid, how do you know which road you will eventually go down; jail, death, addiction, addiction recovery, quitting early or those who as you describe end up as happily adjusted drug users?

2.  How many folks (or what %) actually end up in that last category?

3.  How much does drugs or alcohol actually enhance your (or anyone's) life?

4.  How much do you (or anyone) spend on drugs and/or alcohol?  Please add all related costs; wrecked cars, DUIs, rehab, etc.

5.  Is it worth it?  Do you want your kids taking drugs, considering all that can go wrong?

6.  If you feel that you are one of the lucky ones who ended up as a happily adjusted drug user, how do you really know that you wouldn't have been better off with-out them?

7.  Does being an active drug user make you a better parent?

8.  Are you glad you got started with drugs/alcohol in the first place?

Thanks,
eskimo

[Eagler]

Originally posted by AKSWulfe
I'm sure Eagler, did I mention I work for the Fed Gov?
-SW

No, but who cares ..

I do give you and the other youngins on this board credit for having a stand (even if some are wrong ) and arguing for it. When I was of your age, I was more concerned with paying the light bill. clothing our 2 year old son & wondering when I'd get a weekend off so I could hit the beach, than who was doing what in our government.

So to you for being involved but lets see if what you think/stand for today doesn't change in 20+ years

[Sandman]

Let me preface all my statements with this. Alcohol is a drug and so are cigarettes.

Originally posted by eskimo2


Sandman, if you honestly believe this, then please answer these questions:

1.  As a kid, how do you know which road you will eventually go down; jail, death, addiction, addiction recovery, quitting early or those who as you describe end up as happily adjusted drug users?

Easy one. As a kid, you don't. Like I said... Alcohol, drugs, etc can be perilous.

2.  How many folks (or what %) actually end up in that last category?

No stats. It's a fine fuzzy line between use and abuse. The abusers end up as statistics. The rest are all around you, working, raising their families and acting responsibly.

3.  How much does drugs or alcohol actually enhance your (or anyone's) life?

Little more than a Coca Cola. I drink tequila because I like the taste of it, not because I want to be snot slingin' drunk.

4.  How much do you (or anyone) spend on drugs and/or alcohol?  Please add all related costs; wrecked cars, DUIs, rehab, etc.

Easy one... roughly $30-50 per month. No related costs (EVER). Again, there's a difference between use and abuse.

5.  Is it worth it?  Do you want your kids taking drugs, considering all that can go wrong?

Ah... the parent angle. No, I don't want my kids taking drugs. Like I said before, it's perilous. Do I think they will anyway? It's just a matter of time.

6.  If you feel that you are one of the lucky ones who ended up as a happily adjusted drug user, how do you really know that you wouldn't have been better off with-out them?

Ah... do I feel pangs of regret? No.

7.  Does being an active drug user make you a better parent?

Love this one... loaded question. Does it make me a better parent? No. Does it make be a worse parent? No again.

8.  Are you glad you got started with drugs/alcohol in the first place?

It's not significant enough to worry about.

Thanks,
eskimo [/B]

[Hangtime]

Pikers, puppies and donutheads.

I smoke because the oreo's taste better.

I drink because the women look better.

[AKSWulfe]

I’m not aware that cops are not doing their job in civilian world, I’m sure that this is not true. Not all bland are stupid

I said depending on the cop- many will be more lenient with alchohol consumption/possession underage.
 
English is not my primary language, if you’d like I can show you’re mistakes, there are plenty of them.

Go ahead, I'm not stopping you.


Did you read that study or this is “he said she said”

What study? I saw the commercials, I have done extensive research. What I say is based on what I have learned.

Commercial are running 24/7 about drugs, commercial tell that they are illegal. School teaches kids that they are illegal. What part they are unaware? Educate youth and they will think for them self.  

Drugs are illegal, yes- ILLICIT drugs are. However alchohol isn't, neither is aspirin. Both are drugs. They aren't unaware of anything, but instead they are trying to influence the youth based on laws- not on actual facts. They use scare tactics in those commercials. And the youth does go out and learn for themselves- the average college kid binges(and purges as a result), and/or has done or does do drugs. These are based on statistics. Kids that weren't exposed to this before hand, especially, and are easily influenced end up being that kid on the 10 O'clock news you hear about overdosing and dying or almost dying. They are the poster child for the anti-drug cause. Which is a good thing, but you can't overdose on marijuana while you can on alchohol... and that will result in death.


Addiction requires both a mental and physical addiction. Which means you NEED that drug to get through. There is no such thing as an addiction to marijuana.  


That was a joke…

Really? You just saying that, or have YOU done any research on this? My guess based on this statement is no. Arguing with you is futile if you don't even care to go and educate yourself. There are mental and physical addictions. Physical means you NEED the drug. Mental means your mind is telling you need it. You can't get addicted to marijuana because it doesn't have the properties of drugs to enforce an addiction.

I see… that doesn’t make a lot of sense to me, that seems to be just generic term. What are you basing your dislike on? I personally don’t like alcohol but if person can drink responsible, why not let them

Drugs is a generic term because of what the government has done. in the medical world, drugs are- well everything ranging from over the counter prescriptions to illicit drugs. But I don't expect you to know this, because you haven't done any research.


Well, no…I choose not to drink. But information is out and it is public knowledge. It’s just time before alcohol companies will have to publish risk on battles.  

So basically you are telling me with this, that people can willingly kill themselves with alchohol. But if they want to do it with, say marijuana (which only destroys the lungs)- then woh! we just stepped into a whole new realm.... because you've been fed this since you moved into this country. (I assume, since english isn't your first language)


Eagler- good for you- you had a kid when you were my age. I don't plan on having kids until I'm well out of college. So is it my fault I don't have the same burdens you had? Or is it that I know where I'm going and have control of my life to the point that certain laws concern me? Or do I have to serve in the armed forces, have a kid at 19, and be out on my own struggling to make it to have an opinion.. and for it to be "right" in your opinion?

Eagler, fact is, you don't know me or what hardships I've gone through. Sure, I may not be out on my own... but I ain't got that much longer, and everything I own, and my schooling, I pay for.

I have concerns now at 21 about marijuana being legalized because when I am 40, I *DO* want it to be legalized. It's no more dangerous than alchohol- which is my point. And it's only illegal because of misinformation and lies.

I may not meet YOUR definition of being responsible, but you'd probably change your opinion if you knew me in the real world. The legalization of marijuana came to me when I was 18, and I've been arguing it ever since and using my schooling to further my knowledge of this subject. I've done several papers for classes regarding this.

I am concerned with what's going on in the government because it will be my world long after yours has ended (sorry to sound mean, if I am, but that's the way it is)... so I want to get the government's stance on one issue changed, so that when I am your age I don't have to sit here and wonder "when".
EDIT: Eagler, I just re-read this and it reads pretty bad. It sounds condescending and confrontational- this is not what I intended. I apologize before hand, but I don't know how to re-word to get the same effect. I'm just saying, if you knew me in the real world and gave it an honest chance of listening/understanding what I have to say- I just might be able to change your opinion of both me and my views. I am not the typical poster child for marijuana/drugs.. I don't act like a burnout, don't talk like a burnout, and you wouldn't know I smoked up unless I told you. I'm actually a productive member of society.
-SW

[Eagler]

SW

I was more like you at your age than I can admit to ...

That is my point. There is a reason we can't see the future, it'd scare the hell outa most of us..

THere is hope for you yet

I'd just close by saying I wouldn't slam a 16, 17 year old who is wondering "what the heck", I'd encourage him to fight the right fight and let all the judgemental crud go. It all evens out in the end, karma is good at that

[NATEDOG]

I didn't have time to read all the replies, so if someone has already said this,........ here's a repeat.........

What's wrong with this country?!?!?! They have made it illegal to disipline your child. If you spank you child, not beat, but spank your child, you can get arrested! what kind of crap is that?!?!?! when I was a kid, and did something bad, I got spanked........ ya know what, I DIDN'T DO IT AGAIN!
I could go on for days about this, but I'll sum it up like this.......
Love your child, disipline your child, respect your child and give him room to grow, and they will grow up to be a responable adult.

[AKSWulfe]

Eagler, I am not slamming texace.. or anyone.. who does not do drugs, do not partake in sexual intercourse, or anything that may potentially screw up their future.

I would NEVER say "Hey man, give it a shot... it's cool, what have you got to lose?" That's just straight up wrong. If someone I meet doesn't smoke I don't go "well screw you", it's their choice and they can do what they want. I'll just go "that's cool man".. I have a "straightedge" (that's what they call people who don't do any drugs- licit or illicit) friend I hang out with a lot. I joke around with her and go "Hey! You wanna beer? You KNOW you want one!" But she knows I'm just kidding.

I was just trying to say that some people out there who do the things that texace doesn't want to do aren't all like "well man, if you don't do it- you ain't cool!" most people I know don't really give a pitooy about what someone does or does not do, it's their choice and we aren't gonna exclude 'em just because.

I'll say this much, those people who are like texace should stay that way- eventually you may try it (well the sex thing is guaranteed at some point ;-) but if you don't, no biggie. Most people who are normal don't pressure anyone into doing anything. May joke around with 'em, but it ain't like they're losers (in those other peoples opinion) to them.

Not trying to imply texace or anyone like him should give into peer pressure, or aren't cool- they'd be cool with me no matter what. Just don't fingerblast the chick I'm with and don't try to fight me, I ain't got no problems.

I was a little offended though that he generalized people and put people like me into categories based on what he was thinking without actually finding out from them or someone else who maybe drug users or people who have sex at younger ages what the real deal was.

Anyone, and I mean ANYONE, who thinks that you aren't cool for not having sex or for not doing drugs ain't worth your time in the first place.

S! Eagler, see ya in the virtual skies.
-SW

[niknak]

Don't not do stuff just because it's "cool". You can pursue higher goals but alot of pleasure (in my life) comes from just hanging out and doing stuff and talking toejam with my friends. I think social  skills are very important and you do not  know what you are missing untill you  go out get drunk as a skunk with your mates, dance like a lunatic untill 4am, throw eggs at a policeman and escape over rooftops etc etc.

  Do stuff man you're only young once and i am making the most of it. When you're 40 and you look back it won't at that time you played AH (although it's enjoyable).

  I'm doing alright despite having a good (childish) time.