Friday, June 26, 2009

Legalize It / Einstein on Belief / Crimmins


(P1) Political

Legalize It!


In California, as in Illinois and other states, the time has arrived for serious consideration of legalizing marijuana sales and use. California especially needs to pass recently introduced legislation mirroring the public interest in moving forward with legalization.

Currently, in a state facing bankruptcy, California not only doesn't look to one of its top cash crops as a tax "cash cow" but actually goes out of its way (moreso the Feds) to prosecute its growth, sales and usage. It has been estimated by state officials that over $1.3 billion can be raised by taxation alone. Then there would be the revenues earned by legitimate retail stores and the growers, and the resulting overall boon to the economomy.

Decriminalizing marijuana sales would drive away the criminals who would realize virtually no economic benefit as the price is driven down by legalization.

And, considering legal alcohol, gambling, and tobacco, can any starving government possibly continue to posit some type of "moral" argument? Let us also consider that prominent conservatives and libertarians have long argued in favor of legalization. These include, among many others,
George Schulz, Milton Friedman, and William F. Buckely.

Let's get on the reality bandwagon and start soon!

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(P2) Philosophical

Einstein On Belief

"Actually, my first religious training of any kind was in the Catholic catechism. A fluke, of course, only because the primary school that I first went to was a Catholic one. I was, as a matter of fact, the only Jewish child in the school. This actually worked to my advantage, since it made it easier for me to isolate myself from the rest of the class and find the comfort in solitude that I so cherished."

"I believe in mystery and, frankly, I sometimes face this mystery with great fear. In other words, I think that there are many things in the universe that we cannot perceive or penetrate, and that also we experience some of the most beautiful things in life only in a very primitive form. Only in relation to these mysteries do I consider myself to be a religious man. But I sense these things deeply. I cannot conceive of a God who rewards and punishes his creatures, or has a will of the kind that we experience in ourselves."

"During the youthful period of mankind's spiritual evolution, human fantasy created gods in man's own image, who, by the operations of their will were supposed to determine, or at any rate to influence, the phenomenal world....The idea of God in the religions taught at present is a sublimation of that old conception of the gods. Its anthropomorphic character is shown, for instance, by the fact that men appeal to the Divine Being in prayers and plead for the fulfillment of their wishes...."

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(P3) Poetical

San Francisco Haiku #7
Wind grips the wet coast.
Seven hills teach us about

gull sorrow and air.
Jack Crimmins

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9 comments:

carlmacki said...

Here's an strange bit of reportage regarding Albert Einstein's alleged interest in the writings of Mary Baker Eddy. It comes from
http://tmcyouth.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2665

From the Research Room of the Mary Baker Eddy Library--"'We are aware that Einstein attended at least one Wednesday noon meeting at Fifth Church of Christ, Scientist, in New York City in the early 1950s. On this occasion he said to a member after the service (not to the congregation), “Do you realize what a wonderful thing you have?” The member he spoke to and who reported the remark to us was the late George Nay, former associate editor of the Christian Science periodicals. The two spoke in German.'

"Interestingly enough, some years ago a Christian Scientist questioned Einstein’s former secretary, Helen Dukas, about his interest in Christian Science. At the time she was curator of his papers, and unequivocally stated that on the basis of her long and close association with Einstein (1928-1955), she could say he knew nothing about Christian Science and had expressed no interest, given no opinion, and made no reference to it. (This was on or about January 20, 1970.)"

Unknown said...

You don't have to convince me. All I have to do is look at that blissed-out guv of yours. Love,C

Anonymous said...

I really wouldn't want to make legal yet another life threatening substance...
[taken from]
http://oralcancernews.org/wp/2009/06/state-rules-marijuana-smoke-is-a-carcinogen-may-require-dispensaries-to-post-warnings/
-------------------------
On Friday, California added marijuana smoke to its official list of known carcinogens, joining the ranks of arsenic, asbestos and DDT. Pot brownies, lollipops and other non-inhalables are not affected by the new ruling.

Scientists found the pungent smoke shares many of the same harmful properties as tobacco smoke, warranting its inclusion on the Proposition 65 warning list. The law requires the state to publish a list of chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity, and businesses and government agencies must post warnings when they use such chemicals or sell products containing them.

--Sir Voltron

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Issa's Untidy Hut said...

Ed, great Jack Crimmins ...

Don

Ed Coletti said...

Thoughtful and thought-provoking blurb, Roy. I'm an advocate but am always moved by the science. Typically, however, governments, in their attempts to fight legalization, seem to come up with findings like this one or sterility or whatever, and, ultimately such findings fail the test of time. I could be wrong and, therefore have been very cautious in my advocacy. But, ultimately, can't something bad be found in everything? I'm sure I could find "severe" side effects from frequent banana consumption too.

Thanks,

Ed

Oregon Bell said...

I would wonder that the legislators of the State of California would have the courage to fix any thing.

What a sad mess, for the financial crisis, now occurring for the Government of California.

Talk about thouing the baby out with the bath water. I cant understand why the legislators remain in office, while the 6 th largest economy has a legislature that is grinding to a halt, over ideology of tax and spend.

It is a sad day for California, The idea of solving some problems by legalize marijuana would be great if the long term health consequences were known.

Sure seems like, decriminalizing, would make sense, if only because to decriminalize Marijuana would unload about half of the incarcerations. Taking a big load off of the budget for prisons.

L.C. said...

Years ago in my LA daze, Arnie used to walk into out Santa Monica gym totally blissed out and most friendly with advice to all. Legalize weed? I'm there!

Elcee said...

What? No comment on Michael Jackson? CBS Sun. Music Critic put it so eloquently into perspective.