Wed
Jul 1 2009
03:07 pm
Pot Bill to Balance Jail Budget?
By: BrantWW

This from the Drudge Retort:

A controversial law in Massachusetts could go national if Congressman Barney Frank gets his way. Frank has filed a bill that would eliminate federal penalties for personal possession of less than 100 grams of marijuana. It would also make the penalty for using marijuana in public just $100. "I think John Stuart Mill had it right in the 1850s," said Congressman Frank, "when he argued that individuals should have the right to do what they want in private, so long as they don't hurt anyone else. It's a matter of personal liberty. Moreover, our courts are already stressed and our prisons are over-crowded. We don't need to spend our scarce resources prosecuting people who are doing no harm to others."

(link...)

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I'm not aware of any federal

Submitted by Roane-Voter on July 2, 2009 - 7:44am.

I'm not aware of any federal penalties for possession of less than 100 POUNDS of marijuana much less 100 grams.

And if you can find one person in prison especially federal prison for smoking some marijuana then I'll buy Frank his first legalized joint.

There are indeed Federal Laws

Submitted by randmart on July 2, 2009 - 8:16am.

Here's an article: (link...)

An example is the ongoing closing and arrests of San Francisco medical marijuana
shop operators by the DEA. I doubt there are any users in Federal prison but there are many big time growers and dealers doing hard time.

There certainly are federal

Submitted by Roane-Voter on July 2, 2009 - 6:29pm.

There certainly are federal laws against marijuana possession but not at the amount stated in the original post (100 grams). At least none that are enforced that I know of at the federal level. That was my point.

Come on, it's Barney Frank!

Submitted by BrantWW on July 3, 2009 - 9:40am.

Come on guys. We're taking about Barney Frank the most dangerous joke in America!

I like Barney Frank

Submitted by onetahiti on July 4, 2009 - 2:25pm.

He was my Representative from 1981 through 1989 when I left Massachusetts to live here. He served the district ably and well and was very popular. As congresspeople go, he could be a lot worse.

Both Roane County and Tennessee would be a lot better off if we had a few Barney Franks here to serve us.

-- OneTahiti

Now that's funny!! Or sad

Submitted by Roane-Voter on July 4, 2009 - 2:50pm.

Now that's funny!! Or sad depending on your point of view. :-)

I wonder if members of the

Submitted by farmer leaf on July 4, 2009 - 8:03am.

Kingston City Council and general public used the same slur as you did in the above post, when you made proposals at City Council meetings?

Living and teaching Earth friendly sustainable agricultural practices.

A joke in bad taste perhaps

Submitted by farmer leaf on July 4, 2009 - 4:14pm.

Barney Frank is an easy target for conservatives due to his openly admitted homosexuality. Republican Dick Armey, when he was House Majority Leader, openly referred to him as "Barney Fag" during a press conference.

There is a lot of derogatory "whispering" done by local white males about Obama's racial heritage and also about "gay people" in general. I was taught that this is called bigotry, and no society can flourish if a segment of the population is despised or looked down upon because of ingrained bigotry. What kind of equality and justice do we want for our community?

As to your second question, the answer is yes. I am guilty of taking an occasional cheap shot at Ken Yager in the past, but I am weaning myself from a need to do that.

Living and teaching Earth friendly sustainable agricultural practices.

Well, with the way things are going

Submitted by RICK on July 4, 2009 - 4:16pm.

I think we need to get away from the DC "established order" and start looking at new people with new ideas. Until we find those that are willing to step away from party lines once in a while and learn to compromise, nothing is ever going to get done that helps us, the citizen.

Many in Washington have accomplished good things since being there. But, a Senator or Representative that has been there since the 50's does not have the vision needed to carry this country forward.

President Obama might have some great ideas, but now even members of his own party are blocking some of the things he wants to do.

It's either tax and spend and give is all away, or be so conservative that you sit on your ass and do nothing. New people with new ideas eventually have to fall in line, or the "established order" will not even throw them a crumb.

It is time this country demanded term limits. And, I know I am going to hear that we already have them with elections. And, if the people want somebody out, they will vote them out. Face it; 99% of the time, money buys who we send to Washington, Nashville, and even to local offices.

Term limits are the only way to break this habit.
Many candidates run with "career" on their mind. Most get it. Maybe term limits will give us a few candidates with actually accomplishing something on their minds.

And think about this. These comments come from a life-long, registered Republican. Go figure.

You're right Rick about term limits

Submitted by farmer leaf on July 4, 2009 - 4:25pm.

as the incumbent is extremely difficult to beat, even if they are completely of no service to the people. Elections by an uninformed electorate, do nothing to promote good leadership. Case in point: W got re-elected!

Living and teaching Earth friendly sustainable agricultural practices.

A joke and dangerous

Submitted by BrantWW on July 5, 2009 - 3:32pm.

A joke because he represents the very worst in politics

Dangerous because BF is so self serving, hypocritical, and powerful

That is my opinion and I am sticking to it. Those who agree know exactly what I am talking about (it ain't about sex) and those that disagree I feel are in denial of the truth. Like people who know their side is infallible and the "other" incapable of good. (count C Schummer in there too)

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