| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Ferre
Cannabis Sacrament Minister.
Joined: 14 Apr 2003
Posts: 7295
Location: Amsterdam
|
 Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2005 6:02 pm Post subject: Dutch drugging not for freedom |
 |
|
| Quote: |
Dutch drugging not for freedom
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
If you're among those civil libertarians who consider the policy on drug use in the Netherlands to be enlightened, and based on some concept of liberty and victimless crime, you might want to reconsider. Libertarian investigative journalist Radley Balko (on the same Agitator blogsite that leads the crusade for justice for Cory Maye) has a scathing analysis of Dutch procedures and policies regarding marijuana and other substances that are controlled elsewhere around the globe. He cites as evidence his attendance of a recent event at the Dutch Embassy in Washington, billed as "a frank discussion on Dutch drug policy." The apparent intention was the debunking of the popular beliefs about the Netherlands' marijuana-cafes, needle-exchange programs, and alleged preference for treatment over imprisonment with regard to drug abuse.
Balko notes that there was not the slightest tinge of pro-freedom sentiment in those who spoke at the presentation. Their main purpose seemed to be to "dispel the misconception" that the Dutch consider this a blow for liberty. The primary function of the pot-cafes, he noted, seems to be sequestering smokers in tightly controlled, highly regulated ghettoes. Once they are seated and stoning, what better time to engulf them with public health campaigns, scoldings, and ads for treatment centers? Balko compares their paradigm with the American one regarding obesity. He also notes that the Dutch showed complete obeisance to "the usual bullshit public health hysteria" (marijuana causing dementia, pre-marital sex, and all other manner of social ills). He says that they "boasted that the number of coffee shops serving hashish and cannabis was dwindling, and that several cities in The Netherlands prohibited sales of the stuff to non-residents."
To that end, he concedes, "I suppose, the Dutch are right. All else being equal, it's probably better to be nagged than to be shot or tossed in prison." However, he shows some regret that "the concepts of personal freedom, choice, and leaving people alone to do as they please never came up over the course of the entire evening ... The Dutch don't care about liberty any more than we do ... No, just like the U.S., the Dutch feel it's the government's right and responsibility to tell people what they should and shouldn't be putting into their bodies. Like our government, the Dutch government doesn't believe people should have sole responsibility for their own behavior. Like our government, they have no intention of treating their citizens as adults. The only real difference," he concluded, "is that the Dutch drug policy isn't quite as violent, coercive, or destructive as U.S. drug policy, but the Dutch approach is every bit as contemptuous of individual freedom or personal autonomy as the U.S. approach. And it's every bit as paternalistic and condescending." - ST
staff reports - Free-Market News Network
|
_________________
█ Please read the Board Rules and Posting, and you
█ Radio Free Amsterdam
People who know truth, speak truth.
Those who don't, quote scriptures. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Torkel
Cannabis Sacrament Minister
Joined: 23 Nov 2004
Posts: 1396
Location: West Virginia, USA
|
| Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2005 6:18 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| public health campaigns, scoldings, and ads for treatment centers? |
scoldings? treatment centers?
wtf?
Peace,
Torkel
_________________
Miller vs U.S. (230 F 2nd 486,489): "The claim and exercise of a Constitutional right cannot be converted into a crime."
Miranda vs Arizona (384 U.S. 436, 125): "Where rights secured by the Constitution are involved, there can be no rule-making or legislation which would abrogate them."
HAGANS vs LAVINE (415 US 533 N-3,note 5): "Once JURISDICTION is challenged it must be proven by the Plaintiff." |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ferre
Cannabis Sacrament Minister.
Joined: 14 Apr 2003
Posts: 7295
Location: Amsterdam
|
| Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2005 8:24 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Torkel wrote: |
| Quote: |
| public health campaigns, scoldings, and ads for treatment centers? |
scoldings? treatment centers?
wtf?
Peace,
Torkel |
It's called diplomatic bullshitting I guess, I've never seen any of that in any coffeeshop. 
_________________
█ Please read the Board Rules and Posting, and you
█ Radio Free Amsterdam
People who know truth, speak truth.
Those who don't, quote scriptures. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
Public Forum
Members only forum
Members Group
| 
