Don't Count on Obama to make the right Choice

PotShot · 03-27-2009, 12:18 AM

Well. Here we have it ladies and gents. President Obama is a flat out prohibitionist.

Legalize pot? Not a change Obama can believe in

Thu Mar 26, 2009 4:48pm EDT

Quote:

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Legalizing marijuana is not the kind of change President Barack Obama can believe in -- -- at least not as a remedy for the ailing U.S. economy.

On Thursday, Obama tackled the issue head-on, only half-jokingly, at an online townhall meeting where he noted that the idea was a favorite among the 3.6 million people who voted on more than 100,000 questions submitted on the White House website.

"I have to say that there was one question that was voted on that ranked fairly high, and that was whether legalizing marijuana would improve the economy and job creation," he said to laughter at the White House event.

"And I don't know what this says about the online audience," Obama said, tongue-in-cheek. "This was a fairly popular question. We want to make sure that it was answered."

"The answer is, no, I don't think that is a good strategy to grow our economy," he said before moving back to a more sober discussion of unemployment and healthcare reform.

"Thank you for clearing that up," said Jared Bernstein, Vice President Joe Biden's chief economist, who was acting as moderator.

Many of the questioners suggested that regulating the marijuana industry could yield large tax revenues.

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs was later asked whether Obama, who admitted in his autobiography to experimenting with drugs in his youth, was leaving some wiggle room on the issue.

"The president opposes the legalization of marijuana," Gibbs told reporters, emphasizing his seriousness. "He doesn't think that's the right plan for America."

As for where the new administration stood on medical marijuana, he said to ask the Justice Department.

Gibbs suggested that marijuana advocates may have had a hand in stacking the deck by mobilizing supporters to send in questions and to go online and vote repeatedly for them.

(Writing by Matt Spetalnick)

I think this pretty much sums up how the next 4 years are going to be. And I had hope for change.

MestUp7 · 03-27-2009, 12:26 AM

You should really learn to look around first. I already posted this in a thread and then you posted it on the same page of that thread, AND started a new thread about it.

And secondly, he didn't say he wouldn't allow it at the state level.

PotShot · 03-27-2009, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MestUp7

And secondly, he didn't say he wouldn't allow it at the state level.

What part of "The president opposes the legalization of marijuana," do you not understand? Even if he would "allow" it at the state level.... whatever. Simply put, the man is a PROHIBITIONIST.

MestUp7 · 03-27-2009, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PotShot

What part of "The president opposes the legalization of marijuana," do you not understand? Even if he would "allow" it at the state level.... whatever. Simply put, the man is a PROHIBITIONIST.

Even if he did believe in legalization do you really think he would come out and say it right now?

PotShot · 03-27-2009, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MestUp7

Even if he did believe in legalization do you really think he would come out and say it right now?

Yeah that was my frame of mind up until this point. It simply had been discussed very little or not at all. But, now we have it. We have ourselves yet another prohibitionist president. What I got from his remarks was not the feeling that he was non-judgemental on the issue... it is clear that he OPPOSES legalization. THAT is what he has come out and say. He is firmly on the wrong side of the issue.

So, once again, what is his motive? What argument does he have to continue the insane and reckless policy of cannabis prohibition? Doesn't his prohibitionist stance worry anyone else, considering he is supposed to be the "smart and practical" leader we have all been waiting for?

Hemostrat · 03-27-2009, 07:45 AM

You act like this is something new, Obama has said before that he opposes legalization.

Buzzby · 03-27-2009, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PotShot

Simply put, the man is a PROHIBITIONIST.

Not really. The man is a POLITICIAN. He knows that you don't get anywhere if you try to lead too far ahead of public opinion. Our POV as cannabis consumers differs from that of Joe Average on the subject of legalizing marijuana. I think that if Congress brings him a bill to legalize marijuana, he will sign it. Then he can say, "This is not what I wanted, but I bow to the will of the people." It's a typical political CYA move. If legalization doesn't go well (I can't imagine why it wouldn't), he wouldn't be remembered as the President who promoted it.

marcusJay · 03-27-2009, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzzby

The man is a POLITICIAN.

Exactly!! And POLITICIAN = HUMAN DEVIL.

ThoughtBubble · 03-27-2009, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcusJay

Exactly!! And POLITICIAN = HUMAN DEVIL.

Not quite; politician = heavily controlled by special interests and public opinion

Ever heard of "political capital"? It's what the president uses to get things done. It's not even real, it's some conceptual measure of perceived "good will". THAT'S IT.

That's the power of a president, it's measured by the level of good will the public and congress and foreign countries have for him. And maybe a pen.

Every politician is bound by this concept. Well... that and money.

FunkySkunky · 03-27-2009, 12:28 AM

Screw him. I'm moving to fucking Amsterdam. The US will be a shell of its former self in four years, anyway, unless we all do something, right quick. I refuse to put my life in the hands of "hope". Who the fuck "hopes" for a good life, or a good president, for that matter? (No offense to the OP). I'm sure we all know that sitting on the couch in front of the television waiting for fucking Barack Obama to "change" our lives is not going to change anything, don't we? Have we forgotten that the real American Dream is awarded only to those who deserve it? Have we forgotten that WE THE PEOPLE are the heart of this nation? What has become of us?

03-27-2009, 12:28 AM	#10
FunkySkunky Sr. Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 923 Grams: 12,530.25 Thanks: 313 Thanked 326 Times in 222 Posts Stock Portfolio Total Value: 0.000 Gain/Loss: 0.000%	Screw him. I'm moving to fucking Amsterdam. The US will be a shell of its former self in four years, anyway, unless we all do something, right quick. I refuse to put my life in the hands of "hope". Who the fuck "hopes" for a good life, or a good president, for that matter? (No offense to the OP). I'm sure we all know that sitting on the couch in front of the television waiting for fucking Barack Obama to "change" our lives is not going to change anything, don't we? Have we forgotten that the real American Dream is awarded only to those who deserve it? Have we forgotten that WE THE PEOPLE are the heart of this nation? What has become of us? __________________ "... Rise up against... [tyranny] with the pessimism of the intellect, but with the optimism of the will." -Webster Tarpley

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
nice choice Obama!	I need LUNCH	Legalization/Decriminalization	10	12-20-2008 04:27 PM
ITT: You Explain to Me Why Obama is Bad/Evil/Not a good choice.	shibshib	Democratic Candidates	95	10-29-2008 12:37 PM
1st Amendment or 2nd Amendment. Make your choice.	shibshib	Surveys, Polls and Questions	19	10-10-2008 06:09 AM
Make a choice	Dark	Humor and Jokes	5	02-25-2008 08:02 PM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Advertising Register to Participate View Forum Leaders Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read

Hot Products:

Orange Krush - Legal Bud

Black Magic Solid Smokes

Vapir One Vaporizer