In Pot We Trust

I would like to start by making it clear this is not an attack against people who smoke weed, like weed, grow weed, or even sell weed. This is just my perspective on the issue of marijuana in America. Now that this has been said its time to get to the issue at hand. I just don't understand the infatuation with this plant that grows from the earth. I know I know it takes you to the clouds, it makes you feel good, gives you a euphoric feeling and all those other good things. It also can put you in jail, put you on probation, and sometimes costs you a job because you can't take that drug test. I have never tried marijuana, not because I never had the opportunity or because I'm scared of being high, but because it against the law. A lot people have told me things like "you don't know what you're missing out on" and "man I do everything better when I'm high" yet I still have no desire to burn anything down and my reason is it's STILL AGAINST THE LAW! My biggest issue with marijuana is not that it can send me to the clouds, but that it can send me to jail. Moreover I just can't understand why the idea of smoking on an illegal drug is considered so glamorous. It's gotten to the point where you can't go to a party, kickback, or any social function without someone deciding to permeate the air with the smell of burned grass. Its almost so bad that it may be easier to count the number of my friends who don't smoke weed then my friends who do.The promotion of a high culture is imminent on TV, in our music, even in our political figures (Bill Clinton and Barack Obama). I've even given some thought to how the U.S. would be in the event that they do legalize the green stuff and I think its actually a scary thought to me. A whole entire nation of people who's minds have been altered on drugs will probably do nothing for the progression of the nation as a whole. Police officers, fire fighters, teacher and principals smoking weed on their lunch breaks just doesn't sit right with me for some reason. 

 My regard for the law goes very far and I don't want to compromise my freedom or my future for a euphoric feeling. The ends don't really outweigh the means to me. I do understand the perspectives on marijuana and the reasons people want it to be legalized and I also understand the arguments against the legalization of marijuana, but the at the end of the day and until further notice it is still illegal and that alone is the ultimate determining factor of why I don't do it. 

My advice to weed user:

1. Just obey the law so you don't find yourself in a position where you are at the mercy of the law. 

2.If you're going to do it ...don't broadcast it. Nobody needs to see any pictures of you rolling up a joint or any pictures of how big your stash of weed is just be careful how you broadcast yourself because "Big Brother" sees everything. 

Pot is not going anywhere and by writing this I'm not trying persuade you one way or the other on the usage of marijuana. A lot of people have taken comfort in the effects of this plant and feel like it is their right to be able light it up us as much as they feel, after all we are entitled to life, liberty, and the "pursuit of happiness"!!!!

So what do you think? Do you share my sentiments? Should marijuana be legalized? Why/Why not?

I Value .....Values

Values. Believing in something, having some foundation and making decisions based on that foundation. Where have they gone ? I don't see them anymore and they have been replaced. Family isn't as important, friends are not as loyal, and relationships have no substance beyond sex. What is the problem? Where did we go wrong? What mistakes did we make that brought us to this point? See I have been thinking long and hard and I asked all of the close people around this very same question and they all have different reasons for this problem. I will say this and this is just an opinion, but I do believe people no longer value having values. Now believe me I do not think that ALL people don't have values or don't care about the things that they do, but I do think that fundamental idea of having some sort of belief structure is gone in society. People are more selfish, cold, and inconsiderate. Friendships are formed based on proximity only and once that proximity is gone the so called loyalty is gone. Relationships have no sense of longevity and people don't feel like being faithful is even a requirement to being committed. Its frustrating because I believe that we can do better. I blame the television. It is one of the best creations, but also one of the worst because of what primarily is displayed. There is nothing of substance being portrayed through the media and the majority of America is being raised by the television. Looking at these celebrities who get married and then get divorced right after a couple of years together. The overly sexual images have made sex less and less sacred and more and more of a social "thing to do". The days are gone where people care about their reputations because the bar has been set so low now and days that a man taking care of his children is considered some sort of amazing accolade. I just feel that it is time to raise the bar and become people of integrity and do things that people with integrity do.

Sam