The whole point of free speech is not to make ideas exempt from criticism but to expose them to it.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Powers? Ellis? Wanna debate?

Ellis, for the first time in my experience in 600 posts on this blog, stood and answered a straight question. Kinda.

In answer to the question posed in the topic post below, Ellis said, "Marijuana may have some medicinal value in certain medical conditions."

Okay, that's progress. I followed up with, "Do you believe it is proper to jail people for attempting to alleviate their own suffering with a medicine that demonstrably alleviates it better than any other available?"

So far, he hasn't answered. Powers, what do you say?

I'll even amend the question. Do you believe it constructive to jail people for ingesting a substance? Again, anyone is free to chime in. I've asked Powers this several times over the past five years, and his response is usually to delete my question. Gets the neocon runs, I guess.

9 comments:

Bob Ellis said...

Non-response deleted by Newland.

Bob Newland said...

Ellis put up a comment without answering the question. I deleted it.

If you want to answer the question, Bob, try again. Otherwise, I am holding you in contempt of Decorum and you will not be seen around these parts again.

Neal said...

"Do you believe it constructive to jail people for ingesting a substance?"

If use of that substance poses a risk of harm to someone other than the user, then yes, it is constructive to jail such people.

Of course marijuana does not pose a significant threat, so it is not constructive to jail marijuana users.

taco said...

I don't think Bob Eliis should be censured for no better reason than a non-response.

Bill Fleming said...

Neal, which substances would that be? Just curious. Maybe some of these... especially the "cruciferous vegetables that belong to the genus Brassica?"

(see below)

;^)

From Wikipedia:

"Flatulence-producing foods are typically high in certain polysaccharides, (especially oligosaccharides such as inulin). Those foods include beans, lentils, dairy products, onions, garlic, scallions, leeks, turnips, rutabagas, radishes, sweet potatoes, potatoes, cashews, Jerusalem artichokes, oats, wheat, and yeast in breads.

Cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts and other cruciferous vegetables that belong to the genus Brassica are commonly reputed to not only increase flatulence, but to increase the pungency of the flatus."

Duffer said...

Interesting, this debate and ballot question in south duck.

Swat teams continue to dog I-90 - judging and jailing itinerants with no local connections at great cost to local taxpayers. Tin-horn cops, tough-guy prosecutors with political ambitions, and Roy-Bean judges continue to posture against the inevitable - all assisted by three votes on the Supreme Court that do not recognize the (Right to Privacy) as long as the end justifies the means.

In a couple months - California appears poised to legalize the use of cannabis by adults. Adjacent western states appear to be right on their heels. One would think it would be difficult to maintain the current level of vengeance by the LE bureaucracy toward adults that prefer to use cannabis - for whatever reason.

repete said...

It is nice to know what the ignorant people are (almost) thinking... it allows the rest of us to make better statements with more clarity which address some of the ignorance up front.

So Mr. Ellis, Would you be interested in a solution that would ultimately make for LESS people using MJ?
AND less people in society walking around stoned?
AND take the ease of access away from our children?
AND reduce the price we pay to maintain prisons and courts?
AND still manages to ease the suffering of chronically sick people?
If so, then IM 13 is for YOU!
(or are the current numbers of stoners and child dealers satisfactory for you?)

Of course he is afraid and won't listen to logic or BS.... He won't ever acknowledge any truth that goes against his current mentality.

Others have been listening and are accepting modern proven facts and other useful information. They are not afraid of learning something new.

Yep, time to just ignore Ellis. Arguing with him is like trying to convince a lump of coal to change it's color. Same mentality, same results.

Bill Dithmer said...

In logical debates on any subject there should be questions that are asked and answered not on emotional viewpoints but on recognized documentation from research that doesn’t have a preconceived outcome in mind. Admittedly on some subjects that information is hard to come by. In this case it is not only easy to find but hard to argue with.
It is interesting that when people that are against the use of medical cannabis talk about documentation they are in most cases talking about research that the government has paid for and in exchange expect certain results. I might remind the reader that it hasn’t been very long ago that even research on marijuana was illegal in this country except for those studies mentioned earlier. Now with the light shinning on studies funded by people and institutions that want to know the real facts the truth is coming out and those that want to continue the war on drugs are trying hard to suppress that truth.
Bob Newland please let Mr. Ellis back into the discussion I would very much like to debate a few questions with him. If he doesn’t bring documentation to support his arguments then you can continue to tell people what kind of man he really is. Bob Ellis I give you this from the Bible that you might understand. In Paul's letter to the Ephesians. Truth is what we have used to fight against the prohibitionists. And this is from me to you. Lets get it on!

Bill Dithmer said...

QUESTIONS FOR THE DEBATE
1. Why do you think medical cannabis should not be available to those that could get some relief from it use?
2. Do you believe that the use of medical cannabis can harm the general public and if so document how that harm might be seen.
3. Can you give us one example of a drug overdose on cannabis? and document that example?
4. Our attorney general just today told the public in a statement that there are safer drugs then marijuana, can you name one drug that is safer?
5. In some of your earlier statements you have told us that the use of pot causes the family to be weaker because of lost jobs, poor job performance, failure to take care of children, and poor community involvement. Can you document any of these charges for us?
6. You have stated that cannabis is a "gateway drug" can you show your proof through documentation?
7. Do you believe that marijuana causes violent behavior? If so please show that documentation.
8. Have you read the IM13 and if so can you tell us what parts you object to and why?
9. Do you think that marijuana should remain a schedule I drug and why? Again show some documentation to back up your thought process.
and 10. A lot of the anti IM13 talk revolves around the possibility of kids using their parents medical marijuana or getting prescriptions of their own from a doctor. Although these things are addressed in IM13 I would very much like to hear your thoughts on this subject. Also do you agree that in reality any kid can in a days time get pot from someone on the street any time they so desire?
Pat Powers feel free to jump in here Ill let anybody play.