I think it’s cool that CA will have legalized recreational weed as of Monday because a) it’s my intoxicant of choice, and b) IMHO, it is not the government’s place to tell anyone what they may or may not put into their own bodies.
The “War on Drugs” has had a strong racist component from its inception and has eroded liberty egregiously for more than a century. Should someone be locked in a cage for the simple act of smoking a flower?
Should they have all their possessions confiscated on the mere suspicion of having traded in “forbidden” flowers?
Should militarized -- and ill-trained -- yoonyun goons knock down their doors in the middle of the night, hold their children at gunpoint (or toss grenades into their cribs), shoot their dogs, trash their homes, etc. because they might possess unapproved plants?
America ought to have learned from alcohol prohibition; sadly, we didn’t.
Can’t argue. I have shifted on this issue but I do feel strongly that we must stop considering it an excuse or putting responsibility anywhere but on the user. You can not have freedom without responsibility.. It can be harsh but it is the cost of freedom and must be accepted. People can not use drugs and expect society to pick up their responsibilities to their families or their victims. It is the same with gun owners being responsible for any harm they do to innocent parties.
I also feel that people who do not want to live in a police State must accept responsibility for protecting themselves and their loved ones. You can not be a sheep and think you control the Shepard. Police have a place in a civil society but it can not be master or alpha dog if they are not to end up above the little people. It can not be us and them, with police, politicians, or any other public employees.
Thank you, Sven. He reached out to me on Facebook PM to express his displeasure. I told him the other folks still cared a great deal about him and I spoke for myself. I do feel sorry for him and told him this, but I am not a fan and felt he was out of line and owed them an apology (not me). I told him this too.
He’s not happy with any of us, really, except for maybe a few gerbils. I hadn’t realized that he thought of us as concern trolls, though. That was kind of a shock, but…yeah, I couldn’t fix jack in the situation and my only use would be to poke the Frisch-pedobear, so not much of real assistance. And regardless, I do hope for them (and the rest of the free world) to be free of her.
I agree with both of you -- I have no problem with all currently illegal drugs being made legal as long as you don’t ask me to pick up the tab for any bad outcomes that arise from your drug use.
Happy Caturday, Gerbil Nation!
Good morning, Fatwa, Sven, and Mac!
In no particular order:
-- I went to a presentation by a local judge (who was running for Congress) on the idea of legalizing drugs. He spoke about liberty, freedom, and responsibility. He also discussed the potential problems and ways that society could deal with them. I think he had the right idea. This was back in the early 80’s.
-- I read through the Facebook group messages last night that Mac is referring to. I understand Jeff G.’s position and don’t blame him for being angry enough to rip the limbs off of members of the justice system who can’t be bothered to do their jobs and/or follow the law. I also think that Mac is right and Jeff G. owes an apology to a bunch of Gerbils.
-- The Rose Parade float is coming along nicely. We’ll go in a bit later than usual today because we will be working until the wee hours of the morning to finish things up.
I’m not on Facebook, so I don’t know what all was written, but I recall several years ago, Jeff was really upset with GN -- that we didn’t do enough to help him out while Sinner and the rest got famous off of his troubles. Or something along those lines.
I really enjoyed PW over the years -- didn’t agree with everything that Jeff wrote, but he was usually thoughtful and entertaining. But I also recall him complaining that readers weren’t sending him enough money to read his blog. He could be quite petulant at times.
If the legal side of the state won’t do their jobs, then maybe he should just plan on handling this thing himself. There’s no good answers to his situation.
I got an e-mail from her recently and she does think about and miss the Gerbils.. I think your card will mean a lot to her. She feels bad she just can not reply most of the time as she is weak and exhausted. She is hopeful as this is the first year in some time she has not yet had a winter illness. She is as sweet and courageous as always. She does not write often but asked me to keep her informed. She knows I understand and don’t expect her to reply much so she is comfortable with it.
I have not been a fan of Jeff G. but looked in to follow her. I contributed when Sinner asked us to and I felt sorry for him and his family but he does not appeal to me. I took it to be me being too stiff or something but when he picked a fight with Patterico and some of his commenters I had no more interest in him. I erased and toned down what I first wrote but he took great umbrage of the word “tantrum” so I guess it was still a bit strong.
She has certainly been terrible to him and his family and I don’t defend her in the least but he put himself very out there, taking pride in being the “Outlaw!” and poking the bear. At the same time he exposed way too much about his family and himself. I can’t help but reflect on how it bothered me then when he whines now about what she does. I didn’t say this to him as it’s not my business but it effects my attitude and it makes me a slight bit less willing to overlook his swipes at the Gerbils who tried to help him last night. Boasting of being the tough guy outlaw while whining about your victimhood does not mix well.
“Boasting of being the tough guy outlaw while whining about your victimhood does not mix well.”
Well put, Mac. It clarifies some of my own misgivings about Jeff that I was never able to clearly articulate.
Several months ago, a really good guy at work made a mistake that brought some systems down. It was a big deal, but these things happen. Your words about Jeff brought the event to mind as this guy’s boss plays the tough guy management style. Ex-military, biker type, no nonsense, get it done. I’ll out swear, out fight, out f*ck, and out drink anyone in the room type of persona. Anyhow, this boss publicly reamed this guy up one side and down the other until this good guy -- a guy who will stay late, help anyone that needs it, and never complain -- said something that the boss purposely misconstrued as a threat. And off to HR they went resulting in a 2-week suspension plus some other punitive measures.
You can’t play the tough guy and then run to HR, even if it was a real threat. Like you said: it doesn’t mix well.
I hate to see that. In many years as a manager I can count the times I raised my voice in public on one hand and have fingers left over. I was not a pushover. I had many other managers and owners say I was expecting too much from people or I was playing God. I did not and would not nag my people. I trained them right, told them what I expected, and called them to account, in private, when they failed. I did not have to raise my voice and my people listened. I almost never gave orders, I asked. When I had been in charge at the plumbing warehouse for some months I fired my foreman. Some of the employees were shocked as they thought he was my boss. I did not need to throw weight around and I have little respect for people who do.
I was on FB last night, and following along and putting in my own oar…but another gerbil took the brunt of it. Here’s the thing as far as I’m concerned: We were worried for Jeff G., and wanted to provide at least emotional support, but it wasn’t really about him. It was and is about a horrible, threatening, abusive criminal who should be kept from children at all costs.
If he sees all of us as concern trolls, which he apparently he does, then I’m ok with that I guess. I certainly never had more to offer than low-rent support and he wouldn’t ever miss that.
Frisch, OTOH, needs to be hounded and pounded and I’m still down for that. A good use for my acerbic ways, I’d say.
Caturday salutations, Wheelizens!
I think it’s cool that CA will have legalized recreational weed as of Monday because a) it’s my intoxicant of choice, and b) IMHO, it is not the government’s place to tell anyone what they may or may not put into their own bodies.
The “War on Drugs” has had a strong racist component from its inception and has eroded liberty egregiously for more than a century. Should someone be locked in a cage for the simple act of smoking a flower?
Should they have all their possessions confiscated on the mere suspicion of having traded in “forbidden” flowers?
Should militarized -- and ill-trained -- yoonyun goons knock down their doors in the middle of the night, hold their children at gunpoint (or toss grenades into their cribs), shoot their dogs, trash their homes, etc. because they might possess unapproved plants?
America ought to have learned from alcohol prohibition; sadly, we didn’t.
Can’t argue. I have shifted on this issue but I do feel strongly that we must stop considering it an excuse or putting responsibility anywhere but on the user. You can not have freedom without responsibility.. It can be harsh but it is the cost of freedom and must be accepted. People can not use drugs and expect society to pick up their responsibilities to their families or their victims. It is the same with gun owners being responsible for any harm they do to innocent parties.
Absolutely!
I also feel that people who do not want to live in a police State must accept responsibility for protecting themselves and their loved ones. You can not be a sheep and think you control the Shepard. Police have a place in a civil society but it can not be master or alpha dog if they are not to end up above the little people. It can not be us and them, with police, politicians, or any other public employees.
And again, could not agree more.
Jeff G. is not happy with me.
What did you do now, Mac?
Good morning, Sven. I opened my mouth again. The prig in me is still strong, I guess.
Even without knowing the details, I’m a lot more likely to side with you than otherwise. If he’s unhappy with you, that’s his problem.
Thank you, Sven. He reached out to me on Facebook PM to express his displeasure. I told him the other folks still cared a great deal about him and I spoke for myself. I do feel sorry for him and told him this, but I am not a fan and felt he was out of line and owed them an apology (not me). I told him this too.
He’s not happy with any of us, really, except for maybe a few gerbils. I hadn’t realized that he thought of us as concern trolls, though. That was kind of a shock, but…yeah, I couldn’t fix jack in the situation and my only use would be to poke the Frisch-pedobear, so not much of real assistance. And regardless, I do hope for them (and the rest of the free world) to be free of her.
Good morning,
I agree with both of you -- I have no problem with all currently illegal drugs being made legal as long as you don’t ask me to pick up the tab for any bad outcomes that arise from your drug use.
Reading JG’s twitter feed, I see that SWMNBN is back out on the streets.
Yes, it’s quite disgusting.
Happy Caturday, Gerbil Nation!
Good morning, Fatwa, Sven, and Mac!
In no particular order:
-- I went to a presentation by a local judge (who was running for Congress) on the idea of legalizing drugs. He spoke about liberty, freedom, and responsibility. He also discussed the potential problems and ways that society could deal with them. I think he had the right idea. This was back in the early 80’s.
-- I read through the Facebook group messages last night that Mac is referring to. I understand Jeff G.’s position and don’t blame him for being angry enough to rip the limbs off of members of the justice system who can’t be bothered to do their jobs and/or follow the law. I also think that Mac is right and Jeff G. owes an apology to a bunch of Gerbils.
-- The Rose Parade float is coming along nicely. We’ll go in a bit later than usual today because we will be working until the wee hours of the morning to finish things up.
Thank you, Paddy. I respect your opinion on these matters and it means a lot.
I’m not on Facebook, so I don’t know what all was written, but I recall several years ago, Jeff was really upset with GN -- that we didn’t do enough to help him out while Sinner and the rest got famous off of his troubles. Or something along those lines.
I really enjoyed PW over the years -- didn’t agree with everything that Jeff wrote, but he was usually thoughtful and entertaining. But I also recall him complaining that readers weren’t sending him enough money to read his blog. He could be quite petulant at times.
If the legal side of the state won’t do their jobs, then maybe he should just plan on handling this thing himself. There’s no good answers to his situation.
I mailed a Christmas card to Harper and David -- hope they got it and that both of them are doing well.
I got an e-mail from her recently and she does think about and miss the Gerbils.. I think your card will mean a lot to her. She feels bad she just can not reply most of the time as she is weak and exhausted. She is hopeful as this is the first year in some time she has not yet had a winter illness. She is as sweet and courageous as always. She does not write often but asked me to keep her informed. She knows I understand and don’t expect her to reply much so she is comfortable with it.
Good luck with the float, Paddy. Looks like nice weather this year.
I have not been a fan of Jeff G. but looked in to follow her. I contributed when Sinner asked us to and I felt sorry for him and his family but he does not appeal to me. I took it to be me being too stiff or something but when he picked a fight with Patterico and some of his commenters I had no more interest in him. I erased and toned down what I first wrote but he took great umbrage of the word “tantrum” so I guess it was still a bit strong.
She has certainly been terrible to him and his family and I don’t defend her in the least but he put himself very out there, taking pride in being the “Outlaw!” and poking the bear. At the same time he exposed way too much about his family and himself. I can’t help but reflect on how it bothered me then when he whines now about what she does. I didn’t say this to him as it’s not my business but it effects my attitude and it makes me a slight bit less willing to overlook his swipes at the Gerbils who tried to help him last night. Boasting of being the tough guy outlaw while whining about your victimhood does not mix well.
But maybe I’m being unfair. Sorry to vent a bit.
“Boasting of being the tough guy outlaw while whining about your victimhood does not mix well.”
Well put, Mac. It clarifies some of my own misgivings about Jeff that I was never able to clearly articulate.
Several months ago, a really good guy at work made a mistake that brought some systems down. It was a big deal, but these things happen. Your words about Jeff brought the event to mind as this guy’s boss plays the tough guy management style. Ex-military, biker type, no nonsense, get it done. I’ll out swear, out fight, out f*ck, and out drink anyone in the room type of persona. Anyhow, this boss publicly reamed this guy up one side and down the other until this good guy -- a guy who will stay late, help anyone that needs it, and never complain -- said something that the boss purposely misconstrued as a threat. And off to HR they went resulting in a 2-week suspension plus some other punitive measures.
You can’t play the tough guy and then run to HR, even if it was a real threat. Like you said: it doesn’t mix well.
I hate to see that. In many years as a manager I can count the times I raised my voice in public on one hand and have fingers left over. I was not a pushover. I had many other managers and owners say I was expecting too much from people or I was playing God. I did not and would not nag my people. I trained them right, told them what I expected, and called them to account, in private, when they failed. I did not have to raise my voice and my people listened. I almost never gave orders, I asked. When I had been in charge at the plumbing warehouse for some months I fired my foreman. Some of the employees were shocked as they thought he was my boss. I did not need to throw weight around and I have little respect for people who do.
I was on FB last night, and following along and putting in my own oar…but another gerbil took the brunt of it. Here’s the thing as far as I’m concerned: We were worried for Jeff G., and wanted to provide at least emotional support, but it wasn’t really about him. It was and is about a horrible, threatening, abusive criminal who should be kept from children at all costs.
If he sees all of us as concern trolls, which he apparently he does, then I’m ok with that I guess. I certainly never had more to offer than low-rent support and he wouldn’t ever miss that.
Frisch, OTOH, needs to be hounded and pounded and I’m still down for that. A good use for my acerbic ways, I’d say.