Legalizing Marijuana and Making America Better

Marijuana, the age old soul-soother, has never been proved concretely by scientific studies to do damage to the brain. Yes, it can cause lung cancer, but so can secondhand smoke from sitting in a Pizza Hut too long. Marijuana is not actually physically addicting (meaning no with-drawl symptoms), rather only a mental bond is formed (just like a bond is formed between yourself and your favorite flavor of ice cream). It is legal in Holland (not all drugs are (i.e. hard drugs - heroine) - only soft drugs (i.e. pot)) to smoke pot. Bringing this kind of drug market to the ground level instead of doing underground trading decreases the risk of homicide where there is no longer a need to be secretive about hiding the ganja. If the government were to distribute and sell marijuana as a growing economy in the way that they do the same for cigarettes and alcohol, it would stimulate the economy and lower taxes (as brought up by my friend, Shana). Interesting to know - In Holland, they have menus in most restaurants/coffee shops called a "Joints a la Carte" menu where you can choose from a selection of potent joints to be rolled for you on the spot and served to you while you sip your coffee or enjoy a flapjack. Also, they have pre-rolled "singlets" - you purchase one, rip off the top of the package and the joint slides out, ready and easy for your convenience. Holland brings up another point - Prostitution, which is legal there as well. These woman (I suppose men as well) are specialized in this profession which is the oldest occupation known to man (selling sex). Making prostitution legal means better working conditions, they pay taxes, they are cleaner and healthier. The government better start thinking of how much better America could be if we looked to other countries as role-models rather than trying to set our own trends which end up crashing and burning in the end anyway...This comes straight from the Microsoft Encarta Reference Library 2003 Edition:

The effects of long-term marijuana use on the intellect have not been established, and there is no evidence that marijuana causes brain damage. Smoking marijuana can damage the lungs, however, and long-term use may increase the risk of lung cancer. Although marijuana is not physically addicting and no physical withdrawal symptoms occur when use is discontinued, psychological dependence develops in some 10 to 20 percent of long-term regular users (see Drug Dependence). Microsoft® Encarta® Reference Library 2003. © 1993-2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

All the Pretty Old Colors

Colorful, Eh?!

I remember when I was in 6th grade and these new colorful iMac computers hastily filled our computer lab and library. It was the first time I was able to experience Apples great "one-button mouse" everyday which I truly abhor/ed.

Low Carb Diets Going Too Far

Low Carb Bread

Now, this ^ is getting a little rediculous...don't you think?...Someone comment...PLEASE!!! Look, I know that people are beginning to be a little more health-conscious, but taking carbs out of bread is like extracting a soul from a human body (I'm not inferring that I am a believer in any religion - calm down and take your seats): it just can't be done and is not right. I can understand if everyone wants to be have a smooth tight body, but if you can't have a regular slice of toast!!!...you are too overweight, you might as well have gastric bypass surgery. I'm not making fun of "full-figured people" - it's just simply, please do not make bread into something that it's not, i.e. healthy, which would be destroying bread as we know it and have known it for thousands of years.

Punks...

Toward the end of today, it was brought up that i have a "punk attitude", or something like that, by an ex-bestfriend from 7th grade. I was then told that I am not viewed as a punk and could never pull off the true punk style and that it does not fit my personality (going on to list negative qualities that "punks" have)(at least that is what was inferred - and that's not just my own interpretation) by another friend. I, personally, do not look at the "punk lifestyle" in a negative way. I see "them" as fun but at times withdrawn into total observation of things going on around them which brings to life the trueness of life itself and bestows a certain understanding of people on the observer. These punks are individualists who may follow a certain "trend" or "group", but who doesn't? Who can actually claim to be an individualist unless they make their own clothes, be "god" and create new attitudes, and create a whole new world only for themselves? So, that rules out that just because they hold the category title of "punk" they are still individualists. Upon asking others "what do you think of when you think of the "punk lifestyle" and "punks" themselves", they replied: Individuality, hot topic, smokers, people that hang out on street corners chilling (this person said that some punks she know do not smoke) Another just replied "Avril" Perhaps "going goth" would be a more in depth subject. As for both, drugs are not necessarily associated and linked with these (punk and goth) lifestyles, but rather "assumed" by onlookers who do not understand the concept of "E pluribus unum" and "individuality" on it's highest level. Unorthodoxly styled hair and coloring is also associated with the punk and goth lifestyles, which seems to show individuality in itself and seems to really define who "these people" really are. Please comment on your thoughts of the punk and goth lifestyle, no matter what they are.