ShadowHM,Apr 15 2005, 02:16 PM Wrote:gekko @ Apr 15 2005, 02:36 PM Wrote:The problem with only enforcing behavior after the fact is that it fails to prevent problems in the first place.
Kind of like the drug laws? wink.gif
And socialization that doesn't emphasize that people are in fact responsible for their own choices has allowed many problems to exist. Misbehaviour while drunk used to be one of those 'Boys will be boys' kind of things that was socially permissible.
I would argue that some form of 'the devil made me do it' has been all too common in our society as a permissible excuse. Sadly, I fear it is getting worse, not better, too. Having a paternal government tell you what is safe and what is not, by caveat, is part and parcel of the problem.
Quote:My argument is that there ARE drugs (whether we can agree on exactly which ones or not) that are inherently too dangerous; it is not possible to use them responsibly. Therefore, it IS society's responsibility to ban those drugs, to the benefit of all.
I disagree. If the effects of recreational drugs are made known to the individual before they make their choice, then they, as individuals, should get to make that choice. Sure, there will be people who exercise poor judgement. (Like the guy who gave himself a heart attack with an overdose of Viagra.) What else is new?
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About me personally, I haven't used any illegal drugs (that includes cigarettes and alcohol), and I don't even drink caffeine or take aspirin or anything stronger much, and I don't plan on using any of the "fun" drugs.
I agree with the "need more responsibility in the culture". For me, the argument that "they might hurt other people" is a good one, and also if too many people hurt themselves really badly. However, when people cause themselves other problems with drugs, or even other things like sex or bad family decisions, they should be allowed to make their own decisions and screw up or succeed for themselves. So if someone wants to use drugs, they are free to use them, but they have no one to blame but themselves if they have job problems or relationship problems, and will have to get themselves treated and solve the problems themselves.
Personally, being responsible for yourself is one of the most important things to me, and effects a lot of my political viewpoints.
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The gloves come off, I'm playing hardball. It's fourth and 15 and you're looking at a full-court press. (Frank Drebin in The Naked Gun)
Some people in forums do the next best thing to listening to themselves talk, writing and reading what they write (source, my brother)