REGARDING MARIJUANA - WHY DO SO MANY POLITICIAN'S IN THE UNITED STATES SEEM SO, "OUT OF TOUCH WITH REALITY"??? PART ONE.

We're going to view, analyze and deconstruct one letter of response from each of two unnamed US Senators, picked at random.The topic is a bill being introduced into Congress to move cannabis from Schedule One to Schedule Two; along par with heroin and Oxycontin: US NEWS - Federal Marijuana "Decriminalization". 

The goal is to recognize and honor the right of states to regulate marijuana on their own terms without federal intervention. The is federalism... something our forefathers were very much divided upon. It all goes back to what a fledgling nation should be constructed of.

European history is very ancient, something Americans tend not to understand. If America had not been where it is, unknown as it was, only to be discovered as early as the 1400's, modern day history would obviously have been very different. By 1620 however the first of many colonists arrived in the New World. They were people who wanted a new beginning, a new world to live in.

Which brings me back to federalism, the right of states to govern themselves while a federal government does little more than settle disputes between the states and negotiate with foreign countries. Many forefathers favored this form of government like Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin. Others favored a democracy, which oddly enough means having one very strong central government, elected by the people. There would be little in the way of state's rights under a democracy.

The whole goal our forefathers had was to fashion a government that could not become oppressive and controlling like that of England. At the time King's Soldiers could enter any house at will to search and seize anything not claimed on taxes due. That is what ultimately led to the Boston Tea Party. Colonists protesting the King's right to invade a persons privacy and extort extravagant taxes.

Having won the Revolutionary War, our founding fathers created the US Constitution. The Constitution was a sacred, legal document defining a democracy. It implied no rights to the states. At the time as famously know there were 13 Colonies. All had different ideas for life in the New World.

Of particular concern drafting the Constitution were the rights of states... something that bothered some of those who signed the US Constitution. They signed it with a promise, a Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights is a federalism accomplishment, and it's existence is exhibit A of why the the controversy over marijuana exists today.

If there were no Bill of Rights out-lining the rights of states and individuals with those states, our federal government would be there to decide it all for us. It's something they, the Federal Government tries to do often.

Marijuana was placed into/as a Schedule One drug in 1970. At that point it became extremely illegal to possess and use. The purpose of Schedule One is to classify extremely dangerous drugs into a category from where there is no return. Drugs in this category mean they are extremely dangerous. There is zero medical benefit, they are extremely addictive.

Deep six drugs in this category!

Trouble is, marijuana was only temporarily placed as a Schedule One drug back in 1970 at Nixon's urging. He promised a complete, independent review of marijuana which would decide it's permanent status. I have written numerous times before about Nixon's Blue Ribbon, Shaffer Committee, which was to decide upon the danger and virtue of marijuana.

The Shaffer committee found no reason to schedule marijuana. It recommended legalization. Nixon pulled strings, established marijuana as a permanent Schedule One drug based upon no scientific justification, and history and the War on drugs came to be.

Fast forward to 2015, almost 78 after marihuana prohibition started, when now 3 states have legalized marijuana for "recreational use" and around 21 states have legalized medical use. This goes back several decades to where in the 70's many states reduced penalties and Oregon adopted a Constitution amendment legalizing marijuana.

The problem is the federal government and marijuana being a Schedule One drug under federal law.

The bill to honor states rights in this matter is extremely important. So I wrote my Congressmen. in Part Two we will review, discus and deconstruct their responses to plea to say yes.

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MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND COMMON SENSE REFORM

In 40 years I still don't understand marijuana prohibition. Someone asked me the other day why I was so obsessed with legalization? I wanted say simply, it's wrong to persecute people because of it, however I felt the individual knew that already. I answered at age 20 I had an undiagnosed condition of autism and PTSD. I was immune to my surroundings, making friends, feeling a part of the world and a member of society. School was a do what you're told, as was my home life, my life in general.

Nothing happened the first time I smoked marijuana, in Florida around a campfire. But the smell of it lingers today. That is actually a common phenomenon. Not feeling "high" the first or second time. I'm unaware of any studies about this. I will let you know when I do.

I was 16 then and extremely anti-pot... so why did I do it? To feel cool? To mesh with the crowd?

I did it because I did it. I was on vacation in Florida and I didn't feel compelled to say no.

3 years later that changed, as I've written previously. Back in my hometown with a childhood friend, about age 19, we met another friend. He offered us pot. Being in my hometown, I freaked inside, thought about calling the police, running, scolding my friend. I got my wits about me, as did my other friend apparently who must have had similar thoughts, and we went to our friens house and got stoned.

Oh, I felt it... opened up the whole world to me. I was suddenly conscious of life and it's beauty. I became aware of others and more interested in learning.

Yes, so I'm a proponent of legaliztion. Which only makes me wonder when I read stuff like this posted on Alternet:

AlterNet's 5 Ways Pot is bad...

Over the edge in my opinion. I understand educating the public, but this is not education, a waste of tax-payer money. Apparently the ads are targeted towards youth. Give them PTSD before they're old enough to try it (pot). Do they get similar alcohol, tobacco education? I have to wonder. This is in states that have legalized it's use for adults like Colorado. The prohibitionists still trying to enforce their moral values and hysterics.

Even in states where marijuana is legal for medicinal use the red tape is extraordinary. One would thing  they were signing up to possess a nuke. One can own a gun with little or no hassle. Is all this red tape really necessary for something on par with coffee??? Maine Medical Marijuana Law - PDF Three states have now legalized marijuana for use by adults. Where is the colossal wave of homicides, rapes, suicides often attributed to it's use?

It's a plant. After a few years getting high it's not about getting "high".... for those suffering from debilitating conditions it's a godsend, cannabis has very few side effects, and it's effective even if the high gradually wanes, with little inherit desire to find a higher high, though that may happen. Getting high is enjoyable, but it's also therapeutic. I find that exciting.

AlterNet's 4 Ways Cannabis is good for you...

HOW TO ACHEIVE AN (UN)SUCCESSFUL INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP [WITH A WOMAN]

Happy Valentines day. Valentine's Day celebrates being struck in the heart by the arrow from Cupid's bow. Struck down and in love.

Which I'm not... haven't been for almost 10 years - taking time off just because I'm occupied with other things these days, I'll be moving soon and it's complicated. Soon I do hope to be struck down by the arrow of love. As has happened many times in the past.

How to achieve a successful relationship once it happens? Or in my experience, how to fuck it up unintentionally?

My first relationship was when I was in 8th grade. A girl named Brenda. It was a very sharp hit by Cupid's bow. We kissed a lot, talked on the phone for hours - the subject of what she was wearing, her breasts came up. I gave her my fathers chain bracelet he'd given me. She gave me one in return. Other than kissing we didn't know what to do... the thought of sex didn't occur to me, nor do I think to her. For one week we were in paradise together.

Then, for reasons I don't remember we broke up. My first broken heart. I was surprised when two weeks later she wanted to make up with me. Something my naive mind said, "once broken up there is no getting back together". So I told her, "no". Then, several years later, a surprise phone call from Brenda. "How was I? Thinking of you. Do I want to meet?" 

Again I said "no". Idiot. And when several years after that when I realized I was an idiot I tried to call her. I got her mother; she wouldn't allow me to talk with her. She was stable, in a relationship. Go away and don't call back.

Alrighty then... mommy speaking for her 40-something year old daughter. I had wanted to apologize. That's all.

Oh, but I didn't spend my life mulling and pursuing Brenda. My first relationship that lasted was when I was 16, her name was Diane. Her cousin who I worked with fixed us up. It lasted 3 years. I was 19 when I broke up with her and I only remember two things we did together. I remember sitting on the couch in their living room with her. I remember her parents would go upstairs; out of sight, out of my mind. Sometimes they would be out. We would embrace and kiss and I could feel her body outside her clothing only. In 3 years I never actually was successful getting my hand on her naked breasts. The other thing I remember is she would only kiss closed mouth; no French kissing.

I asked her about it once while we were on her porch. I asked, "why won't you French kiss?"

She said, "I had a boyfriend before you who I did that with and he left me".

Water under the bridge.

By age 21 I had met Sue. I had been living on my own for two years and it was inevitable that this virgin meet his match.

Sue was a woman-kid, full of energy and vitality. It was a miracle, our having a relationship.

I met Sue at a party. Somehow we were introduced or I or her said "Hi". I didn't have a car at the time... I was on a minimal living overhead rebellion at the time. I asked her for a lift home.

Sue had dark brown hair, big, dark brown eyes, stood about 5'2" and was built. She was very amiable. I felt very relaxed with her, and I was in her car as she drove me home. I was in love, only I didn't know it then. I didn't ask her for her phone number though I knew what town she lived in. I won't admit to being an idiot, I mean things ended up working out (more about that in few seconds) and that wasn't the last time that happened, that I didn't take advantage of an opportunity.

I was raised during the 1950's. A pretty weird time. I was too young for "Happy Days" or to know anything about the Rock and Roll revolution. I learned prejudice (which fortunately by age 21 I had chucked away) and rigid moral/personal restriction. Finding a woman, dating, getting engaged and married, having 2.5 children, buying a house with a white picket fence in an upscale part of town, that was life.

Every situation I would find myself that impression would act upon me. So no, I didn't ask Sue for her phone # because something within me told me not to. So days later I was hurting to find her. I had some info... I don't recall what... I made a phone call, got a woman who I thought was her and we talked for 15 minutes until she realized I hadn't called to speak with her... we laughed and she gave me Sue's phone number.

I called her. We arranged a date, at her house for dinner. Wow, meet the parents the first night. I arranged a ride home with a friend when later came, and set out for a ten-mile walk to her house. It was a walk that would take me a quarter of the way around the southeast end of a lake. A storm blew in and with it torrential rain. I was soaked to the bone by the time I arrived at Sue's house around 7PM. Her mother took my clothes giving me some temporary ones while she dried my wet clothes. We sat down to a great Italian spaghetti dinner, where I was reprimanded only once for using my bread to swipe up sauce.

We agreed to meet again, but of course I didn't set a date then, instead I went home and lamented upon my situation which was really a non-issue.

I bent my friend Keven's ear, telling of my fears that I was imaging her interest in me. That she must have a boyfriend, she was just being nice. My mind was chugging away at all the reasons it couldn't work. Then my friend said, "well if you don't call her surely someone else will". The answer appeared suddenly in the front of my eyes. Call her and ask her out, gee, why not?

Sue was my first "real" girlfriend. We did everything together. We fucked like rabbits. Then she got the idea she wanted to fuck other guys too. That was after we'd found an apartment together which upset both our parents. My mother accused me "of playing house". Living in sin in a make believe house. Other men were attracted to Sue, and would invite her out and call. At first she said, "no". But it was on her mind. What should have been on my mind was asking her to be my wife, forget other men, be mine. But that is what our parents were drilling into us. So it became the "Valentine's Day Rebellion" when she went to have lunch with an ex-boyfriend and came home crying that he'd raped her. She filed charges and the relationship was off to rough waters.

She had other relationships after that she would tell me about. I would tell her, "I don't own you, I love you".

The relationship actually lasted 3 and 1/2 years... and we parted as friends. Over the next few decades this "open relationship" concept would come up many times in many ways. Sometimes I was the other man and other times it was the same old, "I don't own you". I was adamant that jealousy would not be a part of my relationships.

I think now at age 60 it's not about "ownership" at all. That is just one more odd idea I've had over the years. Sure it's easy to say, "I just never met the 'right' woman". But I have. And I let them go. Too many times.

I'm not suggesting jealousy is good for a relationship. I'm not even saying an "open-relationship concept" can't work; it can. I have a long time friend, who is married to a woman I met years ago. I was leaving to move to Arizona at the time from New York State where I grew up. Her name was Joni. She was of South pacific origin, black hair, tan skin, slender with small breasts and big dark eyes. I didn't move away for long and when I returned she had ironically been matched up with Earl, my best friend.

Joni was like me; very hesitant to get wrapped up into a relationship, or marriage. The 3 of us ended up living together in the country and often Joni and I would gt naked in bed and play, getting each other off, but without ever having intercourse. I had other girlfriends at the time - this was simply something we did.

What I'm saying with regards to open relationships is we are an immature species when it comes to relationships. We are still mostly going by instinct and behavioral models. Relationships are way more complicated than with what resources we are provided in life to deal with such a thing.

In 1981 I moved to Boston and one of my first out of state guests were Earl and Joni. They stayed for a weekend. Earl told me while Joni went to the bathroom that Joni wanted to have sex with me. So the three of us ended up falling into bed to have a weekend of sex.

After that weekend Earl and Joni got married and have lived happily ever after.

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

A LAIR CAN ALSO BE A PRISON...

Sorry... been awhile, though the end-of-year holidays can have that effect.

So yes, a lair , one's home can be a prison. I rent, a room in an old farmhouse... I live with a man and a woman - the woman owns the home.

A little background is called for, but hold on to those conservative, right-wing principles!

I met the "woman" in 1999. We met from a dating ad - the old fashioned kind where it was from a dating magazine. We hit it off, dated and moved in together. I lived her for 6 years. Best years of my life, obviously with bad days.

This woman was divorced. Her ex-husband is a fervent Baptist. They were married 20 some years and raised two children together. He could often be found reading his Bible while she worked and took care of the children. He was doing his part - "trusting in the Lord and Savior".

After 20 some years he found this woman to be absent from religion. And she is. The actions that followed are ludicrous to me, but as the story goes he discussed this with his pastor, discussed finding someone else more religious. The pastor disagreed. Didn't matter. The husband went hunting and found a mistress, once accomplished annouced he wanted a divorce.

By the time I met her she was a mess, having been in and out of odd relationships. We hit it off big-time. We had good years together, but one thing nagged at her, the fact that she had missed out on so much while married to the asshole.

The asshole who she still has a $150,000 life insurance policy for. But I'm jumping ahead.

Around 5 years into the relationship she was frustrated. She like me a lot, but thought about other guys. We discussed it. I told her, "I don't own you", but that works both ways. So we began an open relationship... she got to meet other guys, and I was lucky enough to meet another wonderful woman myself. Wonderful until she found out, when I asked her, if she was okay with pot, and that was a year later... it had never come up. She freaked! Asked me to leave and I did.

Meanwhile this woman ends up meeting the guy she's with now. We become friend and she buys this old farmhouse. The next several years are great, then the Great Recession hits home. It's almost 5 years my lair is my sacred place and my prison. Oh, I work, am gone a lot, but coming home it not great.

So I'm looking at my age, to buy a house. Time to move out.

A daunting task.

Oh, yeah... almost forgot. The notion of an "Open Relationships"? They don't work, they suck.