From: allane@earth.gas.unsw.OZ.AU.gas.unsw.OZ.AU (Allan Evans)
Subject: Re: Drug testing and welfare
Organization: University of New South Wales
Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1992 04:03:40 GMT

In article Jenni Sheehey <JMS111@psuvm.psu.edu> bares the soul of
a closet Jesse Helms:
> yarvin@highlite.uucp (Curtis Yarvin) says:
> >
> >"Why is doing drugs wrong?"
> >        "Because it's illegal."
> >
> >"Why are drugs illegal?"
> >        "Because, uh, they're _wrong_."
> 
> No.  "Why shouldn't people use money to buy illegal drugs?"
>          "Because they're illegal."

Now THATS a fuckin great answer. Kissing before marriage and rock music
are illegal in Iran, but thats OK cause lawmakers always know best.

>      "Why are drugs illegal?"
>         "Because people who are now probably dead, but were
>          elected by citizens of this country, made a law against
>          it.  I don't think it's wise to use them, but if you
>          think they're ok, you're welcome to try to change the
>          law."

Right. This discounts the fact that many laws are formulated to placate 
a vocal minority, irrespective of the many that may disagree with the 
premise of the law. In a simpleton's democracy, the group that can garner
an arithmetic majority in a governing parliament/council/congress/whatever
can decide what laws are passed and when they are passed. In a pluralistic
liberal democracy a single groups will should not be forced onto the rest
of society: if you want to believe in something, GREAT, but get the fuck off
my cloud. In most 'democracies' at the moment having stupid laws changed is
a difficult thing to do, especially when you have some idiot like Jesse 
Helms in a position of power. HE does not represent the majority's opinion, 
yet he influences laws that affect all Americans. Most of us are too busy
earning enough money just to live, we don't have the luxury of devoting time
to create another bloody pressure group.

> >Peeve: people of such feeble moral sense that they have to latch onto their
> >neighbors', like ants in a flood-ball.  Look, peaches, _you_ might think
> >everything that's legal is right and everything that's illegal is wrong,
> >but some of us have a less sheeplike view of life, and we don't appreciate
> >being sheared along with the rest of the flock.
> 
> Peeve: People who assume that everyone who disagrees with them has
> poorly thought out views.

Peeve: People with poorly thought out views that assume that anyone that 
       disagrees with them have poorly thought out views.
> 
> >When I think the law is wrong, I _break_ it.
> 
> Peeve: People who think that disobedience is better than reform.

Peeve: People who assume that reform will be acted upon just because someone 
makes a level-headed and logical argument for change.

Tell the ANC in You-Know-Where about the ease of getting reform WHEN YOU'RE A 
VERY VOCAL AND WELL ORGANIZED MAJORITY...and then come back and let us know how
YOU would set all idiotic, repressive and discriminatory laws straight.

> "rendering unto Caesar".  It is possible to fix a situation which you
> feel to be intolerable by means other than self-righteously doing
> whatever you like.

True. But in our present society reform only occurs when the shit hits the fan.
What many consider to be minor inconveniences (even if they are unjust) are 
never dealt with. Besides... if all the money that was now spent attempting to
enforce drug LAWS was spent on the HEALTH PROBLEM of drug addiction, then things
might improve. Even if they didn't get better, it should be obvious to even the
most blind idiot that making drugs illegal hasn't prevented their use... all it
does is funnel money straight into CRIME.

Peeve: "It's illegal... it must be WRONG"
 
Bah. Humbug. 

Al
in Oz
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