Once hailed for decriminalizing drugs, Portugal is now having doubts

Post by standardUser » Sun, Jul 09, 2023, 7:13 PM UTC

sacnoradhq wrote: post #127

standardUser wrote: post #81

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Decriminalization is a cowardly half-solution that only creates more problems, leaves violent gangs in charge and does nothing to improve the purity of drugs. A measured and thoughtful legalization program for the most popular drugs is the only solution if we want to curtail black market dominance and save human lives.

You're incredibly misinformed on this issue. The prohibition War on Drugs is what keeps drug prices up, organized criminality and violence, and the over-incarceration of mostly poor people. Take away the difficulty of access and the ridiculous criminal penalties for nonviolent infractions, and street prices drop.

Post by standardUser » Sun, Jul 09, 2023, 7:16 PM UTC

ndlan wrote: post #84

standardUser wrote: post #79

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why, what did this person do that was so serious they should be jailed?

Using in public.

Post by standardUser » Sun, Jul 09, 2023, 7:18 PM UTC

Gareth321 wrote: post #270

zuminator wrote: post #200

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The other day a woman passed gas on a crowded public light rail car and it personally offended me. What's more, an approximately six-year-old boy heard her and repeated the infraction, in other words it's indisputable her action influenced others to follow in her footsteps. I also happen to know that neither she nor the six-year-old are gainfully employed, thus they are a drain on society. And in breaking wind it's c…

I don’t think the reason that public drug use is prosecuted is because it offends people prima facie. It’s because it’s associated with and indicative of a more serious problem: addiction. Addiction fuels all kinds of crime. The same cannot be said of passing gas.

Post by standardUser » Sun, Jul 09, 2023, 7:19 PM UTC

gretch wrote: post #521

standardUser wrote: post #75

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I don't get it. Someone smoking something doesn't bother me, unless maybe if I can smell it, then it bothers me very, very slightly. The same way someone drinking a beer in public doesn't bother me. How could it? If sleeping on the street is a crime, enforce that crime. Don't pretend that if we magically banned all of the hypothetical reasons people might commit that crime that it will eliminate that crime. We can't…

Imagine if you walk down 1 block of a street and there's 3 people smoking crack. They aren't sleeping on the street, or breaking any other law, but they are high on crack. Do you think people feel safe on this street? Just because you personally may feel safe, consider that you may be personally blessed with youth and health. Does an elderly woman with a cane and a purse feel safe? People high on crack are unpredicta…

Post by standardUser » Sun, Jul 09, 2023, 7:20 PM UTC

za3faran wrote: post #105

standardUser wrote: post #75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't get it. Someone smoking something doesn't bother me, unless maybe if I can smell it, then it bothers me very, very slightly. The same way someone drinking a beer in public doesn't bother me. How could it? If sleeping on the street is a crime, enforce that crime. Don't pretend that if we magically banned all of the hypothetical reasons people might commit that crime that it will eliminate that crime. We can't…

> Someone smoking something doesn't bother me, unless maybe if I can smell it, then it bothers me very, very slightly. Read up about the dangers of second and third degree smoking. > The same way someone drinking a beer in public doesn't bother me. How could it? Perhaps those who've had family or friends killed by drunk driving or drunken homicide might have something else to say.