Crimes That I Think That Are Stupid (In America, At Least)

(Free Floating Hostility #25)

Welcome everybody to the 25th edition of the Internet's favorite rage column. Welcome everybody to Free Floating Hostility! This is where RJ rants about Today's Culture Items That He is Bored of, Tired of, or Pissed At!

This is a bit I just wrote on crimes that I feel are dumb. Basically, things that I don't think should be illegal.

You might agree. You might disagree. Whatever, this is a blog for opinions, so let us have at it!

Prostitution

Many people say "because its associated with several other crime rings, plus several diseases that go around." WELL... if you legalize it, then it isn't a crime anymore, and you can regulate it. Then, tax their income! Provide licenses and periodical health exams... get rid of the pimps and let agencies do the protecting.

Now, I personally do not condone prostitution. I think people deserve better than to sell their own bodies, and I feel that Johns deserve something a little more personally fulfilling. But, if that is what these people want to do, then that is their personal choice.

I just feel that we are spending too much time, tax money, and resources constantly trying to bust Johns and prostitutes, when there crimes that involve actual victims going on.

We hear quite often "Well, the police can't be everywhere! We only have so many people on the force!" Well, here is one less stupid place they can concentrate on.

Narcotics Possession... Specifically Marijuana - It is perfectly legal to breathe in deadly tobacco and drink alcohol to the point where you throw up, lose all inhibitions, and possibly die of alcohol poisoning. It is legal to own a gun, which can kill someone in under a few seconds. However, it is illegal to smoke a substance that generally makes you mellow and usually pleasant? Granted, it fries your brain and can contribute to lung cancer, but its still a person's choice to do that.

If I were changing the laws, I would just add Marijuana to the DUI and make it legal for those over 18 or those who have a medical prescription to buy it. You get it out of the street dealers hands and get it to where you can buy them from certified dealers and/or Wal-Mart (who would jump all over that shit immediately), and not have to worry that something deadly just might be laced in your joint or getting sold oregano.

Fuck, if you think about it, if McDonalds sold pot (legally, that is, not the kid behind the counter's side project), the munchies alone would double their business! Come on Corporate America, send your lobbyists to your local Congressman now. What are you waiting for?!

Then, we can tax the shit out of it. This gets the government even more interested!

Now, I have NEVER smoked marijuana. So don't pin me as a pot smoker bitching about the law. I have never done any illegal narcotic, smoked a cigarette, and I just have a drink maybe once every 1 to 2 months, maybe.

I have discussed this with people and most agree, but there is about one decent counterargument I have heard:

"Someone else drinking doesn't get me drunk. Someone else smoking tobacco doesn't make me addicted to it. Someone else smoking weed can get me high, and having a contact high sucks."

First of all, smoking tobacco/cigarettes may not get you addicted, but second hand smoke is still harmful, and many experts say that second hand smoke may actually be more harmful than first hand smoke.

Also, there are smoking bans in many public buildings, and marijuana could also apply to these bands. Basically, this is something you would either do in your home, at a party, or at what they call in Amsterdam a "Cannabis coffee shop" that would provide marijuana. In other words, if you don't like it, leave. If you are going to a party, you have a pretty good idea of what you are getting into, so don't go.

Illegal to Drink When You Are 18

CASE CLOSED.

Well, that is all I got for today. Thanks and feedback, as usual, is appreciated!

RJ45