From what I hear, Amsterdam seems to be doing pretty well since they started this system. Maybe it’s not such a bad idea. It might save the tax payer’s money in the long run as well.

Then again our country deals with different social and economical dynamics than the Netherlands. It might not be a realistic approach.

I feel the same way though when I see a bust like the one you saw. I feel the same guilt as well. At least you have an internet radio show and a blog that gets people talking about it.

I think small “L” liberal thought prizes personal responsibility as it relates to governance. We all have a responsibility as citizens to participate in democracy, etc., etc. It’s not a big jump to say that we all have a personal responsibility to treat each other in a mutually respectful way — dealing drugs and generally disrespecting one’s neighbors is not cool, and you’re perhaps responding to that.

Of course, you could just be becoming more conservative in your old age. Bwahahaha!

Seriously, though, I could be mangling the philosophical foundations in the paragraph above, but I think there’s a thread there. I haven’t taken a political science class for ten years, though, so forgive me if I’m off base.

Personally, by the way, I feel that when certain parts of society break down, and when state strategies fail — like what you see with the war on drugs, in particular — I think the only way to battle in behalf of civilized society is to make sure you personally do the right thing. It’s a tree and forest thing.

I’ve gotten off topic, though . . . interesting post regardless.

Answer: Legalize drugs!