Dem Congressman: Obama Confused About Power to Reschedule Pot

[kage69]

right

The problem is Obama doesn't have the balls to do it himself, just like Syria. Who could he blame if it backfires?

I don't think that's a problem because I don't think you know wtf are you talking about. Talk about a stupid criticism. In case you haven't been paying attention for the last decade or so, no wants or wanted unilateral action from America anywhere - particularly Americans!

It worries me a little that you see a politician acting with caution, given how the last guy and his handlers screwed the pooch bigtime for "having balls."

You sure you're not a republican? I ask because it's common to hear them favor "having balls" instead the ability to make informed decisions and a consensus when it comes to big issues.



I think the widespread, overwhelming support for legalization should give Obama some peace of mind here.

 

[kage69]

Further, lying about the limits of Presidential authority just isn't Presidential.

Right, that's the VP's job. Dick Cheney approves of your sense of decorum, and thanks you for not bringing up his "unitary executive" for all those years.

 

[CrackRabbit]

its also possible that the next president could nuke California off the map.

Improbable, but also possible.
Might be easier to wait for it slide off into the ocean...

 

[rudeguy]

I don't think that's a problem because I don't think you know wtf are you talking about. Talk about a stupid criticism. In case you haven't been paying attention for the last decade or so, no wants or wanted unilateral action from America anywhere - particularly Americans!

It worries me a little that you see a politician acting with caution, given how the last guy and his handlers screwed the pooch bigtime for "having balls."

You sure you're not a republican? I ask because it's common to hear them favor "having balls" instead the ability to make informed decisions and a consensus when it comes to big issues.



I think the widespread, overwhelming support for legalization should give Obama some peace of mind here.

I said that because the Syria situation really showed how little testicular fortitude he has. He drew a red line, they crossed it. He said he was going to bomb them, his SoS said it would be a pin prick. He blames every single thing that goes wrong on someone else and doesn't own anything.

Fuck him. He is a weak person and a horrible leader.

 

[Bowfinger]

There's thought which needs to be applied as to unintended consequences however there are some things I'm entirely comfortable with and on balance highly favor a schedule change, and have pointed this out before. The impact on the DEA is IMO completely irrelevant. Not to those laid off, but then when did people who favor downsizing the military or the IRS ever care about that? Even then consider this- Is there an argument for curing cancer because it puts some pharmaceutical companies out of business? What if there were a way to find world peace and not at the barrel of a gun? Think of the jobs lost. What if people had plenty and there was no crime? The police would be out of a job? What if cars didn't crash and you didn't die? You'd be denying a funeral home an opportunity. In other words the pros and cons become a rather ridiculous thing to argue. I'd like to be able to transition those affected into some other area without doubt. I've said many times that if people no longer became ill I'd find something else to do and gladly. I feel similarly about the "War on". That seems similar to the "if we don't have a war in Iraq then we'll have to fight them here." OK, that might even be true (although I never bought it), but it's not a very good argument for ending or preventing something which is current and not speculative. Lastly the executive order aspect. First it's far less intrusive than much which has been done in the past, as with the reworking of the intelligence agencies some decades ago. Secondly this wouldn't be doing something new. Drug schedule changes can and do occur, and not based on scientific findings. Third, any order can be changed or rescinded by another President and legislative action would be preferable, however note that the powers and organizational structures of NSA and other agencies has remained in place. Because a thing might be undone does not mean it shouldn't be done to begin with. This isn't a circumventing of legislation as the scheduling of drugs is an Administrative matter. There is no usurpation of Congressional authority because they already provided for changes without Congressional assent.

It would be unforgivable if such a remedy which could address an unending stream of wrongs going back many decades would be refused because it might cause some political backlash. That hardly mattered with the Mandate, did it?

I should have been more clear. I am in favor of legalizing marijuana at a minimum, and agree other "illegal drugs" should be reevaluated as well. I also agree that if Obama can do this by EO, he should do so, even though it would be best for Congress to follow with legislation to make it more permanent. I just think the unintended consequences of that will be interesting as well.

 

[rudeguy]

Improbable, but also possible.
Might be easier to wait for it slide off into the ocean...

I've got a couple shovels. Can I at least help a bit?

 

[CrackRabbit]

I've got a couple shovels. Can I at least help a bit?

Only if you take care of Florida first, I'll even help!

 

[rudeguy]

Only if you take care of Florida first, I'll even help!

I was thinking we could give it back to Spain. Like...just hook up a barge to it and drop it off over there.

"Sorry but no thanks!"

 

[kage69]

I said that because the Syria situation really showed how little testicular fortitude he has. He drew a red line, they crossed it. He said he was going to bomb them, his SoS said it would be a pin prick. He blames every single thing that goes wrong on someone else and doesn't own anything.

Fuck him. He is a weak person and a horrible leader.

Going off some of your other posts I think your notions of strength, leadership and 'testicular fortitude' would be more at home on a school playground than in the realm of international politics and the practice of war. While I appreciate the reply it's almost too simplistic to take seriously.

I'd rather hear you explain why Obama listening to the country on pot is a good thing, but Obama listening to the country on Syria was bad, and clearly evidence of a weak leader with no testicles.

Your jabs apply to Boehner more than Obama, I think that's funny. Every single thing?

*cough*

http://www.voanews.com/content/obam...y-for-fixing-health-care-website/1780338.html

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10000872396390443624204578061050764229738

http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jan/07/nation/la-na-obama-secure8-2010jan08

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wor...takes-responsibility-for-security-lapses.html

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127230222

http://www.nation.com.pk/international/07-Sep-2013/obama-takes-responsibility-for-spying

 

[rudeguy]

Going off some of your other posts I think your notions of strength, leadership and 'testicular fortitude' would be more at home on a school playground than in the realm of international politics and the practice of war. While I appreciate the reply it's almost too simplistic to take seriously.

I'd rather hear you explain why Obama listening to the country on pot is a good thing, but Obama listening to the country on Syria was bad, and clearly evidence of a weak leader with no testicles.

Your jabs apply to Boehner more than Obama, I think that's funny. Every single thing?

*cough*

http://www.voanews.com/content/obam...y-for-fixing-health-care-website/1780338.html

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10000872396390443624204578061050764229738

http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jan/07/nation/la-na-obama-secure8-2010jan08

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wor...takes-responsibility-for-security-lapses.html

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127230222

http://www.nation.com.pk/international/07-Sep-2013/obama-takes-responsibility-for-spying

Oh, I love jabbing Boner! But he cries every time I get the stick out.

I'm going to pick at your reply a bit: Obama only never owned up to anything being his fault. After he tried to deny things or shake them off, and the media cornered him, he said he would fix things.

I find if funny you chose the underwear bombing to link to. Obama only owned that after he went on national television and said "the system worked". He honestly thought allowing a terrorist to get on a plane with explosives and letting that terrorist try to ignite those explosives with the intent of blowing up a plane was how the system should work. Hell even with the "if you like your plan you can keep your plan" lie exposed, he tried to make it seem like everyone else just didn't hear him right.

He is a scared little weakling. Its also obvious that his drug abuse affected his ability to reason. The scary part is all the libtards who drink his Koolaid and worship him like the Messiah.

 

[Jhhnn]

Heh. Righties are, of course, completely fucked up about cannabis & what Obama has done to enable legalization in states that want it.

The DEA is sitting out legalization in WA & CO, but not because they want to. That's *obviously* Obama's doing.

That's just wrong for Righties, but it's hard to complain because of all the States' Rights stuff they've raved about for decades. They just want States' Rights for the usual authoritarian oppression routine, not this. Quite a conundrum there. It leaves 'em paralyzed.

If he sicced the DEA on errant states, he'd be a tyrant, obviously. If he reclassifies Cannabis, he's a usurper who never thinks of the children, but when he defers re-classification of cannabis to Congress, he's a pussy.

Anybody else see a pattern here?

Whatever he does is wrong, because he's doing it. Really.

I like it just fine the way it's going. Activists and the Will of the People will create more MMJ states and likely several more legal states before the end of Obama's term, protected from the DEA by the White House. And there's damned little that national authoritarian Repubs can do about it, other than stew in their own juices- just the way I want it. By 2017, changes will likely be permanent & expanding. If that's what people don't like, they have a right to complain. Other than that, it's just more Hate-Um Obama! Hate-Um!

Repub strategists are trying to expand on this, make legalization Obama's issue. He's rather artfully dodged that so far, which I expect to continue even as he enables legalization in CO & WA.

They probably won't be so keen to do that down the road, because legalization has been a smashing success in Colorado. Just because Obama overruled the DEA & let it happen.

Infuriating, isn't it? Why, we're gettin' marijuana shoved down our throats & can't even make an issue out of it.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

I should have been more clear. I am in favor of legalizing marijuana at a minimum, and agree other "illegal drugs" should be reevaluated as well. I also agree that if Obama can do this by EO, he should do so, even though it would be best for Congress to follow with legislation to make it more permanent. I just think the unintended consequences of that will be interesting as well.

Certainly, and I agree. I think in terms of "what happens next" and as you know my disapproval of how many things have been handled is chiefly based on what I consider lack of vision, understanding, and consequence. You are right to bring up things which necessarily follow. Otherwise how can we fully discuss the merits of anything?

 

[kage69]

He is a scared little weakling. Its also obvious that his drug abuse affected his ability to reason. The scary part is all the libtards who drink his Koolaid and worship him like the Messiah.

I ask you to clarify, provide some links that disprove your hyperbole riddled talking points, and hope to see some discussion-worthy counterpoints, but what do I get?

You crank the stupid to 11 trying to emulate P&N deep thinkers like IGBT and Incorruptatroll. *sigh*

I'm sure you don't care, but I officially feel sorry for you now because I'm pretty sure you believe all that.

 

[rudeguy]

I ask you to clarify, provide some links that disprove your hyperbole riddled talking points, and hope to see some discussion-worthy counterpoints, but what do I get?

You crank the stupid to 11 trying to emulate P&N deep thinkers like IGBT and Incorruptatroll. *sigh*

I'm sure you don't care, but I officially feel sorry for you now because I'm pretty sure you believe all that.

does this mean you will give me money?

 

[Jhhnn]

He is a scared little weakling. Its also obvious that his drug abuse affected his ability to reason. The scary part is all the libtards who drink his Koolaid and worship him like the Messiah.

Pure raving frothing spit flyin' everywhere Hate-Um Obama!

Your programmers & trainers must be so proud!

Whenever anybody questions the effectiveness of emotionally driven right wing propaganda, they need only reference your remarks.

 

[rudeguy]

Pure raving frothing spit flyin' everywhere Hate-Um Obama!

Your programmers & trainers must be so proud!

Whenever anybody questions the effectiveness of emotionally driven right wing propaganda, they need only reference your remarks.

yea...I mean its not like they gave him a Nobel Peace Prize. Or had kids in a public school singing songs about him. Or.....

er.....


All hail Dear Leader!

 

[fskimospy]

yea...I mean its not like they gave him a Nobel Peace Prize. Or had kids in a public school singing songs about him. Or.....

er.....

All hail Dear Leader!

How did Kim Jong Il come back into this discussion again?

You aren't posting very rationally right now. It's just foaming rage.

 

[rudeguy]

How did Kim Jong Il come back into this discussion again?

You aren't posting very rationally right now. It's just foaming rage.

What part of what I said wasn't rational? Oh...it was rational, so to you its irrational. I forgot how your mind works.

Would a series of grunts and moans be easier for you to understand?

 

[surfsatwerk]

Would a series of grunts and moans be easier for you to understand?

Hold on, when did this become and L/R thread?

 

[K1052]

He'll probably do it if more states legalize before he exits office, which is likely now that other states can smell the painless tax revenue like bloodhounds.

 

[rudeguy]

Hold on, when did this become and L/R thread?

you don't know how badly I want to post the dancing midget chick gif that's in my clipboard right now....

 

[Thebobo]

yea...I mean its not like they gave him a Nobel Peace Prize. Or had kids in a public school singing songs about him. Or.....
er.....
All hail Dear Leader!

Yoo troll lookie here....

At the annual White House Easter Egg Roll, children from the stricken Gulf Coast region serenaded First Lady Laura Bush with a song praising the beleaguered Federal Emergency Management Agency.

To the tune of Hey Look Me Over, about 100 young children from Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama sang:

[Easter White House]
Our country’s stood beside us
People have sent us aid.
Katrina could not stop us, our hopes will never fade.
Congress, Bush and FEMA
People across our land
Together have come to rebuild us and we join them hand-in-hand!

After the song, Mrs. Bush posed for photos with the kids, many of whom were wearing Katrina Kids T-shirts, despite the chilly rain.

Earlier, the First Lady read Will You Be My Friend: A Bunny and Bird Story by Nancy Tafuri. According to a White House pool report, the children sat on the grass as Mrs. Bush read; she sat in a white wrought iron chair, freshly toweled by two Park Service employees.

After the reading, Mr. Bush asked, Did you like this book? Does it tell you about what people can do to help other people, what bird did to help bunny? Be kind to him and give him shelter.

/Blarg

 

[TerryMathews]

The reason Obama isn't reclassifying it himself is that 10 seconds after he did it we would have five threads in here titled "KING OBAMA SHOVES WEED DOWN AMERICA'S THROAT". Obama isn't being honest about his powers to reschedule marijuana, but I do understand why he would want bipartisan, congressional buy-in.

So, basically, he lied but it's ok because Republicans.

Wow.

 

[fskimospy]

So, basically, he lied but it's ok because Republicans.

Wow.

You clearly did not read the rest of the thread.

No wow here, lol.

 

[Fern]

The reason Obama isn't reclassifying it himself is that 10 seconds after he did it we would have five threads in here titled "KING OBAMA SHOVES WEED DOWN AMERICA'S THROAT". Obama isn't being honest about his powers to reschedule marijuana, but I do understand why he would want bipartisan, congressional buy-in.

That strikes me as a gross overstatement. Many seem to think Obama can make it legal. I don't see that option.

If understand the article correctly Obama can't just make it legal, but can only reschedule it. I.e., it would remain illegal and require a doctor's prescription.

From the article above:

If a substance is banned by international treaties – as marijuana is – the law grants the attorney general the power to place it "under the schedule he deems most appropriate."

Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., tells U.S. News it's "very clear" that the law "actually permits reclassification administratively."

Under current circumstances (banned by international treaties) I see no option for him to remove pot from the schedules, just reassign the schedule.

Fern