Precisely at 4:55 P.M. EST the teleconference opened on Friday, February 15, 2008. Thirty days ago a well-financed, well-organized machine of 'terrorists' had blown up much of the United States. Government administration buildings, military bases, private homes of America's most "rich and famous", and national headquarters of America's largest multi-billion-dollar corporations had all been targeted. An organization known as O.U.T.R.A.G.E. had claimed responsibility for the carnage and was now telecasting daily to selected sites across the country where citizens could follow the events and try to comprehend what had happened - and what was going to happen.
It was becoming clear to most Americans that this band of extremists intended no harm or evil. Their intentions seemed to be honorable. In fact, to many the members of O.U.T.R.A.G.E. were being credited with starting America's second Revolution. Using state-of-the-art technologies, a reltively small group of individuals had planned and executed a single catastrophe that would - hopefully - prevent the start of an actual "war" withint the borders of the country; instead, this one lone act had managed to erase most of those who would advocate "war" from the face of the Earth. Most of America's most volatile voices had been effectively muzzled. The capricious temperaments of the war-mongers had been crushed. America's "movers-and-shakers" were now still. The pushers, vociferant loudmouths, manipulators, intimidators, and hate-spewers had all been silenced. The powerful, who abused their power for their own interests, were dead. The wealthy, who squandered all their wealth on themselves without regard to the needs of others, had been killed. The famous, who exploited their celebrity for their own personal frenzy, were now infamous.
Behind the camera operators had to be professional directors who instructed where the cameras should focus, and how the images should be framed. The "Rebellion of '08" was, in its own way, a "revolution", but not in the sense that it required a full-blown "war" as the original American Revolution in the mid-18th century. All this had been accomplished with the help of corporate America's continuous push toward higher technology and "better" consumer products. Big business had gone awry since the end of World War II, constantly forcing itself to introduce more competitive products and services that would generate more profits (instead of actually being of any benefit to customers). American consumers had gotten 'hooked" on technology, electronic 'toys', and gadgets produced cheaply in China and sold for considerable profit in the U.S.A.
Eventually, the camera weaved in and out of the crowded hall until it focused on a young woman named Lynn Patrick and her partner, Patrick Hamilton. "Our resolution is almost simplistic," said the duo as they held a sign featuring the words "PATRICK-PATRICK" in large lime-green letters. "At this time we wish to submit this resolution for consideration by voters."
ARTICLE XX. RESOLUTION: LEGALIZE DRUGS
"The so-called 'war on drugs' has failed miserably. This country has poured billions of dollars down a rat hole trying to eradicate the drug problem from America's streets and suburbs. Arguments have been fast and furious over the years, with opponents claiming that legalizing drugs would escalate drug use and abuse. Proponents, on the other hand, believe making drugs legal could restrict use to programs of monitored supervision. While it will certainly not end the drug problem, it is a step in the right direction. America must face up to the fact that there will always be people addicted to drugs, just as there are people addicted to cigarettes, gamlbing and alchohol. All are a scourge on society, but Prohibition proved that trying to take away a recreational substance only allows undesireable elements to exploit the people who use it. Legalizing drugs would accomplish numerous objectives. Over a hundred years ago, China had opium dens where addicts could congregate and ingest their substance. Today, bars all over America welcome drinkers, even those whose lives have been ruined due to obsessive alcohol consumption. Thanks to well-financed and powerful lobbying efforts, cigarette companies continue to manufacture and distribute a legal substance that has been proven to shorten people's lives, even people who have never smoked. Consider the advantages of legalizing drugs, just as we've legalized alcohol, gambling and cigarettes:
1. Only licensed "snuff salons" would be allowed to sell drugs, all of which would be tightly regulated and monitored under the auspices of the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and state excise departments. Substances could not be sold in bars, only in these designated "salons" which would be required to inventory their drugs, monitor customers' intake, and have a qualified medical professional on staff to deal with potential side affects or overdoses. Like bars, "snuff salon" owners and servers would be required to refuse service to anyone they believed to be imparied or endangered. Strict enforcement would be the key to controlling usage, and customers would be required to surrender their keys before ordering or ingesting drugs. No customer would be allowed to leave while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs. Any salon operator convicted of intentionally trying to get customers "hooked" on drugs would be prosecuted, fined and jailed - and would have his license taken away.
2. Taxes imposed on the sale of heroin, cocaine, meth, pot, and all other drugs would be used to support rehabilitation units. Any person convicted of drug abuse would be sentenced to such a rehab center until a medical professional has recommended release based on being "clean" and "drug-free". Counseling and support programs would be part of the rehan treatment. While it would not get everyone off drugs (just as alcohol rehabilitation doesn't cure every alcoholic), such government-sponsored programs could dramatically reduce rampant drug abuse now prevelant in the United States.
3. Marijuana - and even cocaine - has been proven to be effective medical treatments for some illnesses and diseases. Making such "recreational" drugs available at these "snuff salons" would allow those suffering from such illnesses to enjoy the socialization of drug-use while also receiving medical supervision of their consumption. If they preferred to use their drugs at home, they could simply buy a "carry-out" kit, just as alcoholics buy package liquor. "Snuff salons" could safely control the dosage (just as a bartender safely pours the recommended number of shots). Licensed salons would also be able to avoid any "tainted" drugs laced with more dangerous elements because growers, packagers and distributors of the drugs would all be regulated and supervised by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA). Just as nutrition information is posted on food packages and health warnings are printed on cigarette packs, each substance packet would warn of potential dangers or side effects. Salons would be required to post notices about the dangers of drugs, and distribute brochures or other information to help customers make intelligent choices.
We believe this to be a more logical approach to America's drug problem. Trying to pretend that we're fighting a "war on drugs' is like an ostrich burying its head in the sand. Drug use will continue - whether drugs are attained legally or illegally. We believe the better option is to attain them legally under controlled and monitored circumstances, which might ultimately help to reduce the number of chronic drug abusers in this nation. We are asking for your support in this measure. It has been an ongoing problem in this country for decades, and shows no signs of going away. So, instead of trying to 'fight" it, let's learn to deal with it safely, productively, and to the benefit of the nation's tax revenues.
We are the PATRICK-PATRICK team, and we are proud to present this resolution for a public vote. Please use the portable voting devices available at the site where you're watching this telecast. Punch in your Social Security number and record your vote. 'Yea" if you agree with this resolution. "Nay" if you are not in favor of legalizing drugs. Thank you" The couple smiled at each other as their images faded from the screen. Behind them the LED sign recorded results of yesterday's voting:
ARTICLE XIX. RESOLUTION NATIONALIZE ALL PUBLIC CORPORATIONS WITH GROSS INCOMES OF MORE THAN $1 BILLION
TOTAL NUMBER OF VOTES CAST: 1,574,835
NUMBER OF "YEA" VOTES: 1,448,849
NUMBER OF 'NAY" VOTES: 125,986
92% of the registered voters had approved the resolution to take excessive power and profits away from all of America's largest corporations. It was an obvious endorsement of one of the many O.U.T.R.A.G.E. "mottos":
The larger any government, organization, or corporation grows, the less manageable it becomes, and the fewer people benefit from it.
The familiar two-line message appeard announcing tomorrow's scheduled meeting at 4;55 P.M. EST. Then the screen went black. There had been no information about Colin Powell's activity or North Korea's threats.
It was becoming clear to most Americans that this band of extremists intended no harm or evil. Their intentions seemed to be honorable. In fact, to many the members of O.U.T.R.A.G.E. were being credited with starting America's second Revolution. Using state-of-the-art technologies, a reltively small group of individuals had planned and executed a single catastrophe that would - hopefully - prevent the start of an actual "war" withint the borders of the country; instead, this one lone act had managed to erase most of those who would advocate "war" from the face of the Earth. Most of America's most volatile voices had been effectively muzzled. The capricious temperaments of the war-mongers had been crushed. America's "movers-and-shakers" were now still. The pushers, vociferant loudmouths, manipulators, intimidators, and hate-spewers had all been silenced. The powerful, who abused their power for their own interests, were dead. The wealthy, who squandered all their wealth on themselves without regard to the needs of others, had been killed. The famous, who exploited their celebrity for their own personal frenzy, were now infamous.
Behind the camera operators had to be professional directors who instructed where the cameras should focus, and how the images should be framed. The "Rebellion of '08" was, in its own way, a "revolution", but not in the sense that it required a full-blown "war" as the original American Revolution in the mid-18th century. All this had been accomplished with the help of corporate America's continuous push toward higher technology and "better" consumer products. Big business had gone awry since the end of World War II, constantly forcing itself to introduce more competitive products and services that would generate more profits (instead of actually being of any benefit to customers). American consumers had gotten 'hooked" on technology, electronic 'toys', and gadgets produced cheaply in China and sold for considerable profit in the U.S.A.
Eventually, the camera weaved in and out of the crowded hall until it focused on a young woman named Lynn Patrick and her partner, Patrick Hamilton. "Our resolution is almost simplistic," said the duo as they held a sign featuring the words "PATRICK-PATRICK" in large lime-green letters. "At this time we wish to submit this resolution for consideration by voters."
ARTICLE XX. RESOLUTION: LEGALIZE DRUGS
"The so-called 'war on drugs' has failed miserably. This country has poured billions of dollars down a rat hole trying to eradicate the drug problem from America's streets and suburbs. Arguments have been fast and furious over the years, with opponents claiming that legalizing drugs would escalate drug use and abuse. Proponents, on the other hand, believe making drugs legal could restrict use to programs of monitored supervision. While it will certainly not end the drug problem, it is a step in the right direction. America must face up to the fact that there will always be people addicted to drugs, just as there are people addicted to cigarettes, gamlbing and alchohol. All are a scourge on society, but Prohibition proved that trying to take away a recreational substance only allows undesireable elements to exploit the people who use it. Legalizing drugs would accomplish numerous objectives. Over a hundred years ago, China had opium dens where addicts could congregate and ingest their substance. Today, bars all over America welcome drinkers, even those whose lives have been ruined due to obsessive alcohol consumption. Thanks to well-financed and powerful lobbying efforts, cigarette companies continue to manufacture and distribute a legal substance that has been proven to shorten people's lives, even people who have never smoked. Consider the advantages of legalizing drugs, just as we've legalized alcohol, gambling and cigarettes:
1. Only licensed "snuff salons" would be allowed to sell drugs, all of which would be tightly regulated and monitored under the auspices of the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and state excise departments. Substances could not be sold in bars, only in these designated "salons" which would be required to inventory their drugs, monitor customers' intake, and have a qualified medical professional on staff to deal with potential side affects or overdoses. Like bars, "snuff salon" owners and servers would be required to refuse service to anyone they believed to be imparied or endangered. Strict enforcement would be the key to controlling usage, and customers would be required to surrender their keys before ordering or ingesting drugs. No customer would be allowed to leave while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs. Any salon operator convicted of intentionally trying to get customers "hooked" on drugs would be prosecuted, fined and jailed - and would have his license taken away.
2. Taxes imposed on the sale of heroin, cocaine, meth, pot, and all other drugs would be used to support rehabilitation units. Any person convicted of drug abuse would be sentenced to such a rehab center until a medical professional has recommended release based on being "clean" and "drug-free". Counseling and support programs would be part of the rehan treatment. While it would not get everyone off drugs (just as alcohol rehabilitation doesn't cure every alcoholic), such government-sponsored programs could dramatically reduce rampant drug abuse now prevelant in the United States.
3. Marijuana - and even cocaine - has been proven to be effective medical treatments for some illnesses and diseases. Making such "recreational" drugs available at these "snuff salons" would allow those suffering from such illnesses to enjoy the socialization of drug-use while also receiving medical supervision of their consumption. If they preferred to use their drugs at home, they could simply buy a "carry-out" kit, just as alcoholics buy package liquor. "Snuff salons" could safely control the dosage (just as a bartender safely pours the recommended number of shots). Licensed salons would also be able to avoid any "tainted" drugs laced with more dangerous elements because growers, packagers and distributors of the drugs would all be regulated and supervised by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA). Just as nutrition information is posted on food packages and health warnings are printed on cigarette packs, each substance packet would warn of potential dangers or side effects. Salons would be required to post notices about the dangers of drugs, and distribute brochures or other information to help customers make intelligent choices.
We believe this to be a more logical approach to America's drug problem. Trying to pretend that we're fighting a "war on drugs' is like an ostrich burying its head in the sand. Drug use will continue - whether drugs are attained legally or illegally. We believe the better option is to attain them legally under controlled and monitored circumstances, which might ultimately help to reduce the number of chronic drug abusers in this nation. We are asking for your support in this measure. It has been an ongoing problem in this country for decades, and shows no signs of going away. So, instead of trying to 'fight" it, let's learn to deal with it safely, productively, and to the benefit of the nation's tax revenues.
We are the PATRICK-PATRICK team, and we are proud to present this resolution for a public vote. Please use the portable voting devices available at the site where you're watching this telecast. Punch in your Social Security number and record your vote. 'Yea" if you agree with this resolution. "Nay" if you are not in favor of legalizing drugs. Thank you" The couple smiled at each other as their images faded from the screen. Behind them the LED sign recorded results of yesterday's voting:
ARTICLE XIX. RESOLUTION NATIONALIZE ALL PUBLIC CORPORATIONS WITH GROSS INCOMES OF MORE THAN $1 BILLION
TOTAL NUMBER OF VOTES CAST: 1,574,835
NUMBER OF "YEA" VOTES: 1,448,849
NUMBER OF 'NAY" VOTES: 125,986
92% of the registered voters had approved the resolution to take excessive power and profits away from all of America's largest corporations. It was an obvious endorsement of one of the many O.U.T.R.A.G.E. "mottos":
The larger any government, organization, or corporation grows, the less manageable it becomes, and the fewer people benefit from it.
The familiar two-line message appeard announcing tomorrow's scheduled meeting at 4;55 P.M. EST. Then the screen went black. There had been no information about Colin Powell's activity or North Korea's threats.
posted by Bushwacker! at 7:30 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home