AN "INALIENABLE RIGHT" ? & THE NATIONAL HEALTH. <The 9th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution>
(written around 1985-6)
The contest in which the world finds itself engaged at this juncture in history is simplified and defined to be the decision of which societal model performs best for the citizens - "East" or "West" (communism or democratic free enterprise). Although the actual issues involved are quite complex - the perceived ones, which the majority of public opinion through-out the world judge either side on - boils down to prosperity and fairness (justice).
The trends of economic performance which have diverged in recent history more apparently than ever give us reason to boast of the prosperity inspired through more free-will oriented societies over the ridged, militaristic "siege mentality" prevalent through-out the communist world. The integrity of our fairness/justice for all - within and without this Nation however, has seemed of late to be seriously challenged because of certain inconsistencies. The perception and reality of our moral integrity is, I submit the prime "National Security Interest" both because of our position as the model for democracy which emerging nations judge such systems by and the danger of developing the achilles heel of all "premier" societies through-out history - when greed and fear slowly spread corruption through the system until the basis of civilization (respect for the law through the consent of the governed) is corroded away.
The justice served through tacit support for "democrats" such as Pinochet (Chile), Stroessner (Paraguay) and the underwriting of the Contras by this Nation may be questionable - but one's analysis in particular cases rests so acutely upon the specific information at hand that generalized discussion is almost impossible with our "diverse-ly informed" population. The more fundamental, controllable issue of fairness for Americans (U.S. type) however, the domestic standard, is one which affects all our citizens directly and must be upheld honorably. President Reagan, taking the lead from Bill Bradley and others has moved the country in the right direction with his push for a "fair tax". One in which a fair bargain is shared by all. To the extent that the pending legislation accomplishes this - a great good for the nation will be served. The feeling (or justified belief) on the part of many - that "the rich" never pay taxes - so "why should I?" (report all earned income) should be alleviated somewhat - restoring the citizens faith in an equitable system.
Another gross injustice being perpetrated on our people should be remedied if we hope to maintain their support for the system and affirm the faith in this country's justice and LOGIC. What, after all is the "lure of the West"? Why do people under Soviet domination risk their lives to emigrate ? Why indeed, did the original pilgrim settlers leave relative comfort to suffer the hardships of establishing society in a wilderness? Though some may see visions of wealth - the majority yearn towards the fulfillment of that dream which burns within the hope of all who strive towards the FREE WILL version of existence (within humane bounds, of course). This is our core belief in this "land of the free" and the (open) secret of our economic success. A populace guaranteed minimal needs but denied minimal freedom cannot hope to compete successfully against one which provides minimal needs, guarantee's maximal (humane) freedom and rewards initiative. As stated in our Declaration of Independence - we believe the inalienable (non-revokable) rights of humans to include life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Thomas Jefferson, author of the above, and a major collaborator on the constitution interpreted guarantees of freedom embodied therein to be universal - positive. He opposed the original Bill-of-Rights on the grounds that it misconceived the original document's intention. Instead of assuming that all rights had to be enumerated (a process as impossible to complete as the law of Moses) - he maintained that American Citizens should a priori be accorded all freedoms (to be narrowed only when one's actions infringe unreasonably upon others or endanger the survival of the state). {This presumption was added explicitly as the ninth amendment - except to anti-freedom advocates like judge Bork}.
If we truly conserve this interpretation from a major architect of our system of government - then the burden of justification for removing any freedom rests squarely on the government. <Is this not TRUE "Converve-atism" ??
The ill-logical detour of our sense of justice which I fear is eroding faith in our legal system, has to do with the limits of that most loosely definable concept of the "pursuit of happiness". Invoking Jefferson's concept of freedom, it seems that the government has no jurisdiction over the "mental pleasures" which a citizen chooses to employ, if they control their actions with regards to others. In the best of all possible worlds - such a policy could be employed amongst competent adults. Unfortunately in our world, the reality is that a closed-minded militaristic adversary (which does not share the west european democratic heritage) threatens all our freedoms and so some abrogation of our philosophical ideals (especially regarding the stronger inebriants) may seem warranted. This is the argument frequently put forth against any so-called "liberalization" of controlled chemical laws. The inconsistency which arises derives from our Western Cultural bias through which, in fact - we allow a more detrimental, addictive chemical - ethyl alcohol (liquor) to be legally sold whilst the less toxic inebriant Cannabis ("marijuana") is deemed illegal. <Thanks to the Liquor Lobby of 1937 & Sirhan-Satan's Hand.>
There are so many logical problems associated with this "double standard" classification that the average citizen can't but wonder what the true aims of this misguided policy are. To begin with, the universal freedom concept apparently is invoked in this country to sanction the veritable open access to fire-arms (contrasted say, to the more civilized european nations). Therefore, one may obtain the means to pulverize a human brain in any American community, while being denied access to means of "pursuing happiness" or calming one's nerves (unless, of course one uses "all-western world" booze).
Cannabis is not, obviously the "soma of the gods" panacea inebriant which some might contend. A substantial amount of funding has gone into projects designed to unearth every harm possible from any and all (usually quite high) levels of use. The effort (or witch hunt) to "expose the horrors" of even moderate use sprang from the disappointing results obtained by Richard Nixon's presidential commission on legalization - which concluded that the substance was, indeed minimally harmful and recommended legalization in light of alcohol's legality (our "wise" chief executive rejected the report before it had even been issued). This typical reactionary attitude (even to scientific proofs/evidence) belies the true reason for Cannabis restrictions and reveals a cultural immaturity/rigidity threatening to our long-term survival.
The evidence of alcohol abuse damage to a human hardly needs to be stated. In elementary chemistry one learns that ethyl alcohol (CH3CHOH) is an example of an Organic SOLVENT, with it's ability to dissolve organic matter correlated to the concentration present in say, water or blood. Thus, the more one drinks at a particular time - the greater harm it inflicts on bodily organs such as the liver and Brain. The insidious effect of booze, however is that it's toxicity on the human brain is cumulative. This solvent, which passes through the blood-brain barrier attacks the myelin sheath INSULATION (which prevents the electro-chemical neuron extensions from "shorting out" by touching one another). The pain from such burn-out is anesthesized during the period of inebriation - but the next morning "hangover headache" demonstrates how much damage has occurred. Since brain neurons are cells that do not regenerate, the effects from social or moderate use, minimal in the first few years accumulate and intensify after 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 etc. years. Alcohol has of late, been recognized to truly be an extremely addictive drug. A comparison made by a physician employed by the U.S. Army to treat hard drug addicts among the troops in West Germany posited it's addictive properties in the same range as the opiates (opium, morphine, heroin). <In a seminar I attended 'round '80.>
A little neurochemistry background is sufficient to explain the universal tendency for adult humans to seek some sort of an inebriant at cyclical intervals in their routine. The human organism has evolved (or been graced with) a system of "facing reality" which parallels it's sophistication/ability to deal with such as it grows. The embryonic brain is bathed in the natural pleasure chemicals - the endorphin/enkephalin neurotransmitters at six times the adult level. This provides a pleasant psychological atmosphere in which to begin life (the "glow" experienced by pregnant women is a placental transfer of some of this). As the child develops and learns, it can presumably deal with difficulties intellectually more efficiently and the ambient pleasure level drops continuously. By the time the sexual stimulation channel matures it is at only 2-3 times the final adult level (reached only at 25 years of age). This decrease (along with other neurotransmitter/hormonal changes) facilitates the more mature, rigidly analytical reasoning - and a natural "relative depression" experienced by all - but poorly handled in some (particularly in teen-age and young adult stages). The common phenomenon of people "harking back" to their childhood or teen years may be prompted more by "elevated" perception than accurate memory!
The universal tendency to seek some method to aide in "relaxation" after a tough day or week of strident level-headed work, then, can be seen to constitute part of a healthy, natural life cycle - which, in moderation - probably benefits one's tension level in our modern high-stress society (the ancient greeks, germans & UVa cavaliers seem to find success with the "work hard, play hard" routine). The method employed varies from T.V. to compulsive spending (popular but troublesome in our debt-ridden society), from power trips (on unfortunate family members), to romance, to the behemoth group which abuses food (starch, sugar, chocolate) much like the "traditional drugs"/dependencies (Caffeine, Nicotine, Alcohol).
Cannabis, as mentioned, is not without it's drawbacks. It's un-treated smoke does contain carcinogens - however - the amount ingested via high quality product for moderate use pales in comparison to tobacco norms. Hormonal effects have been noted in studies where concentration levels exceed the most dedicated Rastafarian. The point is, that level for level, the comparison of alcohol to cannabis toxicity (for short and long run use) demonstrates a greater danger/damage from liquor. Motor impairment for operating machines - including automobiles, follows parallel lines).
Given such facts - the mystery is - why, in our increasingly competitive world do we opt for a "greater of two evils" inebriant which manifestly dissolves our brain-power, undermines faith in our legal logic (which confuses the young to consider "if they lie about herb - do they also lie about crack, smack crank & dust?") and (with the self-righteously hypocritical non-alcohol "drug" testing) may induce a "reverse brain-drain" from our shores of some of our brightest minds who prefer not to commit slow mental suicide? The answer to this "1984-ish" double-speak question (is worse better?) lies in the long history of the "East vs. West" CULTURE CLASH rooted far in the past and emphasized recently in the 1960's anti-war movement.
From cultural antiquity there are reports of non-alcohol inebriation the world over. From Ulysses' Odyssey to Britain's Druids, from Egypt to India to the American "Indian" (peace pipe) there are traditions which demonstrate such. The Chinese reported Cannabis over 4,000 years ago in their pharmacology references. They have flourished as a culture for millennia in an orderly, productive society. The ancient Hebrews - from whom our root instincts of morality derive - often had a "mystic strain" associated with the main body (such as the Essenes - Kaballa-ists) and a reading of certain passages from the scriptures certainly suggest a possible "ephemeral" connection. These include the reference to THELORD as "JAH! - who flieth through the air" (in the original apochrypha included text B4 the slavery loving American Bible Society had it removed in the 1850's), to the RIVER which, when the saints partake thereof shall "find peace (of mind) and comfort", also JOB 30:22 "Thou liftest me up to the wind: thou raisest me to ride upon it and dissolvest my substance" - wisdom (temporarily "liberated" soul from earthly toil & trouble). The cultural rift probably came with the transfer from Judea to Rome as the "state religion" about three centuries later. The unfortunate association of alcohol in the sacrament allowed a prejudice to be imagined that it's use was sacrosanct - spirit with two S's rather than one. It seems logical that references to "new wine" may have originally had a different meaning than currently assumed - and that the first miracle of changing "water into wine" could have been the prototype for an inversion (or cover version) as the last miracle originally intended (wine into mystical "water"). Since those murky beginnings the traditional church has associated cannabis with the "heathen arabs" (Hashish'in to Assassin) or demonic witch's. This bias, carried through our culture up to the 1937 "debate" in Congress on taxing "Marijuana" (term used to suggest subversive foreign influence) which, in fact, was dominated by the LIQUOR LOBBY concerned over losing profits to an easily cultivated "weed". (Even though Washington planned it's crop at Mt. Vernon.) Let's consider this issue on it's true merits rather than cultural bias/ignorance - for our own long-term health, & societal understanding of the majority of our planet's inhabitants.
Steven Dwight Ferber
A JEFFERSON'S UNIVERSITY GRADUATE,
"ALMOST" Ph.D. PHYSICAL CHEMIST and
"fellow traveler" of Smith's "Word of Wisdom"
----as originally written!
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On Z's other leg (hispanic variation) one might recall the deeper perspective hinted at by Rod Serling poigniantly
EPILOGUE FROM "MAGIC DUST" EPISODE (FIVE STRAND HEMP)
In any quest for Magic, in any search for sorcery, witchery, leisure domain.................
First check the Human heart -
for inside this deep place lies a wizardry that costs far more
than a few pieces of Gold..........................................................................................
...............................tonight's case in point, ...................................
.........................................................................from the twilight (brilliant writer's) zone !
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Z's toast
LET US PRAISE AND ENCOURAGE THE DAY
WHEN THE USE OF FORCE TO INFLUENCE HUMAN ACTION
WILL BE LAUGHED AWAY...........FROM REALIT(A)Y
WHEN NO PAIN OR DEATH SHALL BE ALLOWED INTO THE ETERNAL DAY
OF THOSE WHO HAVE THE SENSE
TO USE THEIR MINDS INSTEAD OF BLOODY PRETENSE.
AND WHEN THOSE UNFORTUNATES
WHO WERE PROGRAMMED TO ENJOY BLOOD'S TASTE
WILL FINALLY BE ALLOWED TO LEARN
THAT ALL SUCH "PLEASURE" EVENTUALLY BURNS
AND THAT THEY WHO LEARN FIRST........... LEARN MOST,
AND EVENTUALLY BECOME THE ONES WHO LEAD THE TOAST.........
...................................OF LIFE.
FOR, INDEED - THE TOUGHEST ONES
ARE NOT THE PERPETRATORS OF PUNCTURED LUNGS
BUT................. IN THE LONG RUN,
THE FOLKS WHO ARE STRONG ENOUGH
TO FIND THE TRUTH THRU ANY ROUGH!!!!!
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<Optimism & Sadness glimpsed from the late 70's into Z 80's>
what is the long term measure of SUCCESS?
is not the true nature of the beast we, as a species
- slave under - the grand-dad GOD of them all -
the REALITY representative at Mount Olympus -
that 'ol EVOLUTIONARY DRIVE !
in pre-historic up to roughly contemporary man, depending on who is considering -
Bigger was Better - bigger stick or ABM system =
=> Brute Fascism over logic
in the FUture FAir - which hopefully is just arriving (or the species is dying)
****************SMARTER MEANS BARTER******************
and one hopes and advises that a more freely competitive world
will also have to be a more HUMANE and FREE one -
AT THE SAME TIME
IN ORDER FOR THE DRIVE - SPURNED BY OPPORTUNITY OF EXPRESSION
OF ONE'S NATURAL NEEDS & DESIRES -
TO LEAD TO THE FULLEST CONTRIBUTIONS.....................{possible}
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'80's Hypocrisy towards hemispheric America's Latin neighbors/slaves
The Jeffersonian Democracy
spawned Dreams from Sea to Sea
only for "Green-Carded" Humanity.
And when the Patriots came 'round once more
they were amazed and also troubled sore
that the country they hoped would be the Door
had turned it's back on the hungry and poor.
To justify geno-cide
if it happened to the "other side"
and carried on in greed's sick pride,
to resurrect Hitler's grand Big Lie
into a million "white ones"
- BUT, AFTER ALL -
The Death Squads aren't "commies" eh?
& what's more important than Fashion and appearance anyway?
(in the AFFLUENT U.S.A.)
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Twice upon a time - warned the valley of the seers
the people voted their pocketbooks
rather than the unfortunate's tears
will their children suffer the consequences
over the ensuing years?
-------- ------ ------ ------ ------- -------
Doth this year's tunnel vision profit
leave the children's prosperity => posterity a "little Miss Muffet" ?