This is the first time in my life that I have ever agreed with Pat Robertson. If he’s serious about legalizing marijuana, we could really use his help. He could be a very important ally.
“I really believe we should treat marijuana the way we treat beverage alcohol,” Mr. Robertson said in an interview on Wednesday. “I’ve never used marijuana and I don’t intend to, but it’s just one of those things that I think: this war on drugs just hasn’t succeeded.”
Mr. Robertson’s remarks echoed statements he made last week on “The 700 Club,” the signature program of his Christian Broadcasting Network, and other comments he made in 2010. While those earlier remarks were largely dismissed by his followers, Mr. Robertson has now apparently fully embraced the idea of legalizing marijuana, arguing that it is a way to bring down soaring rates of incarceration and reduce the social and financial costs.
“I believe in working with the hearts of people, and not locking them up,” he said.
I agree with Pat Robertson!! Maybe the world will end in 2012.
A certain saying about stopped clocks comes to mind.
I don’t get it. Does he have some friends who partake for medicinal reasons? Old cultural battles die hard, and most of those who were on the “other side” still cling to the talking points.
Not my intention to annoy anyone, but I will still say that this is a great example of how Ron Paul has moved the conversation. Do you think Robertson would be saying this if Paul hadn’t run in ’08 and again now?
Ron Paul hasn’t move the conversation on marijuana one iota. Cultural attitudes have been softening about it for years. The only reason it’s not much closer to legal at this point is the post-9/11 militarization of the police forces, which requires a constant supply of perps to justify its own existence. That set the whole thing back about ten years.
Agreed. The internet has been a big catalyst, imo.
Ron Paul is the only major politician in either party to call for drug legalization and actually answer questions about it in debates. And catch heat for it. I’m unaware of any democrats doing this.
Where do you think Pat Robertson got the idea? He didn’t come up with it himself and he would not have accepted the idea from any liberal. Ron Paul is now making it possible for the hard right to inch toward marijuana legalization. And hopefully all drugs, eventually.
Is Ron Paul the only factor? Hardly. But he sure did help. You will not find many democratic politicians who did more.
Ever heard of Barney Frank? If he wasn’t gay, he’d have been House Speaker, and probably would have been one of the best Speakers in history. He has his name on a lot of legislation that’s passed as he knows how to pass legislation. He’s what you would call a major politician in the Democratic Party. He also happens to be my favorite Congressperson. And he’s been calling for the legalization of weed for a long time.
Ron Paul is a crank with no power in the Republican Party, similar to Dennis Kucinich. Not what I would call a “major” party member.
I’m sure Barney Frank has a big influence on Pat Robertson.
I don’t think the politicians have had any influence really. The people influence the pols. The point is, RP has had practically no influence on the conversation. I place the blame on the internet, and the fact that my generation is a lot more ahead of most other generations on practically every social issue. And I think that’s because we grew up with the internet. We’re the least religious, the most environmental, the most anti-war, the most pro-gay. And it’s different from your usual young generation (which is usually ahead of any curve in the conversation). Our polling is a lot different than others.
This is also why even if the polling is getting better, you won’t see much action. Young people don’t vote.
And the prison-industrial complex. I should have included that in my previous comment. The rise of prison lobbies, prison guard influence, etc, has had a corrupting influence on our drug laws, right alongside the militarization of police.
Also, you’d think Republicans would be supporting legalization in polling if RP has had so much influence. But they’re not. Every other group has a majority except Conservatives and Republicans. Liberals, on the other hand, are at 70%. Democrats are almost at 60%. Republicans? 35%.
I have no idea why Rev. Robertson has adopted this new position. I doubt it’s because of Ron Paul in particular or because of a libertarian argument in general. (Although stranger things have happened; anyone have any further evidence?)
I think it’s much more about the way that medical marijuana laws, often driven by citizen referendum, have moved the conversation. Nobody but a very small number of true believers pays much attention to Ron Paul. Basically, he’s so relevant to those to whom he is relevant that the Ron Paul believers have a really hard time seeing how irrelevant he is to everyone else.
No.
I do not think so.
AG
Awwwwww man…
Pat Robertson’s 83!!! He’s been gettin’ high since the ’40s!!! He usta hang out wif other original gangsta dopeheads like Bela Lugosi, Charlie Parker an’ William Burroughs. He’s made his hustle work an’ now he’s jus’ tryin’ t’pay back.
Yeah baby!!!
Tell it like it is, Patso!!!
AG
P.S. Just in case some uptight fundie tries to sue me…it’s snark, asshole.
Snark.
Pat Robertson wants to reduce the cost of government. Now that schools are shot, prisons are a major cost.
Plus, he now is politicking not for political office but to get into heaven.
It’s not going to have any effect on Republicans. Drugs are too good a wedge/dog whistle issue to give up on. Even if it means the proliferation of meth labs over America’s “Heartland”.
Far, far too many people rely on things staying exactly the way they are.
Also, the war on drugs is like a gateway drug for the surveillance state. It’s sorta gotten the majority used the idea that there’s no such thing as your own business.
Well put.
Plus, the alcohol lobby would not be pleased.
The visual of Pat at 83 with his first joint followed by a large casserole of mac n cheese is too much for me.
Maybe we should send a giant pepperoni pizza to his place, courtesy the “Fabulous Furry Freak Bros.”
Good. I was thinking of Robertson’s recent comments on ‘what is mac n cheese, must be a black thing’
Ha! Hadn’t heard that one. Its truly amazing the things that some of these people come up with. Reminds me of Jim Morrison’s “…brain is squirmin’ like a toad” lyric from Riders On The Storm.
‘The war on drugs just hasn’t succeeded’, but he’s just talking about pot. Big deal.
If you unravel pot, you unravel the whole shabang. That’s why there’s so much resistance to pot legalization.
Yes, I get that. My point was more that a relatively safe mainstream viewpoint (popular opinion always being ahead of policy) isn’t enough for me to send Pat valentines.
he’s got relatives just like the rest of us, and even assholes sometimes mellow with age in some of their attitudes.
good on him, the old bigoted asshole.
Most likely Pat Robertson has just bought thousands of acres of prime hemp lands in Panama.
Support the policy, not the person, and take allies where you find them.
seems like a pretty futile attempt at relevance, so little so late.
still, with RP that makes two, on the right side for mostly wrong reasons.
beginning of a landslide, i don’t think so.
maybe if he steps it up several more notches, advocating for medical, and telling the flock Our Lord told him it’s good for you, free ‘offerings’ to the needy, then i’ll start to believe a change is gonna come.
it is odd, but far from terribly significant. love to be wrong though!
Actually, this is the second time in the last two weeks I have agreed with Robertson.
Televangelist Pat Robertson: Bankers Should Go To Jail For Financial Fraud
There must be something strange going on in the space-time continuum. Maybe it’s the solar winds or something.
While it is nice that a person with many unacceptable views has a position that comports with many on the progressive side of the table, I do not believe he would not bring any significant help to the table. The downside of trying to work with him would be the wingnut and racist ideals he brings with him. Better to convince the more conservative of the Democrats that legalizing and taxing will fix the budget.