Mitt Romney Recommends Lying to the Kids About Drugs
Mitt Romney thinks it's just awful that Barack Obama has been honest about past experience with alcohol and illegal drugs:
"It's just not a good idea for people running for President of the United States who potentially could be the role model for a lot of people to talk about their personal failings while they were kids because it opens the doorway to other kids thinking, 'well I can do that too and become President of the United States,'" Romney told an Iowa audience today. "I think that was a huge error by Barack Obama…it is just the wrong way for people who want to be the leader of the free world." [FOXNews]
But, um, you can do drugs and become the President. This has been proven time and again as of late and it's actually a terrible idea to suggest otherwise. Young people need to know that they can make mistakes and still be successful. Heck, young people should even know that drug use is often not a mistake if done responsibly at the appropriate age. The problem with convincing them that drug use ruins your future is that they might believe you and just give up.
Really, there is nothing more harmful and destructive than attempting to educate children about drugs by lying about your own experiences. Young people need someone to talk to. They need to know that you understand, and the best way to create that environment is by being honest. If you do understand, don't pretend not to. That's insane.
The truth here is that Barack Obama's experience with drug use is typical. He experimented, aged out of it, and went on to pursue a rewarding career. There's nothing miraculous or shocking about his failure to become a walking after-school special. Most people don't.
But if Barack Obama has been unlucky enough to get arrested, I doubt we'd even know his name. Indeed, drug use won't disqualify you from a high profile career, but the drug war will crush your dreams every time.
If we want to send children the right message about drugs, let's stop threatening to arrest and ruin them for things so many of us did without consequence.
[Thanks, Tom]
(This blog post was published by StoptheDrugWar.org's lobbying arm, the Drug Reform Coordination Network, which also shares the cost of maintaining this web site. DRCNet Foundation takes no positions on candidates for public office, in compliance with section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and does not pay for reporting that could be interpreted or misinterpreted as doing so.)
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redditRomney would be HUGELY different than Bush.
Comment posted by Anonymous on Thu, 11/22/2007 - 4:06amHe'll actually use his brain and actually pay off a TON of the debt.
:D
Comment posted by Anonymous on Thu, 11/22/2007 - 10:45amNow that's a scary thought.
Either that was a very clever way to agree with me, or you didn't read the article to see what debts I was talking about.
And BTW, I couldn't care less what his religion is. He's in the pockets of major drug war architects, and that's all I need to know.
Hmm?
Comment posted by Anonymous on Fri, 11/23/2007 - 10:19pmI'll be damned if someone who supports any interventionist policies (all the republicans minus Paul and all of the democrats who support invading Iran or Darfur) could possibly pay off our countries debts. The republicans will plunge us further into debt with the war and those democrats will tax us to hell while spending more on more war and more social programs.
Nobody wins.
Get a clue, you ignoramus!
Comment posted by Anonymous on Tue, 01/08/2008 - 8:33amGet your head out of your ass and recognize that Mitt Romney is a pathological liar who's getting deeper and deeper in the hole of lies that he has created. Then you might start to be knowledgeable about what's really going on. The whole country knows the truth about him. He lost in Iowa, and he'll lose in New Hampshire. He has no chance for nomination.
Lying for the Lord
Comment posted by Anonymous on Wed, 11/21/2007 - 8:42pmMitt Romney is being consistent when he lies. Mormons are taught it's okay to lie for the Lord. Even their women
There's a colloquialism in Mormonism known as the "Three D's." Date 'em; Dunk 'em; and Ditch 'em. (And then do it again.) Meaning, even "innocent" Mormon girls will date "gentiles" (non-Mormons) to get them baptized in the church and then leave them to find another victim.
In general, Mormons are treacherous and lecherous. See
romneyforpresident.townhall.com/ for info and sources and the secret oath Mormons take to their church that compromise their oath of office.
Like Mormonism, the blog isn't what it seems.
(Funny photos too!)
Duhhhhh.
Comment posted by Anonymous on Thu, 11/22/2007 - 4:09amI've been a Mormon for over 19 years. Our church believes the US Constitution is inspired of God and we uphold it and believe in it. Look ant any other Mormon politician and you won't see any evidence of the church telling them what to do because it simply doesn't happen.
You need a hobby.
The Mormon Church doesn't follow the law of the land.
Comment posted by Anonymous on Sat, 11/24/2007 - 5:05pmIf your church believes the constitution to be inspired of God, why did Brigham Young create a theocracy in Utah? Doesn't that clearly violate the establishment clause?
I don't buy your apologism for one second. The laws of the United States also prohibit murder and child abduction, but that didn't stop Mormons from massacring peaceful American civilians and abducting their children at the Mountain Meadows Massacre, now did it? I guess they only follow the laws of the land when it's convenient.
The Mormon Church is a cult where you pledge death oaths to defend the church more than your country or your life. Mormons cannot be trusted with political power.
Let Me Add A Conservative Thought To This Lib Article & Comments
Comment posted by Anonymous on Thu, 11/22/2007 - 1:31amCommon sense dictates that we don't extol our weaknesses. It's silly for Scott Morgan to spin that into lying. We need intellectual honesty instead of constant spin.
Mormons are good, honest, charitable, God fearing people. If you want the truth about Mormon or LDS beliefs go to www.lds.org.
Mitt Romney will win the nomination!
Go Mitt!
Who's spinning?
Comment posted by Anonymous on Fri, 11/23/2007 - 2:23pm"Common sense dictates that we don't extol our weaknesses."
Umm, please explain how talking about past drug use is "extolling" a weakness. Did you read or listen to Obama's comments on his past drug use? In no way did he praise or glorify it. Simply talking about past behavior does not encourage others to follow in your footsteps.
Also, Romney hates puppies.
Mormons may be alright, but they fund evil.
Comment posted by Anonymous on Sat, 11/24/2007 - 4:56pmI've seen firsthand the links between the mormons and the WWASP.
These guys snatch kids out of their beds at 4am, for a price, take them to the desert in white vans with a list of complaints supplied by the parents, 'fix' them and return them.
they did it to me, when I was 17.
The reasons? Because I had the devil in me (dad's side) and I spent too much time online (mom's side). No drugs, no crime, no violence. The money was good, so I got to become familiar with things like stress positions and other things you fine people are just now learning about as 'torture' becomes a national issue.
The whole goddamn staff there was mormon. The church was mormon, but they kept a southern baptist front whenever anybody else was around and kept the book of mormon in cabinets beneath drapes.
I've met mormons who are alright since, and like most people involved in large organizations, they are probably just unaware of what their cash is doing.
But somebody as high up as romney? give me a break.
That he even has any power in this country as stands means that many more kids are going to have the PTSD-inducing honor of going through what I did, and I shudder to think what will happen if he becomes president.
You can't trust religion to reliably instill morality in it's leaders.
With any luck, that practice will become prevalent enough that in a few generations, people like me who have out of necessity excised their families from their lives will become a controlling voter block. This country could use a demographic like mine, one that actually knows what the hell freedom is because it's been taken, forcefully, from them before, and one that wouldn't have these sophomoric, naive, idiotic ideas about what is and is not torture.
Hope aside, the WWASP is overwhelmingly mormon and what they fund and protect is barbaricly evil by any standard; it's even fatal on occasion. A hidious band-aid fix for a country that's forgotten how to raise kids, hold to any real values or be a part of their children's lives beyond trotting them out on display as lifestyle accessories.
Support romney, you're supporting that too.
WWASP and Drug Free America Foundation
Comment posted by Anonymous on Sun, 11/25/2007 - 8:34pmI'm the one who posted the first comment to this article, with the link to another article showing Romney's connection to WWASP and DFAF/Straight, Inc.
I wasn't aware of the Mormon's connection to WWASPS, other than it being based in Utah. I guess that's mostly because I have a hard time reading about it. In the '80s, I was in a Straight affiliated program, and another program that is now under the WWASP umbrella.
Let's just say the Abu Ghraib footage brought back a lot of memories. It's surreal how these people are able to continue to walk the street, much less, get any kind of political power.
Mormonism is a white supremacist religion.
Comment posted by Anonymous on Sat, 11/24/2007 - 5:09pm"Shall I tell you the law of God in regard to the African Race? If the White man who belongs to the chosen seed mixes his blood with the seed of Cain, the penalty, under the law of God, is death on the spot. This will always be so."
- Brigham Young, considered a "Prophet of God" by Mormons. Mitt Romney, as a Mormon, considers this "law" to be given directly from God. The Mormon god thinks that "race mixers" should be MURDERED.
Mormons are dishonest about their racist religion, and fear a racist god. Remember how the Book of Mormon used to promise dark-skinned people that they would become "white and delightsome" if they convert to Mormonism? Mormon history is filled with racism, polygamy, and outright lies.
If you want to find out the REAL history of the Mormon church, don't read the apologetics at lds.org.
The LIE is the headline of this article
Comment posted by Anonymous on Thu, 11/22/2007 - 2:29amMitt Romney did NOT recommend lying to kids. I find the headline to this article an extreme example of journalistic incompetence.
Mitt is simply saying if you have personal failings, don't bring them up because you will be held up as a role model by kids looking for examples whereby to live their lives.
Whatever your agenda is against Mitt Romney, please keep it fair and truthful.
Interesting...
Comment posted by Scott Morgan on Thu, 11/22/2007 - 1:32pmSo you admit that it's foolish to recommend lying to kids about drugs, you just claim that Romney didn't actually do that?
Reality check: he criticized Obama for telling the truth, which is the same as proposing that Obama lie instead. Obama is in the public spotlight and he's gonna have to face up to his past one way or the other. He has two choices: telling the truth or telling a lie. It is beyond obvious which course of action Romney prefers.
Romney wants children to falsely believe that politicians have never done drugs. That's fundamentally dishonest.
reality check
Comment posted by rachelrachel on Sat, 11/24/2007 - 2:57pmReality check: he criticized Obama for telling the truth, which is the same as proposing that Obama lie instead.
No, it isn't the same.
Logically, there are at least three possibilities: lie, tell the truth, or say nothing. Maybe Romney would have liked Obama to say something like, "I'd rather talk about where I want to lead the country in the future than about what I did in the past."
Or it's possible that he meant something else. I don't know.
A journalist could ask a follow-up question to Romney's campaign: "Is Governor Romney recommending that Senator Obama lie about his past?" I don't know that anybody's done that yet.
What Obama said was perfectly appropriate; indeed, I'd like to see politicians speak up like that. And I'm not going to defend what Romney said. But he does come quite a bit short of recommending that Obama lie.
If you don't know what it
Comment posted by Anonymous on Sat, 12/22/2007 - 7:52pmIf you don't know what it means to "lie by ommission" then there are three possibilities: a) you are a liar, b) you are a fool and c) you are simply ingnorant and pitiable.
A lie by any other name
Comment posted by Anonymous on Sat, 11/24/2007 - 11:07pmA lie of omission is still a lie. And Ron Paul is the only honest and truthful candidate running for president.
Mormons Only Care About Other Mormons
Comment posted by Giordano on Thu, 11/22/2007 - 4:30amA few more examples of Mormon cultural quirkiness are useful for dispelling the standard Mormon PR that boasts of their honesty and civic mindedness. Not that Mitt Romney has not already accomplished that goal by elevating liars to a kind of sainthood.
A corporate CEO residing in Santa Clarita, CA—a community just north of LA on Hwy 5 heading toward the Grapevine, told me of a Mormon cultural trait he observed after the Northridge earthquake hit his area. The electricity was knocked out in Santa Clarita for three days, and so he made his RV available in a way that turned it into a local civic center for people in the immediate neighborhood who required cooking facilities, electrical communications powered by a generator, etc.
But Santa Clarita is 20-25 percent Mormon. The Mormons in the devastated community had a radically different approach to the Northridge earthquake disaster. They only collaborated with and helped each other—the rest of the community be damned.
What is even more bizarre, is that the CEO is an immigrant who later acquired American citizenship. And here he is reaching out to his community, to strangers, while the almighty “saints” as Mormons call themselves and each other, comprising a religion that was hatched in America 180 years ago, couldn’t lift a finger for their fellow Americans.
Thousands of stories like this one are available from those who have entered the Mormon sphere of influence, but one more may suffice to really drive the point home with regard to the drug war and the potential consequences of a Romney victory.
While staying in a predominately Mormon community, I attended parties that were crashed by Mormon narks. We’d suddenly notice them there, just sitting on the front lawn looking all clean cut with their four-dollar haircuts, (or maybe they would approach us at a public park and ask some stupid cover question while pretending not to look around at our stuff).
With security breached, and our civil rights violated, rather than confront the culprits and create a situation where it might be necessary to grievously injure someone, we dispersed to a new party site without revealing the destination to the junior Mormon spies training for their bright future with the DEA.
The hosts of our decadent gatherings? Jack Mormons—aka Jack Daniels Mormons; or those Mormons who think, drink, smoke, party, and otherwise enjoy life; and who might belong to the LDS Church for social or political reasons, but don’t give a second crap otherwise about church dogma and its restrictions on drug use. Damn, talk about party animals! They could also sense a Mormon nark when they saw one.
Mr. Romney is certainly no Jack Mormon. In reality, a successful presidential run by Mitt Romney would presage a new Dark Ages for America, not because Romney is an evil man, not because he is someone who lacks a conscience; but because he has lived in a cultural bubble all his life, cut off from secular society, and he just doesn’t know any better.
Giordano
Obama
Comment posted by Giordano on Thu, 11/22/2007 - 3:08amAn added note, if Obama had lied about his prior drug use, no doubt someone would have come forward to dispute his claim, which would result in anything but a good example for children, i.e., politicians lie. We don't need anymore Bushisms.
its all politics.
Comment posted by Anonymous on Fri, 11/23/2007 - 1:07pmAnything a politician does on a campaign is going to be scrutinized, ridiculed, and discredited outright for one reason or another by other candidates every day of the week. Obama knew the ire he was drawing with this comment. Guliani didn't take the bait, but mitt did and that will probably score points with his base just as obamas comment will score points with the left. Its all good folks, just sit back and enjoy the show.
Scum
Comment posted by Anonymous on Fri, 11/23/2007 - 2:06pmRegardless of Mormon culture, my man Mitt is nothing more than a run of the mill politician who wants the power to control your life and tell you what to think and do.
Romney? Really?
Comment posted by Anonymous on Fri, 11/23/2007 - 2:21pmWhy are we ok with any republican candidate other than Ron Paul for president if we are all for ending the drug war? Ron Paul is the only candidate, other than maybe Mike Gravel on the Democrat side, who is for ending the war on drugs. Minus his stance on drugs, he's for maximum personal freedoms and small limited Constitutional government which is the only way we can be sure that the government will stay out of our business concerning how we as induviduals choose to live our own lives. Just a thought. Ron Paul '08!
Mitt is Fueling Drug Abuse!
Comment posted by Anonymous on Fri, 11/23/2007 - 2:36pmOne reason I felt obligated to experiment with each and every 'recreational' drug
I could locate and purchase as I was growing-up, was because I knew it was a fact
of life that our leaders in the government were conspiring to saturate such rampant
and baseless lies! Our government lies about so many issues...how can anyone keep
track of the truth through this permanent veil of dishonesty?
I knew then, (as I do now), that the words of our government are totally, thoroughly,
and completely worthless.
Through experimentation, I discovered that many of the warnings about 'recreational' drugs,
such as Heroin, Cocaine, and Meth are well founded. But, the issue remains that not all drugs
are created equal! Some drugs have a purpose and are functional for the people of a 'civilized' society.
The word 'Civilized' would indicate a society that honors and promotes the idea of "Compassion and Empathy"
toward the treatment of it's citizens.
Apparently, Mitt Romney has no time for "Compassion and Empathy" in his vision for the future.
(Or for Truth, Justice, and the American Way, either!)
(And then there's John Edwards! He said that Medical Marijuana sends the wrong message...What???
How is the acknowledgment and practice of "Compassion and Empathy", sending the wrong message???
So now it appears that John Edwards has jumped on that bandwagon to bring an end to "Compassion and Empathy"
within our lifetime!)
I believe that if we view this issue of Medical Marijuana from the pharmaceutical
companie's perspective, Mitt Romney and John Edwards are falling right 'In-Line' as good soldiers should,
doing 'whatever-it-takes' to maintain the iron-fisted stranglehold that pharmaceutical companies have on
the citizens of America.
Your Friend,
Jack.
Correction
Comment posted by Scott Morgan on Fri, 11/23/2007 - 5:21pmJohn Edwards supports medical marijuana. His "sends the wrong message" remark was in reference to decriminalizing marijuana for recreational use.
Still ignorant, but not as bad as sacrificing sick people to the DEA.
I really hate this whole
Comment posted by Anonymous on Fri, 11/23/2007 - 10:29pmI really hate this whole medical marijuana argument. NO NO NO - It should ONLY be legal for really, really sick people!!
BULLCRAP!!!!!!!!!!
If alcohol can legally be used for medical AND recreational purposes, marijuana should be too.
MARIJUANA IS LESS DANGEROUS THAN ALCOHOL!
ALCOHOL IS A
- DRUG
- !!!!
I hope that sinked in. I'll continue my war on stupidity.
Further proof that drug prohibition doesn't work:
http://www.nakedauthors.com/uploaded_images/Modifiedmurderchart-789769.g...
Goodbye.
I really hate this whole
Comment posted by Anonymous on Fri, 11/23/2007 - 10:36pmI really hate this whole medical marijuana argument. NO NO NO - It should ONLY be legal for really, really sick people!!
BULLCRAP!!!!!!!!!!
If alcohol can legally be used for medical AND recreational purposes, marijuana should be too.
MARIJUANA IS LESS DANGEROUS THAN ALCOHOL!
ALCOHOL IS A DRUG!!!!
I hope that sinked in. I'll continue my war on stupidity.
Further proof that drug prohibition doesn't work:
http://www.nakedauthors.com/uploaded_images/Modifiedmurderchart-789769.g...
Goodbye.
Um...
Comment posted by Anonymous on Fri, 11/30/2007 - 11:54pmI agree that marijuana should be legal for everyone, but as long as there's a War on Drugs, what's wrong with trying to remove the sick and dying from the battlefield?
Obama could set the bar high for politicians
Comment posted by Anonymous on Sat, 11/24/2007 - 12:38pmI hope the moderaters of the Democratic debates are paying attention to Barack Obama's speech in New Hampshire. Does Obama support a drug policy that ruins the lives of Americans for doing the same thing he did? This is a great opportunity to move the discussion of drug policy forward and point out the hypocrisy of the drug war.
During the Clinton administration we had a record of marijuana arrests for a president who didn't inhale. Bush never would deny using cocaine and he got elected twice (once). Obama should be applauded for honesty something which is new to the debate. But he could and should go much further by denouncing the policy of arresting drug users.
All i can say from living in utah is...
Comment posted by Anonymous on Sat, 11/24/2007 - 5:48pm...Mormons run next to everything.. and thats why utah sucks. I for sure as hell do not want one for president.
3 past Republican Presidents who used Cocaine
Comment posted by danos714 on Sun, 11/25/2007 - 2:01amPresident William McKinley had Cocaine Parties in the Whitehouse also US Grant used Cocaine and William Howard Taft used it as well I'm certain our past 2 presidents have used it so Romney is an idiot who knows nothing of American History
3 Republican Presidents who used Cocaine
So we know he's a liar before he even gets into office!
Comment posted by Anonymous on Sun, 11/25/2007 - 5:00amJust immagine what other lies he's telling us.
We can always start with...
Comment posted by Anonymous on Mon, 11/26/2007 - 10:57pmthe war in Iraq.
5th Amendment
Comment posted by Anonymous on Tue, 11/27/2007 - 2:33pmYou guys crack me up with your misconceptions and anger over The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. To recommend people learn about our Church by seeking answers from those who hate us is like recommending one go to a Ford dealership to seek advice about a Chevrolet you’re interested in. www.lds.org is the place to go to learn about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We recommend you pray about it too. :)
As for anyone sharing their past transgressions in a public forum . . . we have rights and laws that allow us to keep certain things where they belong . . . in the past and private. However, believe it or not, there are people who manage to get through life without using drugs, alcohol, tea or tobacco products. Yes, hard for many to believe . . . but I run into them all the time. Have you seen where BYU rates each year when it comes to "party" colleges? Dead last. There’s a reason for that. So why would anyone be surprised by people getting through life without using such unnecessary and potentially harmful substances?
Anyway, if one feels a need to share past discretions, I believe they should do so in a way that doesn't sound boastful or appealing. Many make this mistake and it is obvious that they are truly not sorry and really simply trying to be cool or fit in. It is not a lie to keep one’s indiscretions private and in the past. It is not a lie to leave it to those who feel a need to judge us to do so based on who we are today. When my children have asked me, “Dad, did you ever drink (smoke, take drugs, sleep around, etc.)?”, my answer has always been, “I need to let you decide for yourself because if I say I did, you may want to try it with the thought that ‘dad did it, therefore, so can I. And if I say I have never done any of those things, you may say, ‘Dad is a square, doesn’t have a clue and doesn’t understand . . . so I can do it.’” So, the point is that there really is no winning answer. All I know is that when I went to my 20 year reunion, I noticed many drunk parents seriously wondering why their children were having problems with drugs and alcohol, teen pregnancy, DUI’s, etc. It was humorous and sad all at the same time.
Anyway . . . GO ROMNEY!!!! ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT!!!
By the way, I just got back from Baghdad a couple of weeks ago. It’s alarming how brutal people can become when they insist on looking at the differences between them and those of other tribes, religions, neighborhoods, etc. Hopefully some day, people will learn to look at the similarities and build upon that rather than the divisive differences.
Lee
Parents, Privacy and Democracy
Comment posted by Giordano on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 5:06am“I noticed many drunk parents seriously wondering why their children were having problems with drugs and alcohol, teen pregnancy, DUI’s, etc.”
The severest examples of problem-children are usually those whose parents are the pinnacles of authoritarian perfection. These are the judges’ kids who OD on heroin, cops’ kids who end up in jail for grand theft, and then there are the preachers’ kids who are just too disgusting to talk about.
In a personal rebellion, the pendulum swings equally far from the center when it reaches the other end. And make no mistake, these vile people use drugs in ways that make drugs look really evil.
But aside from those cultures that bind their kids in chains as they struggle to mature and learn; a more common if not more successful home environment involves parents who are moderate in their personal drug habits, knowledgeable and truthful about drugs, and who resist allowing quack organizations such as DARE to educate their kids about drugs.
That’s what it’s come down to, people protecting their kids from defective government sponsored drug education propaganda, while also keeping their kids from awkward encounters with big daddy government that gets little Bobby and Buffy busted and buggered in jail.
“. . . in the past and private”
Agreed.
Privacy is indeed an issue in the drug war. In reference to children, it may be difficult for parents to be discreet when their name is on some government hit list concerning some personal and private act totally irrelevant to the survival of the human species. This and everything about it needs to stop.
“It’s alarming how brutal people can become when they insist on looking at the differences between them and those of other tribes, religions, neighborhoods, etc. Hopefully some day, people will learn to look at the similarities and build upon that rather than the divisive differences.”
Agreed again.
Several drugs, including ecstasy, psilocybin mushrooms, etc., create soft, empathic emotions favoring others, or humanity in general, during the drug session. Psychotherapy research has begun again on some of these drugs after a long hiatus. The bringing together of cultures, as opposed to merely arresting or shooting people, or getting them to shoot each other, may just have a drug solution. It certainly works between individuals.
But, clarifying Mormon culture by going to lds.org? What bias could those guys have? They’re just the Mormon Church, right?
The four-star documentary dealing with modern Mormon culture is by Steven Greenstreet. This Divided State: Death Threats, Bribery, and Family Values…”, (2004). When Greenstreet made the movie, he was a film student at Brigham Young University, so he’s totally impartial in the filming of his fellow Mormons.
The professionally edited DVD depicts the true story of the hilarious efforts to stop film-maker Michael Moore from speaking at Utah Valley State College. Initiated by some local community leaders, red-state/blue-state disputes erupt and rage until the formerly peaceful, idealic, anti-drug community is virtually ripped apart by its own efforts to save itself from the evil Michael Moore.
If the Mormons and the LDS Church should by some odd chance capture the White House in 2008, This Divided State graphically and painfully depicts the Church’s divisive and thoroughly undemocratic vision for America.
Giordano
Tough Love
Comment posted by Anonymous on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 8:40amOk, so I'm curious... what does your church recommend as a backup, in case that type of family value approach fails? I mean, what do you do in the case where, say, a teen gets into a rebellious mode -- as they so often do. What if a kid just totally rejects the things you've taught, and decides he likes hanging out with a crowd that approves of such behaviors as smoking pot, for instance? And what if, after many attempts to influence him to conform to your standards, he simply refuses, and decides he has made up his mind that your philosophy of life is not for him?
Suppose there was a way you could bring him back. What if there was a place you could send him that would get him back on the right track? Perhaps you could meet with, and talk to a few kids who went to this place, and they told you how much it helped them. They told you how it helped them to realize that their old behaviors were just a cry for help, and they were really hurting, and just needed someone to show them some tough love. And now, they feel good about themselves, have a great relationship with their parents, and are so grateful that this program had saved their life.
But what if the only way you could get your troubled teen into this place was to get something called an "escort service" to come and take him away by force? What if the only way this program could break him of the old behavior was to use a regimen of fear, shame, isolation, pain, and helplessness to break him down, before building him back up?
And what if 30 years of experience using this approach had shown that it usually only works in the short term, if at all. What if there were tens, or hundreds of thousands of people -- many of them now in their 30's and 40's -- who had been through such programs. What if many, or most of them were now suffering from PTSD? What if many of them were so distraught over their experience that they could no longer even talk to their parents, or had even committed suicide?
Would you approve of such a means of getting your wayward kid back on the right track? It appears that Romney does. After all, he's accepted a lot of money from the people who have run such programs, and allowed them to raise millions of dollars more for him. One of those money men, along with his wife, not only ran a whole chain of such programs, but advises world leaders on drug policy.
Giardo and Tough Love
Comment posted by Anonymous on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 11:45amYo Gio . . . you have some serious issues with the LDS Church . . . and drugs. Was your dad a Bishop or something? Stake President? He was a cop too, huh? Or a Military Officer like me? :) Let it go man! :) You know all too well that the drug seen took away more of your freedoms then it ever gave you. But know that we still love ya man.
As for you "Tough Love", it sounds like you may have some issues/experience with the LDS Church as well? I'm sorry to hear this. You sound sincere; unlike Giordo. As for this program you mention . . . I'm not familiar with it. What is it called? Fortunately, I haven't had to consider anything like that with my seven children. Four of them are adults now and seem to have accepted the truths I've tried to teach in my home. I’ve most likely used many of the mind altering tactics of Mr. Romney, like; daily scripture study and prayer, Family Home Evening, regularly attending Church, Boy Scouts and Young Women’s programs, Service projects, spending time with them . . . and even discussing people like Giordo. In my case, I taught them of my good friend I grew up with named Russell, who had everything going for him (looks, brains, style, great social skills, etc.). When I looked up Russell to ask him if I could tag along with him at the 20 year reunion, he mentioned how he got a hold of some bad marijuana with PCP or something . . . it fried his brain . . . and he has been living off of the tax payers in California ever since. And I’ve shown my children drunk people too. They thought it looked funny . . . but realized that these drunk people had given up self control and certain freedoms. They seem to have concluded that the risks are not worth it. Of course, every once in a while, one would do something similar to the whacky things Giordo must have done to his parents when he was like . . . 5 . . . but they always managed to get themselves back on track after I threatened to take away their next birthday party . . . or worse . . . take away their Nintendo for a whole WEEK . . . or longer . . . or some other equally devious consequence I could think up! I know, I know . . . I should be arrested for child abuse. But the truth is that no one can force anyone to accept the truth. Even Jesus Christ, and other great religious leaders from the past, could not get many people to accept things they saw with their own eyes. Some people are like Giordo and get their kicks from trying to upset others. That is more enjoyable to them than accepting the truth. Of course, he lives in a country where we don't have to worry about thugs breaking into our houses in the night and dipping our heads into a tank of acid (corrosive acid Giordo . . . not the kind you’re thinking of) or watching them torture our children to death with a power drill. By the way Giordo . . . I fear they would have been at your door long ago. Did I mention I just left Baghdad a couple of weeks ago? You’re very fortunate there are guys like me who are willing to leave our homes at 18 months at a pop to allow you to try to spread your nonsense.
Anyway, where was I? Romney! Good man! Great kids! Great marriage! One wife too! (Mormon joke thing). Not to mention his talents in business, leadership and politics. He’ll make a fine President!
Did I mention I just got back from Baghdad? I better get to that “Honey-do” list before my wife makes me do push-ups! :) By the way, is this thing we’re doing what they call “blogging”?
Lee
Re: Tough Love
Comment posted by Anonymous on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 12:49pmI never really had any issues with the LDS. And thanks for serving.
Just follow the link I posted in the first comment on this article -- the "Brainwashing" comment. Read it, Google the names of the people, and the names of the organizations. You'll find a ton of stuff about it online. There are personal accounts, court records, police reports, congressional hearings, coroner's findings...
Like I said, you're rooting for a candidate who's using blood money to pay for his campaign. He will repay them if he wins -- like the Bushes did.
"Truth...you can't handle the truth..."
Comment posted by Giordano on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 8:05pmI just love that line from Jack Nicholson, don’t you?
So, Lee, you’re a military officer, eh? That figures. I’ve known many military officers, some good, some bad, some really bad. As a member of the military, you realize that you have far fewer civil rights than the average American citizen, including those involving free speech. Kinda sucks, doesn’t it? Or, maybe not.
Who needs free speech when there’s a puppet master ready to yank one’s strings on a whim, some fat cat who tells a person what to do, what to think, how to act—essentially how to conduct one’s life from cradle to grave. Sounds like Easy Street, doesn’t it? It takes real guts to do it any other way.
For a person coddled in this way, someone who never thinks for themselves and has never been allowed to set the social and moral boundaries for their own life, then totalitarianism is only a step away from the situation that already exists in their lives.
It’s no secret to those who study fanatical religious sects and religions that such cultures form the insipient basis for fascist governments. Such was the case in Hitler’s Germany, and such is the case now emerging in America within the judicial industrial complex, complete with its drug war saturated by Mormon narks that continues to be a back door for fascist agendas.
On another front, the U.S. is fighting religious battles in Iraq that should have been concluded by some other country in the sixteenth century, all because of people such as you, Lee.
You may not understand what I or anyone else says here because you, like al Qaeda, live in an imagined world. Religions such as Mormonism and Islam demand abstinence not only from drugs, but from the knowledge that contradicts religious belief (this tends to include just about all relevant knowledge, especially the scientific variety). BTW, speaking of real science, your classmate could not have flipped out merely from ingesting marijuana laced with angel dust; he sounds schizophrenic, and schiz is genetic.
Overall, Mormons and Islamists are rabid anti-intellectuals. They fear drugs (alcohol included) not only because they are told by someone in a recognized position of authority to fear drugs, but because some religious leaders believe drugs can be a mind transformer that can shatter the lies and hypocrisies a person has been fed all their life about religion. Ah, that it could be true, but I don’t think it is. If it were a fact, the military could do an aerial spraying of the Mideast with LSD and we’d all be done with that rotten war.
As for what you think I am or were, you’re dead wrong on all counts. But let me see if I can play that same game in your case. I say you were probably raised in some white trash ghetto in deepest, darkest America. You attended the worst schools in the country, schools that taught you what it was to be a good citizen, but which deliberately neglected to instruct you on the true history of America, the world, and the crazed puppeteers who sometimes run it. This was done to make you more controllable in the future. There were no political discussions in your community, because everyone always agreed on everything. You don’t read books. Your family was not wealthy, so you joined the military (unlike Romney’s kids). And now you’re back from Baghdad (Green Zone or combat?) and you expect people on this website to kiss your ring for it. Sound about right?
BTW, welcome home:-)
Giordano
Tough Love
Comment posted by Anonymous on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 2:29pmHello again “Tough Love”
I went back and hit the link you’ve provided. Perhaps you should too because it concludes by suggesting that someone should ask Mr. Romney if he supports those outrageous disciplinary tactics mentioned in the body of the article. It’s obvious that the author of that article really doesn’t know what Mr. Romney’s position is on the disciplinary institutions described. If you ask me, that author (Maia Szalavitz) is rather irresponsible for making such an assumption and not going the extra yard to find out the answers to the question he/she raised in her/his article. If you read about the author, you will see that he/she has an agenda. If you are going to base your opinion of Mr. Romney based solely upon this person’s article, I believe you are selling yourself short.
However, the article does mention a very serious problem parents are having raising children. It sounds like the author mentions the experience a single parent was having with a daughter. There are some very tough situations out there these days. I think it all boils down to the very basic values being taught in our homes. But unfortunately, some homes are in trouble from the get go with the rise in broken homes and single family homes. Fortunately, there are organizations that help us with our homes and our children (www.lds.org). Shameless plug, huh? :)
I can go on and on enjoying my time off before I have to go back to work. But I better fight the temptation. My daughters just got home from “half-day” at school. One is drafting an essay she will be writing on the school’s D.A.R.E. program. :) We’re having quite a conversation. I need to go. I hope you will reconsider Mr. Romney and learn more about him from him rather then from those who dislike him. :)
Lee
Facts are irrelevant
Comment posted by Anonymous on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 2:39pmDontcha just love cognitive dissonance? The blood is on your hands Lee.
Facts are irrelevant
Comment posted by Anonymous on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 3:12pmWhat the heck is "cognitive dissonance"? Is this Hillary? :) What blood? Avoiding the issues again? Take care Hillary. :)
Lee
Facts are irrelevant
Comment posted by Anonymous on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 3:21pmThank goodness for "dictionary.com". So . . . Dr. Anonymous . . . have you any recommendations for me and my newest label? :) Lee
Dear Giordano, Are you mad
Comment posted by Anonymous on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 9:20pmDear Giordano,
Are you mad at me? Are you suggesting I’m a white dude from a small town? Hummm. Are you imagining I’ve never done anything with my life but the military? Are you imagining I’ve been a Mormon my entire life? You would surely be amused by my history, education, accomplishments, etc. But you wouldn’t do well at the guessing booth at the circus.
You want to get to know me, don’t you? You want to be my friend, don’t you? :) I like you too. You’re funny and guys like you make the world a more interesting and colorful place. As for rings . . . I where a CTR ring on one hand and a wedding ring on the other. I don’t need anyone to kiss either. I saw an image of a little Iraqi girl being carried in the arms of her father with shrapnel wounds in her back and I knew I had to try to do something. That was my motivation for going. Do you have children Giordano? If so, I’m sure there was a time when you would have done anything for them. And that was my motivation. Pure and simple. For me, it’s about the children and trying to give them a better place. Heck, I’m so brain washed, I was willing to take a cut in pay from my corporate, white collar, high tech job to go over there and do what I could.
What do you live for Giordano? Drugs? You sure do seem to know a lot about them. Are you some sort of drug dealer? A doctor? A cop? Perhaps you work for a pharmaceutical company hoping to cash in on legalized drugs? Or are you like my friend Russell . . . a ward of the state because of the damage (real or imagined) the drugs did to your brain?
Anyway, whatever your game, just know you can repent and get back on the right track. Heavenly Father still loves you too. :) www.lds.org Gotta go see the debate. Remember . . . Romney for President! GO ROMNEY!!! :)
Lee
Right of Privacy
Comment posted by Giordano on Thu, 11/29/2007 - 3:46amNo, Lee, I’m not angry with you. And I wish you and your family the best in every way possible. I don’t know who you are, and my guess, or stereotype, about who you are is obviously wrong. It was meant to be.
My point is that we don’t really know anything about anybody on this blog, for the most part, and that’s a good thing. Because the only thing that matters from that point on are the words that get posted to the blog. And that is a communications miracle. We’re all journalists now.
There seems to be some suspicion of anyone who would take a purely intellectual interest in a phenomenon that is ripping society apart, such as the drug war. Your focus is on the Iraq War, mine is on the dynamics of oppression and persecution. It’s that simple.
Almost every nark who’s collided with the StoptheDrugWar.org blog since I signed on has wanted to know who I am using the same approach you’ve used. I’ve known enough of your good buddies in Defense Intelligence to spot an intelligence scheme when I see one. They’re all transparent. But if your friends really want to know anything about me personally, they’ll have to find out the old fashioned way—by violating my civil rights.
Remember where your are; a drug site. Perhaps you’re not a nark. Maybe no one’s a nark. But please also remember that America is now a country where people doing legitimate research on the wrong topic (such as illegal drugs or even Middle Eastern studies) are not being allowed to leave the country or enter other countries.
I hope you will take a look at the other postings on StoptheDrugWar.org to learn more about this blog’s quest for justice. You can even click on ‘Giordano’ above and read all my other postings. I write to inform, shock and amuse, and I think I succeed.
Enjoy peace.
Giordano
Jack Nicholson's character ended up in jail in that movie. :)
Comment posted by Anonymous on Thu, 11/29/2007 - 8:33amHi Giordano,
No, I’m no Nark (Narc?). Heck, I thought you were trying to locate me for some devious reason. :) I’m just your average minority (Italian/Hispanic blend) from a broken home who grew up in East L.A., dropped out of HS to join the Army as a way to find a better life and get the G.I. Bill, found the LDS Church along the way, got my Terminal Master’s degree from a prominent private University, got a few patents, became a millionaire, designed and invented a few things (still am), retired from the military before 9/11 because I didn’t see eye-to-eye with some of the people and policies and because I was hoping to spend more time with the family . . . but felt a need to help after 9/11 (described earlier)(not necessarily in this order). The lesson with coming out of Army retirement is: Be careful what you pray for . . . or you may find yourself in Baghdad for a year. :) And I’m just as interested in helping those who are oppressed wherever they are . . . not only Iraq. But again, I worry about the children getting a chance at a better life.
I did finally take a look at the web-site I’m blogging on and now realize this site is more for you than it is for me. I’ve never blogged before and don’t know how I ended up here . . . other than hitting a link that was picking on Romney and Mormons. Why does your site have so many with a need to do that? Unfortunately, Romney didn’t do as well as I would have hoped last night. But we all have bad days, right? He'll do better as President. :)
Anyway, before I leave you to your blog site, and your belief that illegal drugs are a good thing, I wanted to simply mention that web site one last time and send you this link to let you know what us Mormons believe. This can be found in the 13 Articles of Faith. I’ve copied and pasted the 11th one below to let you know how we feel about people like you who have a different point of view than ours. Take a look at the 12th too. :) We do care about guys like you and sincerely wish you well. Anyway . . .
http://scriptures.lds.org/en/a_of_f/1
11 We claim the aprivilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the bdictates of our own cconscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them dworship how, where, or what they may.
See ya Giordano.
Robert Lichfield
Comment posted by Anonymous on Thu, 11/29/2007 - 4:59pmYou know, you might want to have this guy checked out by your/his church, unless of course they approve of what he does.
http://www.caica.org/NEWS%20Robert%20Lichfield.htm
Nice point! But for me both
Comment posted by Anonymous on Thu, 11/27/2008 - 4:30amNice point! But for me both of the presidential candidates have their own strategies on how to persuade people to support them. It’s up to the people or should I say it’s up to the parents if they will allow their children to do what others did. One of the key ingredients to the success of a modern nation is education. America has recently had a presidential election, and education is a key issue. President-elect Barack Obama already has some ideas. According to this article, he wants to take a good look at the No Child Left Behind act. He doesn’t want to get rid of it altogether, but he does want reform, especially when it comes to the subject of standardized testing, and he is against having students “fill in bubbles” every year, and preparing them to only do so. Both he and Vice president-elect Joe Biden are both supporters of charter schools, provided they perform adequately. Teachers at private and charter schools will be in line for incentives such as the Teacher Service Scholarships, and pay bonuses and increases to perform to standards. He also wants to boost Early Head Start programs and give tax credits (or as he calls it the “American Opportunity” credit) for college education and these things are all at the forefront of his education plan. Repairing faith in America’s schools, and therefore the credit repair of the American workforce, is something that is definitely desirable. Click to learn more about Credit Repair.
game gold
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Yesterday i bought conan gold
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I usually buy the aoc money and keep it in my store.
It's about brainwashing
Comment posted by Anonymous on Wed, 11/21/2007 - 7:26pmRomney will be Bush III if he gets elected. He'll have debts to pay off, just like the first two Bushes did.
http://www.reason.com/news/show/121088.html