Another confused Oregonian editorial against marijuana legalization

So much for balance on the Oregonian's editorial page. Unless I've missed a pro Oregon Cannabis Tax Act (Measure 80) opinion piece, today's confused guest editorial by Young Republican Brendan Monaghan is the third non-sensical "anti-pot" rant in a row. 

(My previous demolishings of the Oregonian's reasonings are here and here.)

Monaghan's sole justification for voting against legalization of marijuana for consumption by adults is that this would run afoul of federal law. Ridiculous federal law, which classifies marijuana in the same category as heroin and recognizes no medical use for it.

However, Monaghan's Facebook page contains a favorite slogan of his: "Because statism never takes a day off." Hmmmmm. So Young Republican Brendan is totally in favor of states like Oregon bowing and scraping before the power of the federal government when it comes to marijuana legalization.

I wonder where he stood on Arizona's attempt to enforce it's own approach to stopping illegal immigration. I assume Monaghan would have told Governor Jan Brewer and her Republican cohorts that it is futile to try to oppose federal policies, so why try?

His opinion piece makes so little sense, I don't want to put much time into refuting his "don't challenge federal law" argument. Commenters on the piece have done a better job than I could, anyway.

Here's some of my favorite comments:

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The most disturbing part about this article is that the author does not offer any real solutions or alternatives to the current approach we have on Marijuana; which has been an utter failure and has resulted in criminal enterprises around the word creating a hefty budget to prolong their criminal agendas. The status quo is UNACCEPTABLE and if you rather just not do anything and simply wait for the old farts in Washington to step up you are DEAD WRONG and a fool at best (or you're already bought out). The people control the law of the [l]and and it takes courage and foresight to really change things; measure 80 aims to do just that.

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Oh my .. don't want the feds mad at us! Might cost us some money!! Let's not do ANYTHING - be afraid, very afraid.  

One would suppose the same argument could have been made when alcoholic beverages was re-legalized in 1933. Measure 7 (1932), Bill to Repeal State Prohibition Law of Oregon: passed 59.8%. Please note that this bill (1932) preceded the National repeal (1933). 10 states voted in 1932 to repeal prohibition. California voted to repeal and empower the legislature to regulate the sale by retail stores IF AND WHEN "federal prohibition becomes inoperative". In Louisiana, there were two referendum, one on whether prohibition would be inoperative 30 days after election (before national repeal) and another petitioning congress for repeal, In Connecticut a referendum to launch repeal. Other states that voted were Colorado, Michigan, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oregon, Wyoming, and Washington. 
 
Oregon was in the SAME position in 1932 as now with a unjust law regulating adult behavior.  
 
The SAME arguments were made in 1933 ("Oh! the children!", more use, change of status quo, and (you can bet) the Federal Rules, remember this wasn't just federal law and policy, it was in the federal CONSTITUTION!)). What struggle did history tell us between the feds and the state?  
 
None! Only that alcohol Prohibition was repealed in Oregon BEFORE the Federal repeal. And everyone is happy we did. 

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I agree whole heartedly with Brendan's reasoning. The path is difficult, therefore we should sweep the problem under the rug and suck our thumbs. Good thing we don't deal with medicare and social security funding the same way... Oh wait. 
I would just like to say that I am eternally grateful to:  
1. The founding fathers for saying "screw it, we cant win against the crown. Let us continue to suck from the king's teet." 
2. Anti slavery citizens who rolled on their backs and returned every single ruaway, per federal law. 
3. The thousands of people who didn't go to war in the 1940's to end oppressive totalitarianism. 
4. The civil rights leaders who accepted that some races are just inferior compared to others. 
 
The fictitious world I live in, within my own head, would not exist without all of their lack of struggle in the face of assured and powerful opposition.

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I am completely disgusted by the Oregonian's increasing right leaning perspective. I guess we should always cowtow to the Federal government? No wonder mainstream newspapers continue to lose readership. Goodbye Oregonian, you lost another reader.

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The Oregonian is once again showing their increasingly move to the right; did not get far with the editorial board writing "Reefer Madness" articles so now they are using outside hacks to promote their views. If Brandon is the norm for a new Young Republican it is no wonder the republican's are losing party members. Although he does not spout the usual "Reefer Madness" rhetoric it appears he may have given us an insight to the opposition’s strategy against the measure. If they cannot fight the true facts then argue that is stupid and costly to take on the federal government. If the citizens of this country are not willing to take on the government and fight for what is right then this country is truly lost and the government has won and your freedom has taken another hit. The Republican Party is arguing for a smaller government the problem is they want that government to control all aspects of your life. 

Comments

[tucson]

"I am completely disgusted by the Oregonian's increasing right leaning perspective. I guess we should always cowtow to the Federal government? No wonder mainstream newspapers continue to lose readership. Goodbye Oregonian, you lost another reader."

--So, it's the left way or the highway? Sounds like a petulant child to me. I subscribe to the local paper which is very left leaning which I tend to disagree with. Still it is good to hear a variety of viewpoints and there is also plenty of non-partisan info. You take the good with the bad like everything else.

Politics are very emotional. Humph! Too many right wing articles...slam the door and walk out of the room in a huff. That'll show 'em.

[Willie R]

Oregonians: be prepared for a modicum of social upheaval if pot gets legalized in your state. While the threat of the feds getting involved with enforcement at the casual user level is minimal, they have ways of making it difficult to get things done. No Pell Grants, no student loans, no FHA mortgages for pot users, no fed disaster relief funds, the list goes on and on.

And don't forget: the Oregonians who do not vote to pass the measure will exhibit prejudice against those who do, if the measure is passed.

You guys are gonna get awful tired of pissing in cups every time you turn around.