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Friday, February 25, 2011

Media Winged Pigs Are Bobsledding in Hell

Posted by Dominic Holden on Fri, Feb 25, 2011 at 5:32 PM

The Seattle Times has just published its fourth editorial in a week about why we need to legalize marijuana. So begins the latest one—explaining why they're on a tear over pot—from editorial page editor Ryan Blethen:

It is rare we publish an editorial on a hot topic and receive near universal praise. But that is what happened last week when we came out in support of Washington state legalizing cannabis.

I recommend reading the whole editorial. (Also, about time. Also also, it seems like just yesterday that the Seattle Times was opposing Seattle Initiative 75 as "a dopey idea" and "kind of lobbying." But, you know, hindsight and all that.)

There's more: At noon Thursday, Blethen will host an online discussion about House Bill 1550 to tax and regulate marijuana, a bill that the ed board is apparently excited about. So it looks like the drug czar is going to have a tough job selling his prohibition sanctimony next Friday.

Comments (14) RSS

Oldest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a comment

Have you seen Ryan Blethen's mustache? Dude definitely smokes dope.

Posted by DOUG.

on February 25, 2011 at 6:17 PM

A theory: sometimes Ryan B writes editorials and sometimes he lets Joni B write editorials. Joni's are awful; Ryan's are rather surprisingly thoughtful.

Posted by sarah68 on February 25, 2011 at 7:29 PM

This seems like an issue where Washington, with it's blend of liberals and libertarian "Yosemite Sam" types, could really lead the way for the rest of the country.

Legalize it. Tax it. Smoke it!

Posted by seandr on February 25, 2011 at 8:06 PM

I can't believe I'm impressed by the Times. For the first time in my life, I have to give them Kudos. Winged Pigs Bobsledding Hell indeed!

Posted by Lose-Lose on February 25, 2011 at 9:03 PM

And if they managed to get this passed, I may forgive them for some, but not all, of their passed transgressions: endorsing GW, Rossi twice, Neathercutt, all those other Republican douchebags; killing the monorail... what else...

Posted by Lose-Lose on February 25, 2011 at 9:04 PM

Oops: "past", though "passed transgressions" may ring true.

Posted by Lose-Lose on February 25, 2011 at 9:05 PM

This is your face on drugs:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41787410/ns/…

Posted by Supreme Ruler Of The Universe

on February 25, 2011 at 9:54 PM

this is the coolest headline on slog that i've seen in a while. very catchy!
i can't get the image out of my head - big snouty dudes with pegasus wings on bobsleds.

Posted by onion on February 25, 2011 at 11:46 PM

This sounds good but Gregoire is pretty open about the fact that she will not sign a state law that violates federal law into act.

Everything seems futile until we hear from her. I emailed and got in response: "The Governor stated that she would not sign it if it came to her as she has sworn to uphold federal law."

Posted by Swearengen on February 26, 2011 at 1:08 AM

A responsible newspaper? One that isn't taking the expedient position but the sensible one? Unusual in the extreme and commendable. I can't believe I'm saying this about The Times!

Posted by Vince on February 26, 2011 at 2:27 AM

My only concern: I firmly believe in legalizing drugs, and am sure that, at least until socity adjusts (as it was starting to do in the 'Seventies) some people will screw themselves up because they've been using outside legal restriction instead of developing self-discipline...and that under current conditions the money will not be there to help their sorry arses.

Cannabis drugs are drugs, regardless that they come from a plant. They can be powerfully good for one, and since we live in a universe which is completely amoral and uncaring (save for us), this means they can be powerfully bad. Believing in freedom should not be the same as insisting that it is completely benign, and those of us not jerks understand that people who suffer thereby, responsible though they are in large part, should get our collective help.

Unfortunately, as times are tough and too many of our citizens have been convinced that anything but hardness of heart is unAmerkin, they will not adequately support treatment for the people hurt up by legal drugs who might have clung to sobriety otherwise.

(Note: I also believe our future National Health should treat those injuries resulting from rock-climbing, religion, smoking, and trolling.)

Posted by Gerald Fnord on February 26, 2011 at 5:47 AM

@7, Faces of meth fail.

Posted by samktg on February 26, 2011 at 8:09 AM

What @2 said.

I love watching Joni's face on TV when you speak, Dominic.

The expressions are priceless.

Posted by Will in Seattle

on February 26, 2011 at 11:33 AM

@11: "My only concern: I firmly believe in legalizing drugs, and am sure that, at least until socity adjusts (as it was starting to do in the 'Seventies) some people will screw themselves up because they've been using outside legal restriction instead of developing self-discipline...and that under current conditions the money will not be there to help their sorry arses."

Like they aren't now? Simple, put the Drug War budget towards treatment.

Posted by people were certainly not better off under prohibition.no on February 26, 2011 at 7:49 PM