Drug Dealers and Drug Traffic

[Chuck(G)]

yum...YUM !!!

Sorry Joe, I forgot that you folks down there prefer your native meats:

[Philip Jensen]

Taxonomists generally classify fungi as plant forms but I suppose that since they reproduce asexually, spores aren't considered to be seeds:

Noooooooo! Layfolk do this, NOT taxonomists. The faculty down the hall are cringing. People who work with fungi are often part of Botany Depts, this is true, but that doesn't make a fungus a plant. This is partly historical, and also because they do have a lot of biochemical similarities (and the animal folk don't want 'em). Plants have chloroplasts and do photosynthesis, fungi do not.

Fungi do have sex, and they can produce both sexual and asexual spores - definitely not seeds though

The "mushrooms" we eat are basidiocarps filled with asexual basidiospores, unless you are eating truffles or morels, in which case it is an ascus, filled with ascospores.

Philip" too dry around here this year for morels" Jensen

[Joe Baker]

I have always wondered if god (if there is one) is into entrapment...

You're intolerant of my beliefs!! I demand social justice!!





Just kidding....
_______________________
Joe Baker, who doesn't expect everyone to share his values or be sensitive to his feelings.

[Chuck(G)]

Those crazy Canadians are at it again:

http://www.amigula.com/

[funkcicle]

Those crazy Canadians are at it again:

http://www.amigula.com/

Due to legal "technicalities", even recreational pot is currently legal(to an extent) in both Ontario and P.E.I. (unless something has changed since last November). The Federal government allows marijuana for medical purposes, but has not allowed for any legal means of obtaining it. The Ontario supreme court(for you americans, understand that a provincial govevrnment has a lot more power than the state governments do in the u.s.) sometime back gave the Federal government an ultimatum to the effect of "provide a legal means for legit users to obtain this drug, or the federal laws making their only means of obtaining it illegal will be struck down in Ontario"... the Federal government drafted a plan for such, but as it had not been enacted one year after the ultimatum the Ontario court stuck to it's word. Following suit, a judge in P.E.I. hearing a pot related case decided to follow the precedent of what was happening in Ontario, and ruled similarly.

This is nothing new in eastern Canada... about 2 years ago the Ontario Provincial Police in the GTA area announced that they would no longer make arrests for marijuana posession under 30 grams because the courts no longer prosecute them. Since that time a "ticket" system was put into place, where posession of 10-30 grams of marijuana will get you a fine in the neighbourhood of $100-$250, like a speeding ticket. Essentially, they kept it illegal, but decriminalised it. Posession of larger quantities and trafficking still cary hefty punishments, and the legal system isn't bogged down with college kids and glaucoma sufferers.

This is what a lot of people are fighting for(not blanket legalisation of all drugs), and I think if we look at it objectively, those of us on both sides of the debate can see the merit in this direction of legislation.

[Chuck(G)]

Noooooooo! Layfolk do this, NOT taxonomists. The faculty down the hall are cringing. People who work with fungi are often part of Botany Depts, this is true, but that doesn't make a fungus a plant. This is partly historical, and also because they do have a lot of biochemical similarities (and the animal folk don't want 'em). Plants have chloroplasts and do photosynthesis, fungi do not.

In the broad taxonomy of "animal, mineral or vegetable"; I'd put fungi down as "vegetable".

But even the dictionary-makers have problems.

From the plant dictionary at http://www.tiscali.co.uk/reference/dict ... 10851.html under "Fungus"

They are not considered to be plants for three main reasons: they have no leaves or roots; they contain no chlorophyll (green colouring) and are therefore unable to make their own food by photosynthesis; and they reproduce by spores

Okay, no leaves or roots is a disqualifier. How about an alga? From: http://www.tiscali.co.uk/reference/dict ... 10671.html under "Alga":

Highly varied group of plants, ranging from single-celled forms to large and complex seaweeds. They live in both fresh and salt water, and in damp soil. Algae do not have true roots, stems, or leaves.

Algae were formerly included within the division Thallophyta, together with fungi and bacteria. Their classification changed with increased awareness of the important differences existing between the algae and Thallophyta, and also between the groups of algae themselves; many botanists now place each algal group in a separate class of its own.

Okay, an alga is a plant, but doesn't have roots or leaves....

Gotcha!

[Mark]

In the broad taxonomy of "animal, mineral or vegetable"...

But even the dictionary-makers have problems.

I'm prestty sure that fungi and algae are classified into in their own separate kingdoms. Not plan or animal. (Minerals are not an organism.)

[Mark]

Yeah, yeah, yeah; but what distinguishes a baritone from a euphonium, huh?

A euphonium has no Chlorophyll.

[Joe Baker]

Yeah, yeah, yeah; but what distinguishes a baritone from a euphonium, huh?

A euphonium has no Chlorophyll.

Dunno, I've seen some with green stuff growin' in em...
_______________________________
Joe Baker, who once found a tree growing in the backseat floorboards of his POS Renault Alliance

[Chuck(G)]

In the broad taxonomy of "animal, mineral or vegetable"...

But even the dictionary-makers have problems.

I'm prestty sure that fungi and algae are classified into in their own separate kingdoms. Not plan or animal. (Minerals are not an organism.)

Gosh, that'll really make playing "20 Questions" hard!

[Joe Baker]

Wait a minute... are you saying those guys are alive???
_____________________________________
Joe Baker, whose HS botany textbooks did say that Bushes are vegetables....

[adam0408]

Adam,

I really don't have a religious or political bent regarding dope, but since you bring it up...

Capitalism=bad, socialism/communism=good? Are you serious? Are you one of those lefty loonies that can't stand America? Surely not....? The cpatialistic USA isn't perfect, but it's a lot better when it comes to respect for the rights and freedoms of its citizens than socialist/communist govts. If you work hard enough, you can realize your dreams. No one, including the govt., is going to just give it to you. If you have the best product/do the best work, you are rewarded. There are also no guarantees. Guarantees aren't fair to those who bust their asses to succeed. Kinda like those college entrance exams that certain folks get extra points for ethnicity instead of EFFORT. What incentive is there for some one to do well? (That's another thread.) The free market is a wonderful thing if left alone.

If you want to give up more of your rights and freedoms, conceding them to the govt. for the better of all people, don't expect the rest of us to go along quietly as you try to make that happen here in the USA. That line of thinking is best suited to life in Canada or Europe. Try Africa or Asia. OR wait another 30 years, and the idiot politicians and the out-of-touch left will have driven us right into a Marxist Utopia. Oh yeah, I forgot - that Utopia won't happen. Already been tried elsewhere and failed, unless you call the Soviet Union, the Eastern Block, China, N. Korea, and Cuba success stories. Socialism is not doing so hot in Europe either - seen Germany's unemployment rate? Sure is funny how all the socialist and communist govts. (and libs) believe in the govt. taking care of everyone, but not everyone gets "taken care of". They don't here either, but our success, and our freedom to succeed (free from govts' "help"), allows us to have the capital to be the most philanthropic country, individually and collectively, in the world. We do more to help the rest of the world (and our own) than everyone else combined. Could we do more? Or should I say, "Could the people who give (conservative folk) do more?". How about all the whiners stop bitching and start giving. Not to Greenpeace and Peta, but to orgnizations that actually help people. Just because we have hungry and homeless (most who are drunks, dopers, mentally ill, or have chosen to be there), doesn't mean we are a bad people or a bad country or that our capitalist system is bad.

The socialization of America has been the trend for 40 years. Thanks, liberals for an excellent snow job. Shame on the people for falling for the bullshit. Things seem to be changing, hence the whining and tirades from the left (seen Ted Kennedy lately?) Try this, Adam: Travel to some other places around the world, and then come back and tell me about how little freedom we have here. BTW, freedom does not mean entitlements, freebies, equal outcome from unequal input, or the govt. being everything to everyone. It also doesn't include behavior that causes harm directly or inadvertantly to others (drug use) . Use your frequent flyer miles and let me know...

Doc (not meaning to offend, just not understanding illogic)

Wow, okay, how is this for not understanding illogic.....!!!!

First of all, I never said capitalism=bad socialism/communism=good. However, I am of the firm belief that people, in a perfect world, would be better off governing themselves and worrying about only themselves. however, its not a perfect world and we need laws so people dont go around killing themselves and others in stupid ways.

Our capitalist society is flawed. Yes, the american ideal is (and what all the politicians want us to believe is true) that if you work hard enough and deliver a good product, you will succeed. I like that idea. However, What about Wal-Mart? Wal-Mart delivers mostly sub-par goods and services at extrodinarily low prices and squeezes other establishments that do exceedingly good work out of business. Another example: Microsoft. Microsoft is a huge corporation that delivers subpar software to the universe. Think about windows XP. It has been touted as the best operating system microsoft has put out yet. However, it was shaky at best when it came out: vulnerable to hackers, finniky at times, etc. It has taken approximately 4 years to get the bugs worked out and deliver, in my opinion, a more saleable and stable product. (still inferior to a popular open-source os) These are the giants that capitalist society has offered us. It seems that the American real (instead of the ideal) is now: offer a crappy, cheap product in huge volumes and make it readily available, and you will become hugely rich beyond your wildest dreams. Oh, and no one will be able to compete with you. In todays society, we no longer get equal outcome with equal input. Maybe 40 years ago, but not today.

THERE SHOULD BE GUARANTEES!!! guarantees for people who bust their asses. Guarantees that they will have healthcare and a hot meal regardless. However, there are no guarantees. Even if you "bust your ***" as you say to provide a quality product, you can still fail (and probably will) becuase of the above mentioned corporations and ones like them.

I realize that we are more "free " than many countries out there. And stop blaming liberals for all the evils you see in the world. This is one of the thigns I hate MOST about the two party system. People don't want their own beloved political party to be responsible for anything, so they blame the other guys and shake their fists in angry immature ways.

Heck, lets extend things a little. Americans, as a general rule (current company excluded of course), dont want to be responsible for any of their own actions either. Thats why you see some IDIOT who spills hot coffee in their own lap suing the place that sold them a beverage that was intended to be really hot in the first place. This is what I was referring to when I said "stupid attitudes about things"

More on the not blaming liberals thing.... I hate both liberals and conservatives. Politicians cannot be trusted to stick to anything. Once they are in office, they do what they want regardless of party lines. Let's talk about our current president. HE is a conservative, but has been doing some very fishy things. HE claims to be for the little guy, but he lots of important ties to huge corporations. Talk about giving up rights and freedoms to the government: While Bush (remember, hes a what? oh yeah, conservative) has been in office we have lost many freedoms. REMEMBER THE PATRIOT ACTS?? All this from a man that claims to be a person for the people.
Conservatives=smaller government and less spending? Remember, Bush inherited an economy in the black and ran it into the ground in less than two years. Everyone forgets the pre-9/11 world when Bush was regarded as an idiot by 60% of the population. Now we are stuck with this floundering economy and everyone loves him. This is just the tip of the iceberg, but I have to stop.

Sorry about the lengthy post, but I just had to make myself clear because I was being misrepresented. And Doc, I am not trying to attack you.... I enjoy a healthy debate.

[windshieldbug]

Adam,

I really don't have a religious or political bent regarding dope, but since you bring it up...

Capitalism=bad, socialism/communism=good? Are you serious? Are you one of those lefty loonies that can't stand America? Surely not....? The cpatialistic USA isn't perfect, but it's a lot better when it comes to respect for the rights and freedoms of its citizens than socialist/communist govts. If you work hard enough, you can realize your dreams. No one, including the govt., is going to just give it to you. If you have the best product/do the best work, you are rewarded. There are also no guarantees. Guarantees aren't fair to those who bust their asses to succeed. Kinda like those college entrance exams that certain folks get extra points for ethnicity instead of EFFORT. What incentive is there for some one to do well? (That's another thread.) The free market is a wonderful thing if left alone.

If you want to give up more of your rights and freedoms, conceding them to the govt. for the better of all people, don't expect the rest of us to go along quietly as you try to make that happen here in the USA. That line of thinking is best suited to life in Canada or Europe. Try Africa or Asia. OR wait another 30 years, and the idiot politicians and the out-of-touch left will have driven us right into a Marxist Utopia. Oh yeah, I forgot - that Utopia won't happen. Already been tried elsewhere and failed, unless you call the Soviet Union, the Eastern Block, China, N. Korea, and Cuba success stories. Socialism is not doing so hot in Europe either - seen Germany's unemployment rate? Sure is funny how all the socialist and communist govts. (and libs) believe in the govt. taking care of everyone, but not everyone gets "taken care of". They don't here either, but our success, and our freedom to succeed (free from govts' "help"), allows us to have the capital to be the most philanthropic country, individually and collectively, in the world. We do more to help the rest of the world (and our own) than everyone else combined. Could we do more? Or should I say, "Could the people who give (conservative folk) do more?". How about all the whiners stop bitching and start giving. Not to Greenpeace and Peta, but to orgnizations that actually help people. Just because we have hungry and homeless (most who are drunks, dopers, mentally ill, or have chosen to be there), doesn't mean we are a bad people or a bad country or that our capitalist system is bad.

The socialization of America has been the trend for 40 years. Thanks, liberals for an excellent snow job. Shame on the people for falling for the bullshit. Things seem to be changing, hence the whining and tirades from the left (seen Ted Kennedy lately?) Try this, Adam: Travel to some other places around the world, and then come back and tell me about how little freedom we have here. BTW, freedom does not mean entitlements, freebies, equal outcome from unequal input, or the govt. being everything to everyone. It also doesn't include behavior that causes harm directly or inadvertantly to others (drug use) . Use your frequent flyer miles and let me know...

Doc (not meaning to offend, just not understanding illogic)

Wow, okay, how is this for not understanding illogic.....!!!!

First of all, I never said capitalism=bad socialism/communism=good. However, I am of the firm belief that people, in a perfect world, would be better off governing themselves and worrying about only themselves. however, its not a perfect world and we need laws so people dont go around killing themselves and others in stupid ways.

Our capitalist society is flawed. Yes, the american ideal is (and what all the politicians want us to believe is true) that if you work hard enough and deliver a good product, you will succeed. I like that idea. However, What about Wal-Mart? Wal-Mart delivers mostly sub-par goods and services at extrodinarily low prices and squeezes other establishments that do exceedingly good work out of business. Another example: Microsoft. Microsoft is a huge corporation that delivers subpar software to the universe. Think about windows XP. It has been touted as the best operating system microsoft has put out yet. However, it was shaky at best when it came out: vulnerable to hackers, finniky at times, etc. It has taken approximately 4 years to get the bugs worked out and deliver, in my opinion, a more saleable and stable product. (still inferior to a popular open-source os) These are the giants that capitalist society has offered us. It seems that the American real (instead of the ideal) is now: offer a crappy, cheap product in huge volumes and make it readily available, and you will become hugely rich beyond your wildest dreams. Oh, and no one will be able to compete with you. In todays society, we no longer get equal outcome with equal input. Maybe 40 years ago, but not today.

THERE SHOULD BE GUARANTEES!!! guarantees for people who bust their asses. Guarantees that they will have healthcare and a hot meal regardless. However, there are no guarantees. Even if you "bust your ***" as you say to provide a quality product, you can still fail (and probably will) becuase of the above mentioned corporations and ones like them.

I realize that we are more "free " than many countries out there. And stop blaming liberals for all the evils you see in the world. This is one of the thigns I hate MOST about the two party system. People don't want their own beloved political party to be responsible for anything, so they blame the other guys and shake their fists in angry immature ways.

Heck, lets extend things a little. Americans, as a general rule (current company excluded of course), dont want to be responsible for any of their own actions either. Thats why you see some IDIOT who spills hot coffee in their own lap suing the place that sold them a beverage that was intended to be really hot in the first place. This is what I was referring to when I said "stupid attitudes about things"

More on the not blaming liberals thing.... I hate both liberals and conservatives. Politicians cannot be trusted to stick to anything. Once they are in office, they do what they want regardless of party lines. Let's talk about our current president. HE is a conservative, but has been doing some very fishy things. HE claims to be for the little guy, but he lots of important ties to huge corporations. Talk about giving up rights and freedoms to the government: While Bush (remember, hes a what? oh yeah, conservative) has been in office we have lost many freedoms. REMEMBER THE PATRIOT ACTS?? All this from a man that claims to be a person for the people.
Conservatives=smaller government and less spending? Remember, Bush inherited an economy in the black and ran it into the ground in less than two years. Everyone forgets the pre-9/11 world when Bush was regarded as an idiot by 60% of the population. Now we are stuck with this floundering economy and everyone loves him. This is just the tip of the iceberg, but I have to stop.

Sorry about the lengthy post, but I just had to make myself clear because I was being misrepresented. And Doc, I am not trying to attack you.... I enjoy a healthy debate.

I have no point. I just wanted to quote that much discourse.

[funkcicle]

Most "on target" comment in the whole seven pages..... I suppose it's safe to conclude that the "Politics" section is back....

I'm actually pretty impressed how those of us in this forum never sink to the depths of "internet political discussion". Even though we many of us here have widely varying viewpoints, there isn't a lot of condescension, bickering, ad hominem, or belittling.. and the tiny bit that there is gets overshadowed by the tongue-in-cheek humour that our resident right-wingers are so good at

The political forum was more for hiding what might offend some in the OT, but it almost seems like we're above that now. Kudos!



p.s. capitalism is bad

[rascaljim]

Maybe this is a fluke but I knew of a lot of kids in undergrad as well as now in grad school who smoke out that are also at the tops of their classes musically and academically.

Of course, I know a couple losers out there as well, and they are the ones that tend to mess around with harder drugs as well. But I will say that these guys are the same guys who found out that pot wasn't "sooo bad" like they had heard. When they found out that was the case they tried harder things and didn't feel like it was a big deal either. I'm sure it was because they thought it would be like pot. I will say some of these guys have cleaned up their act, but some of them had some hard times.

I agree, the lies need to stop. I've always felt that physically addictive drugs are what should not be legal for the same reasons that three wheelers aren't legal to sell anymore... they aren't safe.

my 2c
Jim

[windshieldbug]

I've always felt that physically addictive drugs are what should not be legal for the same reasons that three wheelers aren't legal to sell anymore... they aren't safe.

Like tobacco. The harm is documented. Took a several month coma for me to finally quit, and years to get over the mental part. That part of my brain doesn't seem to have been damaged too much...

[Lew]

OK Joe...

I suppose the other two are closely-related to living creatures (and, apparently, to each other), as well:

kerry - "any of an Irish breed of small hardy black dairy cattle"

gore - "to pierce or wound with something pointed (as a horn) <gored by a bull>"

You left out the third photo,

bush - "A low shrub with many branches" or "Vulgar Slang. A growth of pubic hair"