Should alcohol be illegal?

[cordex]

One common argument given that currently illicit recreational drugs and controlled substances should remain illegal is that increased usage of recreational drugs is a net negative on society.

Often these arguments are made by the very people (such as Rabbi) who enjoy and advocate the use of other recreational drugs such as alcohol or tobacco.

Given the dangers of alcohol and tobacco abuse and addiction both to the user and to those around them, would it not be reasonable to prohibit the sale and use of alcohol to the same extent we prohibit so-called "soft-drugs" like marijuana?

[Tecumseh]

It is destroying the country along with Tylenol sleep, caffeine, Robitussin, etc.  Americans are being destroyed by crazed caffeine addicts who need their coffee in the morning.  We need the DEA to shut down Starbucks and seize their assets.

Seriously though, if we intend to fight a war on drugs then ban alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, and every over the counter medicine (as they can be misused) becuase it seems wrong to be inconsistent in our teetotallism. 

[K Frame]

We tried that once.

It didn't work.

[The Rabbi]

We tried that once.

It didn't work.

Ditto.
Also why punish the millions of people who drink alcohol in a responsible way for the hundreds that cause damage to others?
Further, there has been a legal alcohol industry in this country that employes millions of people and pays hundreds of millions of dollars in wages and taxes every year.
Further, alcohol has been a cornerstone of this country's history (Whiskey Rebellion) and its history is integrally tied to that of this country.
You cannot make the same arguments about dangerous narcotics.

[BrokenPaw]

Also why punish the millions of people who drink alcohol in a responsible way for the hundreds that cause damage to others?

Gosh!  Yeah!  That's a statement so profound it could be applied to other forms of prohibition!

[Sergeant Bob]

Also why punish the millions of people who drink alcohol in a responsible way for the hundreds that cause damage to others?

Gosh!  Yeah!  That's a statement so profound it could be applied to other forms of prohibition!

I take opioid based narcotics fairly regularly and haven't killed anyone.

[The Rabbi]

Also why punish the millions of people who drink alcohol in a responsible way for the hundreds that cause damage to others?

Gosh!  Yeah!  That's a statement so profound it could be applied to other forms of prohibition!

I take opioid based narcotics fairly regularly and haven't killed anyone.

Maybe you need to be arrested and thrown in jail?

[BrokenPaw]

Also why punish the millions of people who drink alcohol in a responsible way for the hundreds that cause damage to others?

Gosh!  Yeah!  That's a statement so profound it could be applied to other forms of prohibition!

I take opioid based narcotics fairly regularly and haven't killed anyone.

That's an obvious lie.  People who use mind-altering substances are entirely incapable of functioning in society, unless those mind-altering substances are ones that Rabbi chooses to use.

Ergo, you're a liar.  Where are you keeping the bodies?

-BP

[Glock Glockler]

Maybe you need to be arrested and thrown in jail?

Maybe YOU need to be arrested and thrown in jail.

[Sergeant Bob]

Also why punish the millions of people who drink alcohol in a responsible way for the hundreds that cause damage to others?

Gosh!  Yeah!  That's a statement so profound it could be applied to other forms of prohibition!

I take opioid based narcotics fairly regularly and haven't killed anyone.

Maybe you need to be arrested and thrown in jail?

Yeah, me and my illegal alien neighbors?

[Tecumseh]

We tried that once.

It didn't work.

Ditto.
Also why punish the millions of people who drink alcohol in a responsible way for the hundreds that cause damage to others?
Further, there has been a legal alcohol industry in this country that employes millions of people and pays hundreds of millions of dollars in wages and taxes every year.
Further, alcohol has been a cornerstone of this country's history (Whiskey Rebellion) and its history is integrally tied to that of this country.
You cannot make the same arguments about dangerous narcotics.

I do believe that the Founding Fathers used hemp.  It is only logical to assume they smoked marijuana. 

I assume then you are for peyote, as it is a drug used by others?

Now the founding fathers most likely did not have exotic liquors or micro-brews like Schlafy Coffe-Ground beer.  I doubt they had flavored vodkas, wine coolers, or other more modern drinks.  Perhaps we should only allow liquors that they could have produced as the chemicals in these drinks could lead to craziness. 

So only Ales, Meads, and Beers.  Perhaps some wine and fruit liquor. 

[The Rabbi]

Maybe you need to be arrested and thrown in jail?

Maybe YOU need to be arrested and thrown in jail.

I havent admitted to using opiates.  Mainly because I dont.
Maybe you need to be thrown out of here for ridiculous posts.

[HankB]

Now the founding fathers most likely did not have exotic liquors or micro-brews like Schlafy Coffe-Ground beer.  I doubt they had flavored vodkas, wine coolers, or other more modern drinks. Perhaps we should only allow liquors that they could have produced as the chemicals in these drinks could lead to craziness.  So only Ales, Meads, and Beers.  Perhaps some wine and fruit liquor. 

Distillation was well-known, dating back to the 8th or 9th century. and it was nobody less than George Washington who used Federal troops as tax collectors during the Whiskey Rebellion. (Whiskey dates back to at least the early 1400s . . . vodka probably does, too.) In fact, founding father George himself is credited with introducing applejack to the Colonies somewhere around 1760 or so.

[Gewehr98]

This thread is going downhill fast, and if it wasn't obvious we couldn't play nice to begin with, well, I don't know what was.

I knew as soon as I saw the thread topic, it had spawned off the other one, with much hilarity ensuing.

This is a CIVIL place to discuss politics. 

'nuff said.