Obama's campaign says he didn't understand what "decriminalization" meant

[durrrty libby]

First Obama was for decriminalization of marijuana, then he was against it

Then he said he raised his hand by mistake.


http://www.talkleft.com/story/2008/3/17/225516/066

[shrdlu]

1. Maybe he was stoned.

[2rth2pwr]

7. Obama: I Inhaled, "That Was The Point"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/11/25/obama-i-inhaled-that-w_n_73996.html

[Hoof Hearted]

21. Thanks for the laugh!

Can you imagine how fucking boring Barack Obama is stoned and without his teleprompter?

Could be pretty revealing though!

[Rageneau]

2. Flip flop.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

3. I'll take Obama over Clinton when it comes to the so-called "Drug War"

The Clintons love them some drug war. More people were imprisoned for simple drug possession under Bill Clinton than at any other time. Hillary will be a continuation of that policy. She wouldn't dare risk looking "soft on crime". With Obama there's at least a chance for some changes to this travesty.

[Tellurian]

8. no.. you have to remember Obama has to appeal to Republicans

Pubbies do not favor the decriminalization of drugs..

[Recursion]

12. Well, the Ron Paul ones do (nt)

[Up2Late]

30. Ron Paul is NOT a real Republican, he's a Libertarian, he just calls himself a Republican...

...because when Libertarian calls themselves Libertarians, they almost never get elected. Republicans are stupid like that.

[Drachasor]

41. Obama is aiming for a 65%+ majority on issues

He can easily leave the hardcore drug war people out on something like that.

Obviously he wouldn't talk about it on the campaign trail, but after he is in office something might well get done.

[Tellurian]

58. Really.. So who is his base?

[Drachasor]

60. Well, you can get an easy 65% by getting the people who aren't ardent Bush fans on board

I didn't say it would be easy, but it is a noble goal, and better than Hillary's 51% majority -- one can certainly do better than that.

Anyhoo, democratic voters and independents together make up a huge majority (and adding in some disaffected Republicans doesn't hurt).

[Tellurian]

64. Tell me whats left...

...Obama alienated the GLBT community.

...Obama alienated the Baby Boomers.

...Obama alienated crossover Repubs and Indys with the "GD Hate America" meme.

...Obama alienates people who despise racism.

...Obama alienates college students, flip-flops on decriminalizing MJ.

...Obama alienated people waiting for Universal Health Care.

...Obama has no economic plan in place. No Help for homeowners going to foreclosure.

...Obama alienated women for their Right to choose unless they seek Religious intervention.

...Obama has forever alienated Hillary supporters because he's proven himself a fraud.

Theres more, these are just a few off the top of my head..

What demographic is left that Obama hasn't alienated.

G-nite :hi:

[Drachasor]

67. Except he hasn't done any of those things -- and I thought we might have a nice reasoned talk

One where we could discuss pros and cons of his strategy vs. Hillary's.

*sigh*

If you respond to me in the future, please let me know if you want a serious conversation, or are just going to try to make cheap and untrue attacks. And yes, it is patently untrue, and you can tell that from the polls. Sure, Hillary is stronger among some demographics, but you grossly misstate the situation, but that doesn't mean they hate Obama. In fact, in the primary Obama has consistently had a higher approval rating than Hillary (fewer negatives even among Democrats). But heck, why bother having a reasonable conversation with someone you disagree with when you can just mindlessly attack their candidate? That's a better way to live, after all, isn't it? Who needs to have debate, rational discussion, or a careful analysis of what is going on? You don't, quite clearly, and it leaves me disappointed.

I'll not waste my time in the future trying to have a serious conversation with you unless you indicate your intention is different.

[Tellurian]

84. The Truth in post #64 is a bitter pill. Just because you refuse to accept it as such

doesn't make it any less True.

Please put me on ignore and it will solve any future issues. It works like a charm.

[Johnny__Motown]

4. Well, now that we have addressed the most serious issue of our time. Maybe we can talk about THE WAR

[Tellurian]

9. You mean this?

I've lost count of Obama's:

[anonymous171]

14. Like McCain's going to try and campaign on Marijuana.

Clinton will get the "flip-flop" label for voting for the war if she is against McCain.

[Tellurian]

59. McCain will campaign on Obama's Flip Flops... They have a list!

[anonymous171]

61. As I have said before, they won't highlight his stance on Marijuana.

[Johnny__Motown]

26. I question your priorities, Hillary says IWR was a vote for diplomacy and you care about this?

If you want a flip flop we can talk about driver's licenses for illegal immigrants. (that was funny as hell)

or the "Words are cheap" rhetoric of a few weeks ago to the "Words Matter" statement today

Then there is the "this election they are having in Michigan won't count for anything" to "the results of this election were fair and the delegates need to be seated"


Priorities, if you honestly care about the pot issue then good for you. I don't (well not much)

[rodeodance]

33. "IWR was a vote for diplomacy" yes, it was. I am glad you finally agree. good job!

[tabasco]

56. Yes, everybody knew Bush was pushing diplomacy first.

Can you keep a straight face when you post such obvious lies?

[Romulox]

34. Umm, you mean the WAR (on people who use) DRUGS??? nt

[libbygurl]

72. The devil is in the details. If he can't understand something on a smaller level like this,...

...how's he going to comprehend something really major, like war, preemptive invasion, etc and their consequences?

[jlake]

83. Yeah, that is a really poor excuse.

If he doesn't know what "decriminalization" means -- and I'll take him at his word, ;-) he is unqualified to be president.

[Tellurian]

5. I wish the headline was:

Obama doesn't know the meaning of the word "decriminalization"?

Must be selective amnesia, now that students aren't needed anymore to caucus for him!

[BlackVelvet04]

6. He didn't understand what

decriminalization meant? And he wants to be president? Is he kin to bush? :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: how can an ex pot smoker not know what decriminalization means?

[grasswire]

10. and he's a lawyer!

I find this unbelievable.

[tabatha]

11. I think there may have been some confusion about

the exact differences between legitimizing it and criminalizing it - as far as legal aspects are concerned.

People are not perfect.

I have misunderstood some pretty straightforward stuff
I have seen others do it too.

In fact, I have had arguments about the true meaning of words with people who should know better.

[grasswire]

52. yes. There is legalization and there is decriminalization.

But I am not a lawyer and yet I know the meaning of each term. He was the freaking editor of the Harvard Law Review, and he's someone who ostensibly could have been arrested for possession. And he wants us to believe he didn't understand the term??

That's pathetic.

[durrrty libby]

70. Face it. He's a fraud to the core

[NastyRiffraff]

13. Er...he was confused by the word decriminalization?

He was a state senator, and it never came up? Was he in a fog the entire time? (Or stoned)

[boppers]

15. When something has several meanings....

Complaining that somebody has different opinions depending on the *context* of the usage says a tad more about the complainant, rather than the complainee.

"Decriminalization" can mean:
Unfettered use, no laws whatsoever.
Reducing penalties under certain specific circumstances.
Reducing penalties under general circumstances.

...and a whole lot of other things.

The chronic pot-heads want unfettered use, the casual users want exceptions for an occasional toke, the anti-drug-war folks want across the board reductions.

Sure, I suppose some people hate any kind of opinion that isn't "one way or the other", but Obama's in favor of sentence reductions and exceptions, but not complete legalization without some consequences for use, mis-use, or abuse.

[boppers]

19. Holy crap.

FWIW, the above post was "Post #420" for me.

You can't make this kind of stuff up.

[rodeodance]

28. HA HA HA --stop babysitting for BO. He is responsible,

[anamandujano]

66. It's bottom up politics, a game called Explain the Leader.

[Romulox]

16. Editor of the Harvard Law Review??? nt

[Lucinda]

27. Bit mind-boggling, isn't it?

[Romulox]

31. It positively defies belief! nt

[goldcanyonaz]

17. The hits keep coming.

:rofl:

[Tellurian]

62. Letterman needs to do Obama's 10 Greatest Flip-Flop Hits..

[rodeodance]

82. that would be Hoot

[Up2Late]

18. Just to be clear, this is from the Washington Times! A RW controlled paper, NOT The Clinton Camp!

"...As a candidate for the U.S. Senate four years ago, Mr. Obama told Illinois college students that he supported eliminating criminal penalties for marijuana use or possession, according to a videotape of a little noticed debate that was obtained by The Washington Times.

"I think we need to rethink and decriminalize our marijuana laws," Mr. Obama told an audience during a debate at Northwestern University in 2004. "But I'm not somebody who believes in legalization of marijuana...."

<http://www.talkleft.com/story/2008/3/17/225516/066>

[grasswire]

57. looks like he understood both terms clearly.

He used "decriminalize" and "legalize" both properly. Looks to me as if he had a clear understanding of what he was saying. He's for decriminalization.

[mtnsnake]

Obama: Confused on Day One

[rodeodance]

25. good one---Send it to hillary--no don't.

[Straight Shooter]

65. Bwahahahahaha!

Good one, mtnsnake. :D

[libbygurl]

71. LOL! On NAFTA, on J Wright hate speech, on legalisation /decriminalisat'n....nt

[BlackVelvet04]

76. LOL.......

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[LittleClarkie]

20. He says right in the piece they're presenting that he didn't want it legalized

I think he meant that marijuana should be a lesser crime, like a misdemeanor. If he says in the same sentence that he's for decriminalizing but not for legalizing, then he could only mean lessening the penalties for possession.

[mtnsnake]

24. .

[LittleClarkie]

35. That time of the month, dude?

I hate it when I get my period.

[BlackVelvet04]

77. more W.O.R.M. n/t

[LittleClarkie]

85. And that would stand for?

If you please? Much obliged

[BlackVelvet04]

86. What Obama Really Meant............n/t

[LittleClarkie]

87. Cheers.

nt.

[rodeodance]

22. PANDER MAN.

[durrrty libby]

38. Words matter. He just doesn't know what they mean

:rofl:

[rodeodance]

40. YUP.

[rodeodance]

23. A big REC

[Horse with no Name]

29. I thought he was a brilliant Constitutional scholar?

And he has no idea what "decriminalization" means?
Cripes.

[Tellurian]

63. Not even close- "Guest Lecturer"...when he's isn't campaigning for something!

[2rth2pwr]

32. ...

[Horse with no Name]

37. Here you go

SMASH MOUTH LYRICS

"Stoned"

Leave me alone I'm over it
And everybody's movin' on
I can't see my tomorrow and yesterday has come and gone
So leave me alone
My mind is blown but it's my own
So deal with it
I'm feeling fine most the time
I may be on the outside but no ones getting in
So leave me alone
We're O.K. reelin' in the days
We're alright we're just getting high
Let us be it'll be all right
I got no strife I'm loving life
Could you say the same
You don't have to move to groove
So come on up and see me but leave that judge behind
'Cause I'm loving life


I'm gettin' stoned and what's wrong with that
The president seems to be just fine
Come on up and see me
Come on up just know that I'm gettin' stoned
I'm gettin' stoned I'm gettin' stoned I'm gettin' stoned

[ruggerson]

36. A constitutional scholar who doesn't understand what "decriminalization" is?

Okay.

[jackson_dem]

43. Yup just the latest in a series of lies Obama has been caught in

[walldude]

49. What exactly does the constitution have to do with "decriminalization"

So now Obama is a bad candidate because he doesn't know everything about every law in America. What a prick.

[boppers]

54. I checked.

"decriminalization" is not in the text.

[Hieronymus]

39. We don't need to worry about the Republicans defeating us ..

It's being done by others who call themselves Democrats.

[rodeodance]

42. ha ha---you blame us??---BO did this all by HIMSELF. Blame HIM.

[robbedvoter]

45. Sure, silly. The Clintons made him do it, obviously!

[rodeodance]

51. yes. it was so so so obvious that

it flew over my head!!

.......

sarc. on

[robbedvoter]

44. I was not aware I voted "no" - I mean "yes" - let the record show I meant...what was

the correct vote again? :shrug:

[emilyg]

50. Present.

[BlackVelvet04]

78. Exactly...

"What is the politically advantageous vote again?"

[metalluk]

46. That's a tough one!

"Decriminalization." That's a tricky concept. You'd pretty much have to have a law degree from Harvard Law School or somewhere to get that.

What's next? I didn't know what that big red button was for. I pushed it by mistake.

It's all about EXPERIENCE, friends.

[walldude]

47. Ooh he's a flip flopper, ar you going to break out the flip flops

and the purple heart bandages?

[rodeodance]

53. GOT FLIP FLOPS?

[UALRBSofL]

48. So he flip-flops on marijuana

He also flip-flopped on DOMA just before entering the presidential race.

[McCamy Taylor]

55. Editor of Harvard Law Review? Tell me another one.

[Karmadillo]

68. The President of Canada was also confused by the terminology.

nt

[kikiek]

69. I don't want a President who is confused by the word decriminalization. Mass chaos would ensue.

[Maribelle]

73. A harvard graduate does not know what the term decriminalization means?

This has to be the most outrageous lie Obama's campaign has told to date.

[zabet]

74. Bwahaha!

I am a stoner with
no legal degree and
I know what decriminalization
means.

How did he pass the Bar
exam not knowing that.

:rofl:

[Texas Hill Country]

75. The Editor of the Harvard Law Review doesnt know what Decriminalization means???

Yeah, and he never heard his preacher say some crazy shit....

[zulchzulu]

79. I'll take him having the balls to at least discuss over the School Marm

It's unfortunate that we have stupid pot rules. I fully expect Obama to address it once he becomes President.

The last thing you'd hear from School Marm Hillary is any discussion about marijuana reform.

Thanks for your Rush impression though...impeccable!

:puke:

[WDIM]

80. And Hillary is better how?

I'm pro-legalization but that won't happen in this generation of politicians.

[rodeodance]

81. Stay focused on the OP -It is about BO.