So we were headed over to my parents' the other night for dinner when, as is our wont, a political discussion broke out right there in the car.
Mrs. Droogie: So Michael Phelps is losing his endorsements because of the bong hits. I can't believe that.
Droogie: Well, I can kind of understand that. Tony the Tiger and all that. They make stuff for kids, and they want to look wholesome. Can't have Toucan Sam following his nose to the harder stuff.
Mrs. D: Yeah, but it was just pot. Let the guy do whatever he wants. He humiliated those French swimmers. Shouldn't the conservatives love him?
Droogie: Guess so.
Mrs. D: I think this thing is going to result in a lot more people talking about legalizing pot.
Droogie: (recalling earlier DKos diaries) Yeah, but since Obama took office, a lot of people have been talking about it already. A LOT of people. Which is funny, because it's not something he campaigned on or even talked about, really.
Mrs. D: (who is a teacher) My kids are having to do a persuasive paper assignment. They pick an issue and choose a side and write about it. I have this one kid who kept giggling, and I asked him, "Joey, are you writing about what I think you're writing about?" And he said yes. And I said, "Let me tell you something, no stoner is ever going to get pot legalized, and you know why? Because stoners never get jack done."
Droogie: Funny! Did they laugh?
Mrs. D: Yeah, those who knew what I was talking about did.... I'll tell you this, I've had a lot more problems with my kids who get on pills than I have from the stoner kids.
Droogie: Well, think about it. They don't drink much because pot's easier to get. And those who can't get pot, well, pills are even easier to get -- from their parents.
Mrs. D: Or from their own doctors. Some of these kids have been on ADD medication, and sleeping pills, and antidepressants for as long as they can remember.
Droogie: Stuff that makes pot seem harmless.
Mrs. D: Right.
Droogie: It just doesn't seem like an issue that people are going to care about when they're worried about losing their job or their house.
Mrs. D: Yeah, but they could use a legal stress reliever in times like this.
Droogie: True. I remember someone pointed out to me that one of the first things FDR did was repeal prohibition. I'm sure a lot of people at the time believed there were more important things to do during the Depression. But selling alcohol probably helped get the economy going again, and put a damper on organized crime. Al Capone and all that.
Mrs. D: Someone from work was saying that it would basically mean lowering our standards as a country. She kept saying, "I don't want people driving around stoned." I said, "They are already!"
Droogie: Right. Living in denial there. It wouldn't increase people using it, either.
Mrs. D: Well....
Droogie: No, really. I mean, there would probably be a brief spike. You know, "Whoo! Pot's legal!"
Mrs. D: Yeah. "Let's try it!"
Droogie: But then it would taper off to about the same as before.
Mrs. D: I dunno. Something's got to be done. It doesn't make sense, sending people to jail for this and letting others go.
Droogie: Or even worse than that, you lock up all these nonviolent drug offenders, and then you have to let real criminals go early because guess what? The prisons are too crowded! Wonder why?
Mrs. D: (thinking) I'd do it now and then if it were legal.
Droogie: Really? Even with, eh... (pointing to the back seat, where Droogie Jr. is dozing in his car seat)
Mrs. D: Yeah, I would. It wouldn't be something that could get me taken away from him or lose my teaching license over. And when he got older, I'd talk to him the same way we'd talk to him about alcohol.
Droogie: Yeah, it makes sense to treat it like alcohol.
Mrs. D: Doesn't kill people like alcohol.
Droogie: Yeah, but it doesn't taste as good, either.
Mrs. D: True. (thinks for a bit) Unless you make cookies.
Droogie: We're never doing that again.
Mrs. D: I know.