tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051404717855702512.post9164717308079714310..comments2024-01-16T05:50:17.906-05:00Comments on The Best Blog In The Universe. Forever Vigilant For Confirmed Liars.: Politics: Local, State and Nationalbogofreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12426734836015773086noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051404717855702512.post-31576443468610661182016-02-14T07:32:20.945-05:002016-02-14T07:32:20.945-05:00I am highly allergic to smoke. Back in the late 60...I am highly allergic to smoke. Back in the late 60s and early 70s, virtually everyone was smoking something. I'd go to the men's room at the old Boston Garden and pot was everywhere in the air. To me, it was just more smoke and within ten minutes I'd have a headache and watery eyes. Especially true with parties. <br /><br />Back in the late 19th and early 20th century an opium den was not unusual even in a small community. I talked to an old-timer who once claimed Middleboro had one. <br /><br />Drugs have long been associated with minorities. First the Chinese and later Blacks. Similar with gambling, but the reality was it was a universal problem even "back in the day." <br /><br />I believe you had already posted your photo blog on another thread since I did see the stuff. My camera skills are my cell phone.<br /><br />Dropped some science fiction books off at the library for their book sale and a thought of Betty always surfaces when I see the library. <br /><br />Right now the temps are brutal over here and (thankfully) I am off to San Diego area on Monday for a week.ojdidit1994https://www.blogger.com/profile/03528545181770665455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051404717855702512.post-68400790650136964982016-02-13T14:39:13.656-05:002016-02-13T14:39:13.656-05:00Correction: I meant marijuana LEAFS (not leaves), ...Correction: I meant marijuana LEAFS (not leaves), the flattened structure of a higher plant, typically green and bladelike, that is attached to a stem directly or via a stalk.Hal Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17636022253580117963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051404717855702512.post-89208490236567337742016-02-13T14:35:58.110-05:002016-02-13T14:35:58.110-05:00Forgot to add, here's my photo blog: Heckuva.B...Forgot to add, here's my photo blog: <a href="http://heckuva.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Heckuva.Blogspot</a>, because I've done a Heckuva Job talking pictures.Hal Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17636022253580117963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051404717855702512.post-31402707196364388372016-02-13T14:01:57.103-05:002016-02-13T14:01:57.103-05:00Good to hear from you... I have yet to use the Tri...Good to hear from you... I have yet to use the TriMet system preferring to explore by car. However, lots of people who live here at Willamette View use it frequently. <a href="http://trimet.org/fares/index.htm" rel="nofollow">The fares are surprisingly modest.</a><br /><br />One of my friends, a daily recreational pot smoker, persuaded me to try it. I did some a little bit for two months because she was always smoking when we were together, but decided it did nothing for me. I stopped cold turkey with no effects. I should have known, being that I rarely even drink, that marijuana wasn't going to be a recreational drug for me. This was after I spent $300 for a vape, the best way to inhale it without the harsh effects of smoking from a joint or pipe. Going to four or five pot stores was fascinating. The employees and customers from ages 21 - 80's are SOOOO friendly, and range from the tattooed and pierced to Portland casual (no buttoned down sorts here). Gone are the days of harvesting marijuana leaves for sale, now only the chemical rich buds are sold. Stores display up to a hundred varieties in large jars. This website describes the characteristics and effects of just about all the varieties of cannibis <a href="https://www.leafly.com" rel="nofollow">LEAFLY</a>. Check this out <a href="https://www.leafly.com/finder/portland-or" rel="nofollow">for a map of store around Portland.</a><br /><br />There was are interesting articles about how and why marijuana became illegal, and it had nothing to do with any detrimental effects. It is primarily because of one racist agency head, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_J._Anslinger" rel="nofollow">Harry J. Anslinger</a>.Hal Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17636022253580117963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051404717855702512.post-25607182005234733462016-02-12T08:32:26.685-05:002016-02-12T08:32:26.685-05:00Hal: A few years ago my daughter and I went to Ho...Hal: A few years ago my daughter and I went to Houston for a Red Sox series. We stayed at a "hotel" near Bush International and our first morning I went for a run. Around the corner was a strip mall that was pure Texas: A gun shop, strip club, pawn shop, liquor store and a storefront ministry. <br /><br />My position on drugs is rather clear - no restrictions and dispensed as needed under government auspices - either via government and strongly regulated private ownership dispensaries. You do something stupid while under the influence I would have you shipped to a Turkish prison.<br /><br />The dispensaries are still an unknown in this area, but my concern is the greasy paws of politicians. The licences are money makers for sure and how those are distributed will be amusing. <br /><br />On a note that will tickle your liberal heart: Bernie is on my radar thanks to his comments on Wall Street. I would love to see some of his ideas on reform implemented especially high-speed electronic trading, short selling, and day trading. <br /><br />Portland apparently agrees with you and I can understand why. A funny story from my visit was taking the light rail from the airport to downtown. I bought our ticket at a kiosk and got aboard. After several station stops, it was just me and the lovely Cynthia perplexed by this ticket. I asked someone and they say that Portland uses an honor system. Huh? What happens if you don't buy a ticket? My source said: "They ask you to but one." They occasionally check.Amazing! MBTA did that and they'd get $3 a day in revenues. I also found out that 300 blocks downtown were a fare free zone. <br /><br />Great Portland treat - across the river to the Science Museum. There are many wild Blackberry bushes growing along the pathway to the museum. They actually traverse down towards the river. Quite a treat when they are in season and we enjoyed them. ojdidit1994https://www.blogger.com/profile/03528545181770665455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7051404717855702512.post-4921360362047165072016-02-12T01:23:58.073-05:002016-02-12T01:23:58.073-05:00I have no comments on any of this, but do want to ...I have no comments on any of this, but do want to share a <i>mea culpa</i> about what I said during the contentious debate about where to zone a medical marijuana dispensary. When the idea was suggested, with considerable support, that the only area where it could be zoned was the out in the boondocks adult entertainment parcel, I bristled at the notion. I noted that if there ever was an adult venue there it would hardly be appropriate for patients to have to mingle in the parking lot with denizens of a porn store or strip club. Well, Oregon has had medical marijuana for a few years, and now has legal recreational marijuana. There are over 100 glitzy well-appointed pot stores in and around Portland. Guess what? <b>Two of them are next door to strip clubs.</b> I hear that strip club customers like having a pot store steps away from the lap dance heavens. Portland also has more strip clubs per capita than any city in the United States. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.wweek.com/category/cannabis/" rel="nofollow">Weed news in Portland</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.wweek.com/portland/article-22096-strip_club_guide_2014.html" rel="nofollow">Portland strip clubs</a>Hal Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17636022253580117963noreply@blogger.com