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Haven't met me then :-) I've changed my views on drug policies thanks to discussing it - mostly politely IIRC - here on HN.

GauntletWizard 7y ago
If you've changed your drug policies thanks to polite discussion here on HN, then you need shaming. You need to be shown the very real, very negative effects of drugs, and you need to understand that the people politely pushing for greater legalization are those who will take advantage of you. I have learned this the hard way. I was drugged by my roommate about two years ago. This is only anecdote, unfortunately, but there's a whole lot of data that supports it. It is embedded in the advice of organizations like RAINN. It's embedded in things like the laws we already have. There's a very real practical tradeoff between allowing people to live life the way they choose to, and having a safety net making it possible to prevent and prosecute those who believe their right to party overrides my right of consent. People who are using drugs for their benefit - Slipping someone a mickey, encouraging unsafe use, lying and stealing while their victims are under the influence - They can be calm, polite, charming. That does not make them right. They have inflicted trauma on others, trauma that manifests as anger. Trauma that is hard to explain because it burns red-hot when skirted near. Calm politeness is a luxury that we do not often have when discussing sensitive topics.
- skinkestek 7y ago
  I think you are replying to something I didn't write (i.e. extrapolating). Sorry if I unintentionally triggered something.
- chownie 7y ago
  Complete non-sequitur, this is akin to arguing that people should be shamed for being okay with sex because rape exists.
- LocalH 7y ago
  You assumed a lot about the parent poster that simply wasn’t there. I’m sorry you were drugged against your will. However, that doesn’t justify criminalizing those who use various drugs themselves, without desire to harm others. You say “people who are using drugs for their benefit” and then proceed to equate that only to several predatory behaviors. What about the personal benefits that many cannabis smokers enjoy, at no risk to others? Should they be shamed out of those benefits?

GauntletWizard 7y ago

If you've changed your drug policies thanks to polite discussion here on HN, then you need shaming. You need to be shown the very real, very negative effects of drugs, and you need to understand that the people politely pushing for greater legalization are those who will take advantage of you. I have learned this the hard way. I was drugged by my roommate about two years ago. This is only anecdote, unfortunately, but there's a whole lot of data that supports it. It is embedded in the advice of organizations like RAINN. It's embedded in things like the laws we already have. There's a very real practical tradeoff between allowing people to live life the way they choose to, and having a safety net making it possible to prevent and prosecute those who believe their right to party overrides my right of consent. People who are using drugs for their benefit - Slipping someone a mickey, encouraging unsafe use, lying and stealing while their victims are under the influence - They can be calm, polite, charming. That does not make them right. They have inflicted trauma on others, trauma that manifests as anger. Trauma that is hard to explain because it burns red-hot when skirted near. Calm politeness is a luxury that we do not often have when discussing sensitive topics.

skinkestek 7y ago
I think you are replying to something I didn't write (i.e. extrapolating). Sorry if I unintentionally triggered something.
chownie 7y ago
Complete non-sequitur, this is akin to arguing that people should be shamed for being okay with sex because rape exists.
LocalH 7y ago
You assumed a lot about the parent poster that simply wasn’t there. I’m sorry you were drugged against your will. However, that doesn’t justify criminalizing those who use various drugs themselves, without desire to harm others. You say “people who are using drugs for their benefit” and then proceed to equate that only to several predatory behaviors. What about the personal benefits that many cannabis smokers enjoy, at no risk to others? Should they be shamed out of those benefits?