Since I imagine that some of you don't venture into the Politics Forum (of which I'm very active in), I have a question for those of you who intend on voting for him...

Just yesterday Bush signed his final war funding bill to the tune of 168 Billion dollars. This is his "last hurrah" for his Administration and the Senate passed it overwhelmingly. The bill allows for funding of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan well into 2009 (and the next Administration). Guess who voted in favor of funding this war? Wait for it...














Obama voted in favor of this bill. Here's the roll call of votes:
U.S. Senate: Legislation & Records Home > Votes > Roll Call Vote

As an aside, it also provides 400 million toward the "War on Drugs" regarding drug trafficking between the US and Mexico much of which is transport of marijuana. Isn't Obama for decriminalization?

So my question for you supporters of Obama:

How do you reconcile your anti-war and pro-drug stances against his proven voting record that clearly opposes your ideology?

so if you want weed legalized you say "yes, lets get the shit from mexico so that the U.S cant profit."

when the politicians say war against drugs, they mean war against outside drugs..

The U.S makes herioin..cocain and every other hardcore drug..

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everything i say or do is nothing, i am not a pot smoker, pot is a drug that is a addiction, i am just a puppet for a test that is run by duke or possibly nc state.

I don't know. You tell me. I don't do drugs (but I fully support decriminalization), but I see a dichotomy here. Do you support Obama? Do you support the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? If you're against out wars but support Obama, how do you resolve the dichotomy of him voting for this bill. Couple that with his statement in his "Blueprint for America" to increase troop strength by an additional 100,000 troops and that sounds to me like a recipe for continued occupation and/or Empire building (Iran?).

If Obama intends to "decriminalize" marijuana then of course there'd be no need to fund an additional 400 million to stop drug traficking across Mexico, yes? If he is intent on decriminalizing marijuana then everyone would grow their own and smuggling across the US/Mexico border would cease, yes? Remember the Prohibition Act? It created a thriving smuggling operation across the US/Canada border. When Prohibition was killed, that operation ceased to exist.

Obama is pro war. Obama is anti drug. Resolve that.

Obama is very much for decriminalization, and I fully support his support for funding against drug trafficking. I'd rather smoke my own stuff that I know is safe than to buy questionable shit from people who mix it with other things to increase their profit. Marijuana, cocaine, and X are great examples of drugs that are commonly cut with dangerous chemicals.

So let me grow my own so I can stay safe.

I guess you missed the point. If marijuana was decriminalized, drug trafficking would "go away" by itself. No need to fund a "war on drugs". Most of the drugs to cross the US border via Mexico is marijuana. The repeal of Prohibition proved that. I also noticed that you have not addressed his vote in favor of funding our continued military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Why is that?

One more thing...Did you catch the debate when the Dem candidates were asked to raise their hands if they were against decriminalization of marijuana? Obama raised his hand. Would you like a link?

No I understand your point, but I think you misunderstand what "decriminalization" means in a legal sense. I don't know how familiar you are with California or Alaska drug laws, but both states have decriminalized marijuana to some extent. Possession and growing of small amounts is either allowable under the law (Alaska) or punishable as misdemeanors (California) with minor fines. In California specifically it is considered to be on the same level as minor traffic violations.

Decriminalization means (in the United States) that possession, growing, or being under the influence of said decriminalized drug cannot be punishable as a felony. And this is what Obama has specifically stated: that marijuana use should not be punishable as a felony (need the link?).

Decriminalization does not cover trafficking for numerous reasons. The term "trafficking" necessarily implies large amounts. Obviously if someone was smuggling an 1/8th into the United States, it would not be considered trafficking. The purpose of trafficking laws is to dissuade and punish people who bring massive quantities of illegal drugs into the United States for the purpose of retail-like sale. I am very much in favor of punishing traffickers. They put some pretty dangerous drug concoctions on our streets. And this is what Obama voted for. Trafficking (including illegal drugs) also hurts our economy. People purchasing foreign goods for cheaper prices rather than the more expensive domestic products always hurts the economy. It's simple highschool macroeconomics. Just as it's illegal to traffic drugs, it's also illegal to traffic purses. You should've seen this amazing documentary on trafficking goods into the Untied States on the Discovery Channel a couple of weeks ago. One of the ports in New York City is owned by a mob family who the police have continuously failed at prosecuting for trafficking otherwise legal goods. Interesting stuff.

Anyways, anti-trafficking funding is never, has never, and probably will never be intended to stop small drug use in the United States. And this is where Obama's opinions on decriminalization come in: stop and prosecute the traffickers, but let the small guy grow an ounce or two.

I happened to miss all of the debates. They're useless really. Each candidate is going to pander to whichever group he or she currently doesn't have the favor of. But perhaps you'd like links to videos where Obama repeatedly states his favor for marijuana decriminalization?

And I haven't even gotten around to reading about the war funding bill yet. So simmer down, I'm not about to type a rant about a subject of which I know little about.

I have lived here in CA for all my 48 years and the Fed have just busted a grow op here in my county the other day. I'm somewhat familiar.

You're right, I should have know that. I apologize for not making an assumption.

And if marijuana was decriminalized, transport of marijuana across borders into the US would cease.

I have the link (I have a ton of them as I closely watch our masters) where Obama states that he's for decriminalization but I tend to believe voting records rather than the shit they spew from their pie holes to gain support. Obama can say anything he wants, but also keep in mind that he, if elected, can't wipe his ass without congressional approval. Therefore I look to their voting record. I scrutinize everything rather than popping a boner every time a candidate tells me what I want to hear. Call me jaded, but I've been around the block a few times.

That couldn't be further from the truth. Is it illegal to posses a purse? Of course not. Is it illegal to traffic purses? Yes. The legality of personal use in the United States and trafficking laws are not related in the way you are attempting to portray.

And I like your assumption that I believe every word Obama says. My personal experience with the past 16 years of American presidents and extensive knowledge of American history tells me that all of our presidents are and have been liars. I'll never tell you that I agree with Obama on every single issue; that would be ridiculous. I will tell you though that of all of the choices available for President, Barak Obama has the majority of my interests in mind and the characteristics I desire most in a President. And I hope you would feel the same way about whomever you happen to vote for.