Showing posts with label Drugs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Drugs. Show all posts
November 17, 2023
September 2, 2022
March 30, 2022
August 11, 2021
50 Kilos of Weed
Not just street corner, back alley, and black market, but also:
- Medicinal
- Recreational
If you just take the crime out of it, perhaps more people can get a little relaxed.
I've never tried it (seriously!), but I would imagine that perhaps there would be less anxiety, less discontent, less bickering, and less aggression.
What's the argument against legalization?
Sure, there's got to be some responsibility and self-control or else you end up hurting yourself by being a glutton and overdoing it.
But otherwise, here's 50 kilos just hanging around for the taking. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
May 4, 2021
Door To Fantasyland
It looks like out of some kid's book where the character disappears into some complete fantasyland.
Maybe this could be the entrance for the movie, Willie Wonka and The Chocolate Factory (although it doesn't look very chocolatey).
And if you're high as a kite, this will fit right into your psychedelic visions for yourself.
Wherever this door takes you, it's gotta be good (if not a little nauseous too).
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
April 25, 2021
Justice for Sarah Halimi
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called, "Justice for Sarah Halimi."
The case of the Sarah Halimi is yet another example of the anti-Semitism taking deep root in France, where rather than ensuring Justice for her barbaric murder, a second French court has now absurdly affirmed a lower-court ruling that the alleged perpetrator Traore cannot be held criminally responsible simply because he was on marijuana! Incredibly, these French justices ruled in this completely nonsensical way even as cannabis is being ruled legal for medicinal and even recreational purposes in more and more countries around the world.It is inconceivable that a modern, western nation as France (part of the EU, NATO, the UN, etc.) would allow violent, racist, hate-mongers, and murders completely off the hook simply because they were high on some cannabis or for any other lame excuse like that. This is not rational. It is not human or civilized. And it is certainly not justice. Jewish blood is not cheap and Kolibi Traore cannot be allowed to go free. France needs to make this right because Sarah Halimi, a citizen of France, was butchered there because she was a Jew, and letting radical Islamists commit violence and terror like this is a danger not just to the French, but to everybody.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
July 23, 2020
Wow, Good Enough To Eat
January 7, 2020
Donuts With Syringe
I get that they use the syringe to put the custard, jelly, and other fillings inside.
But leaving the syringe hanging out of the donuts like that conjures up images of addicts and junkies.
DESPITE that, these incredibly rich and overflowing donuts with gobs of toppings were some of the finest I've ever seen.
Takes more than a good dose of willpower to resist and not become an addict of these carbohydrate powerhouses.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
February 9, 2019
Choosing Good Over Vice
But yet, if everyone would just act out on each other based on their unbridled wants and desires, oy vey what a truly terrible world that would be...From uncontrolled desires for food, drugs, alcohol, gambling, honor, money, power, sex, and more–it seems like everyone has their little secret fetish. Whether it's coming from their head, their heart, or down below...the key questions is how much can they control themselves.
However, inside us, our soul, like the Ten Commandments in the Holy Ark, guide us so that we aren't just animals chasing game or tail, but are human beings trying to become angels.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
January 12, 2019
Border Security - The Facts
All I hear day-in and -out is that President Trump wants to build a wall or barrier on the Southern border because there is a crisis. And the Democrats in turn say it's not necessary, it's a waste of money, and even that it's immoral, and that they will resist Trump!
But this is not a reasoned debate!
Who cares who wants what and who hates who in politics.
We need to be presented with a solid communication of facts, figures, and why should we support a position or not.
Yes, an endorsement by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection is helpful, but the opposition can just claim partisan politics.
So here are some simple facts to inform the discussion:
Gun Trafficking:
- Over 253,000 guns annually cross the border from the U.S. to Mexico.
Drug Trafficking:
- Cartels send $64,000,000,000 of drugs annually from Mexico to U.S.
Human Trafficking:
- Between 14,500 and 17,500 people are trafficked annually into the U.S.
Gang Members:
- Almost 6,000 gang members in 2018 were deported by ICE.
Illegal Immigrants:
- The U.S. and Customer and Border Protection apprehended more than 500,000 illegals trying to enter in 2008, and there are between 12 to 22 million illegals in the U.S, today.
Looking at these numbers, I am not sure how anyone can say that the current border situation is secure--it isn't.
So whatever we are doing with agents, sensors, surveillance, intelligence, inspection, and interdiction --no matter how good it is--it is not enough.
Certainly a request for Border Wall funding for $5 billion out of a $4.4 trillion dollar budget and placing barriers on hundreds of miles out of a 2,000 mile border, does not seem at all extreme!
While I do not like to be on a government shutdown, I certainly don't see why this can't be resolved with some reasoned border security funding that includes among the other security measures, a wall/barrier.
A strategically-placed border barrier only stands to reason in a layered defense/system of systems approach to security.
For some of those that don't want the wall, and only want votes from a broken immigration system, this is a fight for power, rather than a genuine argument on how to help secure the country.
(Source Graphic: Andy Blumenthal)
December 23, 2018
Trump Is Right On The Border Wall
By themselves, walls do not work to fill us spiritually or protect us physically. Rather, they are a necessary component in a normal and healthy toolbox for living our lives. Spiritually, we need to not just pray toward the holy wall in Jerusalem, but we must augment this with following G-d commandments–doing good in our service to Hashem and in how we treat others. Likewise with protecting us physically, we need a strong mix of “gates, guards, and guns.” A wall is a critical component of our overall spiritual and physical well-being and protection.
Until Mashiach comes and the temple is rebuilt and there is peace on earth, we need to pray to the Western Wall (Kotel) for our spiritual well-being and have border walls to protect us physically.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
May 31, 2018
Trace Amounts of Cocaine
I had a wonderful opportunity to tour a couple of labs at NIST today.
One of them does work in contraband detection.
The scientist asks if anyone has any money in their wallet.
I pull out a dollar and hand it to him.
I ask him what happens if he finds any traces of bad stuff on the money from me.
He says, "A cage will fall from the ceiling" and I'll be in big trouble.
Uh, we all laugh a little.
He unfolds the money and puts it into the machine that looks for the contraband.
Oh sh*t, it comes up in the "red"--positive for cocaine.
Someone else says jokingly, "A little leftover from the weekend?"
I joke back, "Na, It's from this morning before work!"
Ha, ha, I think.
It turns out the scientist explains that 90% of our currency actually tests positive for cocaine.
I'm wondering whether this is a commentary on drug use and even the opioid epidemic in America.
The lab director explains a theory that the automated money counters spread traces of the drugs from bills and contaminates the other currency.
Aside from this little experiment today, I got to learn so much about creating standards for contraband detection systems and equipment and in another lab about magnetism.
It is unbelievable how smart these scientists are--they are so unique and of the best in the world.
I am so happy to be able to learn from them even if it's contraband on money. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
October 11, 2017
Amazon + Teva = A Marriage Made In Heaven
Amazon has upended so many industries--and you can basically buy almost anything there.
And yes, what you can't buy today, you will be able to buy tomorrow.
What started as books and DVDs is now virtually synonymous with e-Commerce itself!
Next up for Amazon is pharmaceuticals!
Some people may think that Whole Foods gives Amazon the footprint it needs to sell these and dominate.
But what people aren't considering is that Amazon can sell the pharmaceuticals online.
Amazon can do what other online drug distributors can't.
Why?
Because Amazon has the most unbelievable distribution network in the world.
Currently, people can order drugs through the mail, but these tend to be for regular reoccurring prescriptions that have lead time.
However, Amazon can outdo these mail order pharma companies, because they can get you the drugs you need when and where you need it.
- You don't feel well and can't make it to CVS, Amazon will deliver to your door.
- Need same-day delivery, no problem.
- Plus do all your shopping together in one fell timesaving swoop.
My prediction:
Amazon the low cost, efficient online seller of everything to everywhere is going to partner with Teva Pharmaceuticals, the #1 world leader in low cost generic drugs.
Teva already produces 120 billion tablets and capsules every year, operates in 80 countries, and currently fills 1 in 6 generic prescriptions in the U.S.
Together, Amazon and Teva can make beautiful music, that is medicine + money!
Who needs CVS when pharmaceuticals perhaps soon can be gotten at Whole Foods or at your Trusty Amazon.com.
One more time, I see some radical disruption--and this time it will bring you cheaper and more convenient drugs--make a l'chaim to your health. ;-)
(Source Graphic: Andy Blumenthal)
(Endnote: I am a big fan + investor in Teva, and of course, all opinions here are my own.)
June 4, 2017
The Excuses We Make
"There is such a discrepancy between the rich and the poor here," I say.
"Yeah," she says, "When I drive and stop at the lights, there are many poor people that come up to the car looking for a handout."
She continues, "I usually have a few dollars here" pointing to the little cubby hole under the parking break.
"But my friends make fun of me saying, they [the panhandlers] are just going to go out and buy a beer!"
Excuse #1 not to give poor people--they'll misuse our charity and buy alcohol, drugs, or prostitutes.
The driver says, "But so what...if I were in their shoes, I'd buy a beer too."
I'm thinking, hey this is nice...she's fighting the bad inclination and her friends pressure and still wants to give--this is great!
Sure enough, we stop at a red light, and a really poor man starts walking up to the window to ask for help.
This person is dressed in dirty battered rags of an undershirt, and has sores on their arms and body.
The driver says, "Yeah, if I gave him, he'd probably just switch his shirt inside out later [as if the other side would be magically less dirty and ripped] and go home to his Rolls Royce!"
Wow, when excuse #1 doesn't hold...
Excuse #2--the poor people are just faking it...really they aren't poor, but rather they are fantastically rich and trying to pocket some more money for free.
It's like the evil inclination sitting on one shoulder telling us "don't give," even as the good inclination is sitting over our other shoulder beseeching us to have mercy and "give, give, give."
In this case, the evil inclination won out.
I reached for my wallet and wanted to open my window, but honestly this person looked scary--dirty and maybe sick--I was afraid of this person.
I hope G-d forgives me, because I feel it wasn't my evil inclination making excuses, but this time it was genuine for me. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
July 23, 2016
Building An Appropriate Wall
Ok, let's be honest, Trump is right about the border.
And no, I do not believe that he is fascist and evil like the social engineers in politics would like you to believe for their own motives.
Let's face it, the border needs to be appropriately secured once and for all from illegal immigration.
We need to support our law enforcement agents such as the Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement in protecting this great country.
Why all the argument about "illegal" Immigration...it's illegal!
By all means, provide amble and robust ways for peaceful-loving people to come to this country legally, especially for family, refuge, asylum, and to escape violence, persecution, and war.
But if someone is here illegally, then Trump is right, we need to see that valid moral law and order is reestablished and not permit violence, crime, and chaos to continue by edict, closing our eyes to it, or even tacit permission.
Whoever calls this fascism is either a liar or possibly some sort of anarchist and dangerous to a civilized way of life, plain and simple.
How do any of our politicians who take the oath of office and swear to uphold our constitution try to get around this?
Here are some statistics relevant to the issue of secure borders:
Human Trafficking: There are 29.8 people in the world trapped in modern slavery or 1 out of every 236! And there are 60,000 victims reported in the United States of America.
Drug Trafficking: Drug trafficking in Mexico is a $50 billion business, and as of 2009, 23.5 million people in the U.S. age 12 and over needed treatment for illicit drug or alcohol abuse.
Deadly Terrorism: The deadly toll of Terrorism has increased 800% since 2010 with an average of 30,000 people killed annually. "More attacks are happening and they tend to be deadlier than ever."
Violent Crime and Murders: In the five states of California, Texas, Arizona, Florida, and New York, illegal aliens accounted for 38% of all murder convictions, equating to over 7,000 of the murders.
Economic Effects: While undocumented workers do obviously help perform work particularly in some important lower wage jobs for us, there are also many negative economic effects of illegal aliens to consider such as undercutting wages or taking jobs from other who are legally entitled to the work. Additionally, the cost for their healthcare and education that is covered by the American people contributes to the overall staggering national debt.
Overall, while "who we are" and want to be is a compassionate and generous people, there is no reason to circumvent the law and to let people into the country who have not duly applied and been permitted entry and stay.
Shenanigans of "catch and release" or not to deport illegal immigrants "who don't have a criminal record"--is completely nonsensical since being illegal is criminal!
We need to secure our country from human trafficking, drug trafficking, terrorism, murders, as well as the negative economic effects of illegal immigration, while at the same time opening our hearts and the process for vetted legal immigrants to make their way here and become productive citizens.
We are and should be good people, but that doesn't mean we need to be stupid and irresponsible and put at risk our nation's security through unnecessarily reckless open and porous borders. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
October 15, 2015
The Kardashian Ball-Busters
So despite the immense beauty, fame, and fortune associated with the Kardashian women...if you are a man, you may want to stay far far far away.
It seems like in the end, nothing good ever turns out for the Kardashian men--who BTW are often ballplayers and even Olympic athletes.
Kris's husbands:
- Robert Kardashian (1st husband) - divorced in 1991 after Kris's affair and lavish lifestyle spending, remained close friends, and died of esophageal cancer in 2003.
- Bruce Jenner (2nd husband) - divorced in 2014, and revealed "excruciatingly painful" transgender crisis and transformation to Caitlyn Jenner.
Kim's husbands:
- Damon Thomas (1st husband) - Messy divorce in 2004.
- Chris Humphries (2nd husband) - Filed for divorce after 1 year, 7 months and divorce completed in 2013.
- Kanye West (3rd husband) - Marriage issues and divorce rumors abound from frustration over Kim's weight gain to the two sleeping apart.
Chloe's husband:
Lamar Odom (1st husband) - Signed divorce paper in 2015, and now in coma after drug overdose in brothel.
Kourtney's partner:
- Scott Disick (Ex partner) - Broke up in 2015 and continues struggling with drugs and alcohol addiction.
What about brother, Rob Kardashian?
- He too is struggling with a weight problem and depression, and is estranged from his family.
Anyway, it all starts with Kris Jenner, the controlling family matriarch who has been said to be "testy, demanding, manipulative," and generally narcissistic.
And how about the Kardashian daughters--who are they as people?--as they air their freewheeling "have it all" lifestyles on the show, Keeping Up With The Kardashians?
Even though they call it a reality show, maybe the real reality--like for most of humankind--is not so "all that" and glamorous after all? ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
July 5, 2015
Big Data, Small Moments
There is a definite rhythm to our lives.
And by analyzing the peak times of Google search terms, we can get a good picture of what it is (as Seth Stephens-Davidowitz notes in the New York Times Sunday Review).
- From starting a new day to taking care of bathroom business, looking for healing, and even goofing off.
- Midday is some personal time for shopping, travel plans, and a news update.
- The evening is a nice dinner and maybe some sexual intimacy.
- The night time is scariest with anxiety about health, leading to panic and thoughts of suicide, and easing off with drugs and pornography.
- As we roll towards the early hours of the next day, we have a philosophical reawakening with contemplation about the meaning of life and our place in it.
If we can get all this just from some data analytics of Google search terms, can you imagine what else we can learn about the masses and YOU, the individuals that make it up. ;-)
(Source Graphic: Andy Blumenthal)
April 19, 2014
Score One For Ocean Rescue
Don't know why this kid almost drowned, but he almost did.
It was interesting to see the various rescue services come to help save him.
The lifeguards went out for him and got him back to shore; the paramedics administrated on scene medical help; and the police kept overall order.
But I think what really struck me was how uninterested most of the beach goers seemed.
Maybe I am expecting too much, but people just seemed at best curious, but not really concerned.
Yet at Spring Break, I have a feeling the booze, drugs, and sex overshadowed this real life and death event for this young man.
I know these kids work hard in college and probably need to blow off some steam, but the callousness was still striking.
(Source Photos: Andy Blumenthal)
January 24, 2014
Addictions R Us
He said something fascinating to me--which is that everyone is addicted to something.
Think about it--some are addicted to the hard stuff...drugs, alcohol, smoking.
Others are addicted to sex, work, shopping, exercise, even religion.
In modern times, there are new addictions to technology, gaming, and social media.
My friend is smart and we discussed or alluded to a number of reasons for the addictive nature of all people.
1) Meaning - Many people have a tough time dealing with the seemingly meaningless, mortal nature of their lives. Without a strong purpose and meaning, we can sort of float through every day looking for some anchor, stability, or rhythm. Addictions, for better or worse, can provide that habit or repetition compulsion. While not very meaningful itself, these addictions help people forget--temporarily, during their high or while they are being kept busy--that they are perhaps lost amidst it all.
2) Pain - Everyone has pain--emotional, physical, mental--these cause stress on people and their ability to deal or cope can be stretched thin, and they turn to some sort of addiction as a "crutch" to help them get through the day. It reminds me of a very crude song that I overheard years ago, called "F*ck the pain away" (excuse the language here, please). Anyway, simply replace the first word, with "work, shop, drink, and so on and poof, you have opiates (i.e. pain relief) for the masses.
3) Fear - People are afraid--afraid of living, afraid of dying--and addictions take us away from having the time to stop, think, and have to deal with our fears. If every minute, I am running around doing a million things--then I don't have the time to shut it all down and out, and deal with what's really going on inside. In fact, some people credit the Holy Sabbath day, as being beneficial to us to just stopping all that daily stuff at least for one day a week!
We are all human, and there is no one who is immune to looking for meaning, avoiding pain, and dealing with their fears.
The question is do we just throw ourselves into something to keep going or do we take more of a Buddhist approach, accept that life is suffering and try to raise ourselves above it through healthy balance, contemplative meditation, compassion and thinking about others, doing good deeds, and so on.
Keeping busy is good too--but going through life in a drug or otherwise induced fugue is not--then we've lost ourselves, which is maybe the point for our crazy world where addictions abound and we are all too happy to dive right in. ;-)
(Source Photo: here with attribution to Miles Cave)
July 8, 2013
Rape Crisis Nation
I took this picture from a moving Metro train and one with incredibly dirty windows at that.
It is the phone number for a 24-hour rape crisis hotline.
Underneath the phone number is a picture of a hand picking up a telephone to call.
It is written as graffiti on the wall facing the train tracks.
And around it are radio towers, telephone polls, what looks like transformers, and a barbed wire fence.
It is quite an ominous setting for the ad placement.
To me, rape is one of the most horrendous and brutal crimes.
Ironically, it physically and emotionally violates a person through the very means that most people make love and life.
My first exposure to rape was in the opening scene to the movie Death Wish, where Charles Bronson's wife and daughter are brutalized--I saw this movie as a little boy and it left a huge imprint on me.
Over the course of my life, I have known people who have been both raped and molested and it changed them forever.
I found these rape statistics online, and even though rape is down 60% since 1993, 1 out of every 6 women in this country experiences a rape or attempted rape at some point.
Also, it means that 20 years ago, the percentage was about 26% or 1 out 4.
The Atlantic-2 years ago--reported similar numbers with 18.3% of women who were raped or where rape was attempted.
Honestly, I think the numbers may even be higher, since so many cases go unreported, and according to the American Medical Association is one of the most unreported crimes.
The numbers are outrageously high for a western, modern, civilized country or any nation!
What is even more shocking is that the U.S. is listed as the 6th highest country for reported rape.
Perhaps a large part of this is because we report more frequently in this country, but also maybe because we are more free and affluent and thereby, people are able to partake of vices such as alcohol and drugs, which are associated with sexual violence.
Rape is a horrific act and in medieval times, the crime of rape was often punished with castration or even death.
In Death Wish, Bronson became a semi-crazed vigilante and sought out his own form justice.
Today, in real life, we provide the victims a hotline number to call and the rapists--if they even get reported--and caught, prosecuted, convicted, and sentenced--may get some time or not, who really knows, but we should all care.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
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