Prohibition and It's After Effects. What did our Government learn? (Origins)

Over the course of the last few years, marijuana has been becoming more accepted and legalized in many states for medicinal use and more recently for recreational use. Now I ran across a video about a 5 year old boy being given medicinal marijuana for a seizure disorder. And it sparked a thought. Why is marijuana really illegal? I've read several different accounts that speak of it being a way to control the Mexican population in the west to blacks in the south and east.

I think it was because our government learned a little something from Prohibition. Or should I say from the criticism of prohibition that made them start rubbing their greedy little hands together. So for the next few days I am going to present my case starting with the Prohibition of Alcohol that was implemented by the 18th Amendment and the Volstead Act in 1919.

And yes this will be a history lesson with my own little twist. So let's see how far down this rabbit hole you will follow. First we need to look at a small little minority of people in this country that formed the Anti-Saloon League. Here's a little of what Wikipedia had to say about them. And from what I remember from my history classes, this sounds about right. Now I ask, does it have a modern day equivalent?

The Anti-Saloon League was the leading organization lobbying for prohibition in the United States in the early 20th century. It was a key component of the Progressive Era, and was strongest in the South and rural North, drawing heavy support from pietistic Protestant ministers and their congregations, especially Methodists, Baptists, Disciples andCongregationalists.[1] It concentrated on legislation, and cared about how legislators voted, not whether they drank or not. Founded as a state society in Oberlin, Ohio in 1893, its influence spread rapidly. In 1895 it became a national organization and quickly rose to become the most powerful prohibition lobby in America, pushing aside its older competitors theWoman's Christian Temperance Union and the Prohibition Party. Its triumph was nationwide prohibition locked into the Constitution with passage of the 18th Amendment in 1920.

So lets explore that for a moment. Harken back to the '20s. You all have read or seen "The Great Gatsby". You've heard them referred to as the "Roaring '20s". Why do you think that was? Because of Mrs. O'leary's Cow?

No, it was because of the way people partied. You see when Eighteenth amendment was on the verge of being passed, the rich and powerful bought up all the alcohol in the country. You see, you can have it for private consumption, but when it was all gone, no more could ever be made. So they could hold these elaborate parties and serve alcohol. I can't be the only one to have seen "Auntie Mame". If they didn't have a private stash, they knew a man who new a man, if you know what I am saying. 

This was when one can say that the "caste" system can truly be viewed. You see, as long as you had it you could drink it. But you couldn't make any more and if you did, woe be onto you. You were arrested and sent to prison, unless you were able to get in on the black market. And this is where the fun begins. 

Part II Rise of the SPEAKEASIES. Coming soon.

Life Issues 08/26 by Ransom Live | Life Podcasts

Life Issues 08/26 by Ransom Live | Life Podcasts

Police Videotaped Planting Crack Cocaine in a Man’s Store so they Could Arrest Him | Techyville

Police Videotaped Planting Crack Cocaine in a Man’s Store so they Could Arrest Him | Techyville

My Relationship to the 21st Century.

Ok Ok Ok...I have been M I A for a minute. I have had to gather my thoughts. This has been a bit of a trying time for me. So this post will focus on my relationship with the world. I never knew how alone I was feeling until a few days ago. Don't get me wrong, I am in a wonderful relationship, it's just that I have always felt like no one understands me. It's inbred, I guess. For so long it's been me for everybody and no one for me and that's a lonely feeling.

Well, I now know that I am not alone, but my relationship with the world is still on shaky ground. It seems that for some reason, I am considered a miscreant because I am not willing to conform to the rigid rules that are set forth by a puritanical society filled with hypocrites. The crazy part is that I am finding other people are feeling the same way. So it can't be just me.

So I guess that it's now time to ask have I lost touch with the world, or has the world lost touch with me? It seems that the only way to connect with anyone is through social media and to some extent that is good. Over the course of the last few days I have met several new friends, but does that take the place of meeting someone in person and say, having coffee or drinks. I think not. So media has it's advantages, but it does not replace human interaction.

I miss those days when a conversation was not interrupted by the chiming of the cell phone. I miss those days when you could go to the store and did not have to hear someone's one-sided conversation over nonsense. We made it for almost a hundred years without all of these technological advances and we were, in my opinion, better off for it.

The flip side of that, we would lose so much. But if it's not advancing society as a whole, then does it really serving a purpose? I would so much so like to say yes, with the madness I see posted across social media, I am inclined to believe that it's at a point where it's becoming deleterious to society because no one is implementing any controls. Children are filming themselves doing things that should know better than. Adults are doing things that is reminiscent of adolescents. Where are the boundaries? How can we make this medium that we have all become so accustomed to more educational and use it to advance our society instead of putting forth wretchedness?

I am saddened by the lack of anything that remotely relates to parental oversight. I am saddened by the ability of adults to utilize their "smart phone" for such "DUMB STUFF". I am flabbergasted at the number of parents I see give their kids tablets and smart phones, not for educational purposes, but to keep them busy. It's a travesty. I have no answers for this. I can see no way out.

autism and the single black mom 08/12 by Michael Ransom | Life Podcasts

autism and the single black mom 08/12 by Michael Ransom | Life Podcasts

Ransom Notes Online Radio by Michael Ransom | BlogTalkRadio

Ransom Notes Online Radio by Michael Ransom | BlogTalkRadio

Martin/Zimmerman

Singular post on the whole Martin/Zimmerman issue. It's not what went on in court that doomed this case, it's all public perception. For 30+ years we as a race have been hell bent on being a menace to society. It's been in our dress, our music, our attitudes. For some "thug" is a way of life. We have spent the better part of 3 decades honing this image, knowing full well that this country is not color blind. It's illogical to think that the jury that was seated for this trial would reach a different verdict. If you want this to never happen again. If you want to be seen as people, then stop with the whole "thug" mentality. It scares people, particularly people who are under the impression that all black people are products of the 'hood and we all carry guns. 

By no means am I justifying the verdict or condoning the actions of the men who are out killing and claiming self defense. But this image problem that we have perpetuated has put a target on the backs of young black men. Parents, parent. When you have kids, you can't be, "bout dat life". You pull them into it. And you end up with a society that believes that they are threatened by every young black male they see.