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Metalpeter's Journal

metalpeter
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07/16/2008 18:54 #45040

Backward war on drugs and racism
Category: issues
First of all I hope that my general sense of being worn out doesn't make what I'm writing not make any sense. I'm not going to say that smoking crack is ok or that it should be legal, but maybe it should be. Oh when ever I saw drugs it will be short for illegal drugs. Tobacco, Alcohol, Caffene, and a few other are all have the good and there bad but none of them are considered drugs when they are discussed so to make things more simple they won't be counted.

I can understand that people can think drugs are wrong morally. It seems to me that is where most of the anti drug stuff comes from. I also think that since you come from it as a moral argument you can never end drug use (drug use and abuse are different but often people don't get that so for this they will be the same). See if it is moral issue then people who are on drugs aren't as good as you. Once someone isn't as good as you then the way you treat them changes. Instead of wanting people to get better just send the pieces of shit to jail. Even if you where to think that they should go to rehab if people think drug users are worse people that will sink in and they will pick up on that and no advice will ever work because it is done like preaching.

When I'm sick, do I care about being sick and that I don't move as good or that my insides are messed up, no I don't. I care about the fact that I don't feel good. So I take drugs that make me feel better (yes the sleep helps fight the cold) But I'm doing it to stop the pain. What I should do is take cough expecturent that will make me cough and get all the germs out. But again I would rather sleep and not be in pain. In America we do this with a lot of things we fight the symptoms in stead of what is causing the problems. The same is true about the drug war. We bust drug dealers and drug users and kingpins and gangs who fight over turf. But really what is that going to do? Well it makes Jails and the entire legal system huge and big profits for some people, and breaks up all ready broken families. But even if you got ride of all the drug dealers in a neighboorhood or a city how long would it stay that way. As long as there is a demand then those people who need drugs will get them someplace. Maybe it won't be on the corner maybe they will sniff gas, or snort aderlale (anti depresent that I guess gets up pretty high in powder form up your nose). As long as there is demand someone will supply something. That is why the war on drugs makes no sense. If you could spend the money on making sure society teaches people about how to deal with things with out using drugs then there would be no need to lock up drug dealers cause when no one smoked crack anymore they would have to do something else.

But there are other reasons this will never happen. First of all there is a difference between drug use and abuse. If I go to a rave or a dance club once a month and use e to have more fun then that is use but if I'm going out to the clubs every night and using it my brain is going to get fucked up. There is some thought that DNA, Abuse and Family history ties into why some people wind up abusing drugs and some don't. I also think that what you see as a kid is a factor. Hey if mom comes home from work and hates dad and drinks half a bottle of win, then you learn that is how you deal with things, instead of dealing with things in a positive way.

Another reason why the government won't stop the war on drugs and spend that money to try and help people not become addicts is because of drugs that are accepted. What if saying in first grade as part of health class you teach coping skills. Yeah that would be great. You could also teach kids that they should have some way to deal with anger. You could teach all this positive stuff and even tell kids about art and music or suggest hobbies to do as a way of escaping instead of drugs and give them ways to deal with peer pressure. But see if that where to work then what about beer, there would be no reason to buy it, same would be true with smoking. Oh we could never have that. Back to the moral thing again. It is ok to smoke and drink but smoking weed or doing a line of blow (not that I really would but I have all ways wanted to try a line of a striper's tit of course she was free and so was the blow) is wrong. I think because of that conflict the teaching of "life or coping skills" will never really be taught. I don't know if it is true or not but I have heard that "The capagne for a drug free America" is paid for by some Tobacco and Alcohol companies. As long as they have the money to through around then teaching people that drugs are not the only way to relax or speed up will never happen. I think that when companies like Redbull, Amp (part of mountain dew), Shark, Monster, rockstar and other energy drinks get smart they will add money to stop drugs. Why go get no doze or take uppers when you can have two cans of red bull. I can't say that they are currently helping to keep drugs illegal but if they are smart they will soon.

I honestly believe that if you fought the war on drugs from the prevention side it would do a lot more good then sending people to jail. I wonder if mostly white guys went to jail and broke up white families if the war on drugs would keep going this way. I kinda doubt it. I also think the war on drugs is a form of racism. I won't go as far as to say that the CIA put (forget the specific drug heroion I think) into the ghetto, but some people do believe that they did. I have not been to every city and I don't know about how things work in white hoods. But from what I seen the people who go to jail for selling drugs on the street are mostly black, and Latino (what nationality not really sure but does it really matter?). I don't think that it was set up as a race thing really it was more about who is poor, and where the poor people live. (hey or maybe I'm out of my mind from listening to both Public Enemy and Queensryche back in the day). But in general terms rich guys bring drugs into the country or grow it here in some cases. They have the least to lose also since they aren't selling it on the streets. There are way to many levels to really know but somewhere down the line you get to someone who sells or distributes drugs to an area or a bunch of people and maybe even some of those people resell it. As the amount of money people make gets lower the risks get higher and the skin gets darker or at least the people get poorer. No one when they are in 1st grade goes when I go up I want to by a drug dealer.

But at some point some kid who is in school, or who has maybe dropped out all ready see the glammour and the money of selling drugs. Hey if you want nice clothes and an x-box or money to drink or what ever you will get that cash a lot quicker then flipping burgers. it is all ways harder for the poor to get good jobs. The schools they go to aren't as good (hey all the tax payers moved to the burbs so how could they be as good), so there education isn't as good. If the home is broken (not saying there are not good single parents there are some really good ones) but that on top of being poor makes things tougher. Then if you ad in that you are black on top of that, it can be very hard to get a job. So instead of trying the lure of selling drugs is an easy one. I'm not saying everyone who is black is a a drug dealer, in fact most are not. I'm not saying you can't get a good job, you can get hired there and then if you are a good worker maybe even become a manager and then take some classes and become a district manager or something along those lines. But middle class (not even rich) families kids have an advantage and then if they are white it is a double adventage. Plus sometimes the cultural differences are just enough to scare away the guy who does the hiring. So there is often this perception that well I won't be able to get a job any ways, and even if I do It will be something nasty so I should sell drugs. Then if you sell drugs and that is what you are going to do why finish school anyways. Now if you get arrested for drugs or really anything criminal that makes getting another job even more tough. Once an ex-con allways an ex-con. The drug game is fixed game that hurts blacks and hispancs and favors rich with and maybe colubian men. That is reason enough to pay the DEA to go bust down doors and put "The Scum Bags who ruin our little angles lives by selling them drugs" in jail. But see if you where not on the higher moral ground and you taught you kids that they don't need to smoke up (kinda hard when you pop Zanak and they tried that first) t deal with being in high school, then there would be no drug dealers.

I wish I could really explain better how I think the war on drugs is racism. But it is kinda tough to do. What I do know is that it sure seems racist to me. It seems like no drug dealer makes people do drugs. Granted I don't think they should try to peddle there stuff to kids. It should be a if you need it you know where to get it type thing. As I stated before there are some pretty good single mothers. But I think that two parents do a better job with kids. I also think that when you take a parent away to jail it does have a bad effect on the kid. I can't say it makes them sell drugs. But it sure could cause them to if there isn't enough money in the household. I think that since the cops go after the sellers on the street (DEA supposidly starts on the street and then tries to move up the chain) that they do it this way because the sellers are minorites. Ok so you can't really go after people you don't see doing a crime (importers) [but how do they get that stuff in anyways, maybe some of it is by paying some people off not sure]. I think that minority sellers is a big reason for the drug war. Not only are you fighting the drug war but you are putting "the scum, Bad guys" in jail.

In this post I'm not saying you should make illegal drugs legal that is a different post at a different time. But I'm saying that if you really want to stop drug use and the crimes that addicts commit like stealing stuff and selling it cheaply on the street for drugs. Then you have to put the racism aside for a minute, and put away the high moral ground and think for a sometime. Then come to understand that just like Porn, strippers, street walkers, or high end escorts as long as there is a need for it people will find a way to get it, so you should figure out how to stop the need. Of course that is a bigger challenge then just putting everyone in jail and you really have to look at things and think about things but no one in this country of "I want it now" will really do that.
metalpeter - 07/17/08 19:24
I have heard of the needle exchange but don't know where it is, maybe if I shot up I would. I think one of the other problems with drugs and the war on them is how society looks on them. If you smoke or drink or wake up with coffee and can't do any work for the first hour or 3 cups of coffee it is excepted. But you do something illegal and all of a sudden you are this evil person, even with drugs that used to be legal. Use does not = Abuse, yes sometimes it does but you can abuse the legal stuff just as bad.
tinypliny - 07/17/08 19:09
I think I agree with what you are saying. The addiction part of drugs is perhaps what brings the stigma with it. People who get addicted are, to some extent, perceived as being weak. If you think about it in an evolutionary sense, the reaction to detecting "weakness" in a pack is to eliminate the weak members/link. However, we have come a long way from following the primitive instincts of evolution. I think the focus should be more on prevention via education and safe practices such as free needle exchange. I remember that I argued this viewpoint in my first year for some class and got frowned upon. Funny thing is Rochester has a good needle exchange program. I think every city should have one and it should be well-publicised. I don't know where Buffalo's needle exchange program is located, do you?

07/13/2008 18:39 #45007

The Taste Day 2
Category: event
First of all Mike and other that I saw it was nice to see you all. For those of you that I know and didn't see I hope you all had a great time and found some food you liked and didn't break any of my rules from my previous post. It is amazing how many people don't get down on the right back on the right and don't walk towards traffic, with the exception of the circle cause that can be kinda confusing as to where to go. I have to give credit to anyone who is able to do the group thing. It is tough to wait off to the side when someone else is in a line for what can sometime be a long time. The weather was interesting I dressed for cool weather since it was and then it seemed like I was there for about 10 minutes and the sun came out and the wind went away so I was a bit warm. I got one chicken wing from the tap room and it was really good I should have got the bigger size. Then at Tandori I got there kind of wings (baked I think vs smoked and different seasoning) they where so tasty. I went to the Steer twice once to use up my last tickets for cinnamon ice cream and also for an apple crisp that was very good. I tried a lemonade Jack Daniels that was very good. I had Lemon Ice from Anderson's they where out of the loganberry one. I almost forgot this Irish place had Shepard's Pie that was very good. Friday's had some free drink mix that was very good, they mixed it with water or ice and it was very good I wonder what it would taste like with vodka or something else. I somehow all ways missed what ever Dunkin Donuts was giving out except for ice tea once that was good. I also had this Jerk Chicken on Noodles that was pretty good I think the place might have been called Jack's or something like that. I'm sure I'm forgetting something but I hope everyone had a good time and enjoyed there weekend, hey maybe next year they will extend it a block and add like two more booths and that will let there be more space for everyone.
vincent - 07/13/08 22:51
It was cool to run into you twice!

metalpeter - 07/13/08 19:22
I'm glad you had a good time, I saw that drummer guy yesterday and the food I had there was very good. Now onto the rules for a second if people just used (again that circle area is kinda an exception) common sense and went down on the right and back on the right and looked as they walked slow and didn't just stop and talk in the middle of a crowd then everything would run smothly mostly. The exception is that some of the lines where to wide open so they streched out into the walk way. I wonder if some booths should go on the side walk in areas where there isn't much room like where the street is lost to construction. See there are these people who have to get to their one spot as quick as they can so 7 of them line up and walk towards people and louse everything up. Oh on a side note there sure where a lot of pretty people there. In terms of dunkin it was kinda weird like every so often I guess they would bring stuff out the window of the truck so if you wanted to wait you could get something the one time I was there, there wasn't enough food for me to get one, oh well I got free pork, (e:tiny) I will admit I was kinda hoping to run into you, you all ways have an interesting take on things. That being said it is tough to me at least to do the taste of Buffalo with another person or even two other people.
tinypliny - 07/13/08 18:59
Hey, I went and missed all of you. It was pretty crowded and there was this bloke playing the Indian Dhol at the Tandoori stall. All the crowds and music took me home for a short while. I had some stir-fry rice from the Singapore stall, and other miscellaneous desserts. My favourite waitress from Panaros wasn't there. Seems she was managing the stall yesterday. I didn't know Dunkin was giving out anything. There was a huge line there though. I was a bit impatient to cover the whole thing so I didn't wait. I broke all your rules because no one was following them anyway. I think if I had followed the ruled, it might have taken 4 hours to cover the festival instead of 2!! :)

07/12/2008 20:53 #44984

A wicked Taste
Category: events
First of all the taste of buffalo was a good time. That being said I'm glad I got some time in before wicked. Before wicked I got free pork, that is right pork for free it was pretty good. Then there where people handing out some Cereal that is in that middle section and that was pretty good to. I tried a small portion of this soup from Danny's I think that was like beef Kimmelweck that was very good. Then over by one of the stages there was this place Mobay I think it was called that was pretty good I got what was called mobay it was Jerk Chicken (very good) on this huge breed that was pretty tasty. I almost forgot there was a Ghirardelli place giving out free Chocolate how can anyone pass that up. After wicked I didn't stay long seeing as the rain came down in buckets and things where blowing over. It wasn't to to bad but with a paper bag and no one handing out plastic ones anymore I was in trouble quickly so it did wind up driving me home, I'm ok but my bag is pretty shreded. But I did get time to fit in a Chilli Chese Burger from Steer that was pretty tasty. I'm sorry I can't remember the name of the place that was giving out free ice tea but it was pretty good. Hopefully I will make it back on Sunday for more food seeing as there is more stuff I must try.

Wicked was fun to see. I did look up online and get the story. Sometimes stories in musicals can be tough to follow. I should not have read Act II it would have been better and then everything would have been a surprise story wise and it would still have been followable. Seat wise I was left of center about 4 seats in and 4 rows back so, I thought it was a pretty good seat. With out going into the story and telling spoilers for those who have not seen it, I won't really tell anything. I'm not a fan of love stories but there was a few love stories in there that was really good. All I will really say story wise is that it is the untold story of the wicked witch. If you take that story and then think about the story of the Wizard of Oz it is kinda not odd but changes you view on that movie. I thought the lighting effects where good and helped the story. I think all the actors/singers did a great job, it really was great, if it came back or if I went out of town someplace and it was playing I would go again.
metalpeter - 07/13/08 10:22
Hopefully this rain stops so I can go with out getting wet, I at least want to use up my tickets that I have left and would love to try a few other things also, but not a fan of getting wet. Now my camera is screwed up to I now have to look into that as well, but hopefully today can be turned into fun.
tinypliny - 07/12/08 22:16
Awesome!! I am super-glad you had a fun time... Maybe I will run into you tomorrow. I finally went to replenish my depleted cumin and coconut stores today and bought a lot of other rather unnecessary grocery. :)

07/07/2008 18:31 #44894

Summer TV
Category: tv
So it used to be that in the old days of when I was young or a kid that summer was all repeats on TV. But now stations know that people still watch TV in the summer so they bring out summer shows. I'm not sure who started that Idea really. I remember that Fox started with different seasons like with the OC and then they would have fall shows but I can't give them credit. So hey if it is to hot stay inside and watch some shows or maybe some shows you didn't see last time. There are some shows that are pretty good on Showtime Weeds (great), that call girl show is great and she is so hot, Penn &Teller, and why am I still single. Then On Thursday on USA Burn Notice starts up again, it was so good last year hopefully it is just as good this season. I love 30 days (one person lives as a person who is different from them or in an oppisite sitiuation ) it is really good. They have been showing mini-sodes of rescue me before it. Then of course there is last comic standing. Granted they can't be dirty since it is on NBC but you can still do sex jokes just not graphic. If you like MXC then you might like wipeout (Tuesdays I think) and that is followed by a pretty good reality/game show called "I survived a Japanese Game show" that is pretty cool it really is. I'm not saying people shouldn't go out side and enjoy the weather but if you work someplace hot like where I do you may just want to chill in side.

07/10/2008 19:09 #44921

Wicked taste up coming
Category: events
So in Buffalo during the summer there are lots of events and things to do. This weekend is the taste of buffalo. I know it is all about the food for most. But there are also prizes to win at places and sometimes a company will hand out new stuff like last year those chips made from fruit or was that the year before, very tasty. Then they have that section for kids and lots of other stuff. Yes the portions are small but they are small on purpose. 1) If they where large then they would cost more and then people would buy less. 2) If they where larger you would get full and not try other things. Besides you have to have enough money to get a nice stack of multiple color cups those that drink know what I'm talking about or have at least seen it. I just wish that all these walkers would understand the rules of the road, and why are they not posted.
1) If you want to look fine walk slow don't stop completely
2) Get food on your side only (none of this walking across 400 people getting in everyones way.
3) You wana talk fine walk and talk no standing in the middle of the road
A. No circles with air in the middle
B. If this must be done and you see someone get off to the side of sidewalk
4) Walk down the street on your right and back on your right (none of this walking into people coming your way bullshit)
5) groups walk single file not side to side blocking everything
6) wide body strollers never side by side and all the storage secure, if you kid can't hold onto there cup or teddy bear then they shouldn't have it.
7) no stopping when walking in people traffic
8) except in lines if you don't move you will be moved or kicked by the person or people behind you


> It is fine to move slow and look and talk and decide what you want, what isn't ok is to clog everything up and cause traffic jams if you did that in a car you would get flipped of or in LA get shot. A little common sense people is all I fucking ask for.

I forgot two
9) if you are hot show off that body
10) if you are showing it, it is so people look if you don't like your cleavage, tattoos or crazy hair looked at then don't show it off.
11) Have fun and don't get in others way and everything will be fine


I forgot that Wicked was still in town. I will going on Saturday afternoon and then assuming the weather is nice or at least not a down poor the taste of Buffalo. I'm looking forward to wicked I have heard from two people that it is very good, but the one person thought it was too long. I will be in the side ochestra in the first 10 rows. But I'm a little scared there might be lots of kids because of the show time but it should be a lot of fun. On a side note there is a new show starting on HBO on Sunday that looks really good (mini series) called Generation kill. Has anyone else on here seen wicked and what did you think? Yes I like both Musicals and Cartoons about Metalbands my interests very a lot and sometimes that makes it tough to do what you want or really get into stuff. I didn't get them but I can't believe there wherer $125 dollar tickets to wicked. I'm sorry that is just to much pressure. What I mean is a musical that is good at 30 or 50 or 70 has to be like twice as good based on how much you are paying for it. If I run into any (e:peeps) I hope I don't break any of my own rules, and maybe I'll remember to snap a picture of you. One day early hope everyone has a great weekend.
metalpeter - 07/12/08 10:54
If I run into you and they have anything Vegy I don't think I like I will give it to you, assuming I see you. In any event hope anyone that goes has a great time, and follows all my rules damit!!!! It looks like I might have enough time to see a little bit of the taste before wicked hope everyone has a great weekend.
tinypliny - 07/11/08 18:40
It was $70 a month back as well. So you have no reason to feel bad about the price. I don't know how I could have split costs. It was $70 (plus tax) per ticket. My dear friend absolutely refused to go in for the tickets that cost $35. She may have had a point but $70 seems like a bit too much when you are just a graduate student on a stipend! (Plus, I admit, I am not a huge fan of goody-two-shoe musicals. I would have considered it more if it had been Avenue Q, for instance. ;))

Haha.. you are lucky I decided not to drive here with my dangerous left-lane tendencies. :) You are surely getting all the non-veg freebies if I run into you!
metalpeter - 07/11/08 18:19
I wish I could make not only one sign but a bunch of them and like sneak to someplace high but where the signs are still readable. Or maybe stand them up at entrance ways to the street.

(e:tiny) I didn't get the $125 ones I got the $70 ones. You should have worked out something with your friend like paying half the difference or something. Since I didn't plan ahead (I did mean to but with the holiday and the trip I had my mind other places) then my tickets with all those fees cost more. If I would have done what I should have and bought them at the box office it would have been better.

(e:tiny) you may hear HEY TINY GET THE FUCK OFF THAT SIDE OFF THE STREET WE WALK ON THE RIGHT IN AMERICA!!!!, then, hey don't look at me like that it is groups of people like you ass holes that don't know how to walk in traffic that clogs everybody up (to other people walking the wrong way). On a side note it would be funny if I saw you and bought you some food, like say a nice juicy burger, HA. Man I wish I could carry a sign with the rules and walk with a megaphone, I wonder what would happen if I did that? HA. It isn't really about what side of the street you walk on it is about going with the traffic as opposed to walking into people. They do sometimes give out free stuff hey if there is meat in it just give it to me, assuming you run into me if not give it to whoever you are with and have a nice time.
tinypliny - 07/10/08 20:26
I am going to SO come to the festival and annoy the hell out you by breaking each one of these rules. HEHEHEHEHE
tinypliny - 07/10/08 20:24
Hahaha... I never get the walking on the right rule. I am always walking on the left. Its hard to re-wire the brain. I am sure plenty of people cursed me at the Allentown Art Festival. I think I start on the right but gradually and very unconsciously veer toward the left and then all of a sudden, before I realize it, I have covered the whole festival walking on the left!
tinypliny - 07/10/08 20:21
Did you pay $125 for the ticket? Seriously????? As you might or might not know, I outright refused to pay so much for a musical and currently am at a huge stalemate with my friend who thinks I am just being stingy. :(
paul - 07/10/08 19:29
You should get his made into a poster and bring it there. Seriously, if everyone followed these rules it would not be so crazy. I am so excited to eat lots of tasty foods.