War on drugs has failed?

Okay, this morning I was listening to the radio.  News flash: "The war on drugs has failed".  The essence of the piece is that we have lost the war on drugs so we might as well legalize drugs like marijuana. 

 'Scuse me?  How do we fail at a war against an inanimate object?  That's just weird!  First of all, the logic is (again, excuse me) STUPID!!!  This commission wants us to believe that making it legal to do drugs will help people.  How?  Perhaps we'll see tax revenue.  Okay, so follow that line out.  We're spending money now to fight the war on drugs and we'll spend the money then to help people get over drugs.  Spending money either way.  Okay, I'll admit it - my argument is a little weak at this point.  But, that IS the whole point.  The whole argument is weak.  I cannot conceive how legalizing something makes it acceptable.  Yay!!!  So, all you wife-beaters, killers, rapists, molesters of all sorts, drunks, speeders, tax evaders, etc, hang on!  We'll legalize your sin and therefore take away the sin that you commit.  You're right, that is illogical.  But, where does it stop?  Besides, back to my original argument, they say we have lost the war on drugs.  How do you do that?  Actually, if we've been fighting a war against an inanimate object then we are by far the most "STUPID" nation around.  I say stupid on purpose.  It's not ignorance because that would imply that we don't know any better.  I have hope that we know better but are either unwilling to accept the truth or accept the truth and are continuing with the thoughts of "war on drugs".  Initially, it was well defined.  Stop the transport of drugs into our communities.  But, if we have missed our mark then perhaps it was because we tried to control some thing rather than getting at the root of the problem.  But what if we've been using the wrong language and yet pursuing the right thing - the drug traffickers and drug users.  Since when do you run up the white flag and surrender to illegality?  With that logic, the argument could be made that we legalize murder since so many are doing it.  You would say, "No way!  That hurts other people."  Yep, you're right; and legalizing drugs wouldn't?  Come on, folks!  Get your heads out and up.  Whether you legalize "it" or not, "it" is still wrong.  We know in our hearts that drug abuse is wrong, period.  People who abuse drugs are wrong.  People who sell drugs to those who abuse those drugs are wrong.  Please understand, I'm not really talking about pharmacies or doctors unless they are helping people in the abuse.  Folks, wrong is wrong.  You don't lose a "war on ..." just because it continues.  You continue fighting crime because people keep committing crime.  For everyone's safety, good must win the day.  Acquiescing is surrender and surrendering to evil is, well, wrong.  For once, though, I'm not going to give in to the excuse that this is just weird and we can accept it as such.  The one voice I have is in use and will be used in a couple of ways.  First, any politician who thinks legalizing drugs is a good thing will automatically be voted against.   Think litmus test.  Second, I will voice my thoughts here and in any other place I can, both in public and in private.  Their logic may be weird, but it is not excusable, cute, or really even funny. 

"Backspace"

I know I'm a really odd duck.  Perhaps the correct word is eccentric?  Different things catch my attention.  What others consider either junk or trash, I find meaning in them.  For instance, I have on my book shelves in my office an old fire alarm.  I really like it.  It's metal, looks old, and reminds me that not everything is a fire alarm.  Gotta remember when to pull the alarm and when to let the system work out the kinks.

But this post isn't about fire alarms.  Actually, walking out of the gym this morning, I saw a "backspace" button.  Again, remember I'm somewhat odd or eccentric.  I picked up the button and have it with me as I write.  What good is it?  Probably not good at all.  Broken off of a junked keyboard, it has absolutely no value.

EXCEPT!  Have you ever wanted to delete something you just said or better yet, have a "do-over"?  Think about this - only on typewriters and keyboards do we have such a luxury.  Life is what it is.  We live it going forward.  Yes, we learn from the past but only if we pay attention to it.  While we can't backspace, we can live this moment today.  My wife and I went out for a drive last Sunday.  I'm an avid and blessed Christian who believes going to church is an important, meaningful, wonderful part of my week.  Yet, last Sunday we got to live the day in God's world, enjoying the outdoors, breathing fresh air, loving God and loving each other.  Walking down a trail, I told my wife, "Y'know, I could have some feelings of guilt about being out here.  Yet, I'm reminded of an old Gaither song, 'We have this moment today.'"  We do have this day, this moment.  Make the most of it!  No backspaces, no living even in the future, but truly living today.  God, help us to live today!

Turnin' 50?

I woke up this morning thinking about age.  In a few weeks I'll be turning 50.  This post is not about the actual age or the process of turning 50, necessarily.  This is actually about respect or what you can expect for the "elderly".   Perhaps it's just me but it seems that when an individual turns 50 they are viewed differently.  I've had gray hair since my 30's.  That didn't seem to do the trick.  Again, it could be just me, but it seems that when I say I'm 50 or almost 50 the reaction is a little more of respect than one would have of a younger person, even in their 40's.  I can't confirm this nor will I pursue it nor expect any "respect" than what I currently get.  Bottom line?  What difference does it make whether a person is 50 years and one day or 49 and 364 days old?  I don't know, but it sure seems like a knowing glance, a perceived shift in attitude, a certain deference to this soon-to-be 50 year old white male.  A friend recently told me, "Life begins at 50!"  I'm not sure about that, but I hope nothing really changes from life as it is now.  My hope is that when I look back on these next few weeks and then the ensuing days/weeks/months ahead I'll say, "50?  Who's 50?"