POTHEAD HUSSEIN VS. JOHN MCCAIN?

SEE THE VIDEO OF OBAMA SUPPORTING LEGALIZING POT HERE.

Comments

[Doug]

Wow, he must be doing better in the polls than Rassmussen actually shows. Rock on.

Don't bogart your comments now.

[Sam]

what's important is the distinction between "decriminalize" and "legalize"... how very Republican of you to follow the Washington TIMES and ignore nuance in favor of a soundbite.

[phriendlyjaime]

And here is a video of Hilary fluffing Walmart's business practices: http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4218509&page=1

I think that's worse than decriminalizing pot.

[Not Larry Sabato]

Sam, if you decriminalize something then it is no longer illegal. The words are identical.

[KC]

Ben, you're childish. What's up with the "Hussein" references? Is this a right-wing site?

Shame on you.

[Doug]

I like that you call him "POTHEAD HUSSEIN". That's besting Franky Luntz, girlfriend.

You are making me very excited that Barry actually has a chance.

[WMTribe]

NLS, you clearly do not understand the intricacies of the law on this point. Look, for instance, at the Netherlands, where the sale of marijuana is still illegal, but possession of marijuana has been decriminalized. The two words have different meanings in the War on Drugs.

[proudvadem]

Ben...
There are many of us who think pot should be decriminilized for medical (ie when a patient is terminal) reasons.
Do we think everyone should light up?? NO...
When my Dad was terminal with cancer, I changed my position on this and while he never used pot, if that would have given him some relief, I would have done anything to find a way to help him.
Please give those of us who believe that decriminalizing pot should be examined some respect. Furthermore, there has been many articles written about how the "war on drugs" has been a failure. Please do some research before just putting up a clip out of context, smearing a fellow Democrat and modeling yourself in the mold of Rush, Hannity, et.
When you have posts such as these, you put yourself below the fray, not above it.
Now, get back to helping Democrats :-)

[Sam]

Ben,

Legalizing marijuana means all mariguana in all cases is legal. Decriminalizing means simply decreasing its severity. The Netherlands example is typical: sale illegal, production illegal, possession legal.

[RichmondDem (Not J.C.)]

Good for him for taking that position. It takes a lot of courage, but its the right position.

We already have overcrowded prisons, its ridiculous to throw non-violent marijuana users in there too.

[RichmondDem (Not J.C.)]

BTW, its DECRIMINALIZE not LEGALIZE. Obama doesn't want pot to be available at the local 7-11, he simply doesn't want to make people do time for personal use. Big difference.

[Idiot]

Wow.

Reading some of these Obambabong statements makes me wonder if I'm not the only idiot here.

[Idiot]

Oh, and Decriminalize is a politically-charged buzz word.

NEVER use the word in a sentence unless you are ATTACKING someone else's platform.

To use decriminalize in a proactive statement is, well, an oxymoron.

[alexander hamilton]

It might be bad politics, but I think most of us would agree that decriminalizing weed is good policy. Prison is for killers, not potheads. And good for Obama for not kowtowing to political correctness and saying what he actually believes. Can you imagine a president like that? I know it's hard to, but let us try.

[phriendlyjaime]

There is no statute of limitations on possession of marijuana, yet a man can rape me and if he isn't caught in 5 years, it's too frickin' bad.

Tell that to your daughters/mom/sisters/female friends, "idiot".

[Bubby]

NLS cites the Washington Times as a source! You keep it up and you'll be bussing tables at the JJ Diner son.

[GeorgetownStudent]

Thank you for being such a big Hillary supporter! I hate reading raisingkaine now because its so pro-Obama.

[the poster formerly known as 147.]

I think Tim Meadows says it all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57DdviStOFo

[Jon]

Idiot,

"Obamabong", man I actually like that one, you are developing a great sense of humor, keep it up!

I suppose you all have to cheer yourselves up with something these days . . . you know with those 170,000 new donors and the 32 million and all.

Sorry.

LEGALIZE IT!!!!!!!!

[Not Ben]

I'm not a fan of legalization, but decriminalization does not legalize. Rather it decreases the severity of the offense and puts it on par with jaywalking, speeding, non-missionary extramarital sex, etc.

[hoobie]

DON'T CRITICIZE IT!

Ben, Ben, Ben

I expect shoddy reporting from the Washington (Moonie) Times, but I do expect better from you.

Please go back and re-watch that clip. Russert says to the Group "Is there anyone here who DISAGREES with Senator Dodd in decrimiling marijuana?" Senator Obama RAISED his hand, meaning he did not want to decriminalize pot. (As did HRC).

In other words, Obama's position is exactly the opposite of what you and the WT claim it to be.

[Not Wayne Rooney]

Instead of having an intelligent debate about providing healthcare for every American (which Hillary flopped at in 1993) or how we get out of Iraq (which Hillary voted to send us in to) you are wasting our time with a silly argument over whether someone is for legalizing pot. I guess desperate times call for desperate measures.

[the young reaganite]

This is a big deal whether you guys want to admit it or not. The libertarian party cannot get out the gate because of their stance on drugs. This will hurt Obama whether you feel it matters or not

[eileen]

Exactly right, 2:38. Obama raised his hand to Russert's question.

[RichmondDem (Not J.C.)]

Reganite, if you want an example of why decriminalizing pot is a good idea, theres an example right here in our own state.

Google "Ryan Frederick" and "Chesapeake".

[JMU Duke]

This is disgusting Ben, you're better than this.

Ben, Maybe you should disclose whether or not you have ever used pot or any other illicit mind-altering substance. Also, given that Roger Clinton once referred to his brother as one who had "a nose like a vacuum cleaner," how does that make you feel about Bill Clinton?

[Brian Kirwin]

C'mon....we have the REAL Obama story today

[Doug in Mount Vernon]

An EXCELLENT round-up of the Super Tuesday states can be found here:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/1/31/75516/0667/643/446831

Now that's blogging. This post, well this is not blogging, it's just whoring.

[The Richmond Democrat]

Good grief Ben, did you even watch the video?

I think that if the average American watched that video they'd come away thinking better of Obama, not worse.

Tsk, tsk, Ben. Looks like it's time for another roundup.

Personally, I would not have a huge problem with “decriminalizing” although I believe that we would be better served if it was “legalized” (taxed and regulated).

I do, however, believe that the larger issue is that “pothead hussein”, as he is so lovingly referred to above, seemed to be a bit flip-flopish. Having one position when sitting in a college forum (pro decriminalization) and a different position (anti decriminalization) when placed on a podium with other presidential contenders.

It seems as though he was for decriminalization before he was against decriminalization to coin a phrase.

Also, he seemed a bit sheepish on raising his hand, as if he were just going along with the crowd because it was right at the time.

NOT a sign of a good leader.

g

[Doug in Mount Vernon]

Methinks Ben is trying to distract from Boratgate:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/31/us/politics/31donor.html?hp

[Interested Observer]

ben - way to go with the whole party unity thing.

1. Given how sensitive you are to offense, I am surprised about your repeated use of Obama's middle name.

2. As has been pointed out, Obama is actually saying the opposite of what you say he is.

3. Obama is saying the same thing your gal Hillary is, is she a pothead too?

4. Going to apologize anytime soon?

5. Why running down Obama? Doesn't Hillary have a positive message that rejects the politics of personal destruction?

[Doug in Mount Vernon]

Making fun of candidates names has a real history of working, doesn't it?

Yeah, it worked like a charm for Dick Black against Dave Poisson, didn't it?

Grow the hell up Ben. I am really angry with you. You're disgusting.

Maybe you should do some analysis of how wrong the polls have been in all the voting recently. (how many points away from the correct numbers) and make some projections based on those figures to see if they might come out closer to reality.

ben,

it seems that you are getting credit for obama's parents choice of a name.
In the spirit of full disclosure, could you please explain to us what involvement you had in that decision?

g

"There is no statute of limitations on possession of marijuana, yet a man can rape me and if he isn't caught in 5 years, it's too frickin' bad."

Uh...no. Possession of marijuana is a misdemeanor, NOT A FELONY.

RAPE IS FELONY.

Will you people take a couple of criminal justice classes at college or go to court and see that people that are charged with possession of marijuana DO NOT DO TIME IN JAIL, MUCH LESS PRISON?

[Sam]

4:08 - the term rape is misused, however, sexual assault DOES have a five year statute of limitations. Marijuana does not. Take a legal research class.

[Tarheel up North]

I currently live in MA and was going to vote for Edwards. I decided this afternoon to now vote for Clinton next Tuesday.

The most liberal member of the Senate will never be elected president - regardless of what his middle name is

[Sam]

4:08 - the term rape is misused, however, sexual assault DOES have a five year statute of limitations. Marijuana does not.

As for possession and jail... First possession charge has a jail term in Virginia of up to 30 days in jail (VA Code section 18.2-250.1). Second possession is a class 1 misdemeanor (again, 18.2-250.1) meaning up to a year in jail (18.2-11).

So, guess what... people DO spend time in jail for marijuana possession.... take a legal research class.

[Sam]

ack... apologies... didn't realize the first post posted... wasn't supposed to....

[Hon. Jewington Analplay]

Ben,

You say "Hussein", but we all know you really mean "Macaca".

Welcome to America!!

[Bubby]

Isn't Barack a jewish name? The real problem is going to be Hill's cousin Dennis Rodham - he makes Roger Clinton look like Mother Theresa!

[Sam]

Bubby,

"Barack" is actually an East African name which means "blessed," however, it is closely related in language to the Hebrew "Baruch" which also means "blessed."

[Doug]

From the other thread, from the other Doug (imv):

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/1/31/75516/0667/643/446831

That was most excellent for understanding what the hell all this means and how frickin tight everything is. It's very exciting and VERY healthy.

1:27: What are you talking about? In Virginia, the statute of limitations for possession of marijuana is one year, and there is no statute of limitation on rape.

[Fred]

Ben, The Hussein reference is very offensive Take it down now!

[Bubby]

See Sam, this guy Barack is the Link! Irish mom, African daddy, Jewish first name, Islamic middle name - bridging the divide!

[The Richmond Democrat]

Someone upstream makes an important point that perhaps I can restate: Ben has repeatedly complained in the past of a) anti-semitism and/or b) being labeled an anti-semite.

But in regards to his repeated use of "Hussein" to refer to Barack Hussein Obama, isn't Ben doing precisely the same thing he has always supposedly condemned in the past: using religion (in this case the religion of Barack's father's family) to condemn him?

It's public knowledge that Barack Hussein Obama is an evangelical Christian, like the vast majority of African Americans.

So Ben is engaging in two distinct kinds of sliminess:

1) Religious bigotry, and

2) Making false claims about Obama's religion.

In the future when someone comes after you for another one of your false attacks don't expect anyone to stand up for you Ben. In the end, you are more of a perpetrator than the victim you all to often claim to be.

[RichmondDem (Not J.C.)]

Yeah cut out the name-baiting. How would it be if someone running against a Jewish candidate with the last name "Goldberg" had his minions continually point out his middle name?

[Bubby]

Ben is just pointing out the ugly truth about the rightwing - it is still acceptable to slander Muslim culture. You can bet on it.

[Ann C]

I'm all for legalizing pot. Heavens knows it's far less dangerous than tobacco and alcohol. And since about half of Americans have used illegal drugs (and that's not counting prescriptions) it's hardly a huge issue.

I've tried several of the recreational substances, and believe me a good Shiraz or Cote de Rhone is far superior.

And heavens knows the boomer generation sucked grass like mad while in college.

I commend his honesty for admitting he used coke at one point.

But this is interesting. National Journal ranks Obama as the most liberal senator this year, Hillary at 16th. http://nj.nationaljournal.com/voteratings/ The magazine opines this may be a detriment in the general, though a positive stepping towards the nomination. Rove is already apoplectic about it, and if Barack is the nominee, it will be the #1 issue

I'm not takin' sides. I'm voting for Dave Barry at this point.

If you want to read about the dangers of alcohol, check out this old GQ article on how it ravaged Ted Kennedy's life (as he was ravaging women all over DC). http://men.style.com/gq/features/full?id=content_5585&pageNum=5 Oh, yeah, read about the famous Kennedy, Chris Dodd waitress sandwich (she being sexually assaulted by Teddy Boy). Why any of the presidential candidates would have taken that corrupt guy's endorsement is beyond me. He's a thug, and most of the family was too.

I really might vote for Dave Barry.

[RichmondDem (Not J.C.)]

Oh come on, the "L" word stopped being scary a while ago. "Neocon" has replaced it as the political insult of choice.

And McCain is neocon through-and-through.

[Ann C]

Oh, Jesus, I just saw someone criticizing Wal-Mart. I shop there. It's full of customers who are immigrants, old people and working class types getting cheap prices. It's the only store I've been in that consistently has its handicapped spaces mostly fully used. It hires people who can't get jobs elsewhere (ever notice how many Muslims, Indians, and really old people it hires)?

Yeah, it could provide better health care. But the proof of the pudding is that millions of poor people shop there.

Oh, I forget, a lot of you think that NAFTA is bad too. Morons.

[Interested Observer]

it isn't just name baiting, it is race baiting and outright bigotry. I would expect it in a general election campaign, but not in a "liberal" primary. I'm sir Ben's mother would be proud.

I ask again, if you have to appeal to bigotry, what are the ideas you yourself are running on?

[RichmondDem (Not J.C.)]

Ann C personally I'm for free trade agreements as long as the government has a safety net (job training, etc) for those people hurt by free trade. Its a net benefit, but a lot of people are hurt in the short-term. The government needs to do more in easing that transition, or there will be a backlash and we will end up with 1920s-style protectionism.

There was a reason FDR was for free trade.

[Interested Observer]

Elements of the Republican Party may run against Obama like this in the general election. That's what they do - but it is wrong when they do it in November, and it is wrong when Ben and Hillary do it now. Surprisingly, it is worse when they do it because they are supposed to know better.

@Sam

Thanks for showing your ignorance. No one goes to jail for possession of marijuana. You can be sentenced to a year in jail for any number of crimes. Does it happen (in 99.9% of the cases)? NO!

Maybe if you HAD taken a legal research class, you would know that most misdemeanors (including possession of marijuana), there is a statute of limitations of one year.

FOR ALL FELONIES, THERE IS NO STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS.

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+19.2-8

@Anon 04:30 PM

Thanks for getting to him before I could.

No smoking gun in the Rezko case yet, but a few interesting tidbits. Note that one link is from Raw Story, which normally treats Obama very kindly.

http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Rezko_friend_scrubs_evidence_of_2004_0130.html

Firm linked to Obama patron scrubs '04 visit from website

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article3284825.ece
The payment, disclosed in court papers, is the first time Mr Obama's long-serving bagman Tony Rezko, a Syrian immigrant to the United States, has been linked as a friend to the Iraqi-born billionaire Nadhmi Auchi, one of Britain's richest men.
The relationship is a potential embarrassment for Mr Obama, who has made his opposition to the Iraq war a central plank of his campaign. * * * The Times has, however, discovered state documents in Illinois recording that the Panamanian company Fintrade Services SA lent money to Mr Obama's fundraiser in May 2005. Fintrade's directors include Ibtisam Auchi, the name of Mr Auchi's wife. Mr Auchi's spokesman declined to respond to a question about whether he was linked to this business.

[RichmondDem (Not J.C.)]

Why don't you Clinton folks go take a little look at this photograph.
http://www.gambling911.com/Tony-Rezko-Hillary-Clinton.jpg
Don't throw stones in glass houses, ok?

ben is a pussy. all he does is throw these fireballs out there and rarely responds to what other people say about his crap. Have the balls to debate, not hide.

I find it rather humorous that ben is being chastised for using the man’s real name. It is not ben’s fault that obama’s name is hussein.

Many of you liberals don’t like the term liberal anymore because it gives a bad impression. Now a person can not even use a real name to refer to another because it gives a bad impression.

Would you rather he refer to obama as God, rather than his given name or would allah suit your purpose better.

Sober up. Quit whining about someone using the man’s given name. Stay on the real subject, that “the man who shall remain unnamed” is afraid to take and keep a position on issues, and changes to fit the crowd.

That is real and it is NOT leadership

btw.. I wonder how many of you ever referred to the president as “dubbya” or worse. I suppose that is ok though because he is conservative.

g

[RichmondDem (Not J.C.)]

G-

How many people do you know with a weird/embarassing middle name? I know quite a few.

[Interested Observer]

Look, the reason they are using his middle name is to try and link him to Saddam Hussein and make you think less of him because he is a Muslim. You might call that making fun of someone's "funny" middle name. I call it what it is - bigotry. If his middle name were "Hugo" or even "Chavez" you wouldn't be using it.

"Dubya" is a play on words and is used by friends and foes alike. The only time people are calling Barack Obama "Hussein" is when they are trying to make him sound like the "other" and insert race and ethnic differences into the campaign.

If you have another explanation for why people are repeatedly using the name "Hussein" to refer to Barack Obama, I would like to hear it.

The one thing we agree on though, the Republicans will use it in November. I just don't think our own people should be. Unless they are not demonstrating their core values. After all, if Obama wins the primary, Hillary, Ben, etc. are supposed to line up and complain when the Republicans start doing the same thing.

[RichmondDem (Not J.C.)]

Using Obama's middle name or saying he is the most "liberal" Senator isn't going to distract people from the fact McCain votes with his pal Bush 95% of the time.

Once his maverick myth is crushed its over. That will be done in short order.

[Interested Observer]

Just to clarify, Obama isn't a Muslim, although those who use the term "Hussein" want us to think he is not only Muslim, but also part of the Islamofacist movement we are fighting.

[Dan]

A magician uses misdirection to pull off his magic. He directs you to look where he wants so that you won't look at what he doesn't want you to see.

That is what the Republicans have done very successfully in recent years. That is what the Clinton campaign is attempting to do now.

Don't take the bait and start talking about the merits of decriminalizing marijuana or what his religion is. That is what these sleazey people want you to do. When you do it they win. That is to say their too clever by half, dirty politics strategy wins.

Don't take the bait. Turn the subject to what it properly should be. The slimy nature of what they are doing. Look right where these clever magicians don't want people to look.

Ben, I keep complimenting you and your blog and saying that this current trip through the gutter you are taking is out of character. If you keep it up I guess we will all be left only one conclusion. That this actually is the nature of your character.

Once again, Ben shows us how he has a problem with black people. Once again, you Democrats will take the black vote for granted. Just remember, you can't win with much less than 90% of that vote!

[LiebJef]

Shame. and you know it.

[John]

New Survey USA poll just out tonight:

Clinton 57%
Obama 33%

Once again, B.H.O. can't break a third of the white vote in a blue state. And so much for the power of the Kerry and Kennedy endorsements! Heh!

[Interested Observer]

John - Survey USA is the guys that said Obama would win SC by 13 points. He won by something like 27%. They are routinely "out there". Meanwhile, Gallup and Rasmussen three-day tracking polls are at a 4-pt and 7-pt difference nationally.

Given that the primaries, interestingly, are not held nationally, it is pretty close.

Hint, here is the media story next Wednesday - "Democratic Race still up in the air". Unless Obama wins California, in which case "Obama stuns Clinton, Front Runner!"

Look to the Super Delegates to decide this one...

[Rowhey]

This just in:

Gallup national poll showing Clinton at 43% and Obama at 39%. Obama is up 11 points just this week.

I think this poll trumps SurveyUSA. Sorry.

[Idiot]

Rowhey, you're right.

SurveyUSA is racist. Gallup is only sexist.

Yea. I am.

Interested Observer: Survey USA is in the middle of the pack when it comes to accuracy this season. Here's the ranking -- http://www.surveyusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/hi-level-2008-pollster-report-card-through-012608-edited.JPG

They're doing better than Rassmussen and Gallup right now. Everyone got the Dem side in SC wrong.

Rowhey -- Gallup's ### were usually way higher for Hillary than Rasmussen's. Rasmussen still has her at +9. http://rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/daily_presidential_tracking_polling_history Look back through the month on Rasmussen and her average margin has been quite slim. So it could be that Gallup (which has had a bad polling season so far) is now getting more accurate numbers.

correction -- Rasmussen sloppily has not updated its chart from its actual results-- Hillary's margin is actually seven -- I would say Gallup is finally within Rasmussen's realistic range.

richmonddem

a lot… me included…..lol

io…
you are probably correct.. you will be hearing that name more and more should he win the nomination… and it probably will be done to move voters away from him.

However, just like many liberals called Bush “dubya”, some could say they were using it as a term of friendship. I could make the argument that the use of hussein, is meant to show people that obama is an inclusive candidate from a broad and varied background.

The question is what will people believe?

I am a conservative, I would not vote for obama on a bet, or for large sums of money.

However, I found myself just this evening defending him against the notion that he wants to be sworn in on the koran (truth does matter to me).

I am intrigued by this whole primary race and all the implications; I believe it will take a long time to figure out (why) no matter who wins.

Or we could call in the strippers and the hookers to tell us… I understand they are all geniuses.

g

[t]

The LAST thing we need is another pro-abortion drug-user in the White House.

Ben has done a service on this blog by exposing the past - and likely future - corruption of these perpetrators.

t SPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAKS

[Bubby]

t, lay off McCain. He gave up chasing skirt when he turned 70, and his wife is on the 12 step program.

[t]

Anything you say Rowhey

[t]

...er, Bubby

[Tim]

Ben,

Saying that to "decriminalize" and "legalize" something is the same thing shows a sheer ignorance of the law.

Breaking the speed limit is not a criminal offense, but that does not mean speeding is "legalized", it just means you face a fine or civil penalty instead of a criminal one.

Please change your headline from "legalize" to "decriminalize."

If you do not make this change knowing full well what Obama's position is, then you are a nothing but a liar, plain and simple.

[Doug]

Goodness, the first full debate I watched and it was wonderful. These two love each other and all the rest of you need to STFU.

Actually just t needs to STFU.

I may still vote for Obama, but I'm very happy to have either. McCain's going to implode all summer.

[t]

Goodness, the first full debate I watched and it was WONDERFUL! These two pro-abortionists love each other. We need all pro-abortionists to fill our minds with more of their ideas.

Actually just Doug needs to fill our minds with his ideas.

I haven't yet decided between these wondrous candidates, but I'd be just Giddy to have either! That way I could be just like the winiest waterboy in the blogoshpere - Doug!

[Bubby]

t, you also need to lay off the ladies uterus'. You exert domination on your own uterus and make it a beautiful place. All the other uterus' will do the same, and we will all live together in harmony.

[Tim]

I got annoyed with the headline but I guess we're really just arguing word choice here. Voters do need to know everyones views on all the issues. This is an exciting race to follow and be part of. If it drags out we will definitely get to know the strengths and weaknesses of the eventual nominee.

[Doug]

Well bubby, problem is t's uterus smells like poo and has had more men than Britney's.

[partisandwich]

"No one goes to jail for possession of marijuana."

Unless of course it's 0.5 oz or more, which qualifies as a felony (intent to distribute.)