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splitter
Trad climber
Cali Hodad, surfing the galactic plane
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Nov 21, 2012 - 01:14am PT
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bargainhunter - next time you are in the ditch cracking a cobra or an old E or burning down one, think aabout those, just like Samet, you are enabling .
Ummm, perhaps I missed something, but how am I enabling anyone, let alone people just like Samet.
I told the story about the nursing home to put the message to anyone either posting or lurking here on ST and who just happen to be using the occasional "recreational" drug that they could very well end up there. Some of those individuals snorted there very first line of coke or meth and that's where they ended up. Others, ended up belly up in the morgue. Take heed...!
Was it because I said they were my friends? Do you despise these people that much? I suspect you would have been one of the stone throwers that day Jesus encountered the prostitute!
I did one thing that could have possibly caused you to JUMP to such an absurd conclusion (that I am an enabler). I agreed with Toker Villian that there is PERHAPS an unbalanced focus on incarceration for the first time offenders or those who have never recieved rehabilitation VS at least ONE shot at rehab. My nephew didn't get that shot. Because that first shot is a BIG joke. I briefly described the situation with my nephew. His life was put on HOLD for going on THREE (3) months while waiting to get into a rehab facility. He has excepted responsibility for where he is at.
While he was out and waiting, like i said, he stayed clean. But, those where 12 lost weeks. He couldn't work, he went day by day. Basically it was a big joke. While they were bumping him back because someone with cash stepped forward. What kind of a program is that. What is that costing YOU in taxes. While he is seeing a judge once a week, getting called in for random blood test, etc? Times that by tens maybe hundreds of thousands of individuals. While the rich show up at there Betty Ford clinics and f*#k each other and get special treatment?
Dood, I am just saying that there is something fundamentally wrong here in America. I am not gonna get into some HUGE moral or spiritual debate/rant, but in my opinion it all began over half a century or more ago. There is a HUGE moral and spiritual void here in America. Just take a look at the 60's (my generation) ...! I turned 18 in 1968. In 1965 when i was a sophomore in HS, drugs where practically unheard of. The summer of love, HAHAHA, what a fuking joke!!!
This country, in 1963, took God out of the schools. It was not a major issue (school prayer etc)! For instance, myself, brother and two older sisters couldn't even recall ever praying in school. It was an option if one chose to do so. Any mention of God, the bible etc., became taboo. Fine, look what happened to the youth of America. That is a very brief synopsis. But, let me ask you this, IF there is a GOD and His name is JESUS CHRIST, what do you think He would do if America essentially said F*#K YOU to Him??? Well, look around and guess again.
It was/is a very slow/insideouse process. Look at pornography. Look where it is today compared to 1960/1965! If ya got a kid these days he/she is prollie addicted to porn. MSNBC did a report on it affiliated with various others and they stated that THE largest segment of society on internet porn sites is 1st and foremost the 10-17 y.o. age group. Kids are posting there own porn vids online.
I could go on and on, but what I am saying is this, it is MUCH deeper than you suggest. I am a staunch supporter of the criminal justice/prison system. I am NOT naive to the lack of desire among'st many drug users, thieves, whatever. In my opinion, we would be in DEEP sh#t if we cut back on it. BUT, there is something wrong with the other side of the coin. And i suspect that it is something VERY corrupt going on. Something is NOT right.
We listened to all their bullshit excuses for over three months, OH, NEXT WEEK FOR SURE! HE'S DOING JUST FINE FOR KNOW!! AMERICA IS ALL ABOUT ONE BLOODY THING MONEY!!11!!
In My Opinion. It is way to late for America. It has shipped its poison all over the world. We are seeing The last days of the USA ... MARK My Words!!
One other thing, I have not "Burned One" in over 25 years. I might joke about it. And, if it helps some cancer patient Kudos! And I do not drink. I haven't drank a damn thing in years, other than one bottle of beer I had Saturday night to toast Ian. And that was a spur of the moment thing. So, how and why do you come off judging me, I have no clue!
I have spent years on the streets reaching out to every type of individual. Primarily very young kids, run aways. Girls who wer working the streets of Holywood at 12-13 y.o! Teenage male and female prostitutes, runaways, and gang members. And the only thing that I saw turn anyone's life around was a Man by the name of Jesus Christ. But we did get many back home, if that was viable, regardless.
So, if your on some big SELF RIGHTEOUS campaign that condemns whomever, that's your trip. But don't go pointing YOUR finger at me telling ME I am ENABLING someone by suggesting that everyone should get ONE chance at rehab if they desire it AND qualify for it. Not everyone will or does or even (as you pointed out) wants it. BTW, did you watch that video I posted up thread? About the Boston drug addicts/crackheads. They obviously didn't want help.
I personally believe, what saved the one dood, the boxer who fought Sugar Ray Leonard in the vid, was him being sent to prison for 10-12 years. That was 1995. He is now out and living a clean life. His friend, the gal who overdosed, at the end of the video, would probably be alive today if they had locked her up a long time ago. I would guess, the majority of users out there don't want help. I don't know. I was simply saying, once again, there are people who do who have never got it.
I have gotten some of those people into programs, Christian programs! And they are alive and well today. I quit counting how many people i helped. I do recall 1200 was the last # I mentally recorded when I was keeping track. I quit because I didn't want it to be a #'s thing. I was not getting paid for it. I was using my own money and my own time. I quit counting at 1200, but there were WAY many more then that over the next 5-6 years.
Is that what YOU call/consider enabling???
You don't know SH#T about me, and I likewise about you! So, before you get judged, i would suggest you take the log out of your own eye, before you start picking the speck out of others eyes!
Sometimes a burned hand teaches best. That is true.
I hope that is the case with my nephew!
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splitter
Trad climber
Cali Hodad, surfing the galactic plane
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Nov 21, 2012 - 01:45am PT
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BTW, you asked I f I new how much it was costing medicare, etc. for these people? I only worked at that facility for about six months and that was twenty years ago. But, I am fully aware what it costs. I have worked for inpatiant and out-patiant facilities. State run hospitals, private facilities, HMO's and private docs/clinics! I bill and treat medicare patients on a daily basis. Of course I know.
I took my mother into her doctors office for an earache a while back and they looked at it and told her to buy some over the counter ear oil drops & do it herself at home over a week or so period to soften it up and resolve it on her own. We/she did and it worked out fine. That was it. No inpatient treatment or whatever. The bill came a month or so later, they charged medicare $250.00 to clean BOTH ears! What a crock!! THAT is where your "Hard earned money is going.
I know what I am instructed to charge for services. I don't work in nursing homes any longer except occasionally on weekends. I work outpatient workers comp!
The whole system F'n system is a BF joke, imo!!
I have seen maximum corruption in the medical field. It is horrendous what goes on at times! Pathetic!!
edit: BTW, I have an MS degree in occupational therapy (OTR/L)!!
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Bargainhunter
climber
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Nov 21, 2012 - 01:46am PT
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Um, Splitter, I was only using your name in the first post to reference your mention of working in nursing home. It applied only to the first sentence. The "you" I was referring many paragraphs later after my thread drift wasn't directed at you nor anyone. It was a rhetorical "you" to refer to us all in general (in the same way that a person uses the term "one"). We have all been in situations enjoying ourselves but perhaps unaware that an imbiber nearby might not be in control to the degree we assume. I think if you read back you'll see the miscommunication. If you prefer, I can delete your name from the begining of my post if you think others may feel that my rant was (incorrectly) directed to you. Apologies for the unintended miscommunication. I was glad that you shared your nursing home experience that I used as a segue into my post. Your compassion for your patients was apparent and the way you helped them with their ADLs back towards independence was noble indeed. I appreciate your perspective and sharing.
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splitter
Trad climber
Cali Hodad, surfing the galactic plane
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Nov 21, 2012 - 02:38am PT
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Bargainhunter,
OH!
Sorry about that! Reading comprehension problems, I suppose.
My bad! Thanks for the clarification.
BTW, I'm as frustrated as anyone. I don't see a rosie picture for the US!
And I agree with much of what you said. You can't help someone who doesn't wnt or realize they need help.
And, like I said, corruption is rampant, imo! As far as legalization of weed. That will only bring more corruption. There is no easy answer. I believe, like I said, that "answer" was rejected by the Supreme Court back in 1963. So is life.
Another example is "medical marijuana" what a joke!! Not saying that there are people that it will help, probably are a lot. But 90% of the peeps that are buying it are simply pot-heads, I use to be one, so i can relate. And who knows, maybe I will do it again. But????...
They had this 25-26 year old guy on tht show about Beverly Hills and Malibu Million Dollar homes, and the realstate agents who sell them. This young guy (25-26) was looking for and bidding on this 27 million dollar lot in the Brentwood Hills area that overlooked LA! He said he wanted to build the Ultimate Party/Disco House. He was going to put a total of something like 75M into it. When they asked him what he did, he said he owned a medical marijuana dispensary in Hollywood! F'n unreal!
Perhaps he was laundering money, or owned other ones also. Or maybe he made all that money at the one dispensary. I dunno! But, something ain't right. Doctors selling prescriptions at $200.00 each to anyone with $200.00! And they see 4-5 people an hour minimum. 6-8K a day 30-40K a week! 2-3M a year or more. Its all about money. Always will be!
People getting their heads cut off with chains saws by the hundreds, etc, just across the border in Mexico just to feed the drug habits of millions of Americans. Sheeesh. So we shrug our shoulders and stick our heads in the sand. Frankly, like I already said, its to late for America!!!
Oh well, rant over!!
Sorry about the thread drift!!
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Nov 21, 2012 - 06:19am PT
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Wow! Much food for thought on this thread. The taco at its best
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rockermike
Trad climber
Berkeley
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Nov 21, 2012 - 11:26am PT
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as to legalizing drugs - I'm of a mixed mind. I should say, I don't use anything myself, not even drink. and I don't really like the vibe that intoxicants create. I also don't like it when people smoke pot in public when I'm down wind, and worse, when they smoke up in their next door apartment and I get to live with the seepage. I have a niece who has epileptic seizures when exposed to pot - and legalizing will obviously make it even more difficult for her. And I too think American society is going to hell generally - and drugs are a large part of that (perhaps more a symptom then a cause?). And I don't want the US to look like 19th century China where the whole country sort of shut down to smoke up (or so I hear?). BUT, at this point I find the gang problem, both in the US and in Mexico to be a far bigger problem. If pot is fully legalized then RJ Reynolds will get rich, but slowly rich, and the gangs (and most of my Mendo buddies) will be put out of business. Worthwhile trade-off I suppose. Then the question is still outstanding, cocaine? heroine? Crack... I mean some of this stuff really is addictive. I'm not sure free gov clinics is a good choice either.
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splitter
Trad climber
Cali Hodad, surfing the galactic plane
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Nov 21, 2012 - 11:42am PT
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I'm sure many of you saw this program when it first ran on either the History Channel or Discovery Channel or one of its many reruns there or with one of the other channels that picked up the 'Gangland' programs. But if you haven't, watch it, or if ya have, maybe watch it again. What really struck me hard when I first watched it on TV was the segment titled "Hostage" that shows the 4 young men (American gang members [0r so it stated in a separate article] hired by one of the Mexican cartels to carry out a hit, but they got nabbed by the opposing cartel/chilling) being interrogated by the cartels. All four were subsequently shot, but it actually shows the kid on the far right, grimace as he is shot in the head. In the original tv show, you could here the blast and gasp ans it wasn't edited at the last fractions of second.
Evidently these four were informed that one of them was going to get his brains blown out after the interview/interrogation was completed. You here, "Your the one." just as an automatic pistol is placed to his temple. You can see the fear in their eyes prior to that.
I am glad this was scheduled on national television, but it has gotten MUCH worse sense it was first shown around 5-6 years ago. What annoys me about this particular show, is that it seems to put the blame on Mexico and the drug cartels & says nothing about the demand side of the coin (US drug habit). It is a two sided coin, BUT, demand is what drives supply! If there was NO demand, there would be no need for supply. So what created that demand. Well, it all began back in the 1960's (for the most part).
The whole vid is interesting, but the "Hostage" segment starts at 20:10 ...
[Click to View YouTube Video]
The point i'm making is this; America has BLOOD on its hands!
edit: the consumers are as GUILTY as the d00d who blew the guys brains out!!!
But, like i have suggested, it goes much deeper than that. It is the heart and soul of America that is lacking...
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Chaz
Trad climber
greater Boss Angeles area
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Nov 21, 2012 - 11:45am PT
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It's not the consumer's fault that the Mexicans can't figure out a civilized way to divvy up their stuff.
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WBraun
climber
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Nov 21, 2012 - 12:07pm PT
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The root of it all is the material body is the source of all misery.
The spiritual soul covered by the material body is a fish out of the water.
It will seek anything to counteract it's misery due to it's false identification to it's body.
All forms of intoxication's are pursued to counteract the pains.
One can only give up the lower forms of intoxication's, (anything associated with the material body), unless there is something higher.
The foolish stupid materialists all try and contact these facts which are under strict control by nature itself with nothing but band aid formulas conceived in their speculative theoretical minds.
They never get to the real root.
We are not a material entity but spiritual entities all in all.
Only thru bonfide spiritual consciousness can one ultimately be freed from the defects of birth, death, disease and old age that always follow the materially covered soul ......
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rockermike
Trad climber
Berkeley
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Nov 21, 2012 - 01:46pm PT
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Matthew:
The Final Judgment
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,[f] you did it to me.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
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Vegasclimber
Trad climber
Las Vegas, NV.
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Nov 21, 2012 - 02:14pm PT
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OT Marmot says, "GTFO out of his trailer!!!"
He also thinks this has gotten way Off-Topic. Even for an OT Post! :D
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splitter
Trad climber
Cali Hodad, surfing the galactic plane
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Nov 21, 2012 - 05:56pm PT
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up closeOkay, I must admit, major thread drift on my part.
SO, back on topic (or an attempt at it). i was thinking about getting a trailer. i always liked the freedom of the road. but, i might git myself arrested if i parked it in the 'wrong' neighborhood. best that i not keep any spare sh#t that i scavenged from peeps trashcans in them rich h00ds and get myself accused of breaking & entering their BMW's, eh? and, just for the hell of it, i might buy the dumpiest looking thing that still rolls and trick-out the inside but leave the outside looking like sh#t. then, every now and then, park it in some upscale h00d and push the eyesore thing as far as i can without getting arrested. get me a big dog that barks on command to keep'em all awake. and then split early in the morning leaving a huge trash bag full of empty Old E bottles and make sure the dog leaves a huge steamer in the middle of their lawn! ...
^^ now that's what i'm talkin'bout. trick-out the inside, and leave the outside as-is (just slap some wheels on it)! HA!
edit: seriously, i think i will be getting a trailer to tow behind my truck and take an extended vacation! ...
i cud be coming to a location near YOU!! where did ya say you lived, MrTropy? ;)
just kidding. to bad yer kids had to see/experience the seamy side of life.
but, perhaps it will give them cause/warning to never drift in that direction!
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