We're #1! U - S -A, U - S - A!!!

[cannon_fodder]

#1 in drug use.

No other nation approaches the cocaine use of the United States (not even Columbia).  Only New Zealand has similar rates of marijuana use.  Not even the Dutch (pot legal) have as high of a percentage of people who have tried marijuana.

America: 46% admit to trying pot
Netherlands: 20%

Just for fun, we have more problems with underage drinking and alcoholism too.

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1821697,00.htm


The study found that "countries with stringent user-level illegal drug policies did not have lower levels of use than countries with liberal ones."  In other words, putting thousands (millions) of people a year in jail for drug offenses does little good.  

The actual study can be found here:
http://medicine.plosjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.1371/journal.pmed.0050141&ct=1&SESSID=c79ea4c208d39c23c03246c70053d51b

Yay puritanism, draconian drug laws, and a desire to keep alcohol away from adults.

[Hometown]

Who was that famous French writer who noticed the same thing about America way back in our infancy?

[guido911]

Thanks CF. I am reminded of the famous orator, Michelle Obama, who stated "[f]or the first time in my adult life I am proud of my country..."

[Hometown]

Alexis-Charles-Henri Clérel de Tocqueville (July 29, 1805 – April 16, 1859) was a French political thinker and historian best known for his Democracy in America.

He noticed it way back then.  Apparently it is deeply lodged in our common personality.

These days the drug of choice is antidepressants.  Suddenly everyone is depressed and running around like they are on speed.

When I was a kid in Tulsa it was Valium.  Every time a woman went to the doctor she left with a prescription for Valium.  Valley of the Dolls.  Et cetera.

Now the doctors have put all the kids on weird drugs.

And my doctor looked at me like I was crazy when I told him I wanted to reduce my cholestrol through a change in diet instead of drugs.

[cannon_fodder]

quote:Originally posted by guido911

Thanks CF. I am reminded of the famous orator, Michelle Obama, who stated "[f]or the first time in my adult life I am proud of my country..."

Heh.  I didn't even mention the rate of dependency on designer drugs or prescriptions.  There are no competitions in our novice chemists or ability to get interesting drugs with pharmaceutical purposes.

In reality, I'm not nearly as concerned with the drug use as our response to it.  And I never said anything about being proud of the USA for the "first time."  I'm plenty proud of my country for a variety of issues.  But clearly we've dropped the ball on several fronts - this being one of them.

[guido911]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

quote:Originally posted by guido911

Thanks CF. I am reminded of the famous orator, Michelle Obama, who stated "[f]or the first time in my adult life I am proud of my country..."

Heh.  I didn't even mention the rate of dependency on designer drugs or prescriptions.  There are no competitions in our novice chemists or ability to get interesting drugs with pharmaceutical purposes.

In reality, I'm not nearly as concerned with the drug use as our response to it.  And I never said anything about being proud of the USA for the "first time."  I'm plenty proud of my country for a variety of issues.  But clearly we've dropped the ball on several fronts - this being one of them.

I was not calling you out with that quote. Come on CF, sometimes it's not about you. []

[FOTD]

Anyone notice today is 714?

Just wondering.

BTW, where does the elixer alcohol fit in this mix of stats?

One more thing, the war on drugs has cost the citizens One TRILLION dollars. Wave the white flag already before certain tax payers whine about their taxes being raised.

[jne]

Were paying the price with everything from potential academic and working contributions from students losing their financial aid for college, exclusion from job opportunities, overcrowded prisons forcing parole for real criminals (often exempt from mandatory minimums) to loss of productivity from folks who would otherwise be working,tax paying, contributing citizens. And, we throw away billions of federal, state , and local $ on enforcement.  We're making elite groups of Mexicans (in Mexico) rich and reinforcing the strongest drug cartels in the world.
Of course, to acknowledge that is assumed to be political suicide.

[we vs us]

We're a nation that has a long history of fundamentalism and denial.  Check back with the Puritans for some quality supression of baser urges.  That line stretches all the way to the present and exists in all parts of society.  But when we get jackasses telling us we've always been a Christian nation, this supression and denial is part of what they're saying, and part of what they're advocating.

In the way we like to condemn and prohibit certain behaviors, we're definitely a Christian nation.  

We also fetishize guilt and punishment, but that's another story altogether.

[Crash Daily]

Laus Deo



One detail that is never mentioned is that in Washington , D.C. there can never be a building of greater height than the Washington Monument .

With all the uproar about removing the ten commandments, etc., this is worth a moment or two of your time.  I was not aware of this amazing historical information.

On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in Washington , D.C. , are displayed two words: Laus Deo.

No one can see these words.  In fact, most visitors to the monument are totally unaware they are even there and for that matter, probably couldn't care less.



Once you know Laus Deo's history , you will want to share this with everyone you know.  These words have been there for many years; they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, perched atop the monument, facing skyward to the Father of our nation, overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia , capital of the United States of America

Laus Deo!  Two seemingly insignificant, unnoticed words. Out of sight and, one might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in the most successful nation in the world.

So, what do those two words, in Latin, composed of just four syllables and only seven letters, possibly mean?  Very simply, they say 'Praise be to God!'

Though construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848, when James Polk was President of the United States , it was not until 1888 that the monument was inaugurated and opened to the public.  It took twenty-five years to finally cap the memorial with a tribute to the Father of our nation, Laus Deo. 'Praise be to God!'

From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure, visitors may take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division into four major segments.  From that vantage point, one can also easily see the original plan of the designer, Pierre Charles l'Enfant...a perfect cross imposed upon the landscape, with the White House to the north.  The Jefferson Memorial is to the south, the Capitol to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west.



A cross you ask?  Why a cross?  What about separation of church and state? Yes, a cross ; separation of church and state was not, is not, in the Constitution.  So, read on. How interesting and, no doubt, intended to carry a profound meaning for those who bother to notice.

Praise be to God!  Within the monument itself are 898 steps and 50 landings. As one climbs the steps and pauses at the landings the memorial stones share a message.

On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered by the City of Baltimore ;  on the 20th is a memorial presented by some Chinese Christians; on the 24th a presentation made by Sunday School children from New York and Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and Proverbs 22:6 Praise be to God!
When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4th, 1848 deposited within it were many items including the Holy Bible presented by the Bible Society. Praise be to God!  Such was the discipline, the moral direction, and the spiritual mood given by the founder and first President of our unique democracy 'One Nation, Under God.'

I am awed by Washington 's prayer for America    Have you ever read it? Well, now is your unique opportunity, so read on!

'Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation.  Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.'

Laus Deo!

When one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public places all over our nation's capitol, he or she will easily find the signature of God, as it is unmistakably inscribed everywhere you look. You may forget the width and height of 'Laus Deo ', its location, or the architects but no one who reads this will be able to forget its meaning, or these words: 'Unless the Lord builds the house its builders labor in vain.  Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.'  (Psalm 127: 1)

It is hoped you will send this to every child you know; to every sister, brother, father, mother or friend.  They will not find offense, because you have given them a lesson in history that they probably never learned in school.  With that, be not ashamed, or afraid, but have pity on those who will never see this because someone failed to send it on.

[we vs us]

That's some serious National Treasure: Book of Secrets stuff right there.  

[Crash Daily]

Feel free to yuk it up. I always check authenticity before I post. Since you don't before you respond, I'm not the one that looks like an idiot.



I don't really have that strong an opinion of you, but it's just so funny, I had to post it.

[Chris]

mhhnbs



One detail that is never mentioned is that in the   entire world there can never be a mountain of greater height than Mount Everest.
With all the uproar about removing the ten commandments, etc., this is worth a moment or two of your time. I was not aware of this amazing historical information.

Atop Mount Everest on Earth, are displayed these letters: mhhnbs

No one can see these letters. In fact, most visitors to the mountain are totally unaware they are even there and for that matter, probably couldn't care less.




Once you know the history of mhhnbs, you will want to share this with everyone you know. These letters have been there for many years; they are  29,029 ft high, perched atop the mountain, facing skyward to the Mother of our planet, overlooking  China, the nation with the most of her children.

mhhnbs! Six seemingly insignificant, unnoticed letters. Out of sight and, one might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most populous country on the most successful planet in the universe.

So, what do those six letters, in English, possibly stand for? Very simply, they say "May Her Hooves Never Be Shod."

From atop this magnificent limestone and marble structure, visitors may take in the beautiful panoramic view of Earth with its division into seven continents and four oceans. From that vantage point, one can also easily see the original plan of the designer, The Invisible Pink Unicorn. With Asia to the north and the Indian Ocean to the south

[we vs us]

quote:Originally posted by Crash Daily

I don't really have that strong an opinion of you . . .

Sure you do.  It's at the bottom of every one of your posts.

That's why I've got no problems yukking it up at your expense.  Aside from the fact that the secret inscription at the top of the Washington Monument is freakin' high-larious.  

PS. Apologies to the forum for posting a huge Nicolas Cage head right in the middle of all the action.  

[cannon_fodder]

Crash:

Not sure how we got on this tangent, but please note - most of the founding father's were not Christian.  George Washington very much amongst the non-Christians.  At least not a Christian as far as most modern practitioners recognize it.  Heck, one the arms of the "cross," the Jefferson Memorial, has an epitath that reads:

quote:
HERE WAS BURIED
THOMAS JEFFERSON
AUTHOR OF THE
DECLARATION
OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE
OF THE
STATUTE OF VIRGINIA
FOR
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
AND FATHER OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA

So proud he was of the separation of church and state.  And now arguments are raised that he is part of it?  Time is a funny thing.

And, while we are at it... the "Cross" that can be clearly seen in the original design is total bunk.   The location of the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials was obviously not laid out in the plan.  Do some research from time to time.

Not too mention a "cross" is one of THE most common forms in the world.  My dog has a cross on his chest, probably wasn't bread to be there.  Every intersection forms a cross.  A mast on a ship, a sword, the mortar on bricks and yes... the design of many cities.

Moving on... the prayer you sited is entirely NOT correct.  The actually letter (not a prayer, a salutation upon leaving office) contained no fake old English (why dost though thinketh talking like an idiot makes thee godlike?).  It doesn't start with "Almighty God."  And it surely doesn't end with "Our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."  It ends with "Your most humble servant, George Washington."   The entire thing has been changed to make it conform with the myth of the Christian soldier fighting for America.

In fact, he never mentioned "Jesus Christ" in any document he ever wrote.  Most of the religious context to our founding fathers was added leading up to and following the civil war.  Nearly 100 years after they were dead.  "In God We Trust" and "Laus Deo" amongst them.  A a side, "One Nation Under God" was added to differentiate ourselves from the heathen communists in the 1950's.

Basically, what I'm saying is that some of the facts in that forward are true, but the intent for which they are use are entirely wrong.  Forwards like this are my pet peave.  Please, for the love of god, spend 5 minutes doing some research before passing this crap on:
http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/monument.asp