Our nearly century-long experiment in banning marijuana has failed as abysmally as Prohibition did... In contrast, legalizing and taxing marijuana would bring in substantial sums that could be used to pay for schools, libraries or early childhood education.
Interpretation
The failed attempt to ban marijuana is likened to Prohibition, suggesting that legalization could provide financial benefits for public services.
In this quote, Kristof highlights the historical failure of marijuana prohibition, comparing it to the failed alcohol Prohibition in the early 20th century. He argues that rather than continuing a policy that has proven ineffective, society should consider the potential benefits of legalizing and taxing marijuana, which could generate significant revenue for vital public services such as education. This perspective prompts a reevaluation of the legal status of marijuana and its implications for society.
In practice
In a debate about drug policy, one might cite this quote to advocate for legalization.
More girls were killed in the last 50 years, precisely because they were girls, than men killed in all the wars in the 20th century. More girls are killed in this routine gendercide in any one decade than people were slaughtered in all the genocides of the 20th century. The equivalent of 5 jumbo jets worth of women die in labor each day... life time risk of maternal death is 1,000x higher in a poor country than in the west. That should be an international scandal.
The fact that people will pay you to talk to people and travel to interesting places and write about what intrigues you, I am just amazed by that.
Abortion politics have distracted all sides from what is really essential: a major aid campaign to improve midwifery, prenatal care and emergency obstetric services in poor countries.
You will be judged in years to come by how you responded to genocide on your watch.
It’s time for a 21st-century abolitionist movement in the U.S and around the world.
Just a little help, a small security force, a bit of food, can save lives
In truth, laws are always useful to those with possessions and harmful to those who have nothing; from which it follows that the social state is advantageous to men only when all possess something and none has too much.
The reputation of power IS power.
It is our failure to become our perceived ideal that ultimately defines us and makes us unique. It's not easy, but if you accept your misfortune and handle it right your perceived failure can become a catalyst for profound re-invention.
He who is only just is cruel; who Upon the earth would live were all judged justly?
All sins are attempts to fill voids.
The fourth (of the four cardinal virtues) is supportiveness: this manifests as service to others without expectation of reward. (Paraphrased: Such service is not a mere conforming to some external rule of behavior, but instead a manifestation of your original nature).
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