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
Life is what we make it, always has been, always will be...including our perception. Of it
Bread has been made (indifferent) from potatoes;_x000D_ _x000D_ And galvanism has set some corpses grinning,_x000D_ _x000D_ But has not answer'd like the apparatus_x000D_ _x000D_ Of the Humane Society's beginning,_x000D_ _x000D_ By which men are unsuffocated gratis:_x000D_ _x000D_ What wondrous new machines have late been spinning.
I have but one system of ethics for men and for nations - to be grateful, to be faithful to all engagements under all circumstances, to be open and generous, promoting in the long run even the interests of both
The art of life, of a poet's life, is, not having anything to do, to do something.
He who gives only what he would as readily throw away, gives without generosity; for the essence of generosity is in self-sacrifice.
Sometimes the very presence of God is barred by our presuppositions and our intense and constant desire for triumph.
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