Election Day Thread

[PeppyGPhiB]

My feelings re: president are more of relief.

My feelings as a Washingtonian tonight are of joy. We're all mail-in ballot, so votes are still being counted, but it appears we've voted to legalize marriage and marijuana for all!

[Psi U MC Vito]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

My feelings re: president are more of relief.

My feelings as a Washingtonian tonight are of joy. We're all mail-in ballot, so votes are still being counted, but it appears we've voted to legalize marriage and marijuana for all!

What exactly was the marijuna resolution? Was it just that it wasn't illegal according to the state of Washington anymore? Because the federal laws are still on the books.

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

What exactly was the marijuna resolution? Was it just that it wasn't illegal according to the state of Washington anymore? Because the federal laws are still on the books.

Washington and Colorado legalized the production, distribution, and sale of marijuana for recreational use. Lawsuits from the DoJ to block the laws should start heading west in 3...2...1....

[WCsweet<3]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

Washington and Colorado legalized the production, distribution, and sale of marijuana for recreational use. Lawsuits from the DoJ to block the laws should start heading west in 3...2...1....

That was what I said last night. "I wonder how long till they block it?"
Also, how did Colorado legalize marijuana before Oregon?

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

Washington and Colorado legalized the production, distribution, and sale of marijuana for recreational use. Lawsuits from the DoJ to block the laws should start heading west in 3...2...1....

Really? Doesn't the administration have the power to tell the DoJ to stand down? There's a lot of speculation that Obama may do this, now that he is a second-termer.

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

Really? Doesn't the administration have the power to tell the DoJ to stand down? There's a lot of speculation that Obama may do this, now that he is a second-termer.

Obama has a history of backing Holder big time and Holder has stated before that his DoJ is not ok with the legalization of marijuana and will go after states that do legalize it for recreational purposes. From a law enforcement prospective, these laws will create some major problems since MJ is still considered an illegal substance by the Fed Gov and in all of the other states.

How will law enforcement stop someone from obtaining 20lbs of MJ in Vancouver, WA and just driving south to Portland, OR and selling it on the streets? Or better yet, someone who's from CO drives down for a weekend in Santa Fe and gets pulled over by NM state trooper with a bag of MJ?

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

What exactly was the marijuna resolution? Was it just that it wasn't illegal according to the state of Washington anymore? Because the federal laws are still on the books.

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

Washington and Colorado legalized the production, distribution, and sale of marijuana for recreational use. Lawsuits from the DoJ to block the laws should start heading west in 3...2...1....

Full text of the law here: https://wei.sos.wa.gov/agency/osos/e...plete_text.pdf

Or, to read the summary from the voters pamphlet, here (it's Initiative Measure 502 on the left): https://wei.sos.wa.gov/agency/osos/e...ers-Guide.aspx

Washington voted to legalize, regulate and tax the sale of marijuana for adults 21+ just as we do alcohol. Stores will be able to apply for licenses to sell it, citizens and companies can apply to grow and produce it, the product itself will be tested for quality standards (no joke), and sales will be taxed. No use in public allowed, no DUI allowed, and the law permits blood testing if pulled over for suspicion of DUI.

Our state already has marijuana as the least priority of law enforcement, and even though marijuana is illegal to the feds, we've had medical marijuana here for a couple of years. Not a single law enforcement agency came out against this Initiative, and in fact TWO former U.S. Attorneys based in Seattle were key supporters, among many other people. Last night on TV, Rick Steves - he of globetrotting fame - was interviewed by TV news from the Pro party. It has a ton of support here, from suburban families to politicians to lawyers to law enforcement.

The Justice Department may decide to sue. Many would say that was one of the intentions of passing this bill - baiting the feds into changing the classification of marijuana. But without suing, the feds will have a hard time forcing their hand - it's not like the FBI is going to be pulling people over and busting into homes with 5 plants. If that starts happening, they'll have a PR crisis on their hands.

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

The Justice Department may decide to sue. Many would say that was one of the intentions of passing this bill - baiting the feds into changing the classification of marijuana. But without suing, the feds will have a hard time forcing their hand - it's not like the FBI is going to be pulling people over and busting into homes with 5 plants. If that starts happening, they'll have a PR crisis on their hands.

Not necessarily. The feds can very easily force their hand without suing or busting into anyones home. You know how Congress got the drinking age to 21, don't you?

[happilyanchored]

Watching CNN project Obama as the winner and having the four-five hundred people around me immediately erupt into screams/cheers/tears has to have been one of the single most powerful moments of my life.

Also knowing I had a hand in ensuring Todd Akin was never given a chance to have a say in our government is a wonderful feeling.

What an election day!

[DubaiSis]

There are an unending list of law-breakers out there. The feds have to choose their priorities every day. And all of the states that allow it for medical use are in conflict with federal law, but the DOJ was ordered to stand down on that issue. How about focusing on illegal immigration, drug smuggling, drunk driving, and jaywalkers and quit worrying about recreational pot use.

For my part, I'm happy has a clam about the outcome, although I wish Steve King and Michele Bachmann had been ousted, and I hope the president uses the next few months to kick ass and take names and cram some changes down the throats of the obstructionists. It won't be pretty, but it's probably the only way the things both sides want done (but won't agree to because of politics) can happen. And if it's done now some of it will be forgotten by the next election day.

And I hope to get involved with www.nolabels.org and want to really start pushing for these brilliant ideas to get enacted.

But to those of you who feel like the end of the world is nigh, trust me, you'll be fine. After Bush was elected the first time I made it my life's mission to make sure he wasn't re-elected. And then he won again. And the sun came up the next day and life went on. My suggestion is start kicking and screaming to get religion out of your party so you can focus on the economic issues that have always been the backbone of Republicanism. I'm convinced I'd have been on the losing end of this election but for the (my favorite phrase from last night) whackadoodle caucus of the Republican party. I am confident that the majority of Republicans are not crazy, but sane will lose if crazy is allowed to keep controlling the conversation.

[DGTess]

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

{snip} I'm convinced I'd have been on the losing end of this election but for the (my favorite phrase from last night) whackadoodle caucus of the Republican party. I am confident that the majority of Republicans are not crazy, but sane will lose if crazy is allowed to keep controlling the conversation.

I fervently hope this election brings about the end of the Republican Party as we have known it for the past several years. It would not surprise me to see it break into religious right, a libertarian, and an economics-first-to-hell-with-the-rest sects. Hey, one can dream.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by DGTess

I fervently hope this election brings about the end of the Republican Party as we have known it for the past several years. It would not surprise me to see it break into religious right, a libertarian, and an economics-first-to-hell-with-the-rest sects. Hey, one can dream.

I'm 33girl and I had a seance and contacted Abraham Lincoln and Dwight Eisenhower and all 3 of us approve this message.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I'm 33girl and I had a seance and contacted Abraham Lincoln and Dwight Eisenhower and all 3 of us approve this message.

LOL. I wish there was a place for socially liberal fiscal conservatives who believe in a strong defense.

The Republican Party, if it wants to remain nationally relevant in the 20th century, has to do a lot of work. Let's see if they actually do it.

[adpimiz]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

LOL. I wish there was a place for socially liberal fiscal conservatives who believe in a strong defense.

These are actually my views exactly. I classify myself as a republican because I'm extremely economically conservative.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

LOL. I wish there was a place for socially liberal fiscal conservatives who believe in a strong defense.

Well, there are the blue dog Democrats (with whom I identify in any ways), but the Tea Partiers and redistricting have made them an endangered species, st least in Washington.