It's Time for Sensible Marijuana Laws - Rick Steves Video
Complete video at: http://fora.tv/2009/10/28/Rick_Steves_Travel_As_a_Political_Act
Travel writer Rick Steves compares European drug policies to those of the United States, and calls for comprehensive reform of laws restricting use of soft drugs like marijuana. "There's not a reservoir of people just wishing they could ruin their lives with drugs if only it was legal," says Steves.
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Spending four months a year overseas, Rick Steves believes that thoughtful travel can expand our world view and shape how we address the political challenges that confront our country.
This popular speaker returns to The Commonwealth Club to provide a unique perspective on how the other 96 percent of humanity views our country and why we should "challenge truths we were raised to think were self-evident" in order to become citizens of the planet.
Rick Steves grew up in Edmonds, Washington and studied at the University of Washington where he received degrees in Business Administration and European History. Since 1973, he has spent 120 days a year in Europe.
Today he employs 80 people at his Europe Through the Back Door headquarters in Edmonds where he produces 30 guidebooks on European travel, the most popular travel series in America on public television, a weekly hour-long national public radio show, and a weekly column syndicated by the Chicago Tribune.
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MajDigi: Ugh, I considered whether or not to bother qualifying my statement with the Luxembourg thing. You get a gold star for noticing that. Aren't we all impressed with you. Ignoring "technical" countries like Luxembourg, Norway has the highest GDP per capita in Europe.
monkeybudge: lol . I agree , luxembourg isn't much of a country . I was just being a dick , but thanks for the gold star
ELLEONTHEJUDA07: "Wishful thinking" + Where do you even get your info Steve? Do you want to become an addict so my tax dollars can support your rant about not coping with Society? Further more, you expect to come back and squeeze some more from me for "rehab"?. Move to a deserted Island where you can do the shit you want and live America alone !, your solution is a failure.
kja5: "Do you want to become an addict so my tax dollars can support your rant about not coping with Society?" Last time I checked, it costs the government more to lock up an addict than it does to give him clean needles and medication to cope with his withdrawls/addiction. As for cannabis, when is the last time you saw a homeless cannabis addict? We have careers, pay taxes, and earn an honest living just like yourself.
ELLEONTHEJUDA07: The "Government" makesmore money out of any Criminal by locking them up you Pot-head ! Where do you get your info from, Supermarket's stands? and how dare you to even mention the Homeless?
bradwatson7324: Greatly losing religion, having a more realistic approach to drug abuse, legalizing prostitution -- the several nations of Europe are in many ways more enlightened than the U.S. Now if they'll ever accept the fact that direct taxation is immoral because it's theft, and that liberty is not a complete concept until a person can use ALL the money they earn however they want, I'll move there in an instant.
staceysweetcake: drugs ,prostitution all that runs by government in USA . That's why the things are different in Europe.There are too many people in charge in Europe so they can't control everything as they do in America
GeminiPrimeX: I watched the entire video on Fora and I must say that he is the first level- headed american I have seen online in a very long time. Finally an american who acts like an american should. If only people like him where given the opportunity to be the voice of similar americans in terms of foreign politics. It could mean that the US would have some credibility and respect in Europe.
acr08807: They need to get rid of police, too. I have a right to use ALL the money I can steal.
rrh199018: @marniespeaks america grew from fear on drugs, im not saying fear of drugs, im saying both, we are from fear, we grew off of drugs, our country is one of the biggest drug nations in the world, not only that, thats how wer are what we are now. no drugs, no future, more problems
marniespeaks: are you on drugs?
stypostve: legalize Cannibus, it is time, prostitution that is a man thing, selling needles not to cool with that , Cannibus will be legal, tax payers are not stupid, and they want something done, people are waking up and about time
J05hyyy: I just wish that when he says Europe, he also means the UK. We have equally messed up views in relation to our drugs policy as some parts of the US do ... or at least Alan Johnson does.
bodeezy: Vincent Barbarino once said: "Gimme drugs, gimme drugs". It's just as true now as it was then.
bkelsey4: You get them,Rick!Man,sometimes I wish that Europe would recolonize the States so we could have some rationality here. However,Holland may not have their lovely liberal laws for much long with the Muslim birthrate going through the roof and how many of them openly state their intentions to turn Europe into an Islamic theocracy and today use Europe's own laws of tolerance against nonMuslims.Don't stay blind,Europe!The world needs you and America especially.
PainterofYou: Awesome vid. 5/5 Share, share, share!!!
zbuzz90: I agree with everything he says. It just makes sense.
LSDSaviorSelf: "Theres is no wrong drugs, just wrong use you can make of it" But only negative story's appear on the news of course.
tomtrigger15: i wish to god he would represent the uk we may get somewhere who hasnt been brainwashed by the government
bankyy: i wish drugs were legal so i could ruin my life with them
Volcomboi15: Makes sense. i totally agree with this guy.
nick8892: control? i can grow my own and not worry about control
Morris1962: Although the 'everything European is better' attitude is nauseating. Most of the examples he brings up are accurate, and his conclusions are correct given current (empirical) evidence. We need to always be focused on efficiency, and right now the US is being horribly wasteful when it comes to how we deal with drug policies.
jeffboatright: @Morris1962 Actually, Steves often talks about what Americans do better than Europeans, and he writes about it in his recent book Travel as a Political Statement (or something like that). But given that he's essentially a travel guide for Europe - it's what his entire business is based on - then I expect that he will be a cheerleader for European culture and, to a lesser degree, lifestyle.
Th3Wab3: The prohibition was extremely valid suprised I haven't heard it used b4... Canada's really dragging it's ass.. U get fucked up quick by the RCMP for openly speaking about this.. I don't support the use of alchohal or drugs but I am in favour of people having the right to make their own choices. We can't grow without experiences...
Author: ForaTv; Uploaded: Nov 5, 2009; Duration: 5:10; Views: 3048
Tags: legalize it marijuana prostitution use soft hard drugs europe heroin reform pot weed illegal legalization policy laws tax prosecution prostitutes rickets rick stein ricky martin ricky hatton ricky gervais rickroll ricky whittle ricky groves rick astley rick ross
