On Marijuana and the Middle East

Did you know that many people who grow marijuana oppose it being legalized?  This makes perfect sense though. If you profit because of high drug prices because marijuana is illegal, then why would you want legalization? The drug war, be it with marijuana or any other illegal drugs drives up drug prices. Higher drug prices (even with the cost of evading law enforcement) equals higher profit. The problem with the drug war is that it basically ignores demand. Where there is high demand then limiting supply has only a marginal effect. Put more money in rehabilitation and get less demand. So if you are a supporter of the drug war, know you have a strong ally the drug growers and dealers!

On a seperate issue there are ads on bus routes in Muslim neighboorhoods urging support for the tearing down of the Muslim Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. Those running the ads, which are from the extreme right in Israel,  are trying to provoke a hostile response. It would be one thing to run the ads in just Jewish neighboorhoods (they are running some ads there though) but a decision to run ads in places you know where you will get absolutely no support for your cause is grossly irresponsible knowing the hostiity and potential for violence it will cause. At best it is indifference to violence caused by such ads.

Now, violence by any Muslims to the viewing of such ads is deplorable but for the life of me I can't see a legitimate reason to run ads in Muslim neighboords that say yes we should take down one of the most important Muslim sites in the world. I have no strong position on if this site should remain Muslim or revert back to a Jewish temple but I do have an issue with provoking what you know will be a hostile reaction among Muslims in Jerusalem and beyond. Indeed, if you are of the opinion of takin down the Dome on the Rock, could there be anything more counter productive or inefficent use of the reasources of your cause?  As someone who is non-religious I neither favor either religion. I have to speak, "no dog in the fight."  But this story just gives evidence how emotionally laden religion often is throughout the world. Religion because it states myths that they are the "truth" serves to alienate peoples and not unite them.