11
02/12
Children Have Parents – Letter to the Editor
In response to this:
In attempting to fear monger us into opposing B.C.’s interest in decriminalizing marijuana, David Lindsay falls back on the most obviously ridiculous “argument” in politics today: “For the children”. It’s an admission of defeat. The person who invokes it has no argument – he has lost – and yet seeks to appeal to your emotions (a well-recognized logical fallacy) in lieu thereof.
Children are born with parents – adults who are tasked with caring for and teaching them. If marijuana is destructive to children their parents are empowered – both legally and morally – to prevent them from using it. If the parents fail in this duty, or wilfully neglect it, why is that my business or concern?
Why should an adult who makes a decision to grow, consume, or sell his own marijuana be kidnapped (i.e. jailed) because some parents may or may not be able to effectively parent?
The idea that we should sacrifice the liberty of all members of our society for the sake of some – in this case, children – is ridiculous, destructive, and antithetical to a free society.
Don’t presume that you know how to live the lives of others better than they do and they’ll extend the same respect to you, otherwise live in fear that the whims of the majority will next turn against your lifestyle.
People presuming to talk about politics could learn a lot from the platitudes we spout at children: “Mind your own business”.