The Economist's Cookbook

... and for some reason this is a big deal to people. Hmmmm ... really?

40% of the American public has smoked pot at some point. I fail to see how this is a problem, aside from the fact that the government wants to paint anyone that smokes pot (for medicinal OR recreational reasons) as someone who beats up old ladies to support their habit, loves terrorists, hates America, and is part of the downfall of Western Society.

Really people, stop wearing your ass for a hat.

Does anyone know WHY pot was made illegal? This is a pretty thorough and well sourced blog post on the subject. Allow me to quote a bit for you if I may.

The Mexican Connection

In the early 1900s, the western states developed significant tensions regarding the influx of Mexican-Americans. The revolution in Mexico in 1910 spilled over the border, with General Pershing's army clashing with bandit Pancho Villa. Later in that decade, bad feelings developed between the small farmer and the large farms that used cheaper Mexican labor. Then, the depression came and increased tensions, as jobs and welfare resources became scarce.

One of the "differences" seized upon during this time was the fact that many Mexicans smoked marijuana and had brought the plant with them, and it was through this that California apparently passed the first state marijuana law, outlawing "preparations of hemp, or loco weed."

There's our government at work for us.

Here is what Radley Balko of Reason and The Agitator fame wants to see from Phelps.

Damn. What I wouldn't give for the most famous gold medalist of all time to stand up and tell the anti-pot fanatics to shove a large porcupine up their collective ass.