They always monitor electricity bills out here. But I bet they do it in whatever part of the country you live in too. The cops did get a warrant and all. Good thing they didn't arrest her in front of her kid.

Growing weed should be legal, save us a lot of hassle. But that might make it too easy to get hold of, and encourage kids to smoke it and hurt their progress.

Well, I can see them being able to monitor electrical bills if it's a state-owned utility, but a privately owned utility - without a warrant? Obviously more to the story than meets the eye, and don't get me started on the drug war, either.

Prohibition of commonly desired products just benefits criminals, and breeds violence as criminals vie for territory.

Gun violence in the 20's and 30's was tied to Prohibition. The spike in the 80's is arguably tied to the Drug War.

But that's a different rant!

Zac, you're right that pot should be legal. The other concern you have - that it'll make it too easy for kids to get hold of - is less certain.

1. There's no indication that it's hard to get hold of now, with it being illegal. Those who really want to smoke it (which likely includes those who would abuse it) can get it with no problem.

2. If it was legal, it could also be regulated. Not that it would stop kids from getting it, but could actually reduce access. Drug dealers don't check for age. (And when's the last time you heard of a Budweiser dealer selling in the schoolyard?)

3. Since it's been legalized (essentially) in the Netherlands the rate of use by young people has dropped (and is below ours). There was a slight increase (trying it out) at first, and then lowering. Many people there say it lost some of its attraction to kids as a "forbidden fruit"

4. Kids will always find ways to experiment risky or dangerous behavior and substances. If you weigh all the costs involved with it being illegal (overwhelmed legal system, breakup of families, loss of financial aid for college, lack of respect for authority, destruction of lives for a small mistake, billions of tax dollars spent each year, increased profits for criminals) versus the perceived dangers of legalization (the possibility that a few more people may use one of the safest drugs known to mankind, but we're not sure -- it might end up being less), it's hard to justify keeping it illegal.

John of ARrgggghhh....

Under the Supreme Court's Fourth Amendment cases, the police may get such information just through a subpoena to a utility company (or perhaps even just by asking the utility company), with no need for a warrant or probable cause. The utility company is treated like any other witness who may have relevant information in his possession: The government may subpoena the witness to get this information whenever there's some reason to think that the subpoena will yield relevant (even indirectly relevant) information; it may also ask the witness to voluntarily turn over this information. Probable cause is not required.

Well, that answers that question. I guess we'd better install the new appliances and turn off the computers, lest we get the dogs shot!

8^)

UNBELIEVABLE!!!

Actually I was reading somewhere that the police had also been using drug sniffing dogs in the area. The dogs had indicated that they smelled drugs. So, it wasn't just the high electric bills.

I'm honestly not sure what the best way to handle drugs might be. I can see reasons for legalizing and I can see reasons for keeping it a criminal offense. There are good reasons for both - and not just moonbat reasons for either position. But no one ever asked me, so I guess we just have to live with things the way they are. *G*

That's scary. WAY scary.