Luke Ming Flanagan - what is he about?

anonymous2013

I know he is an avid supporter of the class C drug,which i have no problem with on a personal level..

It has medicinal value and is a low - level recreational drug(although you do laugh a lot on it kind of like laughing gas)..

Recently though (through reading the sunday newspaper) he has come out and said he experimented with class A drugs,and would support legal use of them..

Now im not so sure about ming,although i still do like him,and the fact he gives nearly 50% of his wages to charity and has recently taken a pay cut.

He is not as money orientated as the rest of the gombeens we have in the dail and seems a lot more alive and less sedate in the dail when speaking on issues he speaks passionately about them..

He is my kind of guy if i was going to vote for someone i would still vote for ming.

But his latest statement has me confused what is he about,why class A drugs,doesnt he know the dangers of them.

He even admitted he didnt really 'enjoy' cocaine and found LSD 'dangerous' and 'scary'..

Lenin Skynard

Since when are drugs being classified alphabetically like this?

And to be honest, an awful lot of people experimented with drugs when they were young. Ecstasy and cocaine in particular. It's not half as rare as most people seem to believe.

Artful_Badger

What was his latest statement ? That they should be decriminalised or something ? If thats the case he might hold the view that the criminalisation of these things play into the hangs of organised crime. Those who want to take this stuff will. If it was legalised then it would lessen the profit incentive for criminal gangs. It would lessen the health risks to users as there would have to be standards. It would reduce overall crime taking a lot of strain off the Gardai that can be put into more violent crimes. There are plenty of reasons beyond just stating it for the hell of it.

Thats of course if thats that he said. I still dont know.

Chain_reaction

We don't have a drugs class structure in Ireland, that's a UK invention. From what I can gather he's trying to highlight the Portuguese decriminalisation model which appears to be working very well.

Odysseus

OP, exaclty what dangers are you refering to?

spitfireIRL

Regardless of what people think of him, at least he is being honest. Rare enough these days

Spunge

http://media.economist.com/sites/default/files/20101106_WOC504_0.gif

Odysseus

Spunge wrote: »

http://media.economist.com/sites/default/files/20101106_WOC504_0.gif

Have you a full link to the report that comes from. I would be interested to see how the are defining risks to both individual and especially others.

geeky

Signposts may not be charity, but he's effectively paid for them. Doesn't make him a great statesman, but it's a decent thing to do.

minidazzler

Why should the government tell you what you can and cannot put into your body? Drugs being illegal are what create cartels. If they were legal then there would be far fewer murders in places like Mexico.

Lenin Skynard

Odysseus wrote: »

Have you a full link to the report that comes from. I would be interested to see how the are defining risks to both individual and especially others.

http://www.fcaglp.unlp.edu.ar/~mmiller/espanol/Variedades,%20politica/drogas_Journal.pdf

Odysseus

Lenin Skynard wrote: »

http://www.fcaglp.unlp.edu.ar/~mmiller/espanol/Variedades,%20politica/drogas_Journal.pdf

Cheers:)

Artful_Badger

minidazzler wrote: »

Why should the government tell you what you can and cannot put into your body? Drugs being illegal are what create cartels. If they were legal then there would be far fewer murders in places like Mexico.

I think its more to do with telling others what they can or cannot sell you to put in your body. Even if legalised that would still be the case.

Grayson

Ecstacy is pretty safe. Well, within limits

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2006/apr/04/drugsandalcohol.drugs1

That guy took 40,000 pills and is still experiencing problems. To be fair, he's alive. i think 40,000 paracetamol would have killed him.
Still one of the dumbest people I've ever heard of. He'd deserve a darwin if it had've killed him.

Biggins

spitfireIRL wrote: »

Regardless of what people think of him, at least he is being honest. Rare enough these days

This.

If people would actually say what they are initially and honestly feeling instead of going along with the partyline sometimes for self gain and/or later hopeful advancement - we would have more decent frank political representations in power.

As it is, we have the quality of TD's we have presently.
A bunch of possible crooks, liars and parties made up of u-turn artists who have more turns than a road between their home and the Dail!

I would not support Ming maybe on a number of issues - but at least he says what he is thinking/feeling - and what better honest way to judge a person than by they stating clearly what their thoughts is on matters, honestly from the heart!

I might disagree with Mings often words (I also might not) but either way, I defend his right to say them - and thus let himself be judged, by vote or show of local support given in assistance.

TPD

He has tried class As, didn't like them, but accepts that enforcing a prohibition on them is going to cause more problems than regulating them. I'd agree.

Sergeant

Fúck all. Hot air, bluster and endless self-promotion.

MJ23

A stoner in a smelly jumper who looks like he needs a good shower.

Biggins

Sergeant wrote: »

...Hot air, bluster and endless self-promotion.

Sounds like one Michael O'Leary then!

PogMoThoin

He has a valid point, we need this to be debated in the Dail. The war on drugs is not working, the scumbags gangsters are winning.
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1893946,00.html
http://www.businessinsider.com/portugal-drug-policy-decriminalization-works-2012-7

Biggins

PogMoThoin wrote: »

...the scumbags gangsters are winning.

...And thats just the TD's.

Bipolar Joe

How come whenever most people have something bad to say about the dude, it's almost always about his jumper, or beard, or hair or some other arbitrary thing? Honest question.

Sergeant

Biggins wrote: »

Sounds like one Michael O'Leary then!

No it doesn't.

Biggins

Sergeant wrote: »

No it doesn't.

I politely disagree.

rubadub

anonymous2013 wrote: »

But his latest statement has me confused what is he about,why class A drugs,doesnt he know the dangers of them

I'd be pretty sure he is aware of the relative dangers, are you? Many people seem oblivious and think of their own recreational drug use as perfectly acceptable, some have their head so deep in the sand they do not even regard what they do as drug use. Since its legal and mammy does it -and you have that pathetic TD claiming she was taking a recreational drug for "medicinal reasons". Imagine if Ming had been pulled over on weed and claimed it was for pain relief or glaucoma.

The former UK chief drug advisor, who should know a thing or two.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11660210

Alcohol 'more harmful than heroin' says Prof David Nutt

Alcohol is more harmful than heroin or crack when the overall dangers to the individual and society are considered, according to a study in the Lancet.

Rasheed

Biggins wrote: »

This.

If people would actually say what they are initially and honestly feeling instead of going along with the partyline sometimes for self gain and/or later hopeful advancement - we would have more decent frank political representations in power.

As it is, we have the quality of TD's we have presently.
A bunch of possible crooks, liars and parties made up of u-turn artists who have more turns than a road between their home and the Dail!

I would not support Ming maybe on a number of issues - but at least he says what he is thinking/feeling - and what better honest way to judge a person than by they stating clearly what their thoughts is on matters, honestly from the heart!

I might disagree with Mings often words (I also might not) but either way, I defend his right to say them - and thus let himself be judged, by vote or show of local support given in assistance.

Well said. I always liked him, even when he was just in the county politics. He stands by his morals and is very approachable.

I don't care if he wears a suit, an Aran jumper or pajamas, as long as he's honest and has the intentions of his constituency and country at heart.

PhlegmyMoses

It's not a crazy POV. There are many realistic arguments for why decriminalistion of ALL drugs would be a good thing. I'm against it for Ireland to be the guinea pigs for this purely because I don't trust any government we've ever had to be progressive enough and savvy enough to manage such a system.

PogMoThoin

PogMoThoin wrote: »

He has a valid point, we need this to be debated in the Dail. The war on drugs is not working, the scumbags gangsters are winning.
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1893946,00.html
http://www.businessinsider.com/portugal-drug-policy-decriminalization-works-2012-7

in a way, I'm surprised that the government hasn't decriminalized most drugs yet, after all converting a criminal business (drug dealing) into a legitimate business is a win - win for the state & business.

Just think of the savings in policing and all those extra taxes rolling in with the creation of a whole new revenue stream, plus the added bonus of an entire criminal empire evaporating!

Pal

I've no time for ming Flanagan. As a politician, he has nothing to offer.
Its pathetic that people like him get elected but so be it. Democracy.Right.

take a look at yourselves Roscommon people.
But you're not alone.
Wexford people, Tipp and others have a need to take a look at themselves too.

Fianna fail were usueless and needed to be booted out. No question.

But WTF were people thinking when they chose alternatives ?

Ming !

FFS

Artful_Badger

Pal wrote: »

I've no time for ming Flanagan. As a politician, he has nothing to offer.
Its pathetic that people like him get elected but so be it. Democracy.Right.

take a look at yourselves Roscommon people.
But you're not alone.
Wexford people, Tipp and others have a need to take a look at themselves too.

Fianna fail were usueless and needed to be booted out. No question.

But WTF were people thinking when they chose alternatives ?

Ming !

FFS

FF were useless ? FG and Labour are continuing the same shíte they did. There is no difference between those parties other than ones they invent to distinguish themselves.

Who else was there to vote for ? What do they have to offer ? Nothing to anyone but themselves is what they have to offer. Its pathetic that people like Ming are laughed at for doing what he was democratically elected to do.

PogMoThoin

Pal wrote: »

I've no time for ming Flanagan. As a politician, he has nothing to offer.
Its pathetic that people like him get elected but so be it. Democracy.Right.

take a look at yourselves Roscommon people.
But you're not alone.
Wexford people, Tipp and others have a need to take a look at themselves too.

Fianna fail were usueless and needed to be booted out. No question.

But WTF were people thinking when they chose alternatives ?

Ming !

FFS

I live in Roscommon, I voted for him and I'd vote for him again. He's a breath of fresh air compared to the rest of the cronyism. The only politician who called to my door and chatted for a half hour about local things, asked me what I wanted, not spun a spin like the others.

Rasheed

Pal wrote: »

I've no time for ming Flanagan. As a politician, he has nothing to offer.
Its pathetic that people like him get elected but so be it. Democracy.Right.

take a look at yourselves Roscommon people.
But you're not alone.
Wexford people, Tipp and others have a need to take a look at themselves too.

Fianna fail were usueless and needed to be booted out. No question.

But WTF were people thinking when they chose alternatives ?

Ming !

FFS

Good man, who do you suggest in Roscommon if you don't agree with Ming?

You say he had nothing to offer, as opposed to who? The 'Yes' men and women that sit back agreeing with the majority?

Pal

Artful_Badger wrote:

Who else was there to vote for ? What do they have to offer ?

Thank you fellow citizen for your astute choice of who should govern me.
Lets vote for canabis promotion.
That'll solve the economic malaise.
Brilliant.

Good riddance Ireland.
I'll be packing my bags and out of here soon.
we're a Septic Isle as a result of ourselves.

Grayson

Artful_Badger wrote: »

FF were useless ? FG and Labour are continuing the same shíte they did. There is no difference between those parties other than ones they invent to distinguish themselves.

Who else was there to vote for ? What do they have to offer ? Nothing to anyone but themselves is what they have to offer. Its pathetic that people like Ming are laughed at for doing what he was democratically elected to do.

Hey be nice. FF ranked a 1/10. FG/Labour are at lease a 2. maybe even a 2.5

Ming woould be a 2/10 or to be more precise a 420.

Artful_Badger

Pal wrote: »

Thank you fellow citizen for your astute choice of who should govern me.
Lets vote for canabis promotion.
That'll solve the economic malaise.
Brilliant.

Good riddance Ireland.
I'll be packing my bags and out of here soon.
we're a Septic Isle as a result of ourselves.

I'm not from Roscommon, and nobody I voted for was even elected. Its the FG and Labour crowd that you should be thanking as those are the ones governing the nation. They are doing so by lowering the standards of living for the people in this country to pay for their own pensions.

I agree the place is a septic isle now but not because of the likes of Ming and not by a fcukin long shot.

mikom

Pal wrote: »

Thank you fellow citizen for your astute choice of who should govern me.
Lets vote for canabis promotion.
That'll solve the economic malaise.
Brilliant.

Good riddance Ireland.
I'll be packing my bags and out of here soon.
we're a Septic Isle as a result of ourselves.

Cut and run.
The basis for all great societies.......

Jumboman

Spunge wrote: »

http://media.economist.com/sites/default/files/20101106_WOC504_0.gif

Probably the reason alcohol does the most harm is because its the most widely available drug, imagine how bad things would be if you could buy cocaine or heroin in any newsagent.

Maplespuds

If the other TDs had Mings honesty, transparency and principle behind their policies then the Dail would be greatly improved. I disagree with a couple of his views, but the way he conveys them and highlights them is straight up and promotes a fair discussion, and I think he is a model politician.

Alter-Ego

MJ23 wrote: »

A stoner in a smelly jumper who looks like he needs a good shower.

As it's AH, you're probably joking, but it's this kind of attitude that keeps the usual teachers and publicans - who are only interested in advancing themselves financially - in the Dail.

PogMoThoin

Jumboman wrote: »

Probably the reason alcohol does the most harm is because its the most widely available drug, imagine how bad things would be if you could buy cocaine or heroin in any newsagent.

Portugal says thats bullshít, read the facts

tdv123

Jumboman wrote: »

Probably the reason alcohol does the most harm is because its the most widely available drug, imagine how bad things would be if you could buy cocaine or heroin in any newsagent.

In the early 1910's you could buy Heroin in a chemist as a cough suppressant for children.

It didn't harm a single person.

G Power

Odysseus wrote: »

Have you a full link to the report that comes from. I would be interested to see how the are defining risks to both individual and especially others.

try this

http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/rethinking-healthcare/research-shows-alcohol-causes-most-society-damage-of-any-drug/1818

veryangryman

Pal wrote: »

Thank you fellow citizen for your astute choice of who should govern me.
Lets vote for canabis promotion.
That'll solve the economic malaise.
Brilliant.

Good riddance Ireland.
I'll be packing my bags and out of here soon.
we're a Septic Isle as a result of ourselves.

Dont let the door hit your arse on the way out. Enjoy the greener grass

michael999999

Jumboman wrote: »

Probably the reason alcohol does the most harm is because its the most widely available drug, imagine how bad things would be if you could buy cocaine or heroin in any newsagent.

Its actually easier than that if truth be told


Its literally one phone call and you'll get tbem dropped ro your door. Id say itsactually easier than getting a newspaper.

thiarfearr

His argument is along the lines that people want and are going to use drugs anyway, so its better for them to be taxed and regulated instead of funding criminals, and sending people to prison for possession only makes things worse, for both the individual and the state.
Which makes sense

Czarcasm

Ming needs to lay off the weed and stop talking shìte. Simple as. Just because the rest of the political spectrum are clowns, does not make a character politician like Ming any less of a clown.

Land of the blind, one eyed man is king, etc.

anhedonia

Grayson wrote: »

Ecstacy is pretty safe. Well, within limits

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2006/apr/04/drugsandalcohol.drugs1

That guy took 40,000 pills and is still experiencing problems. To be fair, he's alive. i think 40,000 paracetamol would have killed him.
Still one of the dumbest people I've ever heard of. He'd deserve a darwin if it had've killed him.

averaging 25 pills a day for 4 years ???

I'd say that was a fairly rough tuesday morning in work the week he finally quit.

anhedonia

thiarfearr wrote: »

His argument is along the lines that people want and are going to use drugs anyway, so its better for them to be taxed and regulated instead of funding criminals, and sending people to prison for possession only makes things worse, for both the individual and the state.
Which makes sense

A lot of people in this thread are confusing legalization with decriminalization.

He is not calling for all drugs to be legalized, but decriminalized. Drugs would not be supplied or sold by the state. It just means it would not be a criminal offence to be in possession of drugs.

Portugal has been running this system for years with great success. It is not a criminal offence to have small amounts of any drug in your possession, amounts that could be considered personal use. Its still illegal and criminal to possess weight though.

Ming wants cannabis legalized, and all other drugs decriminalized. This kind of policy certainly has merit.

thiarfearr

anhedonia wrote: »

A lot of people in this thread are confusing legalization with decriminalization.

He is not calling for all drugs to be legalized, but decriminalized. Drugs would not be supplied or sold by the state. It just means it would not be a criminal offence to be in possession of drugs.

Portugal has been running this system for years with great success. It is not a criminal offence to have small amounts of any drug in your possession, amounts that could be considered personal use. Its still illegal and criminal to possess weight though.

Ming wants cannabis legalized, and all other drugs decriminalized. This kind of policy certainly has merit.

I got the impression that he wanted some legalised, some decriminalised, not just cannabis

bedirect

Lets have a free for all...We saw the damage the "head shops" caused. Every Junkie in Europe makes his may to Amsterdam.
Ming is looking for cheap headlines. remember your most important task when you get elected is to get RE-ELECTED

mikom

bedirect wrote: »

Every Junkie in Europe makes his may to Amsterdam.

Must be why the streets of Dublin is totally free of them......