Comments on: Just curious

By: ethan

ethan — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 03:47:17 +0000

its a plant…yeah its illegal but not for long and what else are they gonna do during the off season besides relax? some people need to realize marijuana is NOT a drug

By: ratatat

ratatat — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:47:03 +0000

Drugs are bad… mmmm kay…

No really they are. I have a couple of issues.

1.) I don’t understand.

I don’t understand why people feel the need to get high and escape when there are plenty of natural highs out there.

2.) It slows down your reflexes.

Damon, when he stopped smoking, came back with “wow… my reflexes are so much faster!” like he was surprised. I’d want the guys on my team to be the best they could be and that means NO SMOKING POT!!!

3.) Role model

Athletes are role models. What they say and do is mimicked by others. Coming out and stating “mmm pot is delicious in brownies” is just a bad idea.

4.) It’s illegal.

I always say that it’s important to know what the law is and why it’s there so you know what laws to break appropriately. That said, it’s still illegal.

While I may not have an issue with pot, I DO take issue with guys on the sports team I root for using it. It means that they’re not performing at their best. It means that they’re breaking the law. It means that they’re being poor roll models.

To me, that’s just not cool. I’d want any blazers that were using off the team. The Jailblazers are gone, and frankly I’d like to keep it that way.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:58:40 +0000

I think what a person chooses to do on his own time (esp. during the offseason) is his own business, until it affects his job. Josh Howard is an excellent ball player and an all star, and should be given the benefit of the doubt. He’s no “Jail Blazer” type, in my opinion; he’s a hard-working young man who has admited a truth about his lifestyle in a public forum. For that, I have MORE respect for him, not less.

As far as the ‘role model’ status goes, there are lots of players in both the NBA and other pro leagues that are much much worse role models than JH. I bet if you do a survey, you’ll find a surprisingly large portion of the US population has smoked pot. It’s a question of responsible use, just like with alcohol…

By: DJ

DJ — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 06:26:54 +0000

I teach first grade and totally promote my love of the Blazers! Your poster is up in my classroom, and I give away your team posters and old jerseys in my weekly drawing out of our treasure box. I would be sad if one of the Blazers was speaking out about what they choose to do in their off time, when what they are doing is illegal. Hopefully, Howard will learn to keep his mouth shut! Little ones idolize their basketball heroes…if I am trying to teach my little guys to be builders of PEACE, guys like Howard are NOT setting good examples.

By: Brandon

Brandon — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 01:55:26 +0000

I’m glad him and David Harrison both came out with some comments this year, but I think Howard’s timing was off. In my opinion the criminalization of marijuana is one of the biggest legal shams in the country.

Why are people who have a few plants put in prison at $50,000+ a year when so many of our schools are crumbling and there isn’t even money to treat people who have dangerous addictions?

The best way to reduce drug related violence is to take the financial incentive away. If drugs were legally sold, controlled, and taxed, the illicit dealers wouldn’t have the market cornered, and money could be spent on infrastructure, education, and treatment.

The warlords, paramilitaries, and “rogue nations” our ignorant leaders are threatening make the vast majority of their money by growing coca, opium, or marijuana and selling it to people halfway around the world. It’s ironic that American heroin consumption is the backbone of the Taliban and has no doubt financed actions leading to the deaths of many Americans.

By: Cuz Pete

Cuz Pete — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 12:01:21 +0000

Admiralo,

Yes, same holds true for alcohol, in my opinion. I do not agree with drinking and driving, or using any “mind altering drug”, prescription or otherwise. Yes, prescription DRUGS! Ever get a script that tells you “Do not operate heavy machinery” while taking this medication?

Until / Unless the current laws are changed, one must be prepared to deal with the consequences. Other than the law, one must still be prepared to deal with the consequences. One doesn’t have to lose thier life in a traffic crash, although that is a distinct possibility. One can wind up a paraplegic or a quadraplegic (sp) or, if the cause of the crash, (usually when DUI and a life is lost) prison is an distinct possibility too.

As for myself, I prefer to remain drug free and once in awhile, I’ll have a few beers at home. If I’m outside of my home, then “The Boss” drives. No if’s, ands, or buts.

Peace

By: admiralo

admiralo — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 06:44:18 +0000

Cuz Pete,

Does the same thing go for alcohol in your mind?

By: Kris

Kris — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 06:31:45 +0000

I agree with the thin man. i don’t want to know any ones opinion on any thing. I am so easily offended by other peoples thoughts that I can hardly bare to read a book or news paper, I mean what if there is a gray area or an opinion where I expected a fact. Or worse yet a fact that contradicts something I already thought was truth. That undermines democracy! wait a second… AM I READING AN ATHLETES BLOG!?! Not only might the buffet of goodness say something that I don’t like, but he’s provided a forum where any fool might spout off on some tyrannical communist rant. I am definitely not going to buy the jersey of any pale guy with a ponytail who smokes the dope and then posts on a message board. I know that when i spend my money I vote with my dollar and there is nothing that pasty ponytail dudes value more than money. They’ve bought a 42 inch LCD plasma t.v. that needs to be payed of in at least 84 months and if they want to risk their livelihood just so that they can say something like John McCain is mentally unstable or George W. Bush and Dick Cheney are war criminals they do so at their own peril. This is the United States of America and we will not tolerate the opinion of any one delusional enough to exercise their freedom of speech. Especially if they have ever smoked pot or played basketball. Don’t get me started about golfers.
and a shout out to cuz pete I missed the part of Josh Howards interview where he talked about how much fun he has getting high and driving his car. I agree, that sounds unsafe.

By: The Thin Man

The Thin Man — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 23:13:58 +0000

It’s never, ever refreshing or cool when celebrities speak their mind on divisive political/social issues. Let’s assume for the argument that the meathead didn’t just say something totally stupid like he uses illegal, mind altering drugs for fun. let’s just say he told everyone who he is going to vote for. He just alienated half of the people who otherwise were fans. Most Americans are smart enough to take it with a grain of salt, but even the thoughtful ones still will have that natural underlying resentment. Sports, movies and the media is a business most of all. And I wont buy the jersey (for example) of a known doper or communist. Speaking out like this is always bad business.
There’s no denying that the intelligent thing to do is if you want to abuse drugs or undermine your counrty, keep it to yourself. For the general public: Ignorance is bliss.

By: Tra

Tra — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:37:41 +0000

I think that Josh Howard was probably ill-advised to make those comments to a reporter. Illegal drug use by celebrities – athletes included – is nothing new, but it’s not necessarily something a player or well-known personality should really bring attention to, especially in a case where it’s not forced (DUI, arrest, etc.) or spun positively (I used to do ___, but now I don’t).

Personally, I think that marijuana use should be decriminalized (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decriminalization_of_non-medical_marijuana_in_the_United_States), but at this point, it’s still illegal. While I have no problem with people using it recreationally – as people do alcohol – there are still legal ramifications that sometimes kids and teens don’t understand, especially when public figures dismiss them.

Basically, the professional sports world doesn’t need any more athletes who come across as trying to live “above” the law. We need more people, like you, to show the world that professional athletes are people – people who have talents and interests and ideas, even outside of the sports world. And if they want to do other things privately, it should be kept private.