Date: Thu, 06 Sep 2001 22:51:21 +1000
From: Gary MacLennan <g.maclennan-AT-qut.edu.au>
Subject: Re: BHA: Re: Thoughts occasioned by Copenhagen


Dear A. Fog

My intention was not to offend anyone from Denmark - not at all - My own 
country Ireland is full of heroin at present.  Here In Brisbane it is also 
very common.

I agree totally with your suggested solution - but as an old Marxist I 
think there are material reasons as to why it is not legalised - there is 
too much money in it.  Moreover as often as not the trade is run by police.

My favorite quote here from Marx is

"If money, according to Augier, comes into the world with a congenital 
blood-stain on one cheek, capital comes dripping from head to foot from 
every pore, with blood and dirt.

The foot note to this is also worth quoting

Capital is said by a Quarterly reviewer to fly turbulence and strife, and 
to be timid, which is very true.; but this is very incompletely stating the 
question.  Capital eschews no profit, or very small profit, just as Nature 
was formerly said to abhor a vacuum.  Wit adequate profit, capital is very 
bold.  A certain 10 per cent, will ensure its employment anywhere; 20 per 
cent certain will produce eagerness; 50 per cent, and there is not a crime 
at which it will scruple, not a risk it will not run, event to the chance 
of its owner being hanged.  If turbulence and strife will bring a profit, 
it will freely encourage both.  smuggling and the slave-trade have amply 
proved all that is stat4ed here. (T. J. Dunning)

(Capital v 1 pp 711-2)


reqards

Gary



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