When I first heard this Harvey Danger song during those years when being approved for a social security loan in Australia wasn't a big deal, I never imagined that it would one day feature in a musing on the global drug user "movement". However, for those familiar with the tune, it is not the "I'm not sick, but I'm not well" refrain that serves as a reference—it is actually the line, "I've been around the world and found that only stupid people are breeding".
Funnily enough, some of the people I hold the utmost respect for in my personal life are parents; you see, that is not the issue. I have just noticed a distinct trend, whereby the regression that is progressively taking over the "movement" is most often perpetuated by those who have two points of justification for their supposedly "mature" mindset:
Now, I only contend with one of these aspects of life, but I am well aware that both are necessities for many, in many places throughout the world. Fine.
Funnily enough, some of the people I hold the utmost respect for in my personal life are parents; you see, that is not the issue. I have just noticed a distinct trend, whereby the regression that is progressively taking over the "movement" is most often perpetuated by those who have two points of justification for their supposedly "mature" mindset:
- A family to look after
- Bills to pay
Now, I only contend with one of these aspects of life, but I am well aware that both are necessities for many, in many places throughout the world. Fine.
However, what is not fine, is trying to convince me (and many others) that this somehow makes the subsequent compromising of integrity "ay okay". In the same manner that "I'm just doing my job" is not a valid excuse for officers who enforce unjust laws and "You need to break a few eggs to make an omelette" is not a reasonable rationale for the corporate tyrants who continue to exploit Third World labor, it is just not okay—simple. And as a famous pop musician once crooned, "I'm not the only one".
But unlike the perpetrators and tacit supporters of the War on Drugs, I am in no way suggesting that you should be prevented from proceeding with your blessed life—no way! All I ask is that you articulate (ideally, in a matter-of-fact tone) the situation for what it really is, rather than what you have deluded yourself into thinking that it is. Just in case you are still perplexed, it may begin with something like this:
"I don't really care about drug users; in fact, I don't really know what a 'movement' actually is. But anyway, I do care about those close to me and everyone needs money right? I'm just like everyone else and I have to do what it takes ..."—and so on.
