The Latest Gallup and Quinnipiac Polls

Recently Gallup conducted a poll (click here) in which the following statement was read to those polled:

“Next, I’m going to read you a list of issues. Regardless of whether or not you think it should be legal, for each one, please tell me whether you personally believe that in general, it is morally acceptable or morally wrong”.

If you scroll to the bottom of the article about the poll you’ll see a list of issues.  Included in the list of issues was “Smoking Marijuana”.  65% of those polled said that it was morally acceptable.  This data corresponds almost to the percentage point (63%) with the results of a recent Quinnipiac University poll questioning whether or not marijuana should be legalized.  Nearly two-thirds of the nation believes it should be.  Nearly enough for a Constitutional Amendment.

Adultery Included in the Morality Poll

I was delighted to see that Gallup’s “morality” Poll also included this issue, “Married men and women having an affair”.  In other words, Adultery.  Only 10% of those polled feel Adultery is morally acceptable.

Let’s Talk Law Enforcement

I have argued on Georgia law enforcement Social Media “marijuana bust brag” posts [when confronted with the standard “We equally enforce all laws” response to criticism regarding a published marijuana arrest] that Adultery is still against the law in Georgia.  It is a misdemeanor that carries the same penalties as possession of an ounce or less of marijuana.

I’ve questioned why that law isn’t enforced.  After all, Adultery has at least one victim.    There is the pain and anguish that the families of Adulterers experience when the offender is outed.  Divorce proceedings, lawyers, court dates …. Custody Battles, in which children are the victims and often used by the parents as pawns.  One of the questions most often asked by opponents of marijuana legalization is, “What about the children?”  The same question can be asked about Adultery.

To any Law Enforcement Executive with enough gumption to consider it, “Why are there no Adultery Task Forces in Georgia?”  I’ll tell you why.  Judges, District Attorneys, Firefighters, Medics, County Commissioners, Mayors, City Council members, Legislators and YES, a ton of cops would have to be arrested.

If Georgia Law Enforcement Executives are honest about this issue, they must admit that they DO NOT enforce all laws equally and that their claims to do so are, quite frankly a great big, brown, steaming pile.

The Morality of Marijuana Arrests

Georgia was #2 in the U.S. for marijuana possession arrests in 2014 and #3 in both 2015 and 2016.  2017’s data isn’t available yet, but I’ll be surprised if much changes.  Georgia cops seem bound and determined to put people in jail for something the majority of the nation wants to be legalized and considers morally acceptable.

I’ve read and reread the Ten Commandments today.  “Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery” comes in at #7, right between #6, “Thou Shalt Not Murder” and #8, “Thou Shalt Not Steal”.  All three have victims.

“Thou Shalt Not Smoke Weed” didn’t make the list.  Maybe because there’s no victim?