State Lawmaker Wants to Go Singaporean on Pot Smokers' Asses

In a July 29 email message, NORML's Paul Armentano reports, Georgia state Rep. Tommy Benton (R-Jefferson) informed a voter (emphasis added):

I am opposed to the legalization of marijuana. I think we should go to caning for people caught using and maybe execute dealers. That would solve the problem as well. That is what they do in Singapore and they don't have a drug problem.

A couple of weeks later, Benton sent a second message in which he threatened advocates of marijuana law reform with arrest (emphasis added):

You and your cronies want [marijuana] legalized so you can get a hit anytime without having to worry about getting arrested. I have forwarded your email to the Lowndes County sheriffs [sic] office so that they can be on the lookout for you. Consider this my last correspondence on the the [sic] subject to you or anyone else who shares your similar "conservative views."

Since Benton clearly states that he wants nothing more to do with opponents of marijuana prohibition, you definitely should not email him at [e-mail] or call him at 404-656-0177.

Comments

[mr simple]

Life is so much easier since I dropped the (R) after my name and I no longer have to spend time trying to defend the actions of these half-wits.

[Ska]

A mysterious FedEx of some low grade shwag sent to his home just might do the trick.

[anon]

I sense a scheme....

[ChicagoTom]

Uhmm...didn't some idiot lawmaker already get into trouble for this -- threatening to forward info to police about people excersizing their 1st amendmnet rights to agitate for law changes?

Tommy Benton is a fucking moron

[John-David]

In other crappy news, Les Paul died.

[Euler]

I certainly do not encourage people to phone in anonymous tips to the police that Mr. Benton is running a grow operation out of his house.

[Xeones]

Keep in mind that if you're thinking about calling or writing to this cockstain to express your displeasure with his legislative shitbaggery, you're a domestic terrorist. He got elected, which means he represents the people, which means anybody who doesn't like him needs to shut the fuck up until the next election. So sayeth Tony.

[FrBunny]

You and your cronies want [marijuana] legalized so you can get a hit anytime without having to worry about getting arrested.

Um... yes?

[Federal Dog]

Was Tommy drunk when he wrote that stuff?

[EJM]

In other crappy news, Les Paul died.

Just in case, the full Google News story cluster is here.

[Todd]

"get a hit" Who says that?

[John]

The drug war wasn't created by invading aliens. A lot of people think just like this guy. I am not condoning it. It is nuts. But sadly, a lot of people are convinced drugs are the evil devil poison. This guy is not that far out of the mainstream.

[Xeones]

Was Tommy drunk when he wrote that stuff?

Naw, just high off his tits.

[R C Dean]

Uhmm...didn't some idiot lawmaker already get into trouble for this -- threatening to forward info to police about people excersizing their 1st amendmnet rights to agitate for law changes?

Technically, not a lawmaker, since flag@whitehouse is a Presidential operation, but yes.

[Andy Craig]

I agree tough love is the only way to deal with such despicable, anti-social behavior.

I expect the so-called representative to be turning himself in for severe caning as punishment his violent, sociopathic behavior in claiming to be a "Representative" with the power to "legislate". Him and his cronies want crime legalized so they can hurt people anytime without having to worry about getting arrested.

[brotherben]

This is the type of person whose lifestyle it is a pleasure to look into.

[Paul]

All this as we teeter on the brink of legalization!

[John]

Doesn't it kind of strike this guy that maybe it is not the best idea for a white legilstator in Georgia to be advocating lashings? Up next, German parliment member advocates cration of concentration camps.

[NeonCat]

Damn, I was hoping it would be an Oklahoman.

As a native Georgian, I am not surprised. The Gold Dome is full of ignorant crackers elected by backwoods law and order hicks. And vice versa.

[LarryA]

Why do I get the idea that Rep. Benton gets an erection at the thought of whacking people with canes?

[Seitz]

"get a hit" Who says that?

Baseball coaches.

[J sub D]

Yo, fuck Tommy Benton.

The intolerance and ignorance displayed by this fucking moronic asshole are all too common traits found in state legislators around the country.

[kool]

Congratulations sir! You're an asshole!

[Guy from Reefer Madness]

"Get me some reefers!"

[triangleman]

This guy needs to be caned on a regular basis, just so he doesn't forget the important lesson here.

[John-David]

He sounds like a reasonable enough chap:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glumh1elWUk

[Meyow]

I blame Jesus

[John C. Randolph]

I think we should beat the crap out of dick-waving politicians who call for violence against non-violent citizens.

-jcr

[Warty]

This guy needs to be caned on a regular basis, just so he doesn't forget the important lesson here.

He pays $200 an hour for that.

[Episiarch]

The hippie hate is strong with this one.

[John C. Randolph]

I certainly do not encourage people to phone in anonymous tips to the police that Mr. Benton is running a grow operation out of his house.

Of course, if he were growing a crop in his basement, what better cover than to pose as a backwoods drug warrior hick who hates pot smokers?

Seems like the same strategy that all the anti-gay closet cases use.

-jcr

[John]

"The hippie hate is strong with this one."

As a hippie hater I resent that. This dousche gives hippie haters a bad name. Just because you don't like hippies doesn't mean you are retarded.

[Lamar]

Let's give Georgia another shot at secession. I really think they can make it this time.

[John-David]

Did anyone mention the epic combover this guy is sporting? That and the bushy mustache rock. I'm surprised he's not sipping a mint julep in that pic.

[John]

John-David,

Que balls grow hair everywhere but their on their heads. This guy probably gets his back waxed and shaves his ears.

[JB]

What a stupid cunt.

[Episiarch]

As a hippie hater I resent that. This dousche gives hippie haters a bad name. Just because you don't like hippies doesn't mean you are retarded.

Some (many) hippie haters extend that hate onto all pot smokers. This seems to be this jerkoff's stance.

[Cthorm]

Oh this fucker is going to be rickroll'd all damn day.

Prankdialer.com

[Tim]

This isn't the first time someone has proposed draconian legislation:

Jan. 8, 1998, Jackson, MS: Persons found guilty of possessing marijuana in Mississippi could face the removal of a limb if proposed legislation becomes law. House Bill 196, introduced by Rep. Bobby Moak (R-Lincoln County), authorizes "The removal of a body part in lieu of other sentences imposed by the court for violations of the Controlled Substances Law." Provisions in the bill mandate that the convicted person and the court "must agree on which body part shall be removed."

Cannabis is safer, less unhealthy and less addictive than alcohol and is violence inhibiting not inducing. This is all because of racism in the 1930's, what the fuck is wrong with people.

[Sharon]

Just a note, Bobby Moak is a "D" not an "R" and might be the next Speaker of the House in Mississippi

[dave b.]

I have but one question to those who believe that Singapore is a no-drug zone: If there are no drugs or drug users in Singapore, then why are so many people executed every year attempting to bring them in?

[Tim]

I'm sure he thinks pot needs to be illegal lest black me think they are as good as white men.

[Nick]

"must agree on which body part shall be removed."

I, as the convicted, vote for Rep. Moak's writing hand and tongue to be removed. Whomever agrees say "Aye."

[NeonCat]

@ dave b.

Obviously the sarcastic response is that they are too stoned to realize that they are going someplace with draconian drug laws.

Or the Singaporeans and their drug war comrades in arms are seriously deluded about the effectiveness of their efforts.

[R C Dean]

I'm sure he thinks pot needs to be illegal lest black me think they are as good as white men.

There is no escaping the Law.

[bigbigslacker]

Hypothetically, if I knew my arrest would result in many years in prison, I might never go unarmed when engaged in activities that could end in arrest. I would think that's kinda a problem. You could elevate the penalty for speeding (a crime more serious than marijuana) to the electric chair. It would reduce speeding greatly, but there's going to be a pile of dead cops on the side of the road. Most people would see that as a problem, not a feature.

[brotherben]

When I lived in Lincoln County Mississippi in the late 70s/early eighties, the biggest dope smokers I knew had the last name Moak. Not sure how Bobby is related.

[Meta4]

Tonight, me and Towely are getting "caned" big time.

[Meta4]

They brought WEED to the company picnic!

[Tarzan\'s homeboy]

lest black me think they are as good as white men

Yo, Dawg, be dat de pluralis majestatis?

[hmm]

So, the important question is has someone /b/ ed this article yet? Cause you know if you want to really fuck up someone's day you just have to rile up the computer nerds. (I mean nerd in the nicest way possible, please don't sign me up for years of Singapore manlady porn or hack my life.)

[SIV]

This is all because of racism and Franklin Delano Roosevelt signing the New Deal Democrat Party Congress' Marihuana Tax Act in the 1930's, what the fuck is wrong with people.

[SpongePaul]

Whats funny is i went ahead and poste the article and contact info all over at norml and a few boards i am a member on, i am sure others have done the same. this man must be flooded with calls/e-mails today. he prolly stopped answering the phones b4 noon

[notageek]

has someone /b/ ed this article yet?

What does this mean, please?

[hmm]

The random board at 4chan. Visit at your own peril.

It's bit of meme ore even a parody at this point, but still effective.

[Jeff]

Now. now guys. Better to NOT condone violence on the guy, and let's be real here, all you're doing with prank calls is annoying his staffers - and if you're calling his Atlanta office in particular, he shares his secretary with about 5 other State Reps who DIDN'T go off the deep end of the crazy pool.

Email him directly or work with his enemies to see him gone are the better strategies here.

[anarch]

work with his enemies

Perhaps substituting opponents for enemies. Nixon, for one, went [even further] awry by failing to distinguish the two.

[Jeff]

anarch:

Good point. Regardless, work with those working against him...

[anarch]

Le voil

[moldy]

He should be reported to the FBI. It's illegal to arrest someone for their beliefs. Well, it used to be sometime, back when. Does anyone remember that? Hmmm

[Ben]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm forwarding your info, as if the police have never heard of NORML before. This guy is an idiot.

[boguechitter]

i cant believe bobby moak proposed this bill. as a fellow moak, it is completely ridiculus. and to your question brother ben, all moaks are related in lincoln county. he is just thrown off like his immediate family