Articles written by Dan Mage

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About me - Dan Mage

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I was born in 1959 in NYC and grew up in the Washington DC area, a product of the 'burbs and liberal-intellectual parents with doctoral level educations. I got my GED in 1979, having left the public school system after 2 weeks of 8th grade,

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Politics, News & Issues > Pulitzer Center What role should the US play in reducing the production of illicit drugs-such as cocaine and heroin-in places like Bolivia and Afghanistan?: 1 of 44
The United States Government has no legitimate role in reducing the cultivation and production of illegal drugs in other countries, or in the dictation of drug policy to other governments. All that the US Government, the DEA, and the symbiotic drug dealing/drug enforcement/drug treatment/ industries can speak of with authori... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Police & Prisons Do prisons reform criminals?: 3 of 57
Prisons do not reform criminals. While there is no doubt that a significant minority of criminals choose to reform themselves while in prison, existing recidivism statistics seem to indicate that reform and rehabilitation take place in spite of the prisoner's experience, rather than as a result of imprisonment. Prisons ac... More..
Health & Fitness > Addiction Is addiction to alcohol or drugs a disease?: 3 of 42
Drug addiction and alcoholism are not diseases. They are lifestyles, religions, and love affairs, with health risks, and quite often health consequences. They can be a pattern of repeated self-inflicted injuries, or even not-so-slow forms of suicide.An addiction can also be a well-hidden lifelong place of refuge. It all depen... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Terrorism Exploring the reasons behind terrorism: 4 of 39
First, to define terrorism is necessary, if the reasons for terrorism are to be explored. Terrorism is usually seen as small-group attacks on civilian targets for the sole purpose of creating terror. The terror may be attached to a demand, or the terrorist act may simply be a political statement. Large scale destruction of ... More..
Relationships & Family > Gay & Lesbian Issues Marriage should be a sacred institution between only a woman and a man: 40 of 317
The majority of public opposition to same-sex marriages is rooted in homophobia alone, and has nothing to do with anything sacred.In Colorado, the same people who opposed gay marriage on religious grounds voted against granting next of kin status with regard to health benefits, hospital visits, tax status and other strictly l... More..
Health & Fitness > Addiction What's the use of getting high?: 2 of 10
It's a sure thing; that's the point of getting high. Make sure that you have obtained a genuine product. If you are an experienced user you know where to find it, and how to spot a bogus product. If you are not an experienced user, keep it up and you will be one, if you don't end up killing yourself or in the alternative, dis... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US Leaders (Other) Reactions to Obama's apologetic tone about America's recent history: 2 of 10
President Obama should not be apologizing for America's recent behavior. Bush and Cheney should be apologizing to the world and to America for their own actions. No such apology is forthcoming from these men, discredited by even their own party. To acknowledge that a gang of thugs, liars and thieves, surrounding and contro... More..
Arts & Humanities > Meaning of Life What is life?: 20 of 55
Life is struggle, and for all things that breathe, life is drawing the next breath. Life is pain and things that kill the pain, pleasures that begin and end. Lovers are lost and found, and solitude is the state we must return to.Life of course is about doing your job whatever that turns out to be, as best you can, collecting ... More..
Arts & Humanities > Thoughts on Writing The benefits of journaling: 79 of 148
Get it on paper while it's happening, while you're thinking it! You may be surprised the next day, or even years later, by your thoughts of that moment.If it's there on paper, perhaps it won't be circling in your mind anymore; any thought that comes into your mind is fair game."Drifted through most of the weekend exhausted an... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Politics in the Middle & Near East Was Israel's invasion of Gaza justified?: 5 of 9
Israel: A State at War One secular Jew's perspective:Israel's counterattack on Hamas was justified. The invasion of Gaza was the act of a state at war.Violence is one on the main purposes of central governmental authority, regardless of ideology, religion or actual potential for military actions. When Hamas declared itself to... More..