The Weedaput: Engineering In Action

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a catapult discovered on the Arizona-Mexico border, reportedly used for smuggling drugs. Participants explore the implications of such engineering in the context of drug legalization, economic factors, and the absurdity of the situation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants find humor in the use of a catapult for smuggling, viewing it as a reflection of the absurdity of current drug laws.
  • Others argue that legalizing and regulating casual drug use could eliminate the need for such smuggling methods, suggesting that it would be more economically beneficial.
  • There is a discussion about the quantity of drugs involved, with some participants questioning whether 4.4 pounds is significant and comparing it to other substances like cocaine.
  • Concerns are raised about the risks associated with losing large quantities of drugs during transport, particularly with more valuable substances like cocaine.
  • Some participants suggest that improvements in the technology used for smuggling could be beneficial, with references to related activities like pumpkin chunking.
  • There are playful exchanges about naming the catapult, with suggestions like "cocapault" and "marijugonel," indicating a light-hearted tone in parts of the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of humorous and serious viewpoints, with no clear consensus on the implications of the catapult or the best approach to drug policy. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the effectiveness of current laws and the potential for legalization.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying assumptions about drug quantities and their implications, as well as differing views on the economic impact of legalization versus smuggling. The discussion does not resolve these complexities.

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http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/01/27/earlyshow/main7289339.shtml
CBS and AP said:
Drug-Hurling Catapult Found on Ariz.-Mex. Border
Mexican Troops Discover Smugglers' 3-Foot-Tall Catapult Able to Launch 4.4 Pounds of Drugs Over the Border with Each Shot

There is VIDEO of shots being made!

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7289257n&tag=related;photovideo

Now, I want to be clear, I find this hilarious: this is not an invitation to debate immigration, it's just some smugglers catapulting bales of marijuana.

I never realized how much some people really REALLY wanted to toke!edit: Obviously the title should be, "Weedapault". Damn my poor neologistic and spelling skills!
 
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Seems smart to me. Until casual drug use is legalized and regulated this will be the general trend. I guess, technically, it's a good way to put more money into the Mexican economy, although it seems like legal avenues would be more tax-efficient.
 
FlexGunship said:
Seems smart to me. Until casual drug use is legalized and regulated this will be the general trend. I guess, technically, it's a good way to put more money into the Mexican economy, although it seems like legal avenues would be more tax-efficient.

I'm all for legalizing casual drug use... I just love the image of this international catapult because we're still reeling from "Reefer Madness". I don't advocate smoking anything, but the casual use of marijuana shouldn't inspire laws that have people catapulting bales over the border.

I really think this is the writing on the wall: legalize it, tax it, and this just CEASES to be an issue.

Then focus on prescription drug abuse, and methamphetamine especially. Other drugs deserve attention, but this is the kind of absurdist symptom that should be a wake-up call for all of us: the drug problem is that we're not taxing our biggest cash-crop.

We complain about exporting jobs, but we're sitting on billions of private and federal revenue... and instead we SPEND to stop the inevitable. They are throwing it over the border... it's time to admit that we were wrong about this one. Let's give California a real economy, and not have people smoking whatever the hell is the kind of junk that people catapult.
 
4.4 pounds isn't much weed (I think). I think it's a cocapault.
 
lisab said:
4.4 pounds isn't much weed

images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTaaTvJjNV4z662E57-scQVG0ULnKg6dPAfFLiFOza2nZ9m6vi_Sw.jpg
 
lisab said:
4.4 pounds isn't much weed (I think). I think it's a cocapault.

Wow... no wonder your avatar is green! :smile:


Lisa... for most people, an ounce would be a ton of marijuana. Usually people buy 1/8th or 1/4 ounce packages for long-term consumption. Obviously the sub-class of addicts who have built tolerance can smoke up to an ounce a day.


So.. a 4.4 pounds per SHOT is... a lot, considering that you stay on YOUR side of the border where you're safer.

4.4 pounds of coke? uncut? I've never used any drug other than marijuana, alcohol, and nicotine... and not much of any of those. From my understanding however, 4.4 lbs of UNCUT cocaine would be worth tens of thousands of dollars.
 
On that theme... if you lose 4.4 pounds of weed to drift on your shot... it's OK. If you lose 4.4 pounds of cocaine?... well, what would happen if you did the same with a bale of $100 USD bills? I'm guessing that would be a bad risk:reward/shot proposition.
 
they need to work on their tech a bit
http://www.punkinchunkin.com/main.htm
 
Proton Soup said:
they need to work on their tech a bit
http://www.punkinchunkin.com/main.htm

It's funny, because that really seems like the kind of sport that a bunch of high engineers or mechanics would think up!

edit: Besides, they might overshoot and hit Canada! :-p
 
  • #10
lisab said:
...I think it's a cocapault.

Really? Looks more like a marijugonel to me.
 
  • #11
Andre said:
Really? Looks more like a marijugonel to me.

...I love you dude. :wink:
 
  • #12
This is too funny. :smile: