Misapprehensions

Very often, when we write about something, we make assumptions. These assumptions may be perfectly honest in that we earnestly believe them to be true but, really, it is because we want them to be true.

How often do we do any research to make sure that what we have said, in public, is true?

Veering away from the beliefs and faith systems of people in general, for therein lies a pit of vipers for the unwary, let’s look at a couple of widely held ideas and something that came up on ‘Facebook’ a short while ago.

Let’s start with that one.

When it comes to plants and things botanical, there are several people on ‘Facebook’ who are experts. They may not have degrees and hold high-level jobs in the industry but they may be considered ‘enthusiastic amateurs’. For this reason they can be, mostly, trusted.

In this thought I may include Hadassah Chen and Martin Shim amongst several others whom I hold in high regard for their keenness, photography and knowledge. Jc Tan and Green John Chan, similarly, take wonderful photos of their jaunts around SE Asia and Norman al-K, the bug man, is a valuable resource for things insectoid. These people are knowledgeable. Their views are respected.

Then there is the fellow who posted a photograph of several vials of a dark, almost black, liquid claiming it to be cannabis oil. He then further claimed that it will cure all manner of cancers by virtue of its high concentration of THC’s.

Now let’s stop and think about this.

We know, because the United Nations tell us, that cannabis (by any other name) is the most widely used illegal drug in the world.

Users tell us, quite volubly, that it is perfectly safe and non-addictive.

Fine.

So every Government in the World, with few exceptions, is incredibly stupid and ill-read on the subject of marijuana. Only the people who use it are experts.

Carl Sagan was brilliant. He had a mind that most of us who are familiar with his work hold in high esteem if not actual awe. He smoked cannabis. Supporters of the ‘legalise cannabis brigade’ will hold this up as proof that the drug should be legalised – and make no mistake, it is a drug.

Now let Carl Sagan continue, “I took it rarely because I liked the effect it had on me. It gave me, while under the influence, wonderful ideas. I just wish I could remember those ideas when the effect wore off.”

He took it rarely. He was aware that it had adverse effects on his mind. He was smart.

Just one more thing about cannabis (shall I mention that the people in olden days that smoked it through a Hookah to cool it then went off to kill someone. They were Hashishins from which we get ‘assassins’. Hmm. No. Best leave that alone.) The amount of tars in marijuana is greater than the tars in nicotine. That means that the smoke and tars in cannabis is at least as likely to give you lung cancer as ‘normal’ cigarettes.

Shall we go back to the fellow with the vials of THC concentrate?

From whence did he get his information that this will cure cancer? He didn’t say. Is he able to present trials with a standard test group comparing the effectivity against Chemotherapy and other treatments? It seems not.

Yet he felt free to post this on a public page on ‘Facebook’.

The cruelty of this is unimaginable. People with cancer may get a rush of (false?) hope rising in their chests only for it to be, potentially, dashed.

Cannabis is a poison, it is a drug and, for the most part, an illegal one for good reason. Prescribed THC’s are good. There is no reason why the amounts meted out to individuals should not be supplied and controlled for those who need it in the same way as other prescription drugs – all of which have side-effects (like it or not). Casual, indiscriminate use is a bad thing as anyone with a rational mind will realise as, for example, Carl Sagan realised.

Putting false information out for public viewing is risky. Make sure you get it right before typing in your ‘Tweets’, ‘Facebook’ posts or ‘Blogs’. I can back up my information with learned papers on the subject so I know that I am on safe ground. I have also seen, at first hand, the effects of various proscribed drugs. None of those effects are pretty.

Let’s have a look at a couple of other misconceptions. Something that is a little more light-hearted this time.

Thanksgiving Day.

A grand tradition in the US of A. Much beloved by Americans the world over – and why not?

Because it is British.

The British started it and then, when America became... well... America they took it over. That would be over a hundred years later.

Nevertheless, we hope you enjoy just another tradition and custom handed to you by your ancestors from those little islands over the water that you know so little about.

We are, on the other hand curious to know why you celebrate all that you have and how satisfied you are with what you have and then, almost immediately, rush out on Black Friday to spend untold millions on stuff that, for the most part, you probably don’t need.

Ah, viva le capitalisme!

While we speak of the British-ness of the USA let’s look at another small thing.

The American War of Independence.

Roll of drums, please, and a blast on the trumpets to introduce ‘The Star Spangled Banner’, which is the National Anthem of the United States of America. The lyrics come from "Defence of Fort McHenry", a poem written in 1814 by the 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet, Francis Scott Key, after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British Royal Navy’s ships in Chesapeake Bay during the Battle of Fort McHenry in the War of 1812.

The poem was set to the tune of a popular British song written by John Stafford Smith for the Anacreontic Society, a men's social club in London. "The Anacreontic Song" (or “To Anacreon in Heaven”), with various lyrics, was already popular in the United States.

The War of 1812 was short but fairly complex in its issues – probably including a desire by the US to annex Canada.

Now we step back a bit.

There were no Americans in the War of Independence. America did not, then exist. The war was about the British Colonists revolting against the King because he was taxing them heavily and yet refusing them representation in the British Parliament. “No taxation without representation” was the cry. America and the constitution of the United States did not exist until after the War of Independence.

Something else to thank those wonderful British people for giving you.

Just a final thought. Thomas Jefferson bought Louisiana for 15 million dollars cash plus loan cancellation. That purchase was, very likely, unconstitutional but it got France out and opened up New Orleans as a port and gave the US access to the Mississippi. Louisiana as an addition to the United States doubled the area of what was then America. It has subsequently been split up into other States but, then, it was huge.

The US can thank the Napoleonic Wars for getting that because of the debt France had at that time.

A bit of research saves time and embarrassment whatever you are writing.

Especially if you are writing about things that give people hope.

[Postscript: Anacreon was a Greek lyric poet, notable for his drinking songs and hymns. Just in case you wondered.]