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Missouri Rep. Talibdin El-Amin is a moron of the highest order.

No wait, he's insulting to every intellectually challenged person on the planet.

See, El-Amin, D-St. Louis (note the "D" in front of the name? Still think the GOP has the bonehead legislator monopoly) has now taken the war on drugs to a new front. The legislator has introduced HB 1189, a bill that calls for identification to be produced and a list kept for anyone who purchases baking soda.

That's right, baking soda.

And it's a serious bill, too, even though it does not enjoy serious support. Inspired by the widespread restrictions on the sales of pseudephedrine labelled cold medicines because of their use in the manufacture of methamphetamines, El-Amin has decided that a similar approach is needed for baking soda because it is commonly used in the manufacturing of crack cocaine.

His logic overlooks one important detail: pseudephedrine is a key ingredient in the manufacture of meth. Baking soda does not enjoy a similar relationship with crack. In fact, many other substances could be used. And in fact, the ACTIVE ingredient in crack is already illegal, making the policing of baking soda purchases ridiculous, unnecessary, and ultimately a waste of time for law enforcement officials who do not have the time or manpower to bust down the doors of every grandmother's pantry because of their possession of this controlled substance.

In a perfect world, there would be an impeachment process for actions like El-Amin's. Just as frivolous lawsuits tie up courts unnecessarily, frivolous legislation has a similar effect on lawmakers. Any time spent even discussing this issue is time wasted, time that the good citizens of Missouri have paid for.

In a world of idiot politicisns, Talibdin El-Amin may have just garnered Hall of Fame consideration!


Comments
on Apr 08, 2007
Large quantities of baking soda are only needed by commercial bakers or food production facilities, and you'd be hard pressed to find a family recipe calling for more than a teaspoon or so.


No, but I use it as a cleaning agent, a laundry additive, and to soak in among other things. Baking soda is an extremely useful substance.

From what I have heard there are many other things that can be used instead of baking soda. I wouldn't know, but I have heard this.

The idea is just plain stupid if you ask me.
on Apr 08, 2007
From Wikipedia:

When the rock is heated, this water boils, making a crackling sound (hence the onomatopoeic “crack”). Baking soda is now most often used as a base rather than ammonia for reasons of lowered stench and toxicity; however, any weak base can be used to make crack cocaine.
on Apr 08, 2007
what a maroon
on Apr 09, 2007
We had an El-Amin here.  Fortunately, he was shipped off to jail (Capone Syndrome). Seems ours was not the only idiot out there!
on Apr 09, 2007
my mother even used to use it to brush her teeth!


I use it for that all the time! also something for the kids...put a little in a glass sometime and add vinegar and see what happens WOOOSH! classic acid/base reaction!
on Apr 09, 2007
I stand corrected, Gid, on both counts.

First, I had forgotten that baking soda has other household uses, my mother even used to use it to brush her teeth! (ugh)

Secondly, I didn't know you could use so many other 'bases' to make crack.

Mea Culpa.


sok...I thought it was interesting doing the research anyway.