YOUR COMMENTS

Josh, you will be missed. You always wanted to go home, unfortunately, it will not be the way you wanted. The "girlfriend" should stay on the other side of town and off the beach. I bet there's more to this story that has not come out yet.
- Anon, Hampton

I went to school with Josh - he lost his twin brother 11 yrs ago...you should all be ashamed for your comments. think about what this family is going through....bury two kids.....think before you speak up please!!!!
- jaime, ohio

Some friend! I've gotten upset with friends before, but would never ever consider getting into a fight with any of them no matter what.

Also what exactly are the laws behind self defense? I know a person is allowed to defend himself, but to what extent? Lets face it, a person doesn't think clearly when put in a position to defend themselves and clearly you are going to do that until you feel safe...because of that, situations like this can happen.

Not trying to defend the results of this persons actions, but at the same time if he was attacked first, I can't necessarily condemn them either
- Mike, Epping

From Jim - "Should the opposite sex be banned? (some would not object)." You may not have noticed, but according to the article the 'girlfriend' arrived after the fight and called 911. Banning her in this instance would appear to have made no difference - these two drunks were going to fight over something. But you are onto something here - I know a lot of women, myself included, who are sick of this kind of male nonsense, and wish we could live in separate parts of the world (Ban men from Darfur? I'm sure the women there would not object.). Just imagine - a rapist-free country for women (just one example of the benefits for you to ponder). Yes - ban away! Please do deprive us of your presence.
- Colleen, Roanoke, Virginia

Legalizingin and taxing alcohol will certainly end alcohol-related violence.

Wait a minute ...
- Jason, Greenland

"beaten almost to death over a joint?" Unless I misread the article, the fight was over a woman. Should the opposite sex be banned? (some would not object). I agree with Bill from Plymouth, Lennox Tibbs wasn't shot down in the street over a Bud(weiser) (another bud perhaps). It's unfortunate that they can't outlaw stupid, becuae a lot of people would be doing life.
- Jim, Hampton

I agree that you cannot excuse a crime because alcohol was involved.

That said, alcohol is without a doubt the catalyst in many, many crimes. Everything from assault to DWI.

Had these two men been sober, I would bet anything that nothing would have happened more than a heated exchange of words.

Tell me again about the plan New Hampshire has to expand liquor sales, while simultaneously cutting budgets for law enforcement and substance abuse treatment facilities? Sounds like a real plan for success to me....
- Chris, Keene

Thank you Michael Layon. Exactly what I was thinking. Joan, stop wining. I'm with Arnold here.
- TJ, Bedford

With friends like him, I hate to think what enimies this guy had.
- Bob, Manchester

I'm pretty sure that Lennox Tibbs died as a result of a turf "drug" war as stated by police investigating his death in another article in the UL. So I guess any mind altering substance has the potential to be linked to violence.
- Bill, Plymouth

Joan--stand down--ending the WOD is not a 'liberal' agenda by any stretch. Allowing farmers to grow hemp for fiber and fuel is free enterprise. Allowing scientists to perform research with medical marijuana, and to freely compete with the giant pharmaceutical firms is free enterprise. Deregulating an incorrectly restricted substance with a toxicological Lethal Dose of ZERO is common sense. Dismantling a government infrastructure that solely exists to control the populace and feed off of tax dollars is the heart of the vision of reducing government and government's interference in your life and in your paycheck. These aren't liberal constructs, they are the constructs of freedom.

Now got get your shinebox, and make your next post something more than ignorant.
- Howard Marks, Concord, NH

Joan,

please don't assume Arnold's position is purely liberal. There is no excuse, alcohol included for violence. Additonally alcohol should never be used as an excuse for any behavior.

Arnold is correct in his observation that marijuana "pot" is rarely if ever associated with any crime other than the crime of possesing it. The real victims are the tax-payers who must fork over significant sums of money to investigate, aprehend, proscecute and incarcerate citizens who choose to smoke marijuana. I lived in Alaska when marijuana was legal and when it became illegal. There was zero difference in any crime rate as a result of making it illegal. Our drug laws have not prevented people from accessing or using drugs, marijuana included. They have only increased the price of drugs in the United States significantly. The same drugs can be purchased in Mexico for pennies on the dollar. One does not have to be a business man or woman to understand our drug laws combined with the lack of courage and leadership to build defensible borders have created a drug import business opportunity. The drug cartels in Mexico are in business not because of American gun laws, but because of American drugs laws.

You accused Arnold of being a liberal for asking a question. As a true conservative I believe in limited government. That includes government staying out of people's choice of what to put into their bodies. The only rationale against it falls under the idea of "shared responsibility" a far left erm that makes me puke. Where do you stand on shared responsibility Joan? Is it your job to determine what your neighbors put into their body? If so, you won't mind your neighbors wanting to incarcerate you for failing to purchase healthcare.

Shared responsibility screws everyone, liberal and conservative alike.
- Michael Layon, Derry

I'm with Arnold on this one.
- KB, Berlin

Arnold, please put down your textbook liberal agenda for two minutes, please.
- Joan, Concord

what was he drinking?
- frank white, windham

Things like this kinda make you wonder why pot is illegal - when was the last time someone was beaten almost to death over a joint? Seems that with Alcohol it happens a LOT. yet which one is illegal?
Incendently, I don't smoke pot but things like this DO make me wonder about the laws and how unfair they seem to be.
- Arnold Bentley, Laconia, NH 03246

Alcohol .. the real gateway drug.
- Fred, Lake City

Yep, got to love the effect alcohol has on people.
- Jim D, Hillsboro