This is ... not a well thought out response.oski003 said:Unit2Sucks said:It would appear he agrees that there is no story here and that having to bet on it, even over something inconsequential, was enough for him to acknowledge what all reasonable people have. This was purely a craven political attempt to fearmonger before the election. Conservatives respond well to fear tactics like this and the GOP loves to keep them afraid. That's why, regardless of what is really happening in the world, the GOP loves to talk about crime rising when they are out of power.DiabloWags said:Unit2Sucks said:oski003 said:oski003 said:Unit2Sucks said:Sure, I'll take this bet. Just so we are clear - it needs to come from trick or treating.oski003 said:Unit2Sucks said:Let's make a bet. I say that not a single child dies from Fentanyl given by a drug dealer on Halloween to trick or treaters this year. If I'm wrong, I will never post in OT again. If I'm right, you never post in OT again. Easy low-stakes bet to make.oski003 said:Unit2Sucks said:I will note for anyone with a poorly functioning brain who has trouble understanding information like this, there is a big difference between targeting young people for drug sales (like the tobacco/vape companies do) and giving your product to 5 year olds masquerading as halloween candy. Nowhere has the DEA claimed that drug dealers are giving away Fentanyl to elementary school children. What they've claimed is that drug dealers are making it look like candy to appeal to the audience they are trying to sell the drugs to in exchange for money. Pretty important distinction, and one that was the focus of my post and most other rational discussions of this imaginary halloween problem.oski003 said:Unit2Sucks said:
My Fox News in-laws called my wife last night to have a very serious talk. I think we probably all knew the talk was coming, but you never quite know the circumstances.
The call was about drug dealers giving away free candy-colored Fentanyl to children. Fox News has them very concerned that their grand children will OD on Fentanyl this halloween so they wanted to make sure we knew to go to the police to have our candy tested lol.
Imagine opening up a box of whoppers and seeing fentanyl that is completely indistinguishable from regular chocolate covered malted balls, as you can see below.
I know my in-laws, like many GOPers, are real fuzzy on how the economy and businesses actually function, but do they really think that drug dealers would rather give away their best product in order to kill American children rather than selling it to willing customers? Maybe years of worshiping Trump has made them all as bad at business at him, I don't know.
What I do know is that we're now going to have to "test" all of our kid's halloween candy. The only test I can trust is my own taste test but it's a challenge I'm willing to take.
For those unaware of the reality of fentanyl making its way to children.
https://www.dea.gov/press-releases/2022/08/30/dea-warns-brightly-colored-fentanyl-used-target-young-americans
I can assure you that most republican parents aren't afraid of a massive amount of fentanyl pills in a bulk Whoppers box as your picture indicates, which I believe is from a smuggler. Rather, parents are generally concerned because just a tiny bit of fentanyl can kill someone and fentanyl is being made to look like candy. It is that combination that makes it simply something to be weary of in your community, especially during Halloween where candy is given out by strangers and is around everywhere. I definitely agree it is nothing to be hysterical about. It sounds like you have a hysterical family.
I think we both know you won't agree to it just as we both know that this is a craven political attack meant to serve the GOP, just like they've done with "caravans" in the past. There is no halloween story here but you are playing your part.
If I'm wrong, take my bet. What do you have to lose?
Child goes to the ER or hospital during the week of Halloween caused by ingesting fentanyl disguised as candy. I will take that bet.
Interesting that I first discovered this story from a liberal family member who is a physician with children and attended a top university.
One of us will be self-banished forever from OT.
Halloween candy is okay, exception being an actual fentanyl user knowingly ingesting it.
Since no response and I am being goaded into something I never intended in the first place, I am going to back out of this. Yes, it is extremely unlikely that someone will be unknowingly injured from fentanyl laced trick or treat candy. On the other hand, it is something that parents should be aware of, especially around Halloween season where candy is more prevalent. U2's family was being hysterical.
I'm cool with what you proposed earlier.
Wait.
Is Oski003 now backing out of your bet with him? The one where you AGREED to HIS TERMS?
My position was and still is the following:
It is unlikely that someone will be unknowingly injured from fentanyl laced trick or treat candy. On the other hand, it is something that parents should be aware of, especially around Halloween season where candy is more prevalent. U2's family is hysterical.
You agree that this is unlikely to occur. So like, less than 50% probable that any child is exposed to fentanyl from trick or treating. We agree on that - there is close to no chance.
Now let's get to the why. Why are you now talking about fentanyl-laced trick or treat candy? As far as I can tell there have been 2 different stories. First- that one of the ways fentanyl has been smuggled in has been through candy-packaging. I posted a picture from the LAX drug bust - it's obviously drugs in a box of whoppers. Second - that fentanyl producers produce candy-colored pills to appeal to young people, which is something that has been happening a long-time.
Here's a random Quora post showing pictures from a few years ago showing examples:
So the question is - why should "parents be aware of" this? Children are not, will not and have never been given the opportunity to unknowingly consume ecstasy in halloween candy despite its prevalence for years and years. Nor is there any evidence that anyone anywhere is planning to "lace" halloween candy with fentanyl. The two examples above provided earlier in this thread form no basis for your hysterical position.
Should parents of teenagers who are at risk for drug use be concerned if they find candy-colored pills among their things? Absolutely. It could be ecstasy, fentanyl or something else. Should parents of anyone be concerned about fentanyl being mixed into their chocolate bars or whoppers or starburst or skittles? No, no evidence of that. Should parents be concerned about fentanyl being slipped into their sweet tart giveaways at halloween? No, no evidence of that either.
If you disagree, then you should bet me because I think you are completely off base and have taken up a hysterical position, just like Fox News wants you to and just like by Fox News in-laws.