Randal Flagg, Stephen King and drugs?

[rhomnud]

So why does "the dark man" have a problem with drugs? The guy sets himself up in sin-city Las Vegas. People appear to be partying their minds out. They drink, they smoke cigarettes, it looks like they gamble... yet Flagg crucifies people for using drugs? Is this Stephen King's politics and a slap at Reagan and the "War on Drugs" or am I missing something more important here? There seems to be a disconnect where a monster like Flagg allows cigarettes and whiskey and wild, wild women but goes all nutty over "drug users".

[Moderator]

The Stand was first published in 1978 so, no, it was not a political message aimed at Reagan's failed War on Drugs.

[blunthead]

So why does "the dark man" have a problem with drugs? The guy sets himself up in sin-city Las Vegas. People appear to be partying their minds out. They drink, they smoke cigarettes, it looks like they gamble... yet Flagg crucifies people for using drugs? Is this Stephen King's politics and a slap at Reagan and the "War on Drugs" or am I missing something more important here? There seems to be a disconnect where a monster like Flagg allows cigarettes and whiskey and wild, wild women but goes all nutty over "drug users".Oops, I Thanked this post accidentally. While I'm here, I just wish trolls would write English. I dunno about anyone else but I've read the post several times and remain bewildered as to its point.

[carrie's younger brother]

I believe Flagg frowned upon drinking alcohol as well.

[rhomnud]

Well that leaves even more of a disconnect in my mind. Don't understand why drugs was singled out to be a capital crime in Randall's world.

[Moderator]

Without asking Steve, I could only speculate as to why he chose that particular vice. My guess is that somewhere in Flagg's twisted way of thinking, he felt it would be more of a threat to keeping control over his followers.

[Terry B]

Oops, I Thanked this post accidentally. While I'm here, I just wish trolls would write English. I dunno about anyone else but I've read the post several times and remain bewildered as to its point.

I've got to tell you blunthead - I read it over and over and over too and cannot find anything wrong with Rhomnud's question. I think it's a valid question. What would give you the idea he's a troll?

[GNTLGNT]

Without asking Steve, I could only speculate as to why he chose that particular vice. My guess is that somewhere in Flagg's twisted way of thinking, he felt it would be more of a threat to keeping control over his followers.

...exactly!....the drugs would cause a "disconnect" in his control....and WHY does every damn thing have to have a political agenda in certain people's minds???...sometimes a bokk is just a book...sheesh!....

[blunthead]

I've got to tell you blunthead - I read it over and over and over too and cannot find anything wrong with Rhomnud's question. I think it's a valid question. What would give you the idea he's a troll?What was his question?

[Terry B]

What was his question?

And everyone wonders why this site is losing members.............

[champ1966]

I vaguely remember somebody once saying you can't hypnotize someone if they're high on drugs

[champ1966]

I vaguely remember somebody once saying you can't hypnotize someone if they're high on drugs

I remember now.It was an hypnotist to me :eek2:

[GNTLGNT]

And everyone wonders why this site is losing members.............

....because Frank is confused?...I didn't read that as an attack...mine's closer to being flat-out snark, not Frank's...so uh, ease up on the guilt trip ma'am...in his case, it's not warranted-and he's entitled to his opinion, as are you...I find it insulting to the Nth degree that you level that allegation against Frank and others who apparently don't jibe with your worldview...sorry you feel those of us that are outspoken are causing the Board to "lose members", but if I recall-your posts are anything but subtle themselves...glass houses and all....

[not_nadine]

((( all members)))))

I will say Peace. ala Siggy.


chill, it's us.

[blunthead]

....because Frank is confused?...I didn't read that as an attack...mine's closer to being flat-out snark, not Frank's...so uh, ease up on the guilt trip ma'am...in his case, it's not warranted-and he's entitled to his opinion, as are you...I find it insulting to the Nth degree that you level that allegation against Frank and others who apparently don't jibe with your worldview...sorry you feel those of us that are outspoken are causing the Board to "lose members", but if I recall-your posts are anything but subtle themselves...glass houses and all....I appreciate your having my back, Scott. :love:

I feel I must respond since my post started some controversy. My original issue with the original poster's original post was twofold: 1) it sounded to me like an attack on Steve by an anti-fan, a type of troll the likes of which I've seen many times in recent months in the form of new members; and, 2) the post was, and remains, difficult for me to interpret; hence my question, "What was his question?".


...Is this Stephen King's politics and a slap at Reagan and the "War on Drugs"...

Anytime I see a phrase such as "Stephen King's politics" included in a newcomer's first post a red flag goes up. Granted, I usually wait to respond, to see if the OP wants to get along, or even intends to stick around at all, which in many cases they do not. In this case I didn't wait. Perhaps I should have. If I've misjudged rhomnud, especially if I've caused this new member to be turned off then I apologize.

Personally, I found Flagg's hatred of and focus on drug abuse in The Stand very interesting, just as I've found so many things that sK writes and thinks interesting. It never occurred to me to question it further than to enjoy its strangeness.

As for the idea that my question "What was his question" is the sort of thing which is being posted routinely enough to cause SKMB membership to decline is so bizarre to me as to almost be hilarious. I do appreciate Terry B's concern, but is it true the SKMB is losing membership? I'm tempted to doubt that it is.