Pubdate: Wed, 13 Apr 2005 Source: Daily Camera (CO) Copyright: 2005 The Daily Camera. Contact: http://www.thedailycamera.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/103 Author: Steve Roth Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) TOKERS Let's Go Back To The Stone Age As a student at the University of Colorado, I must comment on the supposed "4/20 Riot" that was exposed in the April 11 Daily Camera. I don't know whom Dan Enfield has been talking to, but the silent masses of CU students who represent the real opinion of our beloved campus believe 4/20 is a day to congregate in a peaceful gathering to celebrate Mother Earth's wonderful gift of marijuana. The tradition of 4/20 has been around since the '70s and it has been a day for stoners to assemble to share ideas, experiences and have a good time. It evolved from a phrase meaning "a time to smoke pot" but it is far from just a day to smoke, as we could smoke any other day of the year. People who plan on gathering on 4/20 never had any intent to riot in protest of the supposed "crackdown." In fact, the purpose of the gathering is to maintain the peaceful and united presence of our community. The celebrations by the students at CU-Boulder are not unlike those on any other college campus throughout the country. To add the holiday 4/20 to the "link of an unending chain of controversy at CU" would be a mistake because it has been happening for years, even before all the controversy that currently burdens our school. It cannot go unnoticed that alcohol (a legal substance) has played a negative role in parties and caused riots, whereas marijuana is never linked to a death or destructive activity. Don't you think for CU to rid itself from its bad rap, it ought to recognize the peaceful intentions of 4/20? Dan Enfield, I promise if you pull up a lawn chair and look around, all you'll see is hugs (especially with trees), smiles, red-eyes, and not flaming, overturned cars. STEVE ROTH, Boulder - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom