Pubdate: Sat, 20 Oct 2007
Source: Hawaii Tribune Herald (Hilo, HI)
Copyright: 2007 Hawaii Tribune Herald
Contact:  http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/185
Author: Adrien Diven

BARAQUIO SPEAKS TRUTH

Gloria Baraquio is my biggest hero today. When I was growing up in 
the '60s, my biggest heroes were astronauts James Lovell and Buzz 
Aldrin. When I got a little older, I admired the toughest football 
players like Dick Butkus, Ronnie Lott and Jack Lambert. After I got 
out of the military, I pursued my dream of playing college football. 
First, it was ankle reconstruction that stopped me. I was determined 
to come back bigger and stronger. I did -- until my left knee was 
annihilated. The top sports surgeon at Stanford Hospital did the best 
he could. It still hurts as I sit to write this.

But it wasn't until I was undergoing another surgery at the VA 
hospital in Long Beach, when I met the men I hold in highest honor. 
During my stay I had the good fortune to meet our combat veterans.

I am older now. I am married. I am devoted father of three children. 
Reading Gloria's articles I see great work, and it makes me hopeful 
that my children might have the opportunity to learn from such a 
courageous and highly qualified teacher. Our children are better able 
to make the right choices when we supply them with knowledge and 
teach them the truth.

Nowadays, I mainly use my courage to fight the daily pain of 
degenerative osteoarthritis as I push to support my family. Another 
hero is my doctor who had the courage to recommend cannabis for my 
chronic pain; because of highly educated men like him, I don't have 
to fear for heart valve problems or other serious side effects caused 
by prescription drugs like Vioxx. And I also applaud the state 
Department of Public Safety's Narcotics Enforcement Division, which 
had the courage to grant me a certificate to use the medicine.

I applaud Gloria for her courageous, intelligent articles on cannabis 
prohibition in the U.S. She addressed the issue openly, and she 
should be applauded for the work necessary to create some of the most 
accurate, educational and thought-provoking articles I have ever read 
on the subject.

Adrien Diven

Hilo
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