I am very emotional over the unnecessary death of an elderly Mulino man who, along with his 80-year-old mate, was accused of growing and selling marijuana ("Deputies kill armed man, 68, while serving arrest warrant," Mar. 6). Marijuana use never killed anyone, but marijuana prohibition kills and destroys lives daily and is a waste of taxpayer money. We must use common sense and make cannabis laws no more prohibitive than alcohol laws. Not only could we save scarce tax dollars now spent in Oregon to keep adults from using cannabis, but we could also tax and regulate sales and dramatically reduce the violence, crime and corruption that is always a part of prohibition. Sandee Burbank Mosier [end]
To the editor, This election we vote on two similar Measures (57 and 61), which would put more people in jail longer for committing non-violent crimes. Measure 57, referred by the legislature, will be less expensive than Measure 61, but neither provides for funding. Who is going to pay for this unknown expense if either measure passes? The sponsors are counting on fearful voters saying yes to any measure that promises more punishment for criminals, without thought of the expense. Given the state of the economy, Oregon voters are going to give serious consideration to any increase in taxes, wanting defined costs and certain results. [continues 155 words]
To the editor, In 1998 when the medical marijuana initiative was on the ballot, law enforcement and the federal government claimed that the "sky would fall". However in the past six years crime has not increased, there hasn't been dangerous health problems reported and even youngsters understand that marijuana is medicine. Now with over 10,000 seriously ill patients in the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program, it is time to make this medicine more available for them. Measure 33 fixes the flaws in the law that requires patients to grow their own medicine, but only allows them to keep 3 ounces at a time. Patients find this inadequate, as many use over one ounce per week. [continues 96 words]
I consider a loving, trusting relationship with my children to be one of the most important aspects of my life. My parents, in their effort to "protect" me, told me half-truths and mistruths. How betrayed I felt when I learned that they had not always been honest with me! This was a feeling I did not want my own children to experience. I soon learned that if I told the truth and tried to prepare my kids for their eventual role as responsible adults, my message to them often conflicted with messages they heard via the media, movie images, commercials or others with different political or social agendas. These conflicting messages reached their ears even though they were home-schooled, and despite the fact we had no commercial television at home. [continues 1746 words]
Quandaries Of A Thinking Parent I consider a loving, trusting relationship with my children to be one of the most important aspects of my life. My parents, in their effort to "protect" me, told me half-truths and mistruths. How betrayed I felt when I learned that they had not always been honest with me! This was a feeling I did not want my own children to experience. I soon learned that if I told the truth and tried to prepare my kids for their eventual role as responsible adults, my message to them often conflicted with messages they heard via the media, movie images, commercials or others with different political or social agendas. These conflicting messages reached their ears even though they were home-schooled, and despite the fact we had no commercial television at home. [continues 1699 words]
Mothers Against Misuse and Abuse has worked for almost two decades to teach people how to reduce the risks of all drug use, using education about personal responsibility and decision making. Our group is shocked at the recent remarks of TV's "Judge Judy" regarding intravenious drug users. She told an Australian audience that instead of attempting to control AIDS and hepatitis among drug addicts, we should "give them dirty needles and let them die." (A dangerous step along the path to dehumanization, Nov 30) This remark indicates both ignorance and hatred. [continues 111 words]
