Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/202020
6A Daily News – Wednesday, October 30, 2013 Opinion Illicit marijuana DAILY NEWS RED BLUFF TEHAMA COUNTY T H E V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U NTY S I N C E 1 8 8 5 Greg Stevens, Publisher gstevens@redbluffdailynews.com Chip Thompson, Editor editor@redbluffdailynews.com Editorial policy The Daily News opinion is expressed in the editorial. The opinions expressed in columns, letters and cartoons are those of the authors and artists. Letter policy The Daily News welcomes letters from its readers on timely topics of public interest. All letters must be signed and provide the writer's home street address and home phone number. Anonymous letters, open letters to others, pen names and petition-style letters will not be allowed. Letters should be typed and cannot exceed two double-spaced pages or 500 words. When several letters address the same issue, a cross section of those submitted will be considered for publication. Letters will be edited. Letters are published at the discretion of the editor. Mission Statement We believe that a strong community newspaper is essential to a strong community, creating citizens who are better informed and more involved. The Daily News will be the indispensible guide to life and living in Tehama County. We will be the premier provider of local news, information and advertising through our daily newspaper, online edition and other print and Internet vehicles. The Daily News will reflect and support the unique identities of Tehama County and its cities; record the history of its communities and their people and make a positive difference in the quality of life for the residents and businesses of Tehama County. How to reach us Main office: 527-2151 Classified: 527-2151 Circulation: 527-2151 News tips: 527-2153 Sports: 527-2153 Obituaries: 527-2151 Photo: 527-2153 On the Web www.redbluffdailynews.com Fax Newsroom: 527-9251 Classified: 527-5774 Retail Adv.: 527-5774 Legal Adv.: 527-5774 Business Office: 527-3719 Address 545 Diamond Ave. Red Bluff, CA 96080, or P.O. Box 220 Red Bluff, CA 96080 Editor: I thank Ms. Whalen for helping to clarify what I was actually trying to express about marijuana and all illicit drugs, including underage drinking, and also youth who use tobacco. Discussion never hurts. We do need to hear each other. I did read about and watched the documentary on the little girl with seizures and about how that part of the marijuana plant has definitely help the little girl to way better control those seizures. But not by smoking it. And only using a miniscule amount of THC and processed and used in a completely different way. I would have done the same for my child under those conditions. As a youth advocate, however, what I am opposed to is so many who claim they need the other part of marijuana for "medical" purposes. And of course a few states are now allowing recreational use. No, I am not for underage drinking or driving under the influence of anything that impairs a driver. Yes, I believe marijuana and other drugs have been involved in traffic collisions. I do review the arrests reported in the Daily News and other media outlets for research purposes. What I am for is responsible parenting and setting that positive example all children need and want very desperately. To have a parent smoking "medical" marihuana or anything else — or drinking and allowing their underage children to drink — in the presence of any child doesn't teach the child about living a healthy lifestyle. Back in the day it was called responsibility. That second- hand smoke? Where does that go? I have done my research and now even after college I still attend various workshops and webinars each month from a lot of folks in the health education system across the country. I plan on continuing my education until I can't any longer. And I will continue to report my findings — backed up with research — to anybody that will listen. Especially our youth. I'd also like to see our bars and taverns close earlier on the weekends, too. Research shows a definite decrease in violence — especially domestic violence — when these liquor outlets close at least two hours earlier. The research is there and it's solid. I'm not afraid of marijuana. I grew up in the 1960s and early 1970s. My parents reared us up right, believing in God and going to school, staying fit and getting jobs and paying taxes. I was a Boy Scout, too. Our children need and want us to set examples they can feel proud of. They strive for it. I didn't want my children — and now grandchildren — to grow up using tobacco and marijuana and underage drinking and driving under the influence. I set the best example I could. I had them in mind. Still do. Oh, and about God and Jesus and the Apostles? Yes, I know something about that as well. I also know that a lot of folks from all faiths and walks of life who do not want their children growing up in a marijuana and illicit drug, tobacco and alcohol infested community. I truly hope and pray that our local government never legalizes marijuana dispensaries as they are designed now. For those like that little girl who do benefit from that miniscule amount of medical mar- ty secret? ijuana, that isn't smoked freely, Large corporations don't hire keep this in the hands of those who because they are so benevolent. conduct and report on real Profit is their only motive. If they research. could run their whole organization If it's truly medical then let's with one employee, they would do pursue those avenues it in a heart beat. What instead of teaching our influences our "honoryouth that because now, able" servants the most, Your that presumably all marthe generous salary we ijuana should be legal, pay them or the hefty it's okay to follow in bribes corporations someone's foot steps hand them? who aren't too disabled to go to Bottom line is the more this work but don't. Do they want dis- government empowers corporaability benefits and stay home to tions, the more corporations feel this is the way to live life? enslave us. The Revolutionary War Keep it illegal and our next gen- was fought not so much because of eration safe, healthy, fit and drug, King George's habits, but that of alcohol and tobacco free. And let's his pet corporation. The East India not discuss energy drinks. The Company was the main cause of medical evidence there is that that conflict not the King. these drinks will kill you. There's I wish to applaud Mr. Minton no health benefit. I truly mean it for his and his Young Marines' when I say thanks for allowing me efforts in keeping dangerous drugs to clarify how I feel. away from our youth. However his John Minton, Red Bluff notion that there is no medical use for marijuana is absurd. There is plenty of evidence, including at least 5 federal patents for the medEditor: ical use of it. Many — thanks to the enorHave you never heard of mous influence of professional Marinol? Why did the medical conservative radio personalities — community develop a synthetic believe giving tax breaks to huge marijuana if it didn't possess corporations is extremely benefi- some medical use? Besides cial for our overall population. The when juicing marijuana instead reasoning is, they're the ones hir- of smoking it the mind numbing ing the most people. They are also THC content is reduced to zero the ones who laid off the most peo- while its medical benefits remain ple and the ones experimenting intact. with our lives without our consent I personally couldn't care less or knowledge. about pot but I wish those with Do you ever wonder how poi- cannabis phobia would read up on sons genetically placed in seeds the subject instead of relying on could kill bugs and weeds but not old myths disproved many times. harm us? If genetically modified And stop being so paranoid about foods are so harmless why do cor- marijuana. porations want to keep their identiOrval Strong, Gerber Turn Corporations Your officials STATE ASSEMBLYMAN — Dan Logue, 150 Amber Grove Drive, Ste. 154, Chico, CA 95928, 530-895-4217 STATE SENATOR — Jim Nielsen, 2635 Forest Ave., Ste. 110, Chico, CA 95928, (530) 879-7424, senator.nielsen@senate.ca.gov GOVERNOR — Jerry Brown, State Capitol Bldg., Sacramento, CA 95814; (916) 445-2841; Fax (916) 5583160; E-mail: governor@governor.ca.gov. U.S. REPRESENTATIVE — Doug LaMalfa 506 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515, 202-2253076. U.S. SENATORS — Dianne Feinstein (D), One Post Street, Suite 2450, San Francisco, CA 94104; (415) 393-0707. Fax (415) 3930710. Barbara Boxer (D), 1700 Montgomery St., Suite 240, San Francisco, CA 94111; (510) 286-8537. Fax (202) 224-0454. Commentary Satirical Halloween costumes "The wife and I came up with so many Halloween costume ideas this year to satirize Washington politicians, but we aren't sure which to choose." "You speak of a relatively recent trend in which adults pick or create Halloween costumes that mock or satirize current events and popular culture. Robert Thompson, a pop-culture expert and the founding director of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture at Syracuse University, explained the trend to me." "What do you mean, 'trend'?" "The origins of Halloween date back to pagan times. During harvest celebrations, the Celts dressed up in costumes to ward off ghosts and demons. As Christianity spread, the Catholics introduced All Saints' Day. The holy evening before All Saints' Day — All Hallows' Eve — embraced many of the Celtic traditions. Today, we call it Halloween." "Thompson said the golden age of Halloween for kids happened in the post-World War II years. That trend continued into the 1980s. But in the last 25 years, Halloween has been reclaimed by adults." "It's one of the few days of the year when you can be politically incorrect and make fun of bad ideas — though this year, the wife won't let me dress up as a hobo." "She stopped you because she felt you'd be mocking the homeless?" "No, because I was going to wear my regular clothes." "I see. The economy is still affecting many of us. Surely you have some other ideas to mock politicians in Washington?" "I was thinking of dressing up like a big dollar bill — then I'd keep falling down." "A clever way to mock America's weak dollar. Surely your wife is OK with that one?" "Nope. She figured, correctly, that I came up with that one so I could conceal my consumption of adult beverages. It's hard to slip anything past the wife." "Sorry to hear that." "Yeah, it's a real shame, because I was going to get her to dress up like a lady of the night with dollar bills pasted all over her." "I'm stumped. What would she be?" "Loose money! The wife and I also thought about dressing up tions." "Well, imitating characters in straitjackets with stethofrom 'Breaking Bad' is scopes hanging a popular choice. around our necks." 'Duck Dynasty' beards "Doctors under are selling like hotObamaCare?" cakes. 'The Walking "Almost everyone Dead' is making zomunder ObamaCare. bie costumes very popThen the wife and I ular. 'Game of Thrones' were going to strap a is also very popular." bunch of red balloons "Dressing up like under my armpits and 'Game of Thrones' see how high I could characters would be the float." ultimate way to satirize "America's balAmerican civilization." looning debt? Very Tom "How so?" clever." "The show's fic"The one idea I tional setting is remireally liked was to niscent of the Middle dress up like a runaway locomotive with the wife Ages, which resulted from the in the passenger car, screaming fall of the once-great Western about things being out of con- Roman Empire, which coltrol and nobody being in lapsed because it couldn't control its spending." charge." "You really are taking the "To reflect a runaway federal government in which nobody fun out of Halloween this year." appears to be in control? Not Tom Purcell, a humor bad. Look, I don't mean to tell you how to express yourself on columnist for the Pittsburgh Halloween, but maybe you Tribune-Review, is nationally might want to consider skipping syndicated exclusively by politics. In these divided times, Cagle Cartoons newspaper you're likely to offend someone. syndicate. Visit Tom on the Web Why not focus on popular cul- at www.TomPurcell.com or email him at ture and have some fun?" "I'm all ears for any sugges- Purcell@caglecartoons.com. Purcell