God made cannabis
A sane argument to cage sick humans for using the relatively safe, God-given
plant cannabis doesn’t exist [See “Medical marijuana,” by R. L. Nave, Feb. 26].
Another reason to stop persecuting sick citizens who use cannabis that doesn’t get mentioned is because it is biblically correct since God indicates He
created all the seed-bearing plants, saying they are all good, on literally the
very first page. The only biblical restriction placed on cannabis is that it is
to be accepted with thankfulness (see 1 Tim. 4:1-5). And “But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does
the love of God abide in him?” (1 John 3:17).
Stan White
Dillon, Colo.
Medical marijuana
The medical marijuana push is a poorly disguised trick to sneak recreational
marijuana in through a back door. There is no legitimate medical use for pot
smoking. My guess is that most, if not all, those promoting it are current or
past recreational users themselves. If you want to use this drug, be honest and
support decriminalization of recreational marijuana.
You may even get support from non-users like me who see the hypocrisy of legal
whiskey and illegal marijuana. If you are against decriminalization of
marijuana, you should support another alcohol prohibition, but puh…lease don’t try to sell me the medical marijuana hoax, or the Brooklyn bridge. I wasn’t born yesterday.
Michael J. Hart
Springfield
Bicycle unfriendly
I purchased a home on the north side in Enos Park area off of Fifth Street. Last
year the city redid all sidewalks.
I am disabled and since these sidewalks have been redone, last summer I was
almost hit by bicyclists more times then I can count trying to open my gate to
leave my property [See “Advisory council aims to make Springfield bicycle-friendly,” Feb. 26]. The first few times this happened, the person on the bicycle was four
houses away and closing fast. I never saw them coming and was just about run
over.
A group of family members came riding right down the sidewalk. The little kid
about 10 years old ran over my cat, smashed his head. The mother of this family
told this kid the cat should not have been lying on the sidewalk.
I have had my fill of bicycles in this town. This year there will be hell for
anyone riding on my sidewalk. If I get hit by one of these bicycles, with my
disease this could kill me. The sidewalks are to walk on, the bicycles can stay
on the road like the law states they must do.
It’s about time the police in this town do something about this, especially when
the disabled are concerned. We all have the right to walk on our sidewalks
without being run over or have to watch for bicycles. I have lived many places
in this country, and never have I seen so many people break bicycle laws and
the police do nothing about it.
Harold Sweet
Springfield
Not Obama’s war
In your recent issue on medicinal marijuana (which should obviously be
legalized) you put in a headline, “A peace activist’s concern about Obama’s war.” This op-ed piece about the most recent war in Afghanistan had a pacifist
viewpoint. That is fine. But I cannot detect that in the article Diane Hughes
stated or implied that the war in Afghanistan is “Obama’s war.” She states her opposition to the war and and escalation of troops and her
desire for peace. But for you to name this Obama’s war is absurd. This is Bush’s war. He owns two of them — and a Depression. “Operation Enduring Freedom” began on Oct. 7, 2001. What was Obama doing? He was serving in the Illinois
Senate, eating at Bentoh’s and smoking cigarettes on the sidewalk just outside.
David Woodworth
Springfield
Warming questions
I find your reporting on global warming fascinating [see “Caring for Creation,” by Amanda Robert, Feb. 26]. I suggest you ask your sources these questions: Are
you in favor or opposed to the formation of the Great Lakes? Do you miss the
mastodons that walked over the ice bridge? Can you explain why McLean County
has the richest topsoil in all the Midwest? What is the perfect temperature on
earth? Where is it measured? Human beings exhale carbon dioxide and trees
breathe it. How is that pollution? Don’t termites exhale more of this pollutant and plankton inhale more than all of
everything?
I suggest one drive their hybrid as high in the Rocky Mountains as possible,
then hike, uphill, for eight hours. Look down. Humans are termites. We have no
impact on this earth.
I would suggest that there are no “misconceptions” in science. Bad reporting leads to ignorant conclusions. I really wish I still
lived in Springfield and received your reporting more often. Until my fortunes
change, I will be away.
Michael Taylor
Peoria
This article appears in Feb 26 – Mar 4, 2009.
