Letters to the editor

Medicinal marijuana

Once again, leaders defy voters' will, crossing Green Cross

Editor, The Times:

I was dismayed to see your story about the Seattle Police Department shutting down Green Cross in West Seattle, which supplies medical marijuana to terminally ill people ("Seattle police crack down on medical-pot purveyor," Times, Aug. 1). On Nov. 3, 1998, the voters of Washington state voted overwhelmingly to approve Initiative 692. As a result, this medical marijuana initiative is now state law.

Green Cross is not a drug den; only patients with identification and a letter from their doctor are allowed to purchase marijuana. Patients are only allowed on the premises during specific weekday hours. All of these patients suffer from terminal diseases, as well as debilitating side-effects from medication. For terminally ill people, marijuana is a relatively harmless way to relieve some of their suffering.

And yet, our city leadership would defy the will of the voters (again!), shut down one of the few suppliers of medical marijuana, and force sick people onto the streets to solicit drug dealers for marijuana to ease their suffering.

As a long-time Seattle resident, I am utterly appalled with the priorities of the police department. The "leadership" in this city is sadly lacking, and this is just another example of how the police are out of touch with the people of Seattle.
- Cindy Burke, West Seattle

SPD takes a hit

Shame on King County Prosecutor Norm Maleng and the Seattle Police Department for shutting down the Green Cross Marijuana Co-Op. It is bitterly ironic that this cruel and cowardly action took place just two days after the Canadian government became the official supplier of marijuana to qualified patients in their country.

It is difficult to feel anything but contempt for our do-nothing governor and Legislature, which continue to avoid any action to endorse and implement our state's medical marijuana Initiative 692. And the police-produced "training video" demonstrating the stereotypical "hippie faker" patient, shows how far removed from reality these "public servants" really are.

It has been said that nothing short of full marijuana legalization will end the bureaucratic suppression of the medical value of this plant. Marijuana prohibition was born of racism and lies in 1937, it is maintained through enforced denial, and it is one of the greatest frauds of the past 100 years. Thirteen million arrests later, it is more a fraud than ever.

Shame on you, Norm Maleng! And shame on you, Seattle Police Department!
- Kevin Nelson, Bow

Leave in peace

Sick and dying patients shouldn't have to roam the streets for a little bit of marijuana. Leave them alone.
- Ben Livingston, Seattle

Party ideas

Pin the tail on the Donkeys

I am impressed Dante diTomaso took time to get to know all Republicans, and categorize them for us as either single-minded, stupid or greedy (Letters to the editor, July 31). I would like to return the favor for Democrats.

1) Single-minded zealots so concerned for animal rights they will endanger the lives of human beings. They scream "global warming" from the mountaintops, but haven't a clue what the ozone layer is or how it works. (Remember Freon?) None of these people contributed to the proliferation of the giant SUV when Clinton was president.

2) Selfish and greedy group. These people believe you never have to grow up, because the government will always take care of you regardless of your personal choices. They believe they deserve everything nasty rich people have, but the government should give it to them. They have never read Robin Hood.

3) Democrat patsies. These people believe only Democrats have hearts and give to charities and Republicans are part of the evil empire led by Darth Vadar. These good-hearted, well-meaning people have not spent time studying history and don't know one of the first things Hitler did when in power was disarm the civilian population.

But I discovered a fourth category.

4) Communist Democrats. These very dangerous individuals believe they know what is best for all of us. On college campuses, they censor everything by labeling ideas they don't like as racist and label their ideas as enlightening. They believe in their rights, but they need to control your rights.

What I find exciting is the amount of charitable giving that may happen with our tax rebates. What better way to help the less fortunate among us?
- Kathy Bowyer, Edmonds

Lights, camera, reaction

Pan for mischief

I am astonished to hear of people's support of red-light cameras. I can see wanting safety, but people should think before they react, ask simple questions like, "How do they know who's driving?" and "If it is someone other than the registered owner (driving), can we imagine the logistical setup the court needs?" Honestly, these questions should lead to something more profound. Questions about responsibility! No longer is the driver directly responsible, but the owner now is, indirectly.

And now, instead of having police enforce driving safety, they will be going after people who disguise, cover, muddy or remove their license plates or conveniently say, "Gee, it musta fell off." A ticket (for that) is far cheaper and is not a moving violation, for insurance purposes.

All this "camera" action does is shift responsibility and resources while trading individual rights for perceived safety, because once you accept technology and cameras at stop lights, you'll soon accept them at street corners, at the mail box, in your driveway... Anything for safety.
- Michael Coleman, Seattle

Say 'cheese'

Robert Nelson thinks Big Brother is watching (Letters to the editor, August 1). He's concerned about traffic cameras, which are "capable of many nefarious things," and he wonders where his freedom went.

The freeway cameras are watching traffic flow. The state Highway Patrol and numerous media outlets use them to report traffic conditions and warn motorists of problems.

Those sinister intersection cameras are there to protect motorists and pedestrians from arrogant scofflaws who think they have the right to run red lights.

Where did Nelson's freedom go? It's still there, but neither Nelson nor anyone else is guaranteed the right to move about unobserved on public streets and highways. Just mind your manners, obey the law, and smile.
- Walter Smith, Seattle