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Readers’ speak

Stuck with a circle

Dear Editor,

Kudos to to letter writer Steven A. Sigmund for his well thought out and crafted letter about the rip off roundabout (April 24).

His commentary hits the nail that not only I, but probably most citizens in Warren think about this travesty occurring downtown. Nobody wanted it including most of the current council plus many of the area businesses but former mayor and current councilman Maurice Cashman and Phil Gilbert and company that voted for it and got re-elected. Now has come to fruition and we are stuck with it.

The writer also pointed out that when going west or north you are only going a block before stopping and notably going east you’ll be somewhat further but not more than a few blocks. Also, but hopefully not, the immediate businesses will suffer loss of revenue due to this project and that is a sad day. They who voted “yes” as he mentioned should be held accountable for the stupidity we now have unfolding before us.

As a personal thought is the consideration of any profound changes that are affecting so many around the area that we now have a referendum vote on any “major decision” to a small handful of people who make poor decisions regardless of the overwhelming opposition to things like, as the writer said, a rip off roundabout.

Dan Tassone,

Warren

Shooting ‘insanity’

Dear Editor,

While some in our nation were busy watching the coronation of a British king, a lone gunman’s plan to slaughter was being put into play in Texas.

While some in our nation were checking into their Facebook or Twitter accounts, this gunman was loading tactical gear and weapons into his vehicle.

And while some in our nation were heading to an outlet mall on a sunny Sunday afternoon, maybe to shop for a high school prom dress, a springtime wedding gift, or an upcoming baby’s arrival, their names would soon be added to the ever-growing list of souls having died at the hands of an out of control shooter with a semi-automatic weapon.

Why?

Could someone please explain the meaning of Pro-Life? And to whom does it apply? Because, again, I am left sickened by the insanity.

Ernestine Lawson,

Warren

Drug disruption

Dear Editor,

Drug addiction is a complex issue. Marijuana has long been considered a gateway drug — a starting point for use of harder drugs. Current research shows marijuana cannot be proven as a gateway drug.

How did this theory spread in the first place? The propaganda film Reefer Madness in 1936 played a big role by telling parents marijuana use led to teen sex and criminal behavior. The Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 was the result, criminalizing marijuana use and possession.

But nothing stained the use of marijuana more than President Richard Nixon’s War on Drugs.

John Ehrlichman, Assistant to President Nixon for Domestic Affairs, stated it best:

“You want to know what this (war on drugs) was really all about? The Nixon campaign in 1968, and the Nixon White House after that, had two enemies: the antiwar left and black people. You understand what I’m saying?

“We knew we couldn’t make it illegal to be either against the war or black, but by getting the public to associate the hippies with marijuana and blacks with heroin, and then criminalizing both heavily, we could disrupt those communities. We could arrest their leaders, raid their homes, break up their meetings, and vilify them night after night on the evening news.

“Did we know we were lying about the drugs? Of course we did.”

And that’s how you do it.

James Spangler, OD,

Warren

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