Surrender, Barack
(Nov. 12, 2009) Editor:
I am writing in response to Hank Sims’ article “Dope and Duped” (“Town Dandy,” Oct. 29). I too watched the A&E special with mixed feelings, noting the insightful interviews but felt frustrated by the exaggerated suggestion of a climate of fear and violence in Humboldt County. I have lived here my whole life and continue to find this area to be a generally peaceful, rewarding place to live in just about every way. As Andrew Goff’s character in the same issue’s “Seven-O-Heaven” notes, “Pretty sure I still feel safe here.”
That being said, we definitely should not turn a blind eye to rising crime rates in the city of Arcata (or anywhere else in the county), but let’s slow down a bit and remember our U.S. history before we let the rest of the country continue to pin the problem on the drug itself. The Prohibition era of the 1920s provides us with a perfect parallel problem and solution. In the years after FDR signed the Cullen-Harrison Act of 1933, violence associated with the black market on alcohol declined, suggesting that what we need is not more funding for law enforcement to fight an unwinnable war but a sweeping legalization of marijuana.
Many of us would like to see president Obama follow in FDR’s footsteps in more than one way. Let’s hope he gets things together on this important issue. And one more thing: Hank Sims, you are my hero.
Jorgen Roberts, Arcata
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on the cover
Railroad!
Proposed lines ‘set rich blood a-tingling’ in early 1900s
Some Other Proposed North Coast Railroads
Choo-choo Fantasies
Exposing this east-west rail nonsense
seven-o-heaven
Undeterred Will
Will chides Andrew for lack of attention to detail and makes plans for his inevitable victory.
Today
44th Annual Kinetic Grand Championship Race
STAFF PICK / events, art, outdoors, sports, for kids, free / 9 a.m.-6 p.m. A 3-day, 42-mile kinetic sculpture race over land, sand, mud and water! LeMans start at the Noon Whistle on the Arcata Plaza. Follow the race through Manila, Eureka and into Ferndale on Memorial Day for the Glorious Finish. kineticgrandchampionship.com. 889-3024.
Flow 2012 Fashion Show
STAFF PICK / events / 8 p.m. Arcata Theatre Lounge, 1036 G St. Student designed and produced clothing. Fundraiser for Arcata Arts Institute. $35/$25 students. artsinstitute.net. 822-1220.
Woodside Preschool's Rummage/Bake Sale
events / 8 a.m.-noon. Woodside Preschool, 900 Hodgson St, Eureka. www.woodsidepreschool.com. 445-9132.
Lanphere Dunes Restoration
STAFF PICK / outdoors / 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Meet at Pacific Union School. Help remove non-native invasives at the Lanphere Dunes Unit of the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Tools and gloves provided, wear work clothes and bring water. Carpool to the protected site. 444-1397.
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