On the front page of The Joplin Globe (Sept. 22, 2007), I was appalled at the headline, “Taking the Initiative,” about a group of liberal-minded people who wish to decriminalize marijuana in Joplin. They want to introduce into our society an opportunity for the citizens of Joplin to enact a more "sensible" marijuana policy. In other words, to legalize its use.

Listen folks, marijuana is a drug. Perhaps it's not considered as strong as others such as crack or cocaine, but that doesn't negate the fact it is a drug and could become habit-forming for our children and/or grandchildren, leading to them wanting something (stronger) that would give them a better high.

We as a nation have too often in the past stood by and done nothing, as these “liberal-minded” people took prayer out of our schools, kept the 10 Commandments from being allowed in public places, and allowed Christmas at school to become a “Winter Festival” break.

Folks, when is everyone going to stand together and bring some decency and Godly principles back into our society?

Even if you’re not a professing Christian, I'm sure you do not want to see your children or grandchildren using marijuana or any other similar drug.

We need to come together and make sure this doesn't get on the ballot. You can do this by not signing the proposed petition. If they can't get 15 percent of the registered voters of Joplin to sign (about 5,000 people) the proposal will not be allowed on the 2008 Ballot. Let's defeat it before it gets off the ground.

Don Ray

Joplin

Save the animals

We are rightfully outraged by Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s taunting denial of the Holocaust. Yet, at every meal, we deny the daily abuse and slaughter of millions of cows, pigs, and other innocent, feeling animals in U.S. factory farms and slaughterhouses.

There is no life before death for these animals. From birth, they are caged, crowded, deprived, drugged, and mutilated. At the slaughterhouse, they are frequently dismembered, skinned, or scalded, while fully conscious. Although 93 percent of consumers condemn such abuses, no state or federal law prevents them.

Like the "good Germans" of the 1940s, we have a fair idea of what goes on behind those walls, but we reject any reality checks. We fear that the truth might offend our sensibilities and perhaps even force us to change our diet.

This is why, on Oct. 2 (Gandhi’s birthday), 400 communities in all 50 states and two dozen other countries observe World Farm Animals Day with public education events. The purpose is to expose and memorialize the tragic use of animals for food and to promote an animal-free diet. (See www.wfad.org.)

So, the next time we are outraged by Ahmadinejad’s taunts or other injustices, let’s refuse to subsidize animal cruelty with our food dollars. Let’s observe our own World Farm Animals Day at the supermarket.

Gerald Harting