Saturday, May 25, 2013
Comment Archives: stories: Columns: Your Turn
Re: “Don't stop pot progress”
It's those who do not know that think they do and want to decide for the rest of us because they don't understand for themselves.
I am becoming more open about the issue in a conservative area because that is the only way to change these people.
Think of it this way, An analogy: The first gay man to ware lip gloss in a conservative white town. Now at first that is going to be big news! Then the second comes and there are two! Soon 50 or 60 men are doing it and now it's just as common as it can be..
I sat down at a costco and ate a hot dog.. They have cheep hot dogs by the way, I started to talk to the people at my table and when asked what I do I replied I am a Cannabis Farmer. That had all of them sitting straight and wanting to learn more. Well they all agreed we need to change our laws.
The Moral of the story is we are all ambassadors of cannabis so be friendly, clear minded and do engage others on the topic when possible.
if you have a "hater" stick to simply asking one question that they can think about such as "Do you think I am evil?" or some simple thing that means a lot..
Folks hate cannabis because they are not able to think independently. Offering a topic they can think about later may help them when they are not in the spotlight.
Posted by
Ernst
on 12/24/2009 at 12:33 PM
Re: “Don't stop pot progress”
Thank you so much for writing this. I wish more people would have the fortitude and patriotism to take a stand for the things they believe in. We let the persecution from society overwhelm us into being scared to take a stand. I say "No more, we won't go!"
Posted by
AnAtheistsPhilosophy
on 12/24/2009 at 11:46 AM
Re: “D-11 on the upswing”
I second the above comments. Having worked closely with the "fantastic" 2009 D-11 board this year, I witnessed a severe lack of concern or consideration for the students, the parents, and the teachers. The votes that closed 11 schools were made without community consent (if you happened to be at the community meetings at Coronado you know what I mean) and had a definite goal: reduce D-11 service to south Colorado Springs. Soon there won't be any D-11 schools in central/south colorado springs; where are those kids supposed to go? Compared to big cities we don't have an "inner city" problem, but the 2009 D-11 school board worked hard to promote the idea that we do and create rifts within communities. Thanks John, really.
Posted by
sm1whocrs
on 11/24/2009 at 3:12 PM
Re: “D-11 on the upswing”
Note to readers: John does a great job of patting himself on the back for his role in the 2005/06 circus like board meetings while not really taking any credit for any of it (he was one of the first to put a chaos match to the D-11 bonfire, along with Tanner and Hasling - often, repeatedly, and usually without merit - google Chuck Theobold). But most importantly: his pandering to the employees, public servants, while totally disregarding the parents and students and taxpayers this district is really supposed to serve. Yeah, John, you did a good job of what you do best: you took from the kids who have the least to make sure that those that had better get even more. Hope you're proud of your elitist self. One final note: and elitist is not the same as being in an elite category. You only think you're that smart. Not everyone does.
Posted by
Saw it all
on 11/22/2009 at 9:25 AM
Re: “What's next for the city?”
That these virtues have to be stated at all suggests that it is already too late for the city to repair itself. It is not the Council who is at fault, for they are but the manifestation of those who elected them to office, as well as the large numbers of citizens who decided not to vote in last election.
Just a cursory walk through the old city would speak volumes about the wisdom of those who understood the foresight and planning required to benefit future generations.
Maybe being fallow is what is required now for the city.
Transparency and sustainability won't save the city. They are but frail words made up only to mask the venal behavior of those who lacked the imagination to provide a better outcome.
Posted by
michael shandrick
on 11/20/2009 at 7:18 AM
Re: “D-11 on the upswing”
So John, with all these incredible accomplishments...where is the corresponding PAY RAISES for the teachers in the trenches? Or are you suggesting the 7 body board educated 28000 students all by your important-selves?
Posted by
cheshirecats
on 11/19/2009 at 7:56 PM
Re: “D-11 on the upswing”
Gudvangen provides a perfect example of what can happen when your head gets too full of itself. Please, John: voting to close all those schools was the most remarkable thing the Board did while you were a member of it...and it's certainly not anything to boast about.
Posted by
spydra
on 11/19/2009 at 5:14 PM
Re: “What's next for the city?”
With this council, Gardner is asking the impossible.
Posted by
gregaj7
on 11/17/2009 at 10:55 PM
Re: “What's next for the city?”
Here's a couple of questions I want to ask all voters that only involve themselves in activism by signing petitions, as most others already know the answers these:
1. Are you aware of the political machine working here in the county that, on the whole, chooses your candidates for you, and the issues to be on the ballot?
2. Are you willing to help change the folk that are the puppet-masters of that machine?
City Council will never be completely honest with the voters, as truth and facts are harmful to those running the "show" here. I wish Darryl Glenn would consider being Mayor, instead of County Commissioner. Maybe Paige can build a base of support before that time arrives.
Posted by
gregaj7
on 11/17/2009 at 10:53 PM
Re: “What's next for the city?”
Writing this commentary made me think we need a local bill of rights. Coincidentally, that idea has been explored elsewhere: http://www.yesmagazine.org/people-power/sp…
I'd make a few changes to the one floated in Spokane.
Dave Gardner
Posted by
Growthbuster
on 11/13/2009 at 7:44 PM
Re: “What's next for the city?”
Dave
I attended Monday's city council meeting and what I saw and heard seemed to be only grandstanding. Rivera, Herpin, Martin, Small, and Purvis are "on board" extremely reluctantly. They are like children who got caught with their hands in the cookie jar, addicted to tax-and-spend "good-ole-boy" politics of the back room. Toilet training at gunpoint will not change their minds on who they serve. I bet they've already gotten calls about when will things get back to normal. I don't want to see money wasted on any recall efforts, but I believe that Rivera should step down and devote his full attention to his work at UBS.
Posted by
SeldomSeenSmith
on 11/12/2009 at 11:04 AM
Re: “What's next for the city?”
City Council is not honest with itself, nor very courteous. City Council does not encourage self criticism or diversity of its own opinions.
It is one 'Group Think Mob' that believes because they notice each others punctuation and other minitua issues- this is self evaluation.
This is same road that caused the National financial meltdown. It took City voter intervention to stop it.
Voters did not reject more taxes, they rejected more money for this city council to spend.
Yes it was a BIG vote of no confidence, and Council STILL has not gotten the full weight of the message.
Posted by
citypatriot
on 11/12/2009 at 7:36 AM
Re: “We need to define 'local'”
Addressed to Mike Callicrate, owner of Ranch Foods Direct...
Here's a loyal customer's take on the situation.
When my wife and I travel through Texas and Oklahoma, we almost always patronize a business called Braum's (http://www.braums.com). I'm sure you're familiar with the company. They have lots of foods that are good for our bodies, but also lots that aren't. I try to choose wisely, but sometimes I go for taste over health, too. We all do it!
They define local as encompassing the radius of a day's drive between manufacturing and corporate headquarters in or near Oklahoma City and each of their stores. That sounds reasonable to us, but apparently conflicts with the definition of local as presented in Dan's article.
Whether that's really local or regional could be considered a question of semantics.
We consider local for Colorado Springs to encompass anywhere in Colorado, northern New Mexico, southern Wyoming, western Kansas and Oklahoma, and the panhandle of Texas. These are all within a day's drive from here.
I do not condone the "dumping" of product in order to gain market share under any circumstances - whether it be from China via Walmart or from Australia via King Soopers. Many consumers find it difficult to understand that the low prices offered in cases such as this are really a huge bait-and-switch scam. A savvy consumer can sometimes tell the difference, but most consumers could care less, of course. All they want is low prices, regardless of what it takes to get them. Consumars are often blinded by the pocketbook. Therein lies the problem, and I understand that this is the driving force behind the article.
I think that one of the most important things that farmers and ranchers can do is to continue the dialogue with their customers. This seems to be the most important point of the article. As you well know, it's the large agribusiness corporations in the middle who are distorting the picture. That is what seems to me to be the most important thing that needs to be addressed.
Consumers in general have a love-hate relationship with food. Consumer loyalties are split between farmers and ranchers on the one hand and the large agribusinesses and supermarkets on the other. They are torn between low prices on the one hand and good quality (and all that entails) on the other. The love convenience foods but hate what they do to their bodies. We buy "fast food" without realizing that such a choice often reflects a questionable change in each person's priorities. The trade-offs seem to be endless and overwhelming. How can Jane and Joe Consumer decide? Education is probably the key to this dilemma. The more the consumer is aware that these choices can and should be made consciously, rather than "off the cuff", the more likely it will be for the consumer to make wiser choices. Dan's article makes good on the awareness issue.
This discussion should be continued both at home and in our schools. With D-11 as one of your most important customers, you have an outstanding opportunity to raise awareness of these issues. Care and Share, I trust, with their nutrition education programs, can make an excellent partner in these discussions on campus.
Honestly, I wasn't too terribly impressed by Dan's "poor farmer/rancher" approach. It puts you in a weaker position than I think you should be. I'd much rather see you and our other local ranchers and farmers take on a more positive and/or aggressive approach to this issue. You all need to stand your ground here, and I for one am willing to stand up with you!
Keep on keepin' on!
Posted by
RJSAYER
on 10/29/2009 at 11:11 AM
Re: “Military plea: Give us cover”
I remember back in the bad old days of George Bush Jr. "Support the Troops" was just another way of saying, "shut up hippie and support this war". We had hope that a change in leadership might change the tone but I guess it's just too tempting to use it for whatever cause needs the dissenters silenced.
So now we are using that tired old slogan to tell people who are overtaxed and under served to shut up and hand over their wallets because to not do so is leaving the troops hanging in the breeze.
What next, telling those pro-choice abortion activists to shut up because we need more bodies to feed to the war? Will it be unpatriotic to suggest that women be able to control their bodies because we need their children to support the troops?
Posted by
Mister Mxyzptlk
on 10/15/2009 at 7:58 PM
Re: “Farewell, and a final plea”
HEY 10% UNEMPLOYMENT HEARD OF IT? We have no more money for Government!
my previous comment still applies. Same old government scare tactics and solutions, higher tax burden solves all! Why cut police, fire and parks? Why do city and county employees have a better pay and benefit package than the private sector that funds them?
Let’s cut benefits and payroll and keep the same services, that’s what happens at our work places. Why can’t government employees share the pain, most of us have no pensions and we pay much higher insurance costs and co pays. There are thousands of people ready to fill city, county, state and federal government positions at 70% of the current compensation packages, that would allow for the same level of services and solve the budget problem, wouldn’t it?
Posted by
native76
on 10/06/2009 at 11:42 PM
Re: “Farewell, and a final plea”
yeah go mess up somebody else's world. i'm surprised they havent kicked you out of your town i tenn if thats how you advised city council there1
Posted by
avgjoepolitico
on 10/06/2009 at 7:52 PM
Re: “Gay becomes the new green”
quote: "HRC is the nation's leading LGBT advocacy group."
What a joke. What do they do, except raise money?
They certainly haven't been supportive of gay marriage.
Posted by
ThomasMc
on 09/29/2009 at 9:29 AM
Re: “Military gays: now or when?”
...does your little mind every get lonely in your big head?
Posted by
little_dirty_birdie_feet
on 09/03/2009 at 2:21 PM
Re: “Smoking: Whose choice is it?”
When I pay$4.50 for a pack, I'm getting fifty cents worth of tobacco; the rest is tax. Now CO sales tax is applied to the plainly usurious tobacco tax. That is taxing the tax. I am over 50 years old, and the other day a saleslady who had to be at least my age carded me. "I can be fined by my employer if I don't check" she informs me. This same employer often mans (I mean boys) the customer service area, which sells tobacco with underage clerks. When I try to make a purchase, the employee has to call for help. Who assigned this kid to this post? The ID thing is quite arbitrary, but when they ask for my DOB in lieu of ID, I say '10/10/10'. If we all do this, the demographics will indicate many, many really old smokers. At some point, smoking many be good for us again. As it stands, an old lady asking an old man for ID just means the terrorists are winning. I didn't have to show any ID when I was 12.
Posted by
skimanitou
on 08/17/2009 at 4:13 AM
Re: “Don't stop pot progress”
So Colorado has over 5 million people living their. If 5% of the total population is a patient with need for medical cannabis then you'd have 250,000 patients in your state.
If 250,000 patients paid $100. dollars a year for a plastic card and license, the state of Colorado would make $25 million dollars a year in licenses alone.
We've all heard enough false fear-mongering "facts" from the DEA and other government propagandists - just smell the money you will be making. It can be over a billion $$ a year !!!
Your article is almost perfect, so I won't try to add or elaborate on anything she has said. The article says it all. Will you people please listen......
More articles like this please, Ms. Wenzel !!
Support Medical Cannabis Access
Support Leap.cc - Police Against Prohibition
Support MPP.org - MJ Lobby in Wash, DC
Barack Obama, January 21, 2004: “The war on drugs has been an utter failure. We need to rethink and decriminalize our marijuana laws…we need to rethink how we’re operating in the drug war. Currently, we are not doing a good job.”