Shutting down the smoke shops on El Cajon is a bad policy In the April 9 article "CACC wants bong sales to end," Lisa Silverman of Mid-City Community Action Network asserted that shutting down head shops would reduce youth drug use. She said, "By reducing the easy access to drug paraphernalia we can help to eliminate drug use in the young adult population." Her comment is reflective of an ideology that is based on fallacious reasoning and serves to perpetuate failed policies for dealing with illicit drug use. It is clearly a nonsequitur to claim that banning the sale of bongs will help to eliminate youth drug use. Take a look at Hawaii, where the state has outlawed the sale of drug paraphernalia. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in 2005 the national average for past month youth drug use was about 10.3 percent, and it was slightly higher than Hawaiian's 10.8 percent. There is not a valid or significant correlation between the banning of paraphernalia and a decline in youth drug use. It is also important to take into account that medical marijuana is legal in the state of California. Voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition 215, the law that allows anyone with a doctor's recommendation the right to use marijuana. It seems reasonable then to allow local businesses to sell items that can be used legally by numerous San Diegans. We don't outlaw the sale of flasks and beer bongs just because people under 21 are not allowed to drink alcohol. San Diego State student and College Area Community Council board member, Daniel Osztreicher, suggested in the article that removing the smoke shops would help curb illegal activity and clean up the image of El Cajon Boulevard. This notion also has a major shortcoming - there is much more property damage and violent crime as a result of alcohol-induced behaviors than there are as a result of marijuana use. The typical marijuana user is subdued and tries to avoid criminal activity that would increase the likelihood of him or her having contact with law enforcement. So why isn't CACC trying to shut down all of the liquor stores, bars and grocery markets that sell alcohol on El Cajon Boulevard? I would like to remind Silverman, Osztreicher, CACC and readers of The Daily Aztec that our nation is founded on the fundamental principals of liberty. The laws that prohibit drug use by adults are in direct opposition to our individual freedom. Last year, more than 800,000 Americans were arrested for possession - and we are supposed to be the land of the free? What an adult does with his or her body ought not to be a crime so long as he or she does not harm someone else. Shutting down the smoke shops on El Cajon Boulevard is a bad policy, just like drug prohibition is a failed policy. -Randolph Hencken, communication graduate student
Modern medicine for me Regarding "New methods can help save love," April 10, I am surprised a newspaper that is normally as good as The Daily Aztec would print such a dangerously misleading article. Erica Osburn asserts that quackery such as acupuncture, body work and other forms of holistic "healing" are reasonable alternatives to Western evidence-based medicine. This is simply not true. Not one study has ever been done that shows holistic healing provides any benefits other than a placebo effect. Osburn stated as much herself: "... research has yet to show how holistic health has increased the quality of lifespan." Scientific literacy among the public is low because of articles like this one. If a student believed what it said, instead of going to the doctor when he was sick, he might go to a "holistic health specialist" who would tell him that his "life-force harmony" was off. Following the advice of the holistic health specialist would probably kill him. I find it frightening that a paper as normally responsible as The Daily Aztec would stoop to endangering the health of its readers simply because it is politically incorrect to say the only valid form of healing is Western evidence-based medicine.
-Jared Karatkiewicz, philosophy freshman
No gold diggers In response to Devin Kunysz's recent dating and romance column printed in The Daily Aztec (April 10), I completely agree with him. These types of people who feel entitled to a $90,000 engagement ring because the man is "lucky to have them" give me more reasons not to get married. For all you men out there, I've got two words for you: Tom Leykis. His radio program used to be broadcast here in San Diego on 103.7 (before the format changed). However, you can still listen to his show online and subscribe to his daily podcasts from his home station's Web site www.971freefm.com or his homepage www.blowmeuptom.com. While listening to Tom's show, which airs from 3 to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, each and every man out there will learn valuable advice as to how women think and how to navigate the waters of the rocky dating scene. What is especially informative is his "Leykis 101" segment, which airs every Thursday during the 5 p.m. hour of his show. After listening to his show, I guarantee all the men out there will reach an epiphany when it comes to the realities of how relationships and, in particular, women work. While his program may offend many of the female listeners, with specific regards to how he uses generalities to make his point, as Tom said, "Even a broken clock is wrong twice a day." I implore you, Devin, to listen to his show, and perhaps pass the words of wisdom you may glean from Mr. Leykis onto your friend. Trust me when I say that you will not regret it.
-John Russell, marketing junior
Look around for diversity Ruthie Kelly: Shame on you for getting past about 13 years old and remaining mired in the shallowness of culture associated with visibility ("White: the absence of culture," April 17). In most classes I have taught for many years, I have asked my students in the very first session about the diversity in the class and when they start looking around, I ask, "What the hell are you looking for?" That gives me the opening to engage them in an activity for which I have prepared because I know they will look around. After all, looking around is what they were taught in the sixth grade. I got into a relatively contentious e-mail interaction some years ago in response to the call for greater diversity on the faculty. I suggested that in order to get on this faculty, everyone must show they are of the same culture, and to remain here, it is absolutely necessary to be culturally identical to everyone else who, of course, practices the culture necessary to be part of a faculty in the nation's No. 1 small research university. I know you are talking about visibility, and so were my colleagues in that e-mail interchange. I understand visibility. I also understand that visibility is the most trivial attribute of culture, so if we are to do anything about this subject, we have to see inside the lemon. My students get it when they realize they don't know their lemons from the outside.
-Leif Fearn, professor of teacher education
-The Daily Aztec welcomes letters on all subjects, sections and stories. Letters may be edited for brevity, libelous and overtly offensive content. Letters must include the writer's year in school and major or professional title. The Daily Aztec offices are located in the basement of the Business Administration building. Please send e-mail to letters@thedailyaztec.com.
Be the first to comment on this article!