Speakout on Panhandling
I read and reread your "Northampton's Guide to Not Giving" (Nov. 27, 2008) and its companion piece, "Don't Be Fooled," and I must admit to some mixed emotions here, as I suspect many of your readers may. I am kind, give to charities often, yet am made to feel uncomfortable whenever I venture downtown. I for one feel we as a community are attracting panhandlers from near and far. One fine summer day I ventured downtown just to do some shopping and have some lunch. In my brief excursion there I was approached for money by no less than 12 different persons, many of whom looked to be in good health and in their 30s or 40s.
When is enough enough? Perhaps we could fit another 200 or 300; say, why not invite half a million homeless here? Obviously I'm trying to be ridiculous, but am I the only one feeling that we are reaching a point where anger, resentment and indifference could begin to replace some of our more charitable emotions? Not from the talk I hear from many quarters. We are lucky to have such a nice downtown as Northampton. I'm afraid that if the situation worsens, you're going to end up with nothing but bars, restaurants and empty storefronts.
Frank Bertrand
Goshen
Pot Takes a Bad Rap
Marijuana is a much-maligned herb that is discussed negatively by those who have not examined the situation with any type of objectivity. Thus you get emotionally charged statements that bear no resemblance to the facts, but are effective in maintaining the status quo. An excellent example is a recent letter stating that the new law passed by the majority of voters in Massachusetts will result in more drug use and "poison" the minds of little boys and girls. This sounds like the mindset of the original "reefer madness" movies that depicted healthy teens smoking one joint and becoming deranged lunatics and killers.
We have voluminous research to look at, if only we would look at it. There has been no corresponding increase of drug use in the 13 states that have already lessened the penalties for marijuana use. Cannabis has proven medical benefits; most studies show that pot's negative effects are less severe than alcohol's and its positive attributes much brighter. No one has ever died from a pot overdose. Over 50 million people, at the least, have tried pot; that makes one-sixth of the population criminals. I have imbibed ganja since I was 17. I am almost 60 now. I have worked, raised a family and been productive all my life. I know literally hundreds of folks who love herb and have lived good lives. The only bad thing is that some have gone to jail. One of the worst crimes being perpetrated on humanity is the unjustifiable imprisonment of goodhearted people whose only crime is enjoying a natural product of the earth.
Will E. Guyote
Springfield
