STRIDENCY MAY WIN FEW CONVERTS

A couple of weeks back, a Rochester Times editorial recalled the jocular
name for this time of year -- Hate Season -- when winter refuses to release
its icy grip on northern New England, while most of the United States is
enjoying spring. All it needs then, on top of the weather-induced stress,
is some controversial issue to arise, and the feisty rhetoric can start
flying around like arrows on an Agincourt tapestry.

This week provides such an example. HB1623, reducing the possession of a
small amount of marijuana from a felony to a misdemeanor was passed by the
House of Representatives on a 193-141 vote. In Section C of our Roll Call
Round Up below, Granite News Service summarizes the arguments for and
against this bill.

Those in favor of downgrading the punishment argue that at present, young
people charged with pot possession and subsequently being classified as
convicted felons, lose the eligibility for college aid (that can run to
tens of thousands of dollars), no longer qualify for public housing, and
have difficulty enlisting in the military. In a nutshell, the lives of
working class youths, in particular, can lie in ruins for years.

The opponents of the House Bill maintain that decreasing the penalty for
possessing a quarter ounce (or less) of marijuana signals to teenagers that
this crime, reduced to a misdemeanor, is the equivalent of bashing a
mailbox or stealing a pumpkin.

Of Rochester's eight state representatives (the late George Brown's seat
has not been filled), Democrats Shawn Mickelonis and Bob Watson favored
keeping marijuana possession a felony (as George Brown may have, we sense,
were he with us).

Those in favor of reducing the possession to a misdemeanor (with a $200
fine) included Republican Julie Brown and Democrats Deb Billian, Bill
Brennan, Pam Hubbard and Nancy Warren. Absent and not voting, on that day,
was Anne Grassie.

So far, so good. HB1623 is a controversial topic that no doubt produced
lively but respectful debate on the floor of the House in Concord. In this
neck of the woods, at least, both Democrats and Republicans are split on
the issue, which, at the end of the day, if it is not voted down by the
Senate, is likely to be vetoed by Governor Lynch ... all perfectly in line
with New Hampshire's system of democracy.

Part and parcel of democracy, too, is when members of the public enter the
debate, and this week, sling shots and arrows are certainly in evidence in
the letters to the editor column addressing HB1623. We imagine some readers
will nod vigorously in agreement, while others will be discomforted by the
stridency of the letters. Yet others -- especially those families who have
been penalized with loss of college aid -- may be offended by the
suggestion that the lawmakers who favor the misdemeanor classification are
in a hippy haze.

We recall, for instance, that Republican Julie Brown of Gonic has been
repeatedly recognized at state level for her work on behalf of children.
Our experience is that she is a thoughtful legislator who does diligent
research before casting a vote, and who has the trust of the voters of
Rochester ... the idea of her being an advocate of flower power is just
plain silly.

Years ago, a Rochester City Councilor called Ed Saputa gave this editorial
writer a small plaque that reads, "Keep you words soft and sweet, just in
case you have to eat them." It is still on display, and is hard to live up
to, especially at this season of year.

Nonetheless, we recommend these words to others as a motto.

J.N.