News (Media Awareness Project) - US NJ: PUB LTE: GOP Should Adjust Its Social Compass |
| Title: | US NJ: PUB LTE: GOP Should Adjust Its Social Compass |
| Published On: | 2008-11-15 |
| Source: | Asbury Park Press (NJ) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-11-16 02:22:21 |
GOP SHOULD ADJUST ITS SOCIAL COMPASS
I have picketed political offices for 14 years to advocate medical
marijuana, and all officials have honored the fact the First
Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects my right to do so. That
streak ended Election Day at the Ocean County Republican
headquarters on Route 37 in Toms River.
I had gone to the office Nov. 2 with my late wife's "memorial
wheelchair" to express my disappointment in 3rd District
congressional candidate Chris Myers. At a debate days earlier, Myers
was asked whether he would support legalizing medical marijuana if he
was elected. His brief reply, "Ah, no," was insulting to the sick
and dying residents he would have represented. He responded as if he
didn't even know why he was against this.
A burn patient who wants to use medical marijuana legally
demonstrated with me that Sunday. Immediately, we were met by a rude
young man from inside the office who ordered us to leave. He assured
us the First Amendment didn't apply in front of Myers' office. He
opted against calling the police, but his intimidation tactics and
disregard for the Constitution inspired another picket two days
later, on Election Day.
When we arrived Tuesday morning, the same young man approached us and
immediately called the police when we wouldn't leave. Police arrived
promptly and assured him I was within my rights.
Still, the question remains, how can the Republican Party's Ocean
County office be represented by someone with no knowledge of the
First Amendment? Not wanting to give up, the young man told me I was
(expletive) pitiful and I should get a (expletive) life.
If only it were about me. It's not.
My hope is the Republican Party will realize opposing medical
marijuana is like poking another hole in its sinking ship. The
majority of the people coming to Myers' office that day were
extremely supportive.
It's now up to them to move their party away from a policy of
opposing medical marijuana and to make sure its representatives no
longer practice intimidation.
Jim Miller
Toms River
I have picketed political offices for 14 years to advocate medical
marijuana, and all officials have honored the fact the First
Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects my right to do so. That
streak ended Election Day at the Ocean County Republican
headquarters on Route 37 in Toms River.
I had gone to the office Nov. 2 with my late wife's "memorial
wheelchair" to express my disappointment in 3rd District
congressional candidate Chris Myers. At a debate days earlier, Myers
was asked whether he would support legalizing medical marijuana if he
was elected. His brief reply, "Ah, no," was insulting to the sick
and dying residents he would have represented. He responded as if he
didn't even know why he was against this.
A burn patient who wants to use medical marijuana legally
demonstrated with me that Sunday. Immediately, we were met by a rude
young man from inside the office who ordered us to leave. He assured
us the First Amendment didn't apply in front of Myers' office. He
opted against calling the police, but his intimidation tactics and
disregard for the Constitution inspired another picket two days
later, on Election Day.
When we arrived Tuesday morning, the same young man approached us and
immediately called the police when we wouldn't leave. Police arrived
promptly and assured him I was within my rights.
Still, the question remains, how can the Republican Party's Ocean
County office be represented by someone with no knowledge of the
First Amendment? Not wanting to give up, the young man told me I was
(expletive) pitiful and I should get a (expletive) life.
If only it were about me. It's not.
My hope is the Republican Party will realize opposing medical
marijuana is like poking another hole in its sinking ship. The
majority of the people coming to Myers' office that day were
extremely supportive.
It's now up to them to move their party away from a policy of
opposing medical marijuana and to make sure its representatives no
longer practice intimidation.
Jim Miller
Toms River
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