DON'T SIGN POT PETITION

On the front page of The Joplin Globe (Sept. 22, 2007), I was appalled
at the headline, "Taking the Initiative," about a group of
liberal-minded people who wish to decriminalize marijuana in Joplin.
They want to introduce into our society an opportunity for the
citizens of Joplin to enact a more "sensible" marijuana policy. In
other words, to legalize its use.

Listen folks, marijuana is a drug. Perhaps it's not considered as
strong as others such as crack or cocaine, but that doesn't negate the
fact it is a drug and could become habit-forming for our children
and/or grandchildren, leading to them wanting something (stronger)
that would give them a better high.

We as a nation have too often in the past stood by and done nothing,
as these "liberal-minded" people took prayer out of our schools, kept
the 10 Commandments from being allowed in public places, and allowed
Christmas at school to become a "Winter Festival" break.

Folks, when is everyone going to stand together and bring some decency
and Godly principles back into our society?

Even if you're not a professing Christian, I'm sure you do not want to
see your children or grandchildren using marijuana or any other
similar drug.

We need to come together and make sure this doesn't get on the ballot.
You can do this by not signing the proposed petition. If they can't
get 15 percent of the registered voters of Joplin to sign (about 5,000
people) the proposal will not be allowed on the 2008 Ballot. Let's
defeat it before it gets off the ground.

Don Ray

Joplin