WEEKLY LAURELS AND LAMENTS

It's hard to describe constant pain to people who have not felt it. It has
driven some people to suicide and others to a diminished life of
drug-induced lethargy.

That's why the use of marijuana has appealed to some looking for pain
relief, providing them with a remedy that makes life livable. Thus,
Monday's decision by the U.S. Supreme Court allowing federal authorities to
prosecute people who use medical marijuana, even in states that have
legalized its use, was disheartening. The decision essentially says that
federal law trumps state law but also suggests a viable alternative - that
Congress develop legislation allowing the medical use of marijuana. From a
legal perspective, that makes sense.

But for those suffering from chronic pain, the odds that a bickering
Congress will find consensus over a hot-button issue such as this range
from slim to none. Too bad.

Mark di Suvero, the 71-year-old sculptor of the orange sunburst at the foot
of Wisconsin Ave. near Lake Michigan, is being feted this summer and fall
in a major exhibition of his massive works at Storm King Art Center in New
York. He's the recent recipient of a $250,000 Heinz Award in the Arts and
Humanities and is, as noted in a recent article in The New York Times, the
first living artist to have his works presented in a solo show at the
Tuileries in Paris. "A star for 40 years," gushed the article, "installing
his monumental, architectural steel works all around the world." So how
come his sculpture in Milwaukee gets so little respect?

Guitar legend and Waukesha native Les Paul celebrated his 90th birthday
this week with a round of celebrations in New York City. Known as the
"father of the electric guitar," Paul still plays in clubs there and
continues to gather the adulation and thanks of music lovers around the world.

Happy birthday, Les, and play on!

This week also marked the 40th anniversary of the legalization of birth
control. The U.S. Supreme Court struck down a Connecticut law on June 7,
1965, that made the use of birth control by married couples illegal.

The sexual revolution followed, which certainly has spawned its fair share
of criticism. But don't forget the important constitutional right that was
legitimized by the decision - the right of a woman to control her own
reproductive system.

It's a right worth celebrating.