WHAT IS GOING ON, PEOPLE?

In recent years, I have come to believe strongly in the idea that the less
the government pervades our everyday lives the better. Government aid here
and there may be necessary, as we do live in a society, and we are somewhat
bound to each other socially. This however, should never impede on the
individual's right to live a personal, private life.

I, a representative of anyone who feels that privacy should be left guarded
by the individual, in the form of a short letter in the Arcata Eye, a voice
which rarely escapes Arcata, hereby declare the actions taken by the DEA
(and a number of other agencies), to not be in the best interest of the
people, but in the interest of those in power.

It may not be completely unbeknownst to the owners of 101 North that the
pipes they were selling were to be used for smoking "the reefer." but then
again, they don't even sell directly to the user of "the reefer." They in
fact sell to head shops that sell to the user. Even if they were aware of
the ultimate fate of their pipes, why should they be held responsible for
the "reefer-head's" choice of activity? A pipe is a pipe, and can be used
for many things other than smoking pot, let's at least make that clear.

"Pipe Dreams" is obviously some effort by Ashcroft and company to do some
"good" for the nation, by ridding society of its evil paraphernalia
"traffickers." What is going on, people? Why must we be subject to the
ideals of the anointed, and punished for violating their vision of
"goodness?" Why must people, who work at a glass blowing shop, be robbed of
their TAXED jobs as glass blowers, clerks, etc., and three individual
owners, robbed of their life's work and thrown in prison because those in
power view them as somehow creating the problems that can accompany drug
use? Why can't they see that the individual, to be strong, must learn to
take responsibility of his/her own actions, and that the powers that be
should not need to tell them. When will the time come in which I will be
able to walk about without being ill-treated by the central government for
choices I make concerning my person and no other?

The problem, dear reader, is that this 101 North situation not only
negatively affects me, HSU students, and permanent residents of Arcata in
the area of buying fine hand-blown glass pipes and other glass art, but it
shows us that if we make a personal choice to engage in any sort of
so-called "illicit" activity, we are subject to having everything we own
taken from us and being imprisoned in a federal penitentiary. Why? Because
they know what is good for us. That's right, you don't know what is good for
yourself anymore. You never did. Get used to it. Do you understand what I
mean?

Keith Hamilton

Arcata