NOT A SIMPLE MATTER

This letter is in regard to the current community discussion of Judge
Gilbert's pot smoking at a Stones' concert. I try to choose my
letters-to-the-editor carefully so as to pick the issues that are most
important to me. Well, this one has reached that level.

Indeed, the Nov. 24 letters were the best I have read in months. I should
point out that I am no goody-two-shoes. And although I no longer do drugs,
I am no stranger to them. I also support legalizing marijuana.

But there is much more going on here than the simple matter of a person
taking a couple of hits on a doobie at a Stones' concert. When I first read
about this, I chuckled with delight.

I thought, "The man is human." There was something wonderfully realistic
about it: that judges are just people like you and me. But I also realize
that, like it or not, marijuana is still illegal and, in the eyes of the
public, Judge Gilbert's duty is, to quote from Joy Platteborze's letter
(Nov. 4), to "act and live like adults who respect the laws they are sworn
to uphold." Editor Bill Thomas is also correct when he stated, " ... the
judge violated the law, and as a result, he has tarnished the judiciary."
Thomas goes on to correctly state, "Is there anyone who thinks for one
second that kids aren't watching how we 'adults' deal with this?" These two
quotes, more importantly the latter, are the essence of the whole issue. I
do not know Judge Gilbert. I'm sure he is a fine person and, the above
notwithstanding, would be happy to meet him. But to allow him to continue
as a judge would be a serious mistake.

Bob Jones
Glen Arbor