Pubdate: Sat, 28 Sep 2002
Source: Arizona Republic (AZ)
Copyright: 2002 The Arizona Republic
Contact:  http://www.arizonarepublic.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/24
Author: Susan Bitter Smith
Note: Susan Bitter Smith is executive director of the Arizona Cable 
Telecommunications Association. A former Scottsdale City Council member, 
she serves on the Central Arizona Water Conservation District board.
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?163 (Question 9 (NV))
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/props.htm (Ballot Initiatives)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

ELECTION MAY TOUCH CULTURAL NERVE

At a recent meeting of United States Chamber of Commerce executives, 
cultural anthropologist Jennifer James tantalized the audience by 
suggesting that America was undergoing a cultural shift. In her role as a 
provocateur, James touted the recent Ninth Circuit decision declaring the 
words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance as an example of "a shot 
across the bow" of our cultural heritage.

Does one appointed federal judge signal an entire cultural revolution? Are 
we seeing other "shots across the bow"?

Locally, ballot initiatives have been filed to appear on the November 
ballot dealing with the use of marijuana and gambling. Such issues have 
historically been dictated by cultural mores.

Are we experiencing local "shots across the bow" of our cultural morals? Or 
is this the normal cycle of generational change?

Cultural anthropologists like James spend time studying generational 
shifts. Many of them spend time on the speaking circuit educating audiences 
about Generation X'ers, Baby Boomers, and now the Millenials, those in the 
population that are in the 17- to 25-year-old range that will be our 
up-and-coming additions to the workforce.

These different generations obviously view the world differently, given the 
changing environments in which they were raised.. Are they concerned about 
gambling increasing in Arizona or the possible DPS disbursement of 
marijuana to those who have prescriptions from doctors? These answers may 
be found in election results in November.

Come November, once again, we will have the opportunity to vote on not just 
one, but three propositions dealing with the future of gambling in Arizona. 
Once again, the folks that want to legalize the use of marijuana in our 
state are attempting to move one step further toward that goal by 
decriminalizing its use.

Results from those elections could be another "shot across the bow" of 
Arizona's norms.

The ads already have started on the three propositions dealing with gaming. 
Signs are beginning to sprout on the marijuana ballot item. Very soon mail 
will begin to hit the mailboxes of those who have a frequent voter history.

The ads are honed to 30-second sound bites aimed at simplistic pitches for 
each of the propositions. Radio talk shows are finding lots of fodder for 
callers and advocates of both sides of the pending issues. None of the ads, 
of course, or the proposition's publicists will suggest to you that the 
outcome of their issue might dramatically change how society has treated 
the use of marijuana or gaming entertainment.

The messages are geared to a media-oriented society that might either 
respond to catchy fast-talking pitchmen or to the more folksy warm and 
fuzzy "local folks." Dissemination of hard facts is not the mission for 
these pricey ads, because, quite frankly, the average listener isn't 
anxious to spend that much time hearing them.

So, with minimal substantive discussion, voters of all ages will be casting 
ballots on lifestyle changes that could truly be "shots across the bow" of 
Arizona as we currently know it.

Concerned? I certainly am. Voter turnout in the primary election proved, 
once again, to be lower than expectations, allowing many of the hard-edged 
candidates from both parties to prevail. If general- election turnout is 
consistent with that trend, who knows what unexpected outcome may erupt? We 
could find ourselves with yet another signal of a cultural revolution, not 
from an appointed federal judge, but from an inattentive state.
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MAP posted-by: Jackl