Pubdate: Fri, 16 Jan 2015 Source: Arizona Republic (Phoenix, AZ) Copyright: 2015 The Arizona Republic Contact: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/sendaletter.html Website: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/24 Author: Kathy Diekelman Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v15/n022/a01.html ESSAYS ON POT, PROGRESSIVES MADE IMPORTANT POINTS Thank you for two excellent editorials in your Jan. 10 edition. The guest opinion, "Pull Brakes Now on 'Big Marijuana,' " deftly refuted the propaganda machine that has been attempting to convince folks of the so-called benign consequences of using marijuana and is effects on society in general. Those that promote marijuana (other than for very specific, controlled medical use) would be better served by asking themselves why they need marijuana in their lives to cope, relax, enjoy life, etc. Also, Doug MacEachern's column on progressives and free speech really hit the nail on the head. For a group that supposedly is for freedoms, progressives have a lousy record when it comes to disagreeing in a civil manner with those who hold opposing views. Thanks Doug for so eloquently challenging those that choose to stifle honest discussions of dissenting views. Kathy Diekelman, Tempe - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom