Dear Editor, It's time the Texan and American people woke up to what's happening in our state and country. The Republican-controlled Supreme Court has sold out our country to the highest bidder. The Texas Legislature, like others around the country, is trying to suppress a woman's right to abortion by enforcing invasive procedures to discourage her from exercising a constitutional right. These people, including the Republican governors, are also trying to suppress the voting rights of the minorities, including the poor. If the state governments are saying our citizens can't vote without photo IDs, then the states, not the poor, should be forced to pay for them. This should be done before the election, or the laws should be repealed until the states have provided every citizen who needs it with a free voter's ID. If not, our government should stop calling itself a democracy and end this farce. Past dictators would be happy with the way we are trying to end what's left of the freedoms we have. [continues 149 words]
Dear sirs, Daniel Rocha's murder by Austin police can't be justified even if he was high on cannabis (marijuana), which he wasn't! It's very strange that the cameras were turned off in the police car at the time. (If they really were?) If the police murder someone who is not trying to kill them or someone else, that is a homicide. They should be subject to the full extent of the law even if that includes the death penalty. [continues 176 words]
Dear sirs, I want to thank The Austin Chronicle for printing the series "Weed Watch," keeping the public informed about the most popular drug in America and the world. For thousands of years the oil pressed from hemp seed lit the homes of millions of people in Aladdin-style lamps. During times of drought and disaster the nutritious hemp seed (containing all the amino acids needed to live) saved thousands of lives from starvation. The fibers from the hemp stem produced rope, canvas sails, and the sturdy clothes the ordinary man wore. The paper produced from hemp helped bring about an advanced civilization. The flowers and leaves of the hemp plant (cannabis) were and are used in many kinds of medicines. It also produces an enjoyable high so loved by millions, if not billions of people around the world. [continues 150 words]
Editor: I urge all Texans to support HB 658, a medical marijuana bill by Democratic Rep. Elliott Naishtat and joint authored by Republican Chairman Terry Keel. This bill will protect doctors from being investigated solely on the grounds that they discussed marijuana as a treatment option with their patients. This bill would also enable Texas jurors to hear evidence and determine whether or not the individual has a valid medical defense. Currently Texas law does not allow jurors to grant an affirmative defense related to the medical use of marijuana. Polls locally and nationally show that our citizens support legalizing marijuana for medical use. [continues 152 words]