The Internet is full of stories about unusual careers. You can read about those with so-called weird jobs such as a certified fire walking instructor, a magician's assistant and the person who takes care of the elephants' toenails for the circus. I didn't need to go online to meet this one: an expert in marijuana cultivation. At the end of July, Chris Conrad of El Cerrito, Calif., brought his expertise and a backpack of notes to U.S. District Court in Baton Rouge. [continues 602 words]
Alexandria City Council OKs tax on cigarette paper The cost of rolling smokes, legal or otherwise, will go up soon in Alexandria. The City Council has approved a retail tax on cigarette paper at a rate of $1.50 a pack. State law specifies that proceeds from the tax go for anti-drug education and youth programs. City leaders also hope that nearly doubling the cost of the paper will discourage some marijuana users. "That's the subliminal reason for it," City Councilman Chuck Fowler said. [continues 446 words]
Cynthia "McKinney" Tucker rails against long prison sentences for nonviolent offenders. Seeing what drugs have done to American families, especially blacks, I would think she would like to get them off the streets, regardless of color, religious beliefs, you name it. I suppose she would also advocate that embezzlers also not be imprisoned, since no one was "raped, murdered or maimed." And the Enron executives and their ilk, along with shady stockbrokers, why should they face prison time, since there were no physical crimes committed? Before long, the taxpayers' prison bills would be next to nothing. William R. Taylor, Smyrna [end]
