Pubdate: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 Source: Grand Forks Gazette (CN BC) Copyright: 2009 Sterling Newspapers Contact: http://www.mapinc.org/media/525 Note: The newspaper does not have an active website. Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n1026/a10.html Author: Shirley Schuh SOCIETY BECOMING INHUMANE Editor, The Gazette: Re: Medical Marijuana Issue I would like to commend Paul Pinard for his letter of Nov. 11. I always felt in the 30 years of living in Grand Forks that this was a very democratic and open community in allowing others to have their varied opinions. This has changed in the last year. It has now become apparent that, if you differ or if you offend in some way person or persons, they can attack personally by stating the community is behind them by putting out petitions. I find these consistent attacks are now becoming very disturbing. If I, as an individual, wish to try to make a change in what I see as important to me, do I not have the right to try? I find it so sad that our society is becoming more and more inhumane to others' pain, be it in treatment or in allowing choice. The governments of today are restricting more and more. It makes me wonder who really benefits from this. I still have the choice not to shop where the petitions are and that I will do, just as the businesses have the right to have the petition. I am very disappointed that some of the councillors have taken such a rigid stance on this issue. I guess this means they will only represent those who believe as they do. Shirley Schuh, Grand Forks - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake