In response to the March
Debate, “Should marijuana
be legalized?”
Debate goes on
for ending prohibition are usually “based
on the argument that marijuana is virtually
harmless.”
As a deputy chief of police who supports
legalization, I believe no such thing. I want
to end prohibition not because I think mari-
juana is safe or good to use, but because I
have seen—on the front lines of the “war on
drugs”—how keeping it illegal has created an
enormous tax-free cash cow for gangs and
cartels that use violence to protect their black-
market profits.
I have never used and don’t plan on ever
using marijuana, and I don’t want other people to do so either. But criminalization doesn’t
reduce use; it just causes many other problems
in the illegal market.
Stephen Downing
Long Beach, California
; DIALOGUEletters
Colon cancer awareness
I just wanted to thank you for the health
news piece regarding March being Colon
Cancer Awareness Month and the mention of
March 2 being National Dress in Blue Day.
My husband died from colon cancer in April
of last year, and we, along with the millions of
people dealing colon cancer and its effects, are
so frustrated with the lack of mention this
devastating disease gets.
Colon cancer is second only to lung cancer in cancer-related deaths in the United
States. Aproximately 140 people die every 24
hours from this disease.
Please continue to recognize this disease
that kills so many, much as you do for breast
cancer. The Colon Cancer Alliance is a great
resource for information.
Karen Marie
Carnation, Washington
YES. What a surprise and delight to find the
article and chance to vote on marijuana legalization. I am overwhelmingly for legalizing
this ancient medicinal herb. I am 68 years old
and a professional mental health provider. For
the last 25 years I have followed the medical
research on marijuana. I’ve been perplexed at
the rabid political opposition that is not based
on any medical facts. Read the literature and
you will find that marijuana has many medical
benefits, is non-addictive, is not a gateway
drug (as is beer) and, unlike alcohol, is not
linked to aggression and violence. And it is a
pleasant, relaxing inebriant. So I still wonder,
what drives this continuing prohibition?
Patricia Savant
Ballwin, Missouri
NO. [I believe] the drug is addictive. It would
encourage anyone to use it by providing easy
access.
Liza Canales
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Stephen Downing, a retired deputy chief of
police with the Los Angeles Police Department,
is a board member for Law Enforcement Against
Prohibition ( www.leap.cc).—Ed.
NO. Legalization will encourage use among
youths and young adults. Use of marijuana
retards mental development.
Kevin Augustin
San Francisco, California
Member comments
Pauley inspires
Being a March “baby” and over 50, and
someone who is in the process of reinventing
herself, I found the Jane Pauley article [“Life is
calling,” March 2012] to be particularly relevant and inspirational! It serves as a reminder
to women and men of all ages that it is never
too late to seek out one’s passions in the pursuit of a satisfying career.
Susan Westfall
Boulder, Colorado
Appraiser’s insights
I was surprised to read tips on managing
your home appraisal [Costco Service Update,
March 2012]. I’m a one-woman appraisal
shop in Oregon who has been in this business
for more than 10 years. My response to the
practical tips may prove helpful.
• Please don’t call the appraiser if he/she
hasn’t called to set an appointment yet. It’s
usually for a good reason.
• Ask if the appraiser is familiar with your
city or neighborhood.
• Point out unique features in your home
and prepare a sheet telling what improvements
you have made to your home and when.
• If the appraised value comes in lower,
that doesn’t mean the appraiser didn’t do his
or her job. It means the market isn’t what it
CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
YES. Thank you for the informative debate
about marijuana legalization. Legalization
opponent Robert DuPont says that reasons
In this story, the name of the television series
should have been referenced as AARP’s Your
Life Calling with Jane Pauley.—Ed.
Connection comments
from the Internet
“Excellent article in Costco Connection mag on developing Web-based
success! Good tips for both athletes and business.”
Tweeted by Suzanne Hamilton @SuzHami
“Costco Connection was third most circulated magazine last year.”
Tweeted by Soph @Soph This
“Is it possible to have sponsored editorial without selling your soul
(i.e. compromising your integrity)? ... For example there’s The Costco
Connection and The Christian Science Monitor.”
Blogged by http://peter-petersplaceblog.blogspot.com
FROM NEW YORK CITY to Milwaukee,
Wisconsin, and Austin, Texas, to Portland,
Oregon, food trucks are dotting the urban
landscape, serving hungry citizens with
everything from locally sourced ingredients
to all varieties of gourmet menu items. If you
operate a food truck, we’d love to hear from
you, and might possibly feature your business in a future issue of The Connection.
Please tell us about your business in an
email with “Food truck” in the subject line
and send it to sponder@costco.com.
Do you operate a food truck?
We want to hear your story!
