Does freelance writer owe Gronstal money?

The article on Sen. Mike Gronstal [Cover Story, “Everything in moderation,” April 12] was so filled with apotheosis and so damn unctuous that the writer Warren Francke must owe Mike a lot of money or be his brother-in-law. If not, someone at Cityview has to be Mike’s first cousin, best friend or his drinking buddy who attends Mike’s “receptions in the evenings and even later conversations over drinks.”

Mike is presented as a modest but powerful moderate who drives his “dinky cars” to his home, which, “by the way, is modest, too.” This wonderful man, who of course is known for making all his home and auto repairs, is called “smart and a good listener” who most certainly “doesn’t make promises he can’t keep.” If Mike is Catholic, the canonization of the late Pope John Paul needs to be put on hold. After reading Warren’s piece it is clear: either Mike is the best saint ever, or Warren is the best bullshitter.

Tom Kearney
West Des Moines

Reefer madness

Sean J. Miller’s article in Cityview raises an interesting question [We the People, “Still burning,” April 19]. Why is Carl Olsen of the Ethiopian Zion Coptic Church forbidden by law in the United States of America to use sacramental marijuana in his religious practices?  

Shiva is the Lord of Marijuana for many practitioners of the Hindu religion. Rastafarians consider Cannabis Sativa, the Tree of Life... the sacred plant that has manifested as the holiest of holy signs marking the end of tribulations and the beginning of the City of God here on earth.

Marijuana and man have been together in many ways for a very long time. Columbus sailed to the New World using cannabis sails called canvas. The seeds have been used as a source of nutritious food for thousands of years. Marijuana was a valued medicine for thousands of years. Hindus and Buddhists have considered marijuana extremely sacred for thousands of years.

So who exactly are these people in America who have a bug up their behinds when it comes to marijuana?

My advice to Olsen is to “cultivate that which can not be taken.” For whatever reasons, America has banned the growing and smoking of marijuana, but it is not illegal to consider and believe that marijuana is the holiest and greatest plant in the world.

Jim Hodapp
Elmhurst, Ill.

Prohibition era

Carl, I read the article in Cityview [We the People, “Still burning,” April 19]. Looks great! We’re still living in the days of Prohibition. It’s funny that alcohol is legal. They can dish it out, but they sure can’t take it. Iowa won’t let me get a license or register my vehicles because of child support debts. (My daughter requires expensive operations at $5,000 a pop). It’s hard to keep up. Texas garnishes my wages automatically no matter where I live. Iowa chooses not to work with me and acts like a hysterical child.

It’s sad. I can’t seem to make my ‘tech home base” here... there’s also discrimination based on sexual orientation. It never ends. I do great work, so why the harassment? I guess I can be a fry cook in Iowa while I am here.

Benjamin Lindelof
West Des Moines

Aiding Iran

We, as a nation, have accomplished things for people that they were never able to do for themselves. It has taken us four years, but it appears that both Iran and al Qaeda have the firm footholds in Iraq that they have coveted for so long.

T.J. Facto
Des Moines

Because God wants it that way

One reason to re-legalize cannabis (kaneh bosm/marijuana) that doesn’t get mentioned [We the People, “Still burning,” April 19], is because it would be biblically and spiritually correct since Christ God Our Father (The Ecologician) indicates He created all the seed-bearing plants, saying they are all good, on literally the very first page (see Genesis 1:11-12 and 29-30). The only biblical restriction placed on cannabis is that it is to be accepted with thankfulness (see 1 Timothy 4:1-5).

Stan White
Dillon, Colo.

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