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October 25, 2002/Cheshvan 19 5763, Vol. 55, No. 9
Letters to the EditorOctober 25, 2002
Napolitano's glaring absenceEditor:I read with interest your article regarding the candidates forums. ("Apathy cause for low turnout?" Jewish News, Oct. 11) My husband and I attended the event at Temple Beth Israel. Candidates for governor, attorney general, superintendent of public instruction, secretary of state, corporation commission, state treasurer and U.S. House of Representatives were in attendance. Notably absent, however, was Democratic candidate for governor Janet Napolitano. Her spokesman defended her absence by saying she had prior commitments that precluded her attendance. It is interesting that all of the other candidates seeking high office were able to calendar this event, and indeed, show up. The only conclusion one can draw is that she figured this was a crowd she could count on as already being in her pocket. Remember that as a congressman, Republican gubernatorial candidate Matt Salmon consistently voted for issues relating to Israel and the Jewish community. He is our friend, and he thought our votes were important enough to court. Carol Turoff Phoenix Against Prop 203Editor:The editorial of Oct. 18 ("Propositions matter") about Proposition 203 which states that "It is a red herring that this proposition would force the state to acquire and distribute marijuana," is incorrect. This is exactly what it does. The pertinent section is proposed APS 13-3413.01. It requires the Department of Public Safety to buy the marijuana from the University of Mississippi and then distribute it to persons who have appropriate certificates from a physician. The editorial also fails to tell its readers that under state law physicians can prescribe marijuana for suitable patients but choose not to do this because it is still a violation of federal law. Proposition 203 does two things. It requires DPS to distribute marijuana free of charge. It does not require a potential user to have scrips for each prescription to be filled, and it mandates DPS to distribute marijuana, which among other things requires it to violate federal law. For these reasons I oppose this proposition. I think people who need medical marijuana should be entitled to get it with a doctor's scrip. But this requires a change in federal law. I also think that a newspaper should report all the pertinent facts. Sandor Shuch Phoenix Or Chadash to be in far Northeast ValleyEditor:In response to Sheryl Bronkesh's letter to the editor ("Conservative presence overlooked," Jewish News, Oct. 11), it should be known that the members of Congregation Or Chadash are aware of Har Zion's long presence in the Valley as well as the other shuls around the Phoenix metropolitan area. We are not attempting to create competition for Har Zion or any other organization. Congregation Or Chadash offers an option to the members of the Jewish community of the far Northeast Valley who are interested in being a part of creating a Conservative, multigenerational, participative congregation. In addition, Congregation Or Chadash hopes to discover many opportunities in which the Conservative congregations, as well as all of the shuls in the Valley, can work together to reach more families. It is through these joint efforts that we hope to enhance the Conservative presence and to build a stronger Phoenix Jewish community. Eddie Lange Chairman, Congregation Or Chadash Steering Committee Phoenix
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