I try to read the Northern Star every day, and I always begin with the editorial page. I especially look forward to Gretchyn Lenger’s columns because she is the only female columnist.

I was very disappointed however, in her Nov. 10 column. Her nonchalant, sarcastic attitude toward the Ginsburg affair left me quite incredulous, and I wondered if Gretchyn had put any serious thought into her humorous piece. She stated if a person smoked pot they might as well “give up any aspirations (they) might have of doing something wonderful. Ginsburg himself must be pretty successful and wonderful even to be considered for the highest judicial appointment in the land. Becoming a professor at one of the most prestigous universities in the world is a very big accomplishment and cannot be construed as meaning nothing.

Gretchyn says the papers were “splotched with the most ridiculous stories about pot in the U.S.” How can the realization that Ginsburg, a man up for the nomination of the highest court in the land, an appointment for life and due to the young age of Ginsburg, an appointment that would probably affect the next generation, not be news? Gretchyn makes the point that one could “get blotto on martinis every night and still be a Supreme Court Justice.” There is a big difference between alcohol and marijuana—marijuana use is illegal. Not only did Ginsburg commit an unfavorable social act, he also broke the law. Ginsburg not only smoked the drug as a youngster in college, but also as an adult at Harvard Law School. He also sold the drug and attended pot parties.

I am not idealistic enough to desire the perfect candidate for nomination. But I don’t believe that a man who broke the law should be accepted as a candidte for an office that represents the very essence of law and order.

As for Senator Gore, it is his choice to admit to what he wants, as it is his choice to run for the Democratic nomination. People who run for election invite the public to analyze their past and private lives. If he gets the Democratic nomination, it will be up to the people to decide if his possible drug use will affect his performance.

Although I agree the statistics are probably inaccurate, it is just as incorrect to assume every American or even the majority of Americans have tried pot or condone its use. It would be nice if we could “lighten up.” But let’s not be naive. There is proof marijuana affects the mind. If we allow a candidate who broke a law by using marijuana to be considered seriously for the Supreme Court, then wouldn’t the entire U.S. effort to curb drug trafficking and use become just hypocritical media hype? Wouldn’t our whole judicial system become a joke?

Stephanie Kane

freshman

pre-business