Too Tough On Hemp?

Re "50 Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint," (Cover Story, Aug. 15): Nice article, but don't you think you were a little tough on the hemp companies?

We think you have trashed hemp without any consideration for the facts. We feel it is still better to support the companies trying to shift the consumer's attitude that will allow hemp to be recognized as a viable U.S. crop. We show what could be made from hemp in North America as well as sell Canadian-made hemp products. Without pioneers like us, there would never be a future for hemp.

We have been selling ecological products including hemp since 1995. Thanks for listening.

James Enkin, President, Spirit Stream Trading Company, Hamilton, Ontario

What's the Alternative?

Don't buy hemp clothing? Maybe buy polyester or cotton instead, both usually made in a sweatshop somewhere in the third world?

By the way, a local hemp outfitter makes their clothes right here in the good ol' USA—Minawear—www.minawear.com.

So if you want a patriotic shade of green, check it out. Also www.geomio.com.

Kenyon Gibson, Editor, Journal of Industrial Hemp, Santa Monica

The 51st Way

I thought it was ironic that in your "50 Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint" issue, you had an insert card promoting Camel cigarettes.

Perhaps a 51st way to reduce carbon emissions would be for everyone to stop smoking.

Joe Torre, Campbell

The 'Shooter' Sedition

Re "The Rifleman" (Film, March 21): Just wanted to advise the author of this review: Good review, but you failed to mention the obvious bias of Shooter; much like Three Kings, it manages to ruin an otherwise entertaining plot by insinuating an anti-U.S. agenda. Also, the FBI agent could have found something other than the "trendy" Che Guevara shirt. After all, Che was a murdering bastard, and he got what he deserved: death after being cornered like the rat he was.

I do agree that Levon Helm was a gem; his scene is worth the price of admission and putting up with all the other nonsense.

You'd be better off if you'd worry less about the mythical "militia-haunted Rocky Mountains" and more about the intolerant, politically "correct," Far Left of Center, pro–illegal alien Bay Area. Don't look now, but you're being overrun by La Raza (the illegals and their ilk). And don't forget, it wasn't a bunch of Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming residents that attacked the Twin Towers.

It never ceases to amaze me how many of you insist on coming up here, marveling at the scenery, while trying to pollute our atmosphere with your California crap. Happiness is a Californian going home, with two under each arm.

Tom Dietz, Council, Idaho

Richard von Busack responds: Didn't read the novel, so I don't know what the man's political bias was. We have plenty of beautiful mountains right here in California and you can come admire them when you want, and stay or go, or whatever. If it's a crappy state, we certainly get a lot of people who want to come and visit and stay. And that's good with me. It still is a free country, despite what some people think and say.

Muslims Have Burden to Bear

Re Muslim Mosque FBI Investigation ("Feds May Move on Local Mosques," MetroNews, April 4): The final quote is curious and provokes these thoughts: There is a reason that currently those of the Muslim religion are under "suspicion."

Actually there are two of them: (1) 9/11 was not conceived, planned, and executed by any other religion but Muslims. (2) The abject failure of those of "moderate tendencies" in their faith to do anything other than offer up empty limp mouthing of platitudes designed to disarm suspicion and allow for the speaker to remain neutral or worse. The inability of this group to make clear where and with whom they stand and why is the biggest cause of unease in the non-Muslim religions.

Until the second of the two items listed no longer concerns the average American they can expect more scrutiny in my opinion and many of my fellow Americans. The first event, 9/11 will always be a burden Muslims will bear, just as Christians have their own to carry. This type of scrutiny is quite justifiably deserved until they choose a side clearly and join "we the people" as Americans first, not some other priority.

Mark Miller, Johnstown, Pa.

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