The Huntington Beach, California, Fourth of July Parade

An Annual Southern California Tradition

© Edward G. Roberts

An annual tradition in the City of Huntington Beach, California, (also known as Surf City) is the Fourth of July parade. The parade is part of the Huntington Beach Fourth of July Festival which is the largest Independence Day celebration in Southern California. In 2008, in addition to the parade, the three day festival includes: an old fashioned pancake breakfast at Lake Park, the Surf City 5K run and Fitness Expo, a three day Pier Festival, and the Fireworks Show later in the evening. Many family activities and plenty of entertainment are available on Main St. and surrounding areas during the event.

For some local residents and out-of-town vacationers, the festivities begin with the early morning Kiwanis Club pancake breakfast at the park followed at 10 AM by the parade. This year marks the 104th anniversary of the largest Fourth of July parade west of the Mississippi. Each year the parade features a celebrity Grand Marshal however, this year there will not be a Grand Marshal. Instead, Community Grand Marshal Noble Waite, the city’s oldest residing former City Council member, will preside over the parade. In past years, Grand Marshal’s have included: Jayne Mansfield, Natalie Wood, Buzz Aldrin, Johnny Grant, and Lou Rawls.

Early on the morning of July Fourth, the night’s quiet is awakened by the roar of bustling men and trucks closing off the downtown streets. Pacific Coast Highway, the main highway along the beach, is closed to automobile traffic at 5 AM. Many smaller neighborhood streets in downtown are also closed. An early morning stroll along Walnut St., towards Main St., reveals a colorful assortment of parade participants preparing themselves and their animals or machines for the upcoming march. The early morning, usually gloomy from a cloudy overcast, provides a kaleidoscope of subtle colors, exotic sounds, and dedicated people; the essence of the parade. A few hours later, under the bright light of the late morning sun, all the subtleties of the early morning spring to life on the asphalt stage.

The parade is expected to be viewed by at least 250,000 people along the route. Thousands more are expected to see the show on recorded television broadcasts. Starting on Eight St., the two mile route travels over Pacific Coast Highway to Main St. It continues up Main St., through the downtown shopping area and then through the residential neighborhood. The end is just past Huntington Beach High School at Yorktown Ave. The entire route is easily accessible by local residents and visitors from nearby hotels. Various shuttles provide transportation from designated pick-up points throughout the city to the parade route. The favorite mode of travel by the locals however, is the bicycle.

More than 300 entries will parade through the streets. Numerous bands, floats, military vehicles, local dignitaries, movie and television celebrities, clowns, and equestrian units will march past the crowds. A military jet fighter fly-by usually marks the start of the parade. This year for the first time, a professional skydiving team, The Red Bull Air Force, will land during the parade. Tito Ortiz, “The Bad Boy of Huntington Beach,” well known mixed martial arts champion, is the Sports Grand Marshal of the parade. Joining him will be Teen Grand Marshal Jennette McCurdy, co-star of the Nickelodeon sitcom iCarly. An annual favorite at each year’s parade is the Huntington Beach Surf Museum’s entry which usually features a historical woody wagon loaded with legendary surfers and old time surfboards. A memorable moment during a parade a few years ago was US Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) entertaining the spectators by dancing through the streets.

For many Huntington Beach “locals” the Fourth of July Parade is a tradition passed on through generations. Some of today’s Huntington Beach parents and grandparents grew up eagerly anticipating the Fourth of July Parade each year. On the day before the parade, in the residential part of the parade route, certain areas on the green belt separating Main St. are reserved by nearby residents. Many of these “staked out” spots along the parade route are claimed by families who have occupied the same spot for several generations. Most spectators view the parade from the curbside and sidewalks along the route. Some prefer to watch in total comfort from the limited grandstand seats which can be purchased for $ 15.00 each.

Traditionally, the weather at the beach in Huntington Beach on the morning of July Fourth is cloudy. The local residents begin to stir at about 8:00 AM and by 9:00 AM activity is definitely noticeable in the streets. Leisurely, the locals and visitors begin to trek towards the parade route, some with coffee and donuts in hand. Many walk: pushing the baby in the stroller, or carrying the ice chest between two friends, or toting chairs and blankets at their side. Others travel on bicycles. Not just any bicycles; this is the time many exotic bicycles and derivatives are exhibited. On many bikes, the stars and stripes are boldly displayed. By 9:30 AM, Pacific Coast Highway becomes a predominantly red, white, and blue sea of bodies: all moving towards Main St. And finally, as the morning lingers on, the sun begins to spread its wings over the celebration.

For many local residents and visitors, the greatly anticipated Huntington Beach Fourth of July Festival begins at 10 AM with the start of the parade. The downtown Main St. sidewalks are usually packed with families, friends, and neighbors. Children can be seen dressed in various colorful patriotic costumes. Parents, and other young and old adults, exhibit an assortment of holiday attire: mostly red, white, and blue. Also popular on this day are the tall Abe Lincoln hats, adorned with patriotic colored ribbons and buttons. In the residential area of Main St., families and friends gather on front lawns frolicking and partying as the parade marches by. The atmosphere during the parade is reminiscent of a rural small town gathering: everyone knows each other and is smiling and happy.

In today’s economic era of “stay-cations” instead of “vacations,” low mileage outings are becoming a necessity. Huntington Beach is just a short drive from Los Angeles and other surrounding major cities thus making it an ideal, inexpensive place to visit. For locals and visitors alike, a trip to the Huntington Beach Fourth of July Parade and Festival provides an enjoyable get-away for fun, camaraderie, patriotism, sun and sand.



Sources:
Photos: http://www.surfography.com/
http://hb4thofjuly.org/
http://www.hb4thofjuly.org/HBGeneralRelease.pdf
http://www.surfcityusa.com/plan/events/0000001088/view.php

The Ultimate Embarrassment

© Edward G. Roberts

       Game four of the 2008 NBA championship series between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers promised to be the defining game of the series to this point. The Lakers, trailing the series two games to one, could create a brand new series by winning game four and going to game five all tied up: two to two. The Celtics however, could almost guarantee capturing the championship by defeating the Lakers in game four and assuming a commanding three games to one series lead. Would Lakers' Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom lead this bunch to victory; or would Boston's Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnet overwhelm the Lakers as they did in games one and two?

       The game started fast for the Lakers. Lamar Odom was driving the paint and scoring: finally. In the first half, he made seven out of seven shots; quite a change from game three where he scored a total of four points. Derrick Fischer was making some shots. Radmanovic drained a couple of key three pointers. Kobe was struggling, in the first half he had zero points; he was running the floor and giving his teammates the shots. And it worked. In the first quarter, the Lakers took a twenty-one point lead while holding Boston to fourteen points. Part way through the second quarter, the Lakers extended their lead to twenty-four points. The Boston Celtics looked limp. By halftime however, the lead was reduced to eighteen points. Was Boston making a mini comeback? But they can't come back from a twenty-four point deficit; or can they? A cloud of anxiety enveloped Lakers' fans as their overwhelming lead started to shrink.

       The third quarter started with both teams bobbing and jabbing. Twice, the Celtics cut the lead to single digits. The Lakers held them off and rebuilt their lead to seventeen. With six minutes remaining in the third quarter, the lead was back to twenty. But then everything changed. Suddenly the Lakers could not make a basket. Their defense completely crumbled. Boston kept punching, the Lakers could not punch back; the Celtics overwhelmed them again. Why was the Lakers' "machine" (Vujacic) running around like a chicken with his head cut off? Why was Radmanovic flopping and flailing his arms like he was doing a Serbian folk dance? Meanwhile, Fischer, Odom, and Reza who sparked the Lakers in the first half, warmed the bench, why? The greatest comeback in NBA Finals history was happening before everyone's eyes. The Lakers could do nothing about it as Boston shrunk the twenty-four point deficit like snow melting in the Mojave Desert. By the end of the fourth quarter, the Celtics had defeated the Lakers by six points.

       This was the biggest embarrassment ever suffered by the Lakers organization in their long history. The Lakers were unable to protect a twenty point lead with approximately eighteen minutes left in a vital playoff game. Unbelievable! The mighty Lakers, unstoppable in the first half, came to a screeching halt with all cylinders melted. Where was Lamar Odom? In the second half, he disappeared again. During the Lakers' second half melt down, their mighty bench players should have stayed home. After the game, Kobe Bryant said, "the Lakers wet the bed big time." He didn't know the Lakers' fans had to vomit and "mess" their pants while watching the second half. The NBA Finals ended for the Lakers in the third quarter of game four. No team has ever won the series after trailing three games to one. To win the championship, they now have to defeat the Celtics three consecutive games: not going to happen. But who knows, as unbelievably miraculous as the Celtics' epic comeback was in game four, perhaps the Lakers will make an unbelievably miraculous comeback and win the series. Don't bet money on it!

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M.L. King's "I Have a Dream" - Marjorie Agosin's Poem "English"

© Edward G. Roberts

       On August 28, 1963 I was about to embark upon my junior year in high school. It was a hot summer in Los Angeles. My friends and I did what most teenagers typically did during summer vacation back then: nothing. We were aware of the racial problems in the South, but in our "little world" those problems had very little impact. One of my best friends was a Negro boy named Jules. He lived in a predominately black neighborhood in Pasadena however; his family, friends, and neighbors treated me "like one of their own." I was just the "white boy." In my world, Jules was my family; there wasn't any racial prejudice. I was at Jules' home the day Dr. King presented his "I have a dream" speech. The entire family was crowded around a tiny B&W television set. As we watched the hundreds of thousands of marchers listening to Dr. Kings' words, I remember Jules' mother saying; "Boy, some of those people must really have it bad. Too bad they can't live as happily as we do." I was surrounded by happy Negro people: my extended family. A few years later, after the Watts' riots of 1965, the happiness changed. Many of my Negro family were now anxious and scared. Many wondered how Dr. King's powerful words of peace and non-violence could spark such acts of rioting and violence amongst the Negro people in the country; they prayed the violence wouldn't spread to their neighborhoods. Many were ashamed to be Negro.

       The impact of Dr. King's words became clear to me many years after their presentation. In my "little world" during the 1960's, life was good; gas was a quarter per gallon, everyone seemed to get along together. At that time, although very powerful rhetoric, Dr. King's words did not really do much to motivate those in my "little world." As the civil rights movement gained strength and success over the later years, so did Dr. King's words gain meaning and power for me. I did not hear or read Dr. King's speeches very often in the past. A few years ago I watched a video tape of Dr. King's August, 1963 speech. The impact of Dr. King's emotional appeal finally reached its intended target within me. In my mind's eye I could see Jules standing there, handing me a check saying, "you're freedom check bounced," and "pull me out of the quicksand and onto our rock of brotherhood." Although the civil rights movement has done much to improve the lives of many Negro people, there is still much to be done to dispel, as Dr. King said, "the tranquilizing drug of gradualism" and "to open the doors of opportunity to all God's children." I am even more inspired, as I read Dr. King's speech today, to "lift our nation from the quicksand's of racial injustice."

       To me, powerful words are equal to inspirational paintings and artistic photography. The master painters, Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Picasso studied and mastered color and light. From experience, they knew instinctively what combinations of color and light would create the vision they desired the viewer to feel. Likewise, great photographers like Ansel Adams, Alfred Eisenstaedt, and Mathew Brady knew instinctively, from experience, what combinations of color, light, and shadow in their compositions, would create their desired vision in the viewer's mind. And so it is with words. The powerful writer knows instinctively what words and word combinations will provide the desired vision in the reader's mind. This masterful art of crafting words to present the clearest vision was the strength of Dr. King's arguments.

       I cannot compare the meaning of English words and phrases to those of other languages if I don't thoroughly know the words of the other language. Dr. King's words were presented in clear, unambiguous English. I was able to understand their meanings vividly. Marjorie Agosin's poem however, was originally written in Spanish. The English translation cannot, no matter how good the translations, or the intentions of the translators, create the same vision the nuances of the Spanish language would create in the reader's mind. It seems Agosin's original poem was written in South American Spanish as opposed to traditional Spanish from Spain. The small differences in the two languages, or dialects, may also have influenced the English translation. Therefore, the translated version of Agosin's poem does not present the power and influence as in Dr. King's words.

       Spain has been one of my favorite destinations many times. My aunt lives in Altea, Spain, a small, traditional coastal community on the east coast of Spain. One of my friends lives on the northern coast of Spain. I have visited many areas of Spain. The people, lifestyle, and country present a unique feeling of serenity, bliss, and happiness. These feelings are expressed as visions in other's minds through the Spanish language. I speak a little bit of Spanish, "un poquito," but was unable to fully comprehend the feelings and nuances of the Spanish version of Agosin's poem. However, in the English translation, words like "Let's go party, at dusk, at night, at sunset" flood my mind with scenes along the beaches of Benidorm, Spain; listening to Spanish singers drenching my mind with romantic tunes in Spanish, while I sipped bottomless bowls of Sangria. The feelings with which the Spanish words roll off the speaker's tongue cannot be equaled in English. For example, the words "my love" sound so much different, and present a more romantic vision, when seductively expressed in Spanish: "mi amore'." Although many of Agosin's words in the English translation present certain visions in my mind, they cannot equal the emotions generated by the original Spanish version. The English translation of Agosin's poem does not touch my senses as majestically as do the words of Dr. King.

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Should Medical Marijuana Be Legal?

© Edward G. Roberts

       Red lights flashed everywhere. Police radios shrieked a conundrum of excited voices. Cops crouched in the street with gleaming pistols aimed at a skinny young Caucasian fellow holding both hands in the air while standing beside his dilapidated car. A perilous criminal arrest was taking place right in front of my home. The year was 1959, I was eleven years old. Witnessing the capture of this dangerous outlaw, for suspicion of marijuana¹ possession, was my first encounter with the forbidden drug. A few years later, I was formally introduced to recreational use of marijuana. I became an occasional user of pot². As I grew older, medical problems invaded my life. Sixteen prescription drugs, and their related side effects, became part of my daily diet. Certain medical professionals suggested replacing some of my prescriptions with marijuana. I did. The results were amazing. Marijuana improves the quality of life for an estimated 300,000 people suffering from disease and disability in the USA < http://www.usatoday.com >. However, obtaining and using marijuana for medical purposes is a surreptitious process. Conflicting federal and state laws, combined with social disapproval and a criminal stigma, forced me to return to my regimen of sixteen prescriptions per day. Current laws require modifications to help those who choose to use marijuana instead of other prescription drugs. Federal and state legalization of marijuana, for medical use by certified patients, will improve quality of life for thousands of persons suffering from disease and disabilities in the USA.

       Medical use of marijuana began approximately 2737 B.C. when Emperor Shen Neng of China, who discovered several medicines, issued the first medical marijuana prescription. By 1400 B.C., marijuana spread to India where it was considered a holy plant that could relieve stress. Around 1000 A.D., China, India, Greece, and Rome developed medicinal uses for marijuana (Earleywine 26). Medical marijuana's reputation spread to the America's by the mid 1700's. In 1860, the Ohio State Medical Society summarized the medical uses of marijuana; they reported "favorable outcomes for treating pain, inflammation, and cough" (Earleywine 14). By the end of the nineteenth century, the development of several new synthetic drugs such as aspirin, chloral hydrate, and barbiturates perpetuated a rapid decline in medical marijuana use. The Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 was the first federal government attempt to regulate marijuana. Under this law, the government made it "prohibitively expensive to obtain the drug legally for any other than medical purposes" (Grinspoon 8). The law also made medical use very difficult because of the overwhelming paperwork required from doctors. "Cannabis was removed from the United States Pharmacopoeia and National Formulary in 1941" (Grinspoon 8).

       Federal laws in the United States prohibit the use of marijuana, or the cannabis plant, for any reason. After the marijuana tax act of 1937, new federal laws, the Boggs Act of 1951, and the Narcotics Control Act of 1956 "made marijuana a hard drug." The same penalties for heroin and cocaine use applied to marijuana. In 1969, the Dangerous Substances Act classified marijuana a "schedule I" drug, the most restrictive designation. Marijuana for any use was totally prohibited by this law. The prevailing tolerant social attitude of the 1970's caused many states to lessen penalties for pot use. Eleven states decriminalized medical marijuana use during this period (Ruben 40). In California, the passage of Proposition 215³ in 1996 permitted medical use of marijuana for seriously ill patients however; it remained in conflict with federal law. The federal argument to California's Proposition 215 stated that "prescribing Schedule I controlled substances will lead the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to revoke the practioner's registration" (McDonough 112). Current federal and most state's laws make medical marijuana use a risky endeavor.

       Marijuana's therapeutic benefits are well documented. In their 1997 book, Marijuana Myths, Marijuana Facts, Lynn Zimmer, Ph.d., and John P.Morgan, M.D. report, ".....studies demonstrate marijuana's usefulness in reducing nausea and vomiting, stimulating appetite, promoting weight gain, and diminishing intraocular pressure from glaucoma" (Bock 135). In addition, multiple sclerosis, migraine headaches, depression, seizures, insomnia, and chronic pain are other medical conditions reportedly helped by medical marijuana (Bock 136). ".....Cannabinoid drugs might offer broad spectrum relief not found in any other single medication" was one of the conclusions in a 1999 report by the Institute of Medicine. They also suggested however, "smoking" marijuana comes with certain risks. Harmful substances and "a variable mixture of biologically active compounds" are delivered in the marijuana smoke (Bock 136). Steve Kubby, a medicinal marijuana patient for more than 20 years, disagrees. He believes, "smoking marijuana cigarettes is the most effective and safest way to administer medical marijuana for him" (Bock 136).

       Physicians do not all agree marijuana has medicinal value. Many argue the negative side effects of marijuana far outweigh the side effects of conventional drugs. Some elderly patients cannot tolerate the effects of large quantities of THC⁴ required to ease the problems of chemotherapy. Chronic, daily use of marijuana is required to treat many medical conditions. Patients are severely exposed to harmful toxic effects in addition to decreased concentration, motor coordination, and memory. Chronic use of the drug impairs ability to perform common complex tasks such as driving an automobile or performing complicated occupational duties (Voth 105). Despite numerous physicians' claims of harmful side effects of marijuana, complete scientific evidence supporting the claims is inconclusive.

       I became a medical marijuana patient in California a few years ago. The procedure entails obtaining a "recommendation⁵" from a state certified physician. After presenting documentation of my medical history, undergoing a brief physical examination, and surrendering two-hundred dollars cash, I received a "physician's statement," valid for one year, certifying I was a qualified medical marijuana patient. Subsequent yearly renewals required a visit to the physician's office and one-hundred dollars cash. The entire process was simple however, the conflicting federal and state laws created emotions of fear, intimidation, and anxiety. I always feared that one of the physicians' neighboring businesses would report my vehicle's license to the DEA, or that one of the many patients in the physician's office was an undercover DEA agent, or that the physician's office would be "raided" by the DEA at any time. The prevailing medical marijuana laws in the United States today create an atmosphere of secrecy and stealth for those to whom the drug is a necessity. Liberalizing medical marijuana laws will return dignity to those who need the medicine most.

       The current medical marijuana certification process is full of problems. Critics argue that it is far too easy to obtain marijuana for recreational use by abusing the medical marijuana certification process (McDonough 114). Many physicians in California interpret the law liberally and provide access to medical marijuana to those not truly medically eligible. California law requires a patient to be suffering from just one of many conditions to be eligible for a marijuana recommendation. This enables disreputable physicians to provide recommendations for claims such as in-grown toe nails, occasional back cramps after participating in neighborhood football games, and many other minor medical ailments. In a recent interview with an employee of Herbal Solutions Compassionate Caregivers⁶ in Long Beach, CA, she said; ".....several customers have told me they don't have any real medical problems. As long as they have the physician's recommendation, we have to provide it to them." Currently in California, almost anyone with two-hundred dollars can obtain a medical marijuana recommendation.

       Legalizing medical marijuana in a joint federal and state effort will allow stricter monitoring and control of the certification process for physicians and patients. Blatant abuse of the system will be reduced by federal and state laws mandating specific medical conditions qualifying for medical marijuana relief. Under legalized federal and state laws, physicians will be required to provide thorough medical examinations to the prospective medical marijuana patients, instead of the "bring a note from your mom and plenty of cash" treatment of today. Patients will have to provide documented proof of a medical condition listed in the government's official list of medical conditions qualifying for medical marijuana relief. The biggest benefit for the certified, truly needy medical marijuana patient will be the freedom to obtain vital medicine without legal harassment and persecution.

       After receiving a recommendation, the next step is purchasing the medicine. Over 120 dispensaries are available in California < http://www.canorml.org >. The dispensary I'm most familiar with is Herbal Solutions Compassionate Caregivers in Long Beach, CA. Located on an alley, the daunting facade hides an inventory of over 100 different marijuana products. First time customers require verification of their recommendations by a phone call to the issuing physician. Once completed, entry into the product showroom is permitted. An aroma filled room contains the vast array of marijuana products. Medicine can be selected from over twenty-five different strains of marijuana with names like Purple Urkel, Afghan Kush, and Organic Diesel. Prescriptions are filled in quantities ranging from a single cigarette to one pound bags; prices range from six to thousands of dollars. Marijuana cookies, brownies, drinks, concentrates, and growing seeds are also available. Payment is made in cash and there are no receipts nor does medical insurance cover any purchases. Because it is considered illegal by federal laws, purchasing medical marijuana always caused me to feel like a criminal committing a hideous crime.

       Many cities in California prohibit operation of medical marijuana dispensaries. Huntington Beach, Anaheim, Fullerton, and San Diego are just a few California cities with bans on dispensaries. The primary reason cited by most city government officials is that permitting the operation of dispensaries in their city would expose them to many unnecessary legal challenges. A few cities in California allow operation of marijuana dispensaries. Long Beach, for example, has permitted operation of dispensaries, although in some cases without issuing proper business licenses. Due to the proliferation of dispensaries in Long Beach, they have been the target of re-cent DEA raids, the last occurring in November, 2007 < http://www.presstelegram.com >. In July 2007, Los Angeles, another city permitting dispensaries, experienced DEA raids at ten different locations throughout the city. The current laws create difficult and unsafe methods of obtaining medical marijuana by certified patients. Liberalization of these laws will eliminate the probability of innocent, suffering patients ending up in prison.

       The problems with the prevailing medical marijuana laws caused me to stop using the medicine. Federal law prohibits use of marijuana under any circumstance therefore; using the drug is a crime. I am not a criminal. When I used medical marijuana at a rate of three to four puffs a day, usually before bed, I benefitted from: reduced blood pressure allowing elimination of four prescriptions per day, substantial reduction of vicodin, dillaudid, and oxycontin pain medication and their side effects, relief from glaucoma problems, increased appetite⁷, and less insomnia. I used the medicine responsibly and carefully however, the illegal nature of the medicine, and the accompanying repercussions, convinced me to abandon its use. I, and many others, will certainly gain from changes to the current laws; gains that would enhance my life without harming anyone else.

       Many benefits will be derived from federal and state legalization of medical marijuana. Federal and state taxes imposed on medical marijuana sales will help governments' budgets. Crime will be reduced in places where medical marijuana users obtain their medicine by illicit means. Dependence on numerous harmful prescription drugs will be reduced (don't tell that to the drug companies). Certified medical marijuana patients will be able to obtain their medicine easily, safely, and free from legal prosecution. The simple solution of liberalized, unified, and realistic federal and state medical marijuana laws will provide relief for many afflicted victims in the USA. Potential social and financial benefits to the federal and state governments from legalization of medical marijuana are too important to ignore. The decision of what to put in my body should be my own. The choice of not using harmful prescription drugs is mine alone. I must have the right to decide if a federally mandated harmful drug is appropriate for my consumption. Federal and state legalization of medical marijuana will provide freedom of choice for the quality of the quantity of my life.

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Notes

¹ 1. Marijuana - popular name for the cannabis plant from which hemp and an intoxicating drug are produced. Amongst many different nicknames, marijuana is also commonly known as "pot, weed, reefer, or Mary Jane (MJ)."

² 2. Pot - "another common name for marijuana, most likely came from the fact that marijuana was grown in flower pots during the 1940's" (Rubin, 14).

³ 3. Proposition 215 - known as the California Compassionate Use Act provides legal protection to seriously ill patients who use marijuana therapeutically (McDonough 111).

⁴ 4. THC - abbreviation for tetrahydrocannabinol, the secretion the cannabis plant provides to protect its leaves from the sun's dehydrating effects. This is the intoxicating ingredient in marijuana (Rubin 8).

⁵ 5. Recommendation - In California, the certified documentation required from a physician to enable patient access to medical marijuana without state prosecution. For pharmaceutical medications this is known as a prescription.

⁶ 6. Herbal Solutions Compassionate Caregivers - one of many California State certified dispensaries of medical marijuana products in the Southern California area.

⁷ 7. My appetite decreased due to the medications and thus weight loss became a serious problem. Medical marijuana increased my appetite thus I was eating more and better.

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Works Cited

Armour, Stephanie. "Employers grapple with medical marijuana use." USA Today.com. 2008. USA Today. 5/5/2008. < http://www.usatoday.com/money/workplace/2007-04-16-medical-marijuana-usat_N.htm >

Bock, Alan W. Waiting to Inhale - The Politics of Medical Marijuana. Santa Ana, CA: Seven Locks Press, 2000.

Earleywine, Mitch. Understanding Marijuana - A New Look at the Scientific Evidence. New York, NY 10016: Oxford University Press, 2002.

Grinspoon, Lester MD, et al. Marihuana The Forbidden Medicine. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1997.

Manzer, Tracy. "Feds raid pot clinic in Long Beach." Long Beach Press Telegram. Press-Telegram. 2007. Long Beach Press Telegram. 5/5/08. < http://www.presstelegram.com/search/ci_7530132 >.

McDonough, James R. "State Medical Marijuana Laws Threaten The Public Health." Marijuana. Ed. Gerdes, Louise I.. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven Press, 2002. 105.

Rubin, Saul. Offbeat Marijuana. Santa Monica, CA 90406-1076: Santa Monica Press, LLC, 1999.

Unspecified. "Counties, Cities Act to Regulate Cannabis Dispensaries." Cal NORML Newsletter Dec 2004 updated Feb 2005. 2005. National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws California Chapter. 5/5/2008 < http://www.canorml.org/news/cbcegulations.htm >.

Voth, Eric A.. "Federal Laws Prohibiting The Use Of Medical Marijuana Protect Patients." Marijuana - Opposing Viewpoints. Ed. Carroll, Jamuna. Farmington Hills, MI 48331-3535: Greenhaven Press, 2006. 98.

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The Choice to Die?

© Edward G. Roberts

       One life altering event everyone will face is death. No-one can escape it. Death presents itself in many different disguises. For some, considered fortunate by many, death comes sudden and quick; it strikes without warning. An unexpected heart attack, a vehicle accident, or a gun-shot can quickly end a life.

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The Offbeat Allure of Cult Films

Rhetorical Analysis

© Edward G. Roberts

In her article, "The Offbeat Allure of Cult Films," Sayoh Mansaray begins by introducing Clare Marshall, a teenager who is an avid fan of cult films; films that are "completely different from most movies in theaters." The article explains how today's teens define their own genus of favorite films because these films "are off the beaten path." The primary implied thesis of this article is that some of today's teens are active in a subculture, united in their love of non-main-stream or classic films. A secondary, underlying, notion attempts to define what cult films mean to the lives of many teens. This article intends to inform students, parents, and faculty of Montgomery Blair High School about the cult film subculture emerging in their school. Since the article was published online, the audience will reach far and wide. With logical and emotional appeals, the article succeeds in bringing the reader into the lives of Clare Marshall and her school mates, however; the lack of credible statistics undermines the value of the experience.

The author establishes credibility from the fact she was public relations co-director and fact-check supervisor at the high school. The article gains further authority since the Silver Chips Online web site, where the article was published, is partially sponsored by the Washington Post. The use of a photograph, from the film Napoleon Dynamite, further enhances ethos. The introduction of film teacher Mike Horne, junior student Katrina Jabonete, and several other students, contributes to establishing common ground with the reader.

In addition, the author provides logical evidence with numerous quotations, from several sources, supporting her definitions of cult films. For example, Katrina Jabonette likes recent cult films such as Donnie Darko because, "teens relate to these movies because it feels real to them." Junior Linda Dye prefers classic cult films because, "you're sitting with these people you've never met, [but] by the end of the movie there's an energy -- you're a community," she says. Historical perspective is provided by reference to the saga of cult films, and the acknowledgment of the 1975 film "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" as a classic. Additional insights are offered with numerous facts and quotations from Mike Horne, the Film teacher. The article however, seems ambiguous in the use of the words, teens, today's teens, and some teens. The author fails to provide total numbers of teens embracing the cult film subculture. Statistics or further explanations are needed. In addition, the word "Blazers" in paragraph two requires clarification. The quality and strength of this article's abundant evidence is weakened by the lack of accurate numerical data.

Finally, the article appeals to the sentiments of the audience. The opening paragraph describing the Marshall family enjoying the cult film, "Napoleon Dynamite," immediately seduces the reader's emotions. Further on, descriptions of the teens' happy manifestations of their cult film attraction evoke feelings of empathy. However, the tide of pleasure is subtly challenged by a dark undertone. Favorite activities, like teen Robin Weiss writing bizarre, one-line cult film lines in the snow, or on icy car windshields, could be perceived with chilling implications. Clare Marshall, "likes to answer questions with Napoleon Dynamite quotes," actions which might seem "weird" to some. The appeals to pathos in this article raise a fundamental question; are cult films a good thing, or not?

Sayoh Mansaray's appraisal of a rising teen phenomenon is informative, but flawed. Her copious use of student/teacher quotations, experiences, and statements, effectively presents a well rounded view of the emerging teen cult films subculture. Mansaray's reference to specific cult films, "Napoleon Dynamite, Donnie Darko," and "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," add credence to her viewpoint. However, because the author neglects to specify the totality of the cult films phenomenon, she leaves the impression that all teenagers are "gravitating towards these quirky movies:" at best, a debatable suggestion.

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Casualties of War

© Edward G. Roberts

War casualties are defined as "those who are killed in action or who die of wounds, as well as those who are wounded, listed as missing, or taken prisoner of war." To date, approximately 34,000 American military personnel fit that definition in Iraq. Of those American war casualties, 29,451 soldiers were wounded and 4001 soldiers were killed in hostile combat operations. However, these figures do not represent those Americans serving in Iraq who were not killed or wounded in hostile combat operations. Anyone who died, whether in hostile combat, or suicide as a result of war, is a casualty of war.

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The 2007 - 2008 Los Angeles Lakers - A New Dynasty is Born!

© Edward G. Roberts

       George Mikan, Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson, and Shaquille O'Neill - most everyone has heard the names of these legends in the colorful history of the Los Angeles Lakers professional basketball organization. Throughout their history, the Lakers' organization has always provided their fans and supporters with players of extra-ordinary talents. Many championship banners hang in the rafters of the Lakers' current home, Staples Center in Los Angeles. I've been an ardent Lakers' supporter since the beginning of my high school days.

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Growing up "Different"

© Edward G. Roberts

       I was born in Indonesia. At the time of my birth, Indonesia was still under control of the Dutch government. Many Dutch citizens lived in Indonesia at that time. My family was Dutch and we lived in Indonesia because of my father's job with an international oil company.

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The Battle Goes On

© Edward G. Roberts

       Life after age fifty presented me with several unexpected, lifestyle altering medical events. All through my younger years I was always healthy and strong. At about age fifty-one, everything changed. Different parts of my body stopped working the way they had for the past half century. It became difficult to continue many of the activities I always participated in because of constant pain and discomfort. Instead of visiting my medical doctor once a year for a yearly physical, I was now visiting several doctors, several times a month. My primary physician diagnosed me with lower lumbar problems despite my suggestions (based on my own studies) that my problems might be vascular. The doctor's final words were, "You don't have vascular problems, you have lower back problems and I'm referring you to a neurosurgeon." Subsequently, after three major back surgeries, I was in a wheelchair and unable to walk without pain. Finally, the neurosurgeon, for whom I have great respect, announced that he was referring me to a vascular surgeon. This marked the beginning of my battle with peripheral vascular disease. I am still fighting the battle of my life against peripheral vascular disease.

       I began my battle against peripheral vascular disease by learning as much as I could about the disease. I had already studied a lot of information about the disease prior to being referred to a vascular surgeon. However, when I was finally referred to a vascular surgeon, I became convinced that I really had a vascular problem and thus intensified my research into the disease. Peripheral vascular disease (PVD), also known as peripheral arterial disease (PAD), causes narrowing of the blood vessels primarily in a person's legs. Although less frequent, it can also cause narrowing of the blood vessels in a person's arms (Longe 4: 2555). PVD usually afflicts persons past age fifty who have a history of cigarette smoking, Diabetes, or obesity. I did not have Diabetes, was not overweight but, I was a smoker. I initially suspected I had narrowing of my leg arteries when it became increasingly difficult to walk. Walking one-half city block caused severe cramps in my legs and numbness in my feet. I could not continue walking without a brief rest. This condition is known as claudication. In Griffith's 5-Minute Clinical Consult 2006, Mark R. Dambro, MD describes claudication as: "A sensation of functionally impairing muscle fatigue, cramps and/or pain of the lower extremities brought on by exertion and relieved with rest" (244). Due to my symptoms, I quickly learned the struggle I faced against PVD would be painful, perilous, and long.

       My battle against PVD continued with medical testing. I underwent a series of extensive medical tests to determine the severity of my PVD. The first of the tests was a simple, non-invasive, ankle-to-brachial systolic pressure index (ABI) test. Several different measurements of systolic blood pressure were made at my ankles and at my arms. The resulting differences in pressures indicate the severity of atherosclerosis¹ present in my arteries (Dambro 244). These tests were followed by Doppler ultrasound scans of all the arteries and veins in my legs and groin. The results of the tests indicated I required diagnostic angiography. Angiography involves the use of miniature cameras inserted into, and traveling through the arteries in the groin and legs. Contrasting dyes are injected into the arteries allowing clear images of the peripheral arteries to be made. Angiography is usually the first step for patients who will require angioplasty and stenting (Otto 12). I was one of those patients. Angioplasty involves probes being inserted into the iliac arteries of the groin and femoral arteries of the legs. The probes contain miniature balloons which are inflated in the constricted, narrowed areas of the arteries. The pressure from the balloons forces the build-up of plaque on the artery walls to be squeezed together thus enlarging the narrowed artery http://accessscience.com >. In my case, this procedure was followed by stent placement. Stents are small metal tubes which are microscopically inserted into narrowed arteries. The stents force the narrowed arteries to widen around the stent and thus allow increased blood flow (Krag 269). Although these procedures were considered tests, they were very painful and required partial sedation. More ultrasound and blood pressure tests followed the angioplasty procedures. The conclusions from the tests were that I required surgery; femoral artery bypass in both legs.

       Soon after completion of the medical tests, I began the first surgery phase of my battle against PVD. The first surgery involved replacement of my femoral artery in my right leg. A synthetic fiber tube was grafted to my femoral artery below my knee. The other end of the tube was grafted to my iliac artery in my groin. This procedure required a five hour surgery followed by three days in the Critical Care Unit. The entire hospital stay was seven days. After about three months, it became evident the first surgery was a failure. The condition of my right leg worsened and gangrene began to develop in the toes of my right foot. All indications were that more surgery was required. The first surgery phase was a disaster and I was told to prepare for another series of surgeries to win my battle against PVD.

       The second phase of my surgeries was very difficult and painful. After the failure of the first surgery, I changed medical insurance providers and thus acquired a new vascular surgeon. Under the direction of the new vascular surgeon, I underwent another series of medical tests similar to the tests prior to the first surgery. The results of the new tests indicated I should undergo another femoral artery bypass of my right leg, as soon as possible. The surgery was tentatively scheduled to occur in about one month. A week after this decision was made, Thanksgiving Day 2006, the vascular surgeon telephoned me to announce, "Your condition is critical and emergency surgery must be performed immediately." I will never forget his final words, "I may have to amputate the toes of your right foot, possibly your entire foot and leg." I was stunned. I underwent surgery on the Saturday after Thanksgiving 2006. This time, instead of using a synthetic tube, the surgeon used my own body part; my saphenous vein. Fortunately, after almost twelve hours of surgery, I woke up in the recovery room and still had all my limbs. However, a few hours later I was back in surgery for another emergency. I had developed a hematoma and was bleeding to death.² Four hours of surgery later I was still alive and still had all my limbs. The next day, I was back in surgery again. Two hours of surgery this time, another effort to save the toes on my right foot. This final surgery was successful and I left the hospital eight days later with all my limbs intact. All went well for a few months. Then, three months after my last surgery, the vascular surgeon informed me that my big and small toes of my right foot had to be amputated because of severe gangrene and deterioration. Another two hours of surgery. Fortunately, my big toe was saved; however, my small toe was amputated. One year later, I can walk, but still await the next round of surgeries for the left leg.

       I faced the biggest challenge of my life in my battle against PVD. The surgeries were the most painful part however, the adjustment to the changes in my lifestyle were the most difficult. The most important lifestyle change was to quit smoking. Forty years of smoking one pack a day, then nothing. I am constantly reminded by my surgeon, "If you keep smoking, you WILL lose your legs!" In my case, cigarette smoking was the primary cause of my problems. It has been a very difficult struggle to overcome the nicotine addiction caused by cigarettes. In addition, the most frightening statistic I learned about this disease is "despite use of exercise, pharmacotherapy, angioplasty, and bypass surgery, 5% to 10% of patients with peripheral vascular disease will ultimately require amputation" (Studenski 6). I am one of the 5% to 10%. Fortunately, I experienced a minor amputation however; the threat of further amputations always hangs over my head. Although my battle against PVD has not ended and I face many more challenges in the future, I am glad I am alive and functioning!

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Notes

¹ Atherosclerosis - "An abnormal condition in which lipids, or fats, form deposits on the inside walls of blood vessels." (Longe 4: 3203).

² Hematoma - "A localized accumulation of blood in tissues as a result of hemorrhaging." (Longe 4: 2555).

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Works Cited

Dambro, Mark R, MD. Griffith's 5 Minute Clinical Consult 2006. Fort Worth, TX: Lippincott, 2006.

Krag, David N, MD., ed. Surgical Oncology. Georgetown, TX: Landes Bioscience, 2000.

Longe, Jacqueline L., ed. The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. 2nd ed. 5 vols. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Group, 2002.

Otto, Catherine M, MD., and David M Shavelle, MD. "Approach to the Cardiovascular Patient." ACP Medicine April 2005: 12.

Studenski, Stephanie MD., and Cynthia J Brown, MD. "Rehabilitation of Geriatric Patients." ACP Medicine March 2004 update: 6.

Strandness, D Eugene Jr. "http://accessscience.com." Vascular Disorders 30 Nov. 2007.
< http://accessscience.com. >

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