Conservative pundit’s pot stance challenged

Carl Mumpower’s assertion in “N.C. Dems push downgrading pot penalties’’ that cannabis is a slow but certain route to hell reverses the pro-pot vow he made onstage at The Orange Peel during Jenny Bowen’s Faces of Asheville slide show in 2009.

One of the photographed subjects, I saw him vow to support decriminalizing cannabis during his unsuccessful bid for re-election to City Council.

(View Mumpower’s speech online at YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UL1ec9m-Wdg, posted by Jon Elliston of Mountain Xpress).

I often find Carl’s opinions on topical issues strangely at odds with the conservative ideals that right-wingers claim to hold dear, such as going against family values by supporting the deportation of hardworking, head-of-household immigrants, or not wanting to accord women equal rights with men, such as the ability to go topless.

But his recent opposition to cannabis decriminalization seems particularly disconnected from what many have pointed out for years — that cannabis’ superiority as a sustainable food, fuel, fiber and oil source is beyond dispute, its medicinal virtues as broad as aspirin, and its effects equally benign.

Surely Mumpower is aware that the Bible doesn’t demonize the weed and that many believe God put the herb on planet for humanity’s benefit?

Mumpower’s departure from GOP? It’s about time

As for Carl Mumpower’s recent announcement to leave the Republican Party when the Asheville water system leaves Asheville’s ownership, all I can say is ...  well, its about time. 

All of us liberty- minded and free market-types ought to leave and head for John Galt. The GOP is so corrupt, its not much better than the Dems.

Look at the lavish reception for G.W. Bush this week (April 25). In my humble opinion, there are plenty of criminal charges that would stick for this inept, bumbling jerk. 

On the left: We continue to see the wars against countries that were of no threat to our nation and the Bail Out of Wall Street.

On the right: we see the destruction of our currency (and economy), and the lack of enforcement on immigration.

Those two issues alone: the debt and the demographics, are enough to make ANY sane conservative leave the GOP.  They stood by idly FOR 8 YEARS!  as this idiot (Bush) destroyed the nation....

5/6 school urged for Enka district

The Enka district needs a 5/6 school built soon. Enka Middle students have long waits in lunch lines and can’t safely open lockers during class changes. Teachers are using old closets, and the computer lab is the same size as in other schools with lower populations. 

Current enrollment is approaching 1,100, growing to 1200-plus in two years. There is clearly an inequity in student population and resource availability for Enka Middle compared to all other middle schools in Buncombe County — just ask a parent. 

This week HB 334 passed the state House, which gives Buncombe County the ability to use capital fund money designated for building new schools to technology, debt repayment or training.

If Buncombe County decides to use this money for technology, will there be a 5/6 school built in Enka?

What will they do in two years? Enka Middle is blessed with students, staff and educators that do an amazing job in a tough working environment. 

BCBE should send a request today to the commissioners to allocate funding for an Enka district 5/6 school to be built as soon as possible. 

We don’t want more; we just want the same education for our children.