For many years, health-conscious Americans avidly consumed margarine as a wholesome substitute for artery-clogging butter. Only later did research shed light on grim effects of the partially hydrogenated oil in margarine, with results such as higher incidences of heart disease.

     Putting our trust in bogus alternatives can be dangerous for our bodies. And for the body politic.

     For many years, staples of the highbrow American media diet have included NPR News and the New York Times. Both outlets are copious and seem erudite, in contrast to abbreviated forms of news. And with conservative spin widespread in news media, NPR and the Times appeal to listeners and readers who prefer journalism without a rightward slant.

     Recent developments, however, add weight to evidence that it would be unwise to have faith in news coverage from NPR or the New York Times.

     The myth of “liberal” National Public Radio has suffered a big blow. Days ago, the media watch group FAIR (where I’m an associate) released a detailed study of NPR indicating that the network’s overall news coverage

When will the lights be turned on? For the past several months I have noted a large number of areas where the streetlights are not lit along stretches of West Broad Street and areas along North High Street. Of course, the City bureaucrats offer as an excuse the recent storms that came through central Ohio, but the lights in these areas have been dark for much longer than just recently.

Then again, I should ask when will the arches in the Short North be lit? Expensive, ornamental iron arches, installed with much fanfare nearly three years ago, still remain unlit. Perhaps I should suggest the City of Columbus run extension-cords from the White Castle and Papa John’s to light the arches in front of their areas.

No one should be surprised that the City of Columbus has so much difficulty mastering the technicalities of electricity. After all, Columbus is the city whose Mayor’s house burned down twice because of electrical malfunctions; not to mention a city who would rather pay a million dollars to the parents of a little boy electrocuted on the Town Street Bridge than fix the bridge.

Apparently the Electromaniac is still at large.

With America's debacle in Iraq blaring on every TV channel, Democrats in Oregon tuned in eagerly to Kerry as he toured their state in mid-May, awaiting their champion's robust savaging of the commander in chief, tottering through some of the worst news headlines of his presidency.

            They waited in vain. Though Iraq is a simple word of only two syllables, Kerry avoided it, and when reporters cued him to put the boot in, he raised a decorous finger to his lips, saying he wanted to give President Bush "some space to get things done."

If you think like us, then you know that the U.S. prohibition on the use of cannabis is a harmful policy that has broad societal implications. If you also value democracy, then you know that citizenship is not without it’s duties; true democracy requires the citizens to overthrow unreasonable government. The most revolutionary act a citizen can take to end the U.S. fight against cannabis is to simply grow cannabis. So, it is our American duty to overgrow this prohibitionist government. Freedom to grow and utilize this wonderful plant are in store for us at the END of the War on Drugs, but until then, we need brave people to keep cannabis alive. The risks associated with this act are steep in the police state of America nonetheless, gardening is a healthy and rewarding hobby and can even become a supplementary income. Once you smoke homegrown, you’ll be convinced. We’ve provided a grower’s guide to educate and enhance your quest to Overgrow the Government!