Agent's Forum
NAFA Notes…
Thanks for all of the very kind expressions. Also, thanks to one and all who paid their annual NAFA dues. A very special thanks goes out to those who added a little something else. We’ve written it before, but it bears saying again: Well wishes and thanks are sincerely appreciated, but it’s $$$ that pays the bills. Regarding NAFA vehicle decals….no such animal has ever existed. That said…we’ve got an ample supply of NATA (National Association of Treasury Agents) decals. If anyone would like a few complimentary NATA decals, just send a self-addressed/stamped envelope to NAFA at 164 N. Main St., Plymouth, MI 48170-1236.
FAILED DRUG POLICIES?
D ear NAFA, H ello again from an old retired narc. I just wanted to let you know that I’m still alive out here in the land of fruits and nuts (but the climate is great)! Seeing NANAFA’s address in Detroit reminds me of the time in 1958 when I was stationed in that town when we worked with the Detroit “Big Four,” four big cops who drove in big 4-door Desotos and busted every dude who was selling dope or lottery tickets! Those were the good old days. Now, as I hear it, Detroit is a city of burned out houses. Too bad because it was once the cradle of American progress, the home of the U.S. auto industry. Enough of history. This letter is to convey my check for 2011 dues and to gripe about the guest editorial by retired ATATF agent Steve Calcotte regarding our “Failed Drug Policies.”
Mr Calcote is apparently an educated, intelligent person who appears to have worked in alcohol enforcement and may have even participated in some BATF narcotics cases. However, Mr. Calcote apparently is unaware of the damage that abuse of heroin, cocaine, meth, marijuana and other illegal drugs have done to the youth of America from the 1950s on. Granted, may states such as California have an “enlightened” attitude relative to the possession and use of marijuana and, most likely, will soon spread
this position to other more dangerous drugs. Do the voters and politicians of California make this right? I think not. Every day my wife and I and our middle aged son and daughter drive on the freeways and streets of this great state…each time accompanied by other drivers who are, beyond question, high on “legally prescribed” marijuana. Not even the most liberal advocates of this program will deny that this drug will cause users to be unable to discern time and space. Imagine a pot smoker who is high doing 70 on the Santa Monica Freeway at 5p.m. and you have the answer…Mr. Calcote!
FBNDD Special Agent – Retired
NAFA Notes…
This writer does not exaggerate about Detroit, which during the past 40 years has become of shadow of itself. Particularly on the east side where there used to be tens of thousands of homes, apartments, schools, theaters, retails shops and light industry on zero lot lines, today there is so much open space fox, coyotes, pheasants and other wild life may be found in abundance. The current batch of municipal officials are actually considering reintroduction of commercial farming to this wide open, unused land. Medical marijuana is a hot topic here in Michigan as a couple of years ago the citizenry voted to allow it. Troubling statistics, however, were released just last week. For example…there are approximately 70,000 folks who hold certificates allowing them to use medical marijuana. Of that 70,000…a mere 2,000 cited “cancer” as their reason for needing weed. The remaining 68,000 told some doctor they had “pain” or “nausea” from an undiagnosed condition. Speaking of doctors, almost 80% of the 70,000 certificates were issued by the same 1,200 physicians. The Michigan legislature, overwhelmingly controlled by Republicans at present, will tighten the enabling laws very soon.
