Just want to say this podcast portion is much appreciated. Keep them coming! The involvement of those connected with the official organization (denominational leaders/employees) is encouraging. It makes us aware they're in touch, if at all, with the grassroots, besides Adventists. I'm one of the early Insight generation of readers abroad. Previous issues arrived by bulk mail. Thus, I also have a faint recollection, of a report in one of the last issues of the Youth's Instructor, about a group of seminary students that Dr Heppenstall took with him to witness in the heart of London and who subsequently shared their experience in Sligo with Pastor Bill Loveless. So, I'm a fan of Monte Sahlin and Charles Scriven:-)

Living in one of the states with the largest marijuana growing problem, the incarceration and prosecution of growers keeps many DEA workers busy and well paid. The "War on Drugs" does not, has never, nor will it be won. (Like the "War on Terror" how will it be measured?) Prohibition should have taught a lesson, but it was too long ago for most to remember.

Supply will always meet demand: Economics 101. If even marijuana were legalized, we could empty many of our prisoners who are there for non-violent crimes. Our prisons here in California, and likely other states, already exceeds the educational costs, as the voters and politicians are ready to fund more into prisons; while figures show that a student could attend Harvard for less than a prisoner now costs. Where, in God's name, are our priorities? We can never stop the drug gangs, crime and worse as long as we do nothing to discourage and rehabilitate prisoners. If every prisoner was required to attend educational and rehabilitative classes before being paroled or released; and granted shortened time for completion and good behavior, we would go much further in reducing inmates. But most voters are only interested in "lock-'em up and throw away the key."

We have the distinction of having the largest women's prison in the U.S. only 25 miles north of where I live.

I speak with additional knowledge as my daughter has been working in the medical area of the county correctional institutions more than 15 years and will begin as medical inspector of state prisons in California this month. The ACLU sued the state for poor prisoner medical care and thus the necessity of much needed oversight following several deaths and maltreatment.