Those crazy Canucks with their weird slang and strange talk have been causing quite a ruckus in the United States as of late. Their move to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana didn’t surprise me, but when people start legalizing homosexual marriage, my ears perk up. If you’ve been to Canada or have watched Michael Moore’s “Bowling for Columbine,” you’ll know the country is quite a bit different from our own. You’d think the U.S./Canadian border spanned half the globe.

On the decriminalization issue, Canada has it right. I was hoping the same thing would have happened in Nevada, but this is almost as good. Finally, this victimless crime won’t get a person a jail cell or impede their ability to get a job. Also, Canada now won’t have to waste vast amounts of money on ridiculous, grossly exaggerated, and sometimes illogical commercials.

Have you seen the anti-marijuana commercial where the two boys are smoking pot in a public restroom, laughing like little schoolgirls? If you haven’t, allow me to enlighten you. The scene fades in and out a couple of times to represent a long period of time. After the scene fades back in the last time, a police officer busts the two of them. Then, a brilliant piece of unintelligence is flashed on the screen: “Marijuana — Harmless?”

Being legally harmful isn’t an intrinsic property of marijuana. If we outlawed the use of fanny packs, a similar commercial could be made. With that said, the only redeeming value of the commercial is that it entertains. Whoever makes these commercials relies on erroneous stereotypes to make stoners the butt of a joke. Seriously though, who’s laughing now?

While I can’t say pot is not physically damaging, it’s hypocritical to make it illegal. With studies placing it among the ranks of caffeine with respect to many of its harmful properties, marijuana is far safer to use than alcohol and tobacco. Nevertheless, the old farts on Capital Hill are too scared or too ignorant to approve of its use in moderation.

I stand 100 percent behind the Canadians for their stance on marijuana, and I feel the same toward establishing homosexual marriage. I fear too many people picture a gay person as someone who gets in your face about their sexual orientation. Consistently, this is the common gripe from people fed up with homosexuals. Well, I would like to say these gays do not represent the majority. Would you have a problem with the lifestyle if you didn’t feel like you were being forced to accept it?

This is a very big step in the right direction, and I applaud the Canadians for having the guts to do it. Many people feel uncomfortable with the idea because it is very different from traditional marriage .

These same people must be ignoring the fact that blacks marry whites, 70-year-olds marry 20-year-olds and Julia Roberts married Lyle Lovett. As the saying goes, traditions are made to be broken.

When it comes down to it, why should I care if a person is gay? My life has never been adversely affected by the gay population. Because of this, I mind my own business. People should be allowed to do whatever they want, as long as it doesn’t infringe on the rights of others. The only people I’ve been in contact with who were up in arms about homosexuality were church-goers. The Bible says this, the Bible says that, blah blah blah. There comes a point in everyone’s life where it is crucial for independent thought to take place. For these people, that time has come and gone.

These two seemingly unrelated issues have one common tie — they involve people making personal choices that affect only themselves. There are so many more important things to focus on in the world than these issues. Instead of pointing fingers and criticizing others for their lifestyle choices, look inside yourself. What can you do to make your own life better?

I doubt anyone has achieved a greater quality of life by condemning others.

Get over it and move on.