Posted by tsy86h (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 12:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank God no one was killed by the drunk driver go the wrong way! When you get on the road after drinking it is not just your own life that is at risk.

Posted by Lala (anonymous) on April 23, 2008 at 12:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Way to go FFPD! Keep on taking down all those meth heads! Meth seems to be one of Ottertail counties biggest problems in the last few years. Glad to hear that they are starting to get taken in one by one!! Kudos to FFPD!!

Posted by thebarrat (anonymous) on April 24, 2008 at 12:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Yep, way to go FFPD!!! This is her 2nd charge for meth in less than 2 yrs. I hope the judge helps her learn this time around.

Posted by MeMe (anonymous) on April 24, 2008 at 9:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Meths been one of ottertail countys big problem and still is. Yeah they get a person here or there, but if you really knew how available meth really is, and how much is used in this county, youd know that once 1 person gets in trouble, there are already 10 more waiting to replace them. Its always going to be a problem, because there are that many people using it still!

Posted by eagle_eye (anonymous) on April 24, 2008 at 10:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Anyone caught using, manufacturing or selling meth should have a permanent place in prison. We don't need their kind in our midst. All assets should be sold to pay for their incarceration.

Posted by MeMe (anonymous) on April 25, 2008 at 12:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

eagle_eye who are you to judge? Have you ever had a problem with a type of addiction? Most people who use it, don't even want to, thats why it's a drug addiction. To just throw them in prison makes it easier for them to find better hook ups in the future. Why do you think there are so many repeat offenders. They aren't being given the proper treatment to help them function in society without the use of drugs or alcohol. Ask someone whose had experience in this field.

Posted by tomanyjudge (anonymous) on April 25, 2008 at 9:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Why does most people come on here and write nasty things about people that are struggling with meth I have a dear friend in the otter tail county jail for meth I dont use meth but he is a wonderful person & has a great heart He is loved by so much of his family & friends We all wanted to see him do good I see his family having a very hard time with what he is going through. Some of them are good people and everyone needs to stop judging them. How many people in the world have problems everyone Theirs might be something different from yours but that doesnt make them a bad person Why is everyone in FF so one minded The people in this town are so judgemental Coming from a bigger town than FF people arent like that in bigger towns. There is so much more to do and worry about than looking down on people. And about 85% of the town you don't know who they are. The fergus falls people have nothing else to do so they just stand around and look dumbfounded and place judgements agaist people they dont even know. Are you guys that low that you have nothing better to do. Before you think of judging someone on meth you better get to know them. And you better get to know them of the person they really are. What if that was one of your children in the otc for meth? Would you sit here and say put them in prison? No because you know who the real person is. I am not saying that they dont need help they do But putting them in prison isnt the place They need to help them find ways to cope with their addiction. I have read comments about "meth heads" on here for awhile and it makes me really upset. What if you drank to much...so i says oh you alcoholic you need to go to prison the rest of your life you could kill someone you have a problem and you can never be helped....NO i wouldnt and I am sure you wouldnt say oh lock that person up the rest of their life because they have two DWI's. So what makes you think because someone has a 'drug' addiction that it should be any different. I'm sure most of you know nothing about the street drugs out there and dont have a clue what its like to struggle with an addiction. I would advise you to find someone with first hand experience. Like MeMe said not all of them want to do it but it is an addiction. And it is true you just meet worse people in prison. People just need to remember that everyone has problems. And if that was your kid or grandkid maybe you would think a little different what if someone close to you in your family was going through this..Would you be there for them and stand strong for them and support them and help them to try and do good, or would you just want them haulded to prison and expect them to change and do something different NOTHING WILL CHANGE IF YOU KEEP DOING THE SAME THING Everyone needs a friend We have all felt that we have had no one when times are hard We need to be their so that there is a chance that they can beat the addiction & be the person that everyone would love back & would love to see

Posted by Venti (anonymous) on April 25, 2008 at 10:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

On the flip side, most people who use meth don't have any desire to stop using it either. To say that people who use it, or illegal drugs in general, "don't want to" is a stretch. Maybe they fear getting caught? Maybe they don't like the effects it's having on their life or their family? But to say that they don't like or "don't want to" use the drug itself I think is boarding on simply being untrue. That's an inherent part of being an addict. You have an uncontrollable or abnormally strong craving or desire for what you are addicted to.

Posted by whatever (anonymous) on April 25, 2008 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

THANK YOU TO the person tomanyjudge, you took the words right out of my mouth!! Don't judge these people unless
you have been in there shoes. Also IT IS HELL on the families and people in this community do not want to HELP
they just FEED off others missery. It is really sad! If it
was your son, daughter, brother...you would be so sad
and KNOW how this affects the FAMILY every single day. Yes
these people need treatment or help but, the "system" isn't
set up that way.

Posted by lookitup (anonymous) on April 25, 2008 at 11:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

There is a difference between being a "user" and a "dealer". Mr Hanson is clearly a dealer. He was convicted for possession of marijuana in 1997. Perhaps he was only a user then. Did he learn from that experience? Clearly, he did not. He was convicted for Felony Theft in 2005. Perhaps he was still only a user then, looking for money to support his habit. But now, he has been caught making multiple sales of narcotics, and has threatened witnesses (recorded on voice-mail, no less). If saying that he is a career criminal and deserves to go to jail is judgemental, so be it. If saying that he is stupid for threatening people on a voice-mail is judgemental, so be it. For those of you who defend this guy, perhaps he should live with you for the next 5 years instead of going to prison. I will agree with one point that tomanyjudge made - in Mr Hanson's case, NOTHING WILL CHANGE IF YOU KEEP DOING THE SAME THING. Figure it out.

Posted by whatever (anonymous) on April 25, 2008 at 1:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am not defending any certain person at all! I am just
saying that people in this town LOVE to sit around and
talk about who's in trouble for what and they act excited
to talk poorly about those who are basically struggling with there life. I do think there should be some way to help these kids/adults get some real help for the actual problem so they can function in the community. I guess sitting in a cell stairing at the wall is just supposed to make them feel all better about themselves and just change into this perfect person??

Posted by Venti (anonymous) on April 25, 2008 at 4:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Completely agree with lookitup. There's a BIG difference between a drug user and a drug dealer. One is hurting themself. The other is contributing to the injury of another.

In addition, I think the "Who are you to judge?" argument is absolutely ridiculous in most cases. "Don't judge these people unless you have been in there shoes." Really? So I shouldn't "judge" a child molester unless I have personally molested a child? I shouldn't "judge" a convicted murder unless I, myself, have actually killed someone? Yeah, who's ever heard of "judging" people by their actions? Let's only judge them, no, get to know them, by the content of their hearts. That way people can simply do whatever they want as long as "deep down" they're a good person. Do you know how many "good people" there are on death row? Almost all of them. If you don't believe me ask their mothers or their sisters or their husbands or wives. They'll all tell you that deep down, these people are really good people. They just need help. As a society we have chosen to judge people by their actions. The line we've drawn between those actions that are acceptable and the ones that are not is made up of things we call laws. There is a reason we have laws against the production, sale and use of methamphetamine. One of the MANY reasons is because the consumption of the drug encourages and increases the production of the drug, which as you probably know, causes endless environmental hazards and health problems for the people around it. The only way that rehab works for any of these "meth heads" (and most drug addicts) is if they actually truly want to quit. How many of these people do you think would enter into a state or federally mandated drug treatment program truly wanting to quit using drugs? None. How many of them do you think would enter into a state or federally mandated drug treatment program with the intention of just doing what "the man" is forcing them to do so that they can get out and go find their next hit? Treatment only works for those who want to be treated and want to quit. For everyone else it's just a waste of time and a sure fire way to get them back on the streets buying and selling more drugs.

Posted by Blonde (anonymous) on April 25, 2008 at 5:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am so sick of people defending these drug dealers and those who are addicts. I have a freind who I have known since I was 3 yrs old who has been in and out of meth for years. If I ever say anything bad about someone because of their "addiction" I get my *** jumped because I don't know what it is like to be an addict. Well you know what, that was a choice I made. I chose not to do it in the first place. Everyone has a choice and if you choose to do drugs or sell them than you need to suffer the consequences. I dont feel sorry for these people one bit. Also the dealers should not be locked up for the rest of their lives, they should just be shot. I have a 5 yr old child and so help me god if anybody where to hurt her by selling her drugs or anything else, they would hope to be locked up for the rest of their lives. These people dont deserve the bennefit of the doubt as far as I am concerned. They make their choices and they may be good people to those who are blind to what they are really about. If they get help and really try I would support them 100%. I know somebody as I mentioned before who has had this addiction for many years. They want sympathy because they have this addiction. Well than to something about it! I have diabetes, high blood pressure & high cholestoral. I am constantly needing medication or going to the doctors but I am thankful for everyday I have. These people are killing themselves and others by using and selling drugs. I would give anything to be in better health and these people do it to themselves. There is no defense for these people! Pull your head out!

Posted by tomanyjudge (anonymous) on April 25, 2008 at 8:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I never said I was talking about Mr. Hanson. I am just saying I have a dear friend that I am sure if his name was on this website that you would sit here and call him a 'meth head' I am just saying to many people in fergus falls judge people before they get to know them as a person that is all. Ok so if you drink and drive you should be shot to. I don't think so. I am not talking about murder here, or rape, that isn't even related to drugs. Alcohol is. You hear of people getting killed all the time from alcohol. More than any other drug. Alchol is posion for the body too. You should never say that about someone. What if your daughter just happened to get into drugs when she got older you might think a little different than, would they still deserve to be shot. I dont think so. In bigger towns they are more worried about rapes, killings, school shootings, cops killing wives, may i need to go on more with all the crazy things happening in America right now.... If fergus falls was about 10 times bigger and other things happened maybe people wouldnt be so closed minded. They think everyone knows everyone and it makes me sick. I am going to be there for my friend and if anyone wants to pass judgement I will be by his side. You don't know him. You havent talked about the things that we have you know nothing but yet you sit here and read all the news clipping about them and sit back and say crule, rude, degrading, things and not even give them a chance. Putting them in a cell making them do time and putting them out in the world is going to help them...I don't think so. They need programs and people to work with them while they are there. I am not saying that they shouldnt have consequences because they should but they also need to help that person. Meth itself is bad. Its a very hard addiction to beat, but there is a way. How much hope do you give someone if everyone is ripping them apart from every angle. Like I said everyone needs someone. Fergus needs to stop thinking that everyone should die if they struggle with something in life. I am sorry but I sit back and laugh at you bitter people in this world. Maybe one day if its not your child maybe it will be a grandchild that will struggle with this. And than I know that you will think different. And all those nasty things you said about people you will remember that you said it about your own family. I really hope you tell them...hey i think you desereve to be shot because you do drugs...what a loving family that would be...very supportive of someone during a really hard time.

Posted by Blonde (anonymous) on April 26, 2008 at 10:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I didn't say that drug users should be shot, I said the DEALERS should be shot. They are the ones out selling this to young people and getting them addicted. Do you think that dealers are doing good deads in our community? Drunk drivers I feel should suffer the same consequences, they too are out putting people in danger. I used to live across the street from a meth dealer and the people that came and went from that place where absolute nuts!! I was so scared that I had to have my doors locked at all times and my daughter couldn't even play outside because you never knew what was going to happen. I was a prisoner in my own home because of these people. Yeah, I feel that I can judge these people because it has affected my life. I started calling the police several times a day and finally the person moved out. I am sure he just went somewhere else and started selling again. Oh and you want to talk about drunks being violent? Have you ever seen a person that has been strung out on meth for a week or 2 at a time. They are paranoid beyond reason and will kill you if they think you are going to narc them out. They are violent and unpredictable and will do whatever it takes to get their fix. This isn't pot we're talking about here. These people aren't just sitting around drouling on themselves, they are CRAZY!! I do not want this in my community! I dont care who they are or how good of a person they are. I look at the jail website and the same people are in there constantly for drugs or DWI's. They obviously will never learn so therefore they should stay locked up. And there are places for addicts to go to get help but most choose not to. So what do we do with them?? Just let them continue to ruin our society? I know a person who is in jail that has been in and out more times than I could even begin to count. He always gets out and starts dealing drugs again. Well I am sorry but I think its time to do something else with him. Yes I am "BITTER" because everytime you turn a around there it is in the news, on t.v. and oh yeah in my front yard.

Posted by tomanyjudge (anonymous) on April 26, 2008 at 10:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You really think that everyone on meth is 'crazy' I am not saying that some of them aren't trust me I have seen many people all messed up. Not all of them are murders or bad people. Yes I do agree that some of the people they hang out with are nuts. How couldn't you be if you were messed up the last few years of your life. And yeah you are bitter I am pretty sure that if you turn on the news you dont see FF drug bust. No you see school shooting, about the thing in Texas. Think about how many cops have been in murder trials lately. And is a pretty good idea to trust a cop because they are a really good people because they are cops. Anyone can do anything and be a good or bad person. You don't know. You hear nothing about the drug dealers. What about all the high school kids having sex. How about 1 out of every 4 girls in high school has an std. I think there are some things that also needs to be taken care of. But we are all looking at these bad bad drug dealers. Do you really think that all drug dealers are the same. I think its really funny how we place judgement. What if some of them werent dealers but hooked someone up and than got busted, and now you sit on your computer and call them a drug deal. YOU DONT KNOW. You have no idea what they were doing. I have lived in many towns in my life. But not one like FF. My god you guys sit and judge people, degrade people, you have NOTHING nice to say. You guys really need to get out of FF and see what the world is really like. I never used to comment on here, but I have been so sick and tired of all this crap that people write on here. How low do we really have to go? If you don't know the person you really need to shut your mouth. I think everyone in fergus needs to learn that. Fergus is so small and no one here has anything better to worry about. Since there is nothing to do in Fergus they sit on here and be a bitter bitter person pass judgements and degrade people they dont even know. FF has their own little groups and they just talk about everyone else. Does nothing exciting happen in your life so you sit on here and bring out the negitive side...because thats what it seems like people do here. Really there is more in life you can keep yourself busy in so many ways. Why dont you go play with your children insted of on here being crule, closed minded. And not be there to help anyone. You guys think you know but you dont because i can already tell you havent had someone struggle with meth right in front of you, and having it one of your dear caring friends. Maybe you would think a little different if it was someone in your family. Maybe one day it will be your family struggle with this same issuse and I hope you will be as bitter to them and you are being to everyone else. I hope you still are very judgement, crule, bitter...I hope you really do that to someone you care about because i care a lot more that that about my loved ones where I would never do that

Posted by passitforward (anonymous) on April 26, 2008 at 12:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This blog is aweful! Why would you want to give so much attention to the bad, unfortunate things that happen. I would like the Fergus Journal to re-evaluate what you are doing here. Why not give an opportunity to comment on the good news articles and postive happenings in the community? Give the opportunity to make postive comments and pass it forward!! It would have a much more significant impact for society as a whole. Fergus Journal - do what is right.

Posted by MeMe (anonymous) on April 26, 2008 at 6:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well thank you to everyone who has not placed judgment. Heres something for you. Yes everyone has a choice to use or not use, I do agree with you there. Everyone though does not have the will power to say no after they have already tried it. Honestly I used one time, and I was addicted. The only reason that at one point in my life i ever became a dealer was because at that point and time I needed to be able to afford to get high. I lost everything and spent a year in jail. Now I have a full time job and have changed my life, but you think they ever gave me treatment. I have yet to go there, and even with not going I am still sober today. I believe you do the crime you do the time, but for anyone who has ever been in some form of addiction, there is hope and another way, its just there are so many judgemental people in the community it can sometimes seem almost impossible to find. So for all the people who think we are just the most terrible people in the world because of what we have done at one point or time, before you point your fingers, make sure your hands are clean. I dont want symphathy and neither do the other people who have been in trouble for meth related charges, they just want the proper help instead of sending them to prison where they can get 2 times as many hooks and connections. The community is more or less trying to get the people with the drug off the street and not the drug itself. Thats why its still OTC's number one problem and most likely will be for years to come.

Posted by MeMe (anonymous) on April 26, 2008 at 11:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

for Venti, Who are you to judge?? Who just who? No I'm not saying go get to know Murders and child molestors, they did the crime, they do the time. Drug addiction and dealing are two totally different matters. I said before I believe you do the crime you do the time, but when someone is in the paper for Meth in this community, they are made out to be these terrible people that should be shot and sent down the road for years. Well obviously thats not the solution considering that meth is still everywhere in this community. For anyone to call them "meth heads" is stereotyping. I guarantee you will not find any other person that would call them that, except for people who judge by what you read and what they havent gone through. Well read this and know they are people too,one day it will hopefully affect you in a way where you wont be so judgemental! Props to everyone who came to a defense and relates to the matter. I have never commented in a paper before but the way some people in this community are just saddens me. No wonder its still the #1 problem.
Quote from a song:
"They dont see the struggle, they only see the trouble,
Its kind of hard to carry on when no one loves you.
2pac---
Its hard to be better people and change when people only judge you by what you've done.

Posted by paulstudmuff (anonymous) on May 9, 2008 at 4:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ok, all you losers still stuck in Fungus Flats. Sucks to be you. Living in that meth soap opera of a town... Heres what I got to say.

People that make judgements about other people and situations that they dont know or know about and saying those people should be shot, should be shot, not drug dealers and users. Getting shot hurts.

Yes idiot, molest a child or murder someone to walk in their shoes if you know of no other way to see someone from their point of view. Get a life.

Erica, Erica, Erica... Lets start with you. Erica is one of the reasons I am on probation till I am 57. See Erica did a dope deal in 2005 that I happened to be in the same room when it happened. We were both charged and even though she took the money and she handed over the drugs they dropped the charges (or significantly lowered them) on her because she agreed to testify against me. Lets see, she called the person and offered the drugs, she arranged the meeting and aquired the drugs, she gave the drugs and took the money, all with her kids in the apartment. I got stuck with the charges because of OTC and FF PD's wonderful plea bargaining. Wow, why not stick it to the bad Mom? Probably couse she ratted everyone else out to save her own skin. Now she was still on the streets of that town, gettin her nose in every drug deal she can just to get a freebie. Screwin up everyones life with her poopie Whapeton contacts. But at least she is loud and obvious and makes a good cop magnet. The wolves always take the weak and sick from the herd, thereby making the herd stronger and healthier.

Jason, Jason, Jason.... Making all of those threats on a voicemail when you think.. excuse me.. KNOW that the person is a cop or an informant.... Do the words "Are you wearing a wire?" ring a bell? Accusing everyone and their brother of being a rat or a snitch has certainly caught up to you. At least you had papers on this one. On the bright side, im glad to see a real snitch gettin the bejessus scared out of them. These "informants" just go on doing dope deals like they arent afraid. One out of every ten of their dope deals are done wearin a wire or workin for the cops. The other deals are just to keep their habits alive. Its funny cause people hear and people know who the rats are. Their paperwork is zeroxed a hundred times and spread around to all of our friends like a dry grassfire on a windy day, yet people keep dealin with them. Like Erica. I told ALL of you. Man, Jason, why do you think she is out on her own recognisance. Remember when I told you that day on the street a block away from my old house. I told you she was no good.

Clean for 2 years, and proud. Also proud to never be a snitch.