Pubdate: Tue, 29 May 2001 Source: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram (TX) Copyright: 2001 Star-Telegram, Fort Worth, Texas Contact: http://www.star-telegram.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/162 Author: Leslie C. Slay ZEROED OUT Prohibition of marijuana use by Americans has jailed more than 1 million souls who have used or sold marijuana. The federal government has extended its unlimited powers against California residents, who approved (by referendum) marijuana use by doctor's prescription. Federal prosecutors threaten California doctors who dare follow state law, which means that the ballot box guarantees nothing for American citizens. Federal prosecutors now decide which state referendum will be allowed to become state law! This is called "zero tolerance" in the federal vernacular. Yes, citizens, we are "zero" just about any place you look. Civil rights cannot apply to bumbling, careless, stupid behavior. Our kids are just as stupid as we are. They leave knives and baseball bats in their automobiles, parked on school property. They become Zero faster than a civil servant yells, "Raise my pay!" or "Buy me insurance!" Zero tolerance as applied to a seat belt violation is a mathematical cinch: zero again, unless you count the handcuffs (two). My self-esteem is low. You could say it's zero - just like California's referendum on marijuana use, or American liberty. Leslie C. Slay Weatherford - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom