Pubdate: Sun, 03 Feb 2002 Source: Bellingham Herald (WA) Copyright: 2002 Bellingham Herald Contact: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/43 Author: Hiroshi Burnette Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n105/a04.html Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hea.htm (Higher Education Act) GIVE DRUG CONVICTS HARD LABOR, NOT COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS In an effort to patch up one problem with another, the Western Washington University Associated Students governing board has decided to award dope peddlers with scholarships instead of the 10 years hard labor they deserve. The cited reason is that imprisonment costs taxpayers more than $20,000 per inmate annually, whereas the monies may be better spent on institutionalized pedagogy. By that reasoning, we may consider incarcerating all college kids, instead of subsidizing their education. Heresy is suppressed by imbuing us with the erroneous belief that the junkie, and not the common citizen who is occasionally subject to rip-offs, robberies or home invasions, is the true victim. This is reminiscent of the contrived cycles and epicycles that 16th-century astronomers were forced to endure in an effort to comply with the prevalent geocentric belief du jour. The fact of the matter is, there is good reason why most recreational drugs are illegal. Even the ones that are legal are often the cause of accidents, poor health, unwanted pregnancies, irresponsible parenting and general unhappiness. If the people of the state of Washington demand proper education and tax dollars well spent, it may be advisable to reinstate prison labor camps specializing in repair jobs that are too costly in manpower for state agencies or ordinary contractors. Ten years of hard discipline and a sense of accomplishment will give convicts a chance to repay their debts to society, and in turn will provide them with a far better education than does a four-year dorm party. Hiroshi Burnette Bellingham - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake