Pubdate: Tue, 01 Oct 2002
Source: Medicine Hat News (CN AB)
Copyright: 2002 Alberta Newspaper Group, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.medicinehatnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1833
Author: John McKee

DON'T LET UNCLE SAM DICTATE TO CANADA

Mr. Dana Cooper:

I enjoyed your slightly paranoid column re: Readers from everywhere 
commenting on articles.

It's true the Web makes it easy to survey areas of interest. I am one of 
those who regularly read and comment on the marijuana issue. It is an 
issue, especially in the United States, of immense significance concerning 
freedom. Totally innocent people are killed by narcotics police. People are 
incarcerated for ridiculously long sentences. Privacy is a thing of the 
past. The list is endless.

Enlightened Americans (and there are many) look to Canada as a light in the 
drug-war darkness, and are invested in how you handle this mess. The 
Canadian Senate report is a case in point. We live in northwest Montana, 
and regularly visit Alberta and B.C., two of our favourite places. Although 
we haven't been to Medicine Hat yet, we love Canada and friendly Canadians. 
We believe many of your social programs (health care, litter-free areas) 
are superior. OK, one jab -- your environmental policy, particularly 
regarding forest issues, is horrible! Ours is not good, but -- keep up your 
individualism, don't let Uncle Sugar dominate!

John McKee

Columbia Falls, Mont.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom