Pubdate: Tue, 08 Oct 2002 Source: Ladysmith-Chemanius Chronicle (CN BC) Copyright: 2002 BC Newspaper Group & New Media Contact: http://www.ladysmithchronicle.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1279 Author: Alan Randell WAR ON DRUGS A MANIPULATIVE RUSE Editor: Re: "Elley pans pot plan", Sept. 24 If we ban drugs because they're harmful, wouldn't we ban alcohol and tobacco? No, the war on drugs is nothing less than a Hitler-like, cynical, manipulative ruse to distract attention away from government failures in other areas and to entertain the white and the non-poor by persecuting the non-white and the poor. You see, the cops can choose whom to arrest, whose doors to bust through with guns drawn. When I hear comments like those from MP Reed Elley, I wonder why the government doesn't come right out and emulate Hitler even more closely by making it a crime to be poor or non-white. I believe the votes are there amongst our elected representatives. Alan Randell Victoria - --- MAP posted-by: Josh