Pubdate: Wed, 24 Apr 2002 Source: Goldstream Gazette (CN BC) Copyright: 2002 Goldstream Gazette Contact: http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1291 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Keith+Martin Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) KILLING BILL WAS DISGUSTING The federal Liberals' slippery end-run around local MP Keith Martin's private member's bill to decriminalize marijuana would be comical if it weren't so disgusting. Forget about Martin's breach of parliamentary tradition in touching the Mace after the bill was emasculated. That act and censure for it were merely some the theatre of the absurd that Martin decided he needed to orchestrate in order to protest the Liberals' sneaky destruction of four years of the Alliance MP's work. The Mace is just an ornament, for heaven's sake. An appurtenance. An inanimate object. One would think people are more important. By invoking a childish amendment to Martin's bill, the Liberals showed that they aren't serious about allowing private members bills to have free votes in the House of Commons. Breaking the spirit of such a pledge has to be a more egregious act than brandishing an object. More importantly, the Liberals' action has killed legislation that would have a huge impact on many people's lives. - --- MAP posted-by: Jackl