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.
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MAP posted-by: Jackl