Pubdate: Wed, 26 Nov 2003
Source: Sun Herald (MS)
Copyright: 2003, The Sun Herald
Contact:  http://www.sunherald.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/432
Author: Marie Caldwell

MODERN-DAY VERSION OF THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS

The Salem witch trials reveal striking similarities to our present-day war 
on drugs. Both were/are fueled by fear, not logic. The war on drugs is 
waged against substances deemed to "possess" individuals, either causing 
them to become evil or deliver death. The war on witches was against 
spirits declared to produce the same results. Both were/are moralistic in 
their declaration of saving humanity from sin by destroying a menace.

In reality, both were/are attacks on individuals, free will and choice. The 
tactics used in seeking out violators are the same. Enforcers must hunt. 
During the war on witches, those admitting guilt were given reduced 
sentences while those declaring innocence obtained harsher sentences.

Under either plea, the government confiscated the assets of the accused. 
Prosecutors were more interested in conviction than truth. Acquaintances 
were persuaded to snitch. In federal drug cases, every one of these same 
tactics are used today.

Both wars result in overcrowded prisons and favor conviction over 
rehabilitation. Both demonize the accused and financially and physically 
destroy families. Oddly, they both turn a deaf ear and instantly demonize 
individuals requesting consideration of alternative solutions. They brand 
them as either pro-drug or pro-Satan and play on public fear to maintain 
the status quo.

When a prominent governor's daughter was accused of being a witch, it was 
declared a private matter and never entered the courts. Today we have 
examples of this same practice in Noelle Bush and Rush Limbaugh. When 
poverty-stricken villagers were accused, a conviction nearly always ensued. 
Nothing has changed.

Mankind is still allowing a fear of spell-binding potions to overrule 
common sense. History will not be kind to us. They will sigh at our 
ignorance, bemuse our blind insanity and eventually vindicate our accused.

MARIE CALDWELL, Biloxi
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