Pubdate: Thu, 11 Dec 2003 Source: Ashcroft Cache Creek Journal, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2003 Ashcroft Cache Creek Journal Contact: http://www.ash-cache-journal.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3157 Author: Alan Randell Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n1852/a03.html CRIME PERPETUATED Editor, The Journal So now Mike Harcourt, egged on by Hubert Beyer, says we must get tough on organized crime. Are there more steadfast, more helpful friends of the police, the politicians and the media than organized crime? I don't think so. If there were no criminal gangs, how would the police be able to justify their huge budgets, how would politicians promise the slay the dragon of organized crime and what would newspapers like yourself find to write bout? In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if organized crime were a cooperative make-work project of the federal government, cops and newspaper publishers. If drugs and prostitution were legal, which they should be if the Charter means anything at all, the Hells Angels and their ilk would disappear, but, of course, that will never happen because the police, the politicians and the media all have a vested interest in the continuing enforcement of these ridiculous laws. Alan Randell Victoria - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin