Pubdate: Wed, 21 Jan 2004 Source: Pensacola News Journal (FL) Copyright: 2004 The Pensacola News Journal Contact: http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1675 Author: Zac Arnold INEFFECTUAL LAWS In response to those who have criticized lately the libertarian philosophy on legalized and/or decriminalized drug use, let me share some thoughts. Put aside for the moment that alcohol and tobacco, two "legal" drugs, cause more deaths than cocaine, marijuana and just about every other drug used regularly in the United States. Let's instead focus on the fact that as I sit here writing this letter, I do so in my body. Yup, my body. Not yours, not anybody else's, but mine. If I choose to sleep all day and not go to work, that's my right, though the consequence may be that I become unemployed. If I choose to do anything, malevolent or benign, I must accept the consequences of those actions. Also, how many letters must I write before people begin to realize that laws that are ineffectual need to be discarded or reworked? No one in their right mind can claim that Reagan's "War on Drugs" was a success. Libertarians merely espouse liberty. As an adult, it is my job, not that of the government, to be responsible for myself. Zac Arnold Pensacola - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman