Pubdate: Thu, 08 Jul 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: Bob Cole Note: 200 word limit on LTEs Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n182/a01.html Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/operation+sandshaker APPLAUDS THE COURT It is good to know that State Attorney Curtis Golden and Judge Kim Skievaski are two people that still have some grit. (You remember "grit," the stuff that makes people do what is right regardless of the odds or opinion.) I personally take it as an insult to my intelligence (and I know I am not alone), for high-profile attorneys to ask that we, the taxpayers, foot the bill for intervention programs. These people do have the means and should be intelligent enough to check into an addiction program without my hard-earned dollars paying for their problems! I applaud the court for telling them no! They should face up to their crimes and do the time, just as those who cannot afford to pay for an attorney and are defended by the public defender. After all, Operation Sandshaker was a three-year investigation and the average person would think at some point these prominent local figures would be sober enough to seek help before they got caught! Can you imagine the cost it would incur upon taxpayers if we were required to foot the bill of every addict to receive treatment before a trial date? Bob Cole Milton - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin