Pubdate: Sun, 17 Apr 2005
Source: Anchorage Daily News (AK)
Copyright: 2005 The Anchorage Daily News
Contact:  http://www.adn.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/18
Author: Theron McGrew
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

LEGISLATORS ARE BLOWING SMOKE WHILE TENDING TO ANTI-MARIJUANA AGENDA

The hypocrisy, and apparent ignorance, of our Legislature and governor are 
staggering. The hearings on the marijuana legislation show us as much about 
our lawmakers as they do about marijuana. They show us that the pols in 
Juneau are ready to lie, cheat and steal to get their agenda passed. This 
legislation has nothing to do with the citizens of Alaska. It is but a 
personal crusade by Baby Doc Murkowski to rule by edict. If he says it, it 
must be so. According to Baby Doc, the stronger aspirins are different and 
therefore more dangerous than the weaker counterparts. Stronger equals more 
dangerous. Mothers' milk and formula are "gateway drugs" because virtually 
all addicts had their start on one of these items. Which came first, the 
cigarette or the dope?

Here's the point. Logical, linear thinking requires consistency. A plus B 
always equals C. If the arguments against marijuana use by adults carry 
water, they must be true for all things. Apply the logic to other 
substances to find the truth. While plotting to make felons of tens of 
thousands of Alaskans, perhaps legislators could come up with real world 
examples of the harm that marijuana has caused. Actual examples of 
verifiable harm would go a long way to removing the bad taste in my mouth 
from the Reefer Madness floating in the Hallowed Halls of Juneau.

- ---- Theron McGrew

Anchorage
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom