Pubdate: Mon, 23 Jan 2006 Source: Anchorage Daily News (AK) Copyright: 2006 The Anchorage Daily News Contact: http://www.adn.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/18 Author: Carolyn Schubert LIQUOR INDUSTRY LINES THE POCKETS OF LAWMAKERS WANTING TO OUTLAW POT The Republican mouthpieces for the liquor industry are again intent on re-criminalization of possession of marijuana. The profitable business of being a legislator intent on remaining in the Legislature dictates that they kowtow to the whims of some of their bigger campaign contributors (the liquor industry) to enact laws favorable to its continued profitability. Alcohol is perfectly legal to own and possess. Alcohol generates big business for the liquor industry, private attorneys, the court system, the jails, law enforcement agencies, restaurants, towing and impound businesses, alcohol abuse programs and hospitals that offer alcohol abuse programs, insurance agencies, and the list goes on. Despite the fact that it is legal to own and possess alcohol, it does not take a rocket scientist to see the devastation caused in the wake of alcohol and alcoholism. Heaven forbid that we should jeopardize the source of some of our election campaign contributors by failing to promote and support their self-serving agenda -- especially if we are up for re-election, right? Looks to me like some of our legislators are like a bull with a ring in its nose being pulled around by the perfectly legal (though frightfully deadly) liquor industry. Carolyn Schubert Anchorage - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin