Pubdate: Wed, 17 Oct 2007
Source: Maple Ridge News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2007 Maple Ridge News
Contact:  http://www.mapleridgenews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1328
Author: Harry B. Battle

MORE IMPORTANT ISSUES THAN POT

Editor, The News:

Re: 18 months for selling pot to cops (The News, Oct. 13).

It is truly sad that we fill the front half of our local newspaper 
with such a nothing story. Surely, there are actions and crimes of 
which we should be more aware and interested.

Other than the problem, despite the mayors' statements, of widespread 
drug abuse in our municipality, there are other factors which could 
be crowding our minds.

Our judiciary has gone to hell in a basket. The judges have lost all 
sense of justice. It is incredible they hold a lower place than 
lawyers in credibility, based on a national survey. Imagine, being 
held lower than lawyers? One cannot get lower than that.

It has scientifically been proven that marijuana does not lead to 
harder drug use. Just as cigarettes, a most addicting drug, do not 
lead to cocaine.

Let our local, well-respected and award-winning paper focus on what 
is important and relevant. I realize that the story is based on a 
local merchant, but let us concentrate on the immediate problems we 
have here in Maple Ridge. Were marijuana legalized, there would not be a story.

Before anyone gets heart palpitations with that comment, remember 
that abolition did not stop people drinking, but it did increase 
crime over 100 per cent.

I am sure that many citizens, including me, would be happy and eager 
to be part of a fact-finding, solution-generating group to deal with 
such problems as juvenile delinquency, judicial partiality, council 
partisanship, street refuse problems (fining those stores three 
blocks from their operation who do not daily pick up their 'sold' 
refuse) and vandalism.

We have great local exposure with our papers and we have a glorious 
God-given environment. Let us concentrate on what is important and 
forget the little stuff.

Harry B. Battle

Maple Ridge
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom