Pubdate: Mon, 31 Dec 2007
Source: Daily Star, The (NY)
Copyright: 2007 The Daily Star
Contact:  http://www.thedailystar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/557
Author: Al Gascon

DRUG RULES ON STUDENTS UNFAIR

One of the very first questions on the student  financial aid form 
required by the U.S. government asks  if you have ever been convicted 
of a drug crime, you  must check yes or no. If you check "yes," it 
states  that you are automatically disqualified from receiving 
assistance, now and forever. Period. Should a student  get caught 
with a couple of joints, or even a pipe, and  be prosecuted, the 
federal government cuts him off at  the knees.

There is no similar question on forms for welfare or 
assistance-related programs. In fact much of the  welfare roll is 
just such people with convictions and  for much more dangerous drugs. 
I guess it's hard to get  a job with a drug conviction, so they need 
taxpayer  charity.

Barack Hussein Obama has admitted that he used drugs,  including 
cocaine, when he was younger. Granted, an  admission of drug use 
isn't a conviction but still ...  he is eligible for taxpayer dollars 
for his campaign.

Is it just me or is there something terribly wrong here?

While this is not a letter encouraging surrender in the  war on 
drugs, for it is imperative that we do not, it  may be time to 
redirect our fire and come up with a  sane policy. One that doesn't 
punish only kids trying  to better themselves would be a good place to start.

Al Gascon

Bainbridge
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart