Pubdate: Tue, 21 Feb 2012
Source: Williams Lake Tribune, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Williams Lake Tribune
Contact:  http://www.wltribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1226
Author: Diana French, Columnist, Williams Lake Tribune
Note: Diana French is a freelance columnist for the Tribune. She is a former
Tribune editor, retired teacher, historian, and book author.

PRETENDING CAN BE COSTLY

We certainly are living in interesting times. (Isn't there a Chinese
curse along those lines?)

In the last few weeks, Auditor General John Doyle found serious flaws
in the management of our forests; B.C. Ombudsperson Kim Carter issued
a damning report on senior's care; and provincial court judge Daniel
Steinberg said the state of our justice system is "abysmal."

This is on top of the ongoing battle between the province and
teachers. And that's just on the provincial scene.

It's a matter of chickens coming home to roost because many of these
issues started with government cutbacks a decade ago. It's going to be
costly getting things on track, no doubt about that, but it's just as
costly to pretend everything is OK.

Health Minister Mike De Jong and Justice Minister Shirley Bond are
doing something, but Forest, Lands, and Natural Resources Minister
Steve Thomson says the forest goals are being met already.

If those goals are to decimate our forests, he may be
right.

Premier Christy Clark is saying there is no money for any changes.
Maybe instead of supporting the fed's proposed Bill C-10, which, among
other things, will see mandatory sentences imposed for marijuana
offenses (putting even more strain on the justice system) Ms. Clark
should be going with the doctors, lawyers, judges, former mayors and
attorney generals who are saying it's time to treat marijuana like
tobacco and booze, regulate it and tax it.

The tax money would go a long way to fill government coffers (instead
of drug dealers) and decriminalization would free up the justice
system. Sure it's a federal matter, but supporting it might give Ms.
Clark a boost in the polls.

Question. According to a couple of federal cabinet ministers, citizens
who disagree with Conservative programs and policies are
foreign-funded environmentalists, terrorists, anti-capitalists, or
child-pornographers. What do they call citizens who would
decriminalize marijuana. Stoners?
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MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.