Pubdate: Sun, 02 Dec 2001
Source: Kansas City Star (MO)
Copyright: 2001 The Kansas City Star
Contact:  http://www.kcstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/221
Author: Ray Carlson

JOHN ASHCROFT

John Donham's Nov. 23 letter claims that John Ashcroft is just doing his 
job to raid pot clubs. If so, why is the attorney general simultaneously 
complaining that the war on terrorism is stretching his resources thin? The 
writer acts as if Ashcroft has no choice. In actuality, Ashcroft is not at 
all "required" to raid pot clubs or issue edicts against states that 
practice democratic self- determination. Rather, these are a matter of 
discretion, which he has abused.

As an American who was taught that the Constitution is as sacred as 
anything can be within a state supposedly separated from church influence, 
the letter's most-offensive suggestion is that California's Proposition 215 
is an attempt to "defy federal law." I would suggest that the author read 
the 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, the law of the land that 
Ashcroft swore to uphold, then look up the definition of "democracy." 
Ashcroft's America respects neither.

Ray Carlson

Redwood City, Calif.
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MAP posted-by: Beth