Pubdate: Fri, 21 Dec 2001
Source: The Press of Atlantic City (NJ)
Copyright: 2001 South Jersey Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.pressplus.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/29
Note: Will not accept letters without name, daytime and evening phone 
numbers. Letters are subject to editing. The shorter the letter, the 
more likely it will be published. The Press invites readers to submit 
guest columns on local, regional or state issue
Author: Barry E. Zane Sr.
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

NO LENIENCY FOR POT SMOKER

Regarding the Dec. 17 editorial, "A fired guardsman/A lapse in judgment":

Many of the reports I read in the papers or see on TV deal with 
helping kids stay away from tobacco, alcohol and drugs. The message 
is that responsible people don't do drugs. It is an admirable message 
to keep our kids clean and thus reduce crime and social disorder.

Then along comes The Press, spotlighting the cause of a person who 
chose to smoke marijuana and got caught. You use the excuse that he 
was a National Guardsman who worked at the landfill handling debris 
from ground zero. I am embarrassed and ashamed of The Press for this 
editorial.

Are you saying that all the cops, firefighters, volunteers and 
military people who have been involved with ground zero from day one 
now all have excuses to go smoke dope?

Wow, there is a great message for our kids. Perhaps you should have 
chastised the man for letting down either his fellow guardsmen or 
fellow ground-zero workers. The man goofed, true, but did he not have 
a higher standard to live up to since he did wear the uniform of our 
military?

It appears to me that he has used his experience and position with 
the National Guard as an excuse for his poor judgment. I feel you had 
a major lapse of judgment with this editorial.

BARRY E. ZANE SR.,

Audubon
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MAP posted-by: Josh