Pubdate: Tue, 15 Jan 2002 Source: Fayetteville Observer-Times (NC) Copyright: 2002 Fayetteville Observer-Times Contact: http://www.fayettevillenc.com/foto/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/150 Author: Russ Olenick PUT PEOPLE FIRST, NOT POLITICS All right now, Mr. Bush. You say drug addicts support terrorism. I say oil addicts do. In truth, we are a nation of addicts from chocolate to coffee and tobacco to countless pill companies (who push their products through corporate advertisements.) You say close our borders. I say we are America. We fear only God, our creator, who founded this country with the influx of immigrants. America needs to remain open and honor Miss Liberty's pledge. Have you ever read her solemn promise? Do you comprehend it? America cannot be sold unity! We are either united or divided. The drug war is a miserable failure. Release all non-violent drug offenders. Reverse mandatory minimums. Encourage citizens to vote. It's time to vote your kind out, Republican or Democrat. Both parties blindly argue over non-issues, and the roots, the sturdy trunk and branches, the people, are parched, while only the top of the tree flourishes. Big brother: three balls, two strikes, but no worry. Little brother is on deck. Don't throw the ball game! Russ Olenick Raeford - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart