Pubdate: Sun, 15 Sep 2002 Source: Santa Cruz Sentinel (CA) Copyright: 2002 Santa Cruz Sentinel Contact: http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/394 Author: Tom Clunie EVICT THE FEDS, TRACY As a licensed health professional deeply concerned about the health and well-being of our community, I feel strongly obligated to publicly speak out against the outrageous actions of the Drug Enforcement Agency in Davenport earlier this month. I view these DEA agents as nothing less than a goon-squad grunt division for the pharmaceutical-medical-industrial complex sent out to protect their monopolistic domination of health care. They want people on their expensive (and often lethal) drugs, rather than using anything that is inexpensive, effective and self-regulated. These were consenting adults operating for mutual self-benefit - no one's life, liberty or property were being threatened (only drug profits). Three- fourths of Californians have voted "yes" to medical marijuana. In an act of supreme arrogance, the DEA descended upon a community of sick people to impose its own very sick agenda. It is a violation of the Constitution for the federal government to impose its will on such an exclusively internal county matter. Unfortunately, there appears to be no limitation or accountability on federal arrogance - Ruby Ridge/Waco, and now Davenport. The federal government everywhere is vastly exceeding its constitutional boundaries and has demonstrated itself to be a clear and present threat to the lives, health and well-being of our community. Sheriff Tracy, you have the power and authority to evict every federal agent and agency out of Santa Cruz County. For the safety, health and well-being and perhaps even the lives of our county's residents, I am calling upon you to do so. Let's make Santa Cruz county a "Federal Free Zone." Kick all the feds out. Power to people, not monopolies. TOM CLUNIE, DC SANTA CRUZ - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart