Pubdate: Fri, 08 Feb 2002
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (WI)
Copyright: 2002 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Contact:  http://www.jsonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/265
Author: Jim Maas
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/campaign.htm (ONDCP Media Campaign)
Alert: http://www.mapinc.org/alert/0231.html

BLAME U.S. POLICY FOR TERRORIST TRADE

The Feb. 2 "Weekly laurels and laments" on the Editorial Page warned 
that the government was spending millions on a couple of Super Bowl 
TV ads. The advertisements claiming that Americans who use illegal 
drugs help finance terrorists were dishonest, outrageous and a waste 
of taxpayers' money. For the White House Office of National Drug 
Control Policy to claim that drug users are to blame for financing 
terrorists is like a maniac who kills his parents and then throws 
himself on the mercy of the court because he is an orphan.

It's the war on drugs that causes the very problem these ads complain 
about. The war on drugs is a price support system for terrorists and 
drug pushers. It turns ordinary, cheap plants like marijuana and 
poppies into fantastically lucrative black market products. 
Furthermore, the war on drugs makes America more vulnerable to 
terrorists by misdirecting police resources.

The war on drugs created a black market that enriches terrorists, 
finances violence and makes America less safe. The $3.4 million in 
taxpayer money to run two 30-second advertisements was the largest 
single government ad purchase in U.S. history and was unnecessary, 
inappropriate and an insult to American taxpayers. Our government 
should not be spending our money on advertising, especially false 
advertising.

Jim Maas,
Stevens Point
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MAP posted-by: Josh