Pubdate: Thu, 20 Nov 2003 Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (WI) Copyright: 2003 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Contact: http://www.jsonline.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/265 Author: Randy Vizyak Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hea.htm (Higher Education Act) Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n1798/a05.html IN VICTIMLESS CRIME, SUCH LAWS AREN'T FAIR I have to commend the Editorial Board on the Nov. 17 editorial "The makings of bad law." The Assembly bill that denies financial aid to students convicted of selling drugs punishes a drug offender more severely than an armed robber or murderer. It's OK if a student steals my car, just as long as he doesn't grow a marijuana plant. The bill should be defeated in the Senate. However, I must challenge the board on the statement "Drug dealing is a serious offense." That's true in the same way that selling liquor was a serious offense in 1929. Punishment should be inflicted on those who commit crimes against people and property, where there are victims. If my neighbors smoke marijuana or opium in the privacy of their homes, they do me no injury; it is no different than if they drink beer or gin in private. So why do we punish them and their suppliers? In the name of justice, we should either reinstate alcohol prohibition or end the current drug prohibition. Randy Vizyak Mukwonago - --- MAP posted-by: Josh