Pubdate: Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Source: Calgary Sun, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2003 The Calgary Sun
Contact:  http://www.fyicalgary.com/calsun.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/67

TOKE-N APPROVAL

Prime Minister Paul Martin's stance that he will go ahead with the 
decriminalization of marijuana use no matter what the U.S. says is wrong.

And here, we will not even get into the debate as to whether personal 
possession of small amounts of marijuana should be seen as a misdemeanor, 
rather than a criminal offence.

It's Martin's attitude that is wrong.

Why upset Washington yet one more time?

Why not try to rebuild the bridges to the U.S. that Martin's predecessor so 
successfully destroyed?

Why not show we are now once again America's closest ally?

The U.S. administration is adamant about fighting the use of illegal drugs. 
President George W. Bush's cabinet believes drug use destroys health and 
fuels crime. It also contends drug cartels bankroll terrorism.

To a degree, the Bush administration is right on all three counts.

Let's all admit to that.

Yet, whether or not youngsters who experiment because of peer pressure -- 
or 'sophisticated' upscale types who smoke a weekend joint -- should be 
prosecuted for a criminal offence is not the basis of our argument. This 
weekend even former vice-president Al Gore's son was charged with marijuana 
possession.

Our argument is again, that at every touch and turn, we seem to be trying 
to infuriate our closest neighour.

We've abrogated our military commitments and abandoned the U.S. in its 
fight to liberate Iraq. Indeed, Jean Chretien just about said the U.S. got 
what it deserved with the terrorist attacks on New York City. In the midst 
of this, we have trade battles with the U.S. on softwood lumber and beef 
exports, as well as other issues.

Since more than 80% of our exports and 50% of our jobs directly or 
indirectly depend on our export to the U.S. -- which basically means our 
nation's economy would collapse with the loss of those exports and jobs -- 
shouldn't we try to shore up our relationship rather than antagonize 
Washington and allow our relationship to drift apart?

Well, the answer is obvious.

Obvious, apparently, to everyone except a newly installed and 
stubborn-headed prime minister.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens