Pubdate: Sun, 02 Mar 2003 Source: Traverse City Record-Eagle (MI) Copyright: 2003 The Traverse City Record-Eagle Contact: http://www.record-eagle.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1336 Author: Paul T. Watson Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) DRUG LAWS ARE SKEWED As I was reading a recent edition of the Record-Eagle, I came across an article that both angered me and at the same time didn't really surprise me. It seems that in this country, if you are related to the president of the United States, you just don't have to worry about going to jail. Noelle Bush, daughter of Gov. Jeb Bush, seems to have it made. I thought parole violators went to jail? It seems that criminals who have "connections" can just scoot by the "justice system." One of my questions is, how many court orders can she violate and still get away with not going to jail? Then I guess I must be missing the "big picture" here. It seems that the War on Drugs has failed, as well as the legal system, when it comes to privileged kids. If you, or I, or our children - regular folk - participate in illegal activities, we expect to pay for our mistakes. I think it's time for us to look at what we can do to as a society to change the way "justice" is handed out. It just doesn't seem right that Oklahoma sentenced James Geddes to 150 years for possession of marijuana, a drug considered less harmful than tobacco or alcohol, while Noelle can repeatedly get away with the use of one of the worst drugs ever produced, and repeatedly get a slap on the wrist from our judicial system. Studies show marijuana is harmless, and crack cocaine can destroy your health, your family and your life. I think it's time to wake up, change the drug laws to reflect today's attitude towards the use of "soft drugs," penalize the importers of "hard drugs," and stop coddling the rich. Of course, that's only my opinion. Paul T. Watson Traverse City - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk