Pubdate: Tue, 25 Mar 2003 Source: Airdrie Echo (CN AB) Copyright: 2003 Airdrie Echo Contact: http://www.airdrieecho.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1558 Author: Paul Wells, Echo Editor PRIORITIES SEEM ASKEW To the U.S.-based pro-marijuana advocates who have inundated us with letters of late: We've enjoyed reading your thoughts on the matter of legalizing marijuana. Understand that, as a newspaper, it is our job to report such information as that which has been contained within the pages of the Airdrie Echo concerning some large-scale marijuana growing operation busts in the city as of late. On the other hand, we have also published articles on the plight of Grant Krieger, who lived in Airdrie for a period of time and has been a long-time advocate of the legalizing of pot. We have little doubt that you are aware of Grant and his plight. The job of media is to present a balanced publication --- you don't shy away from one side or the other. That is why we have been printing any number of letters from your obvious special interest group that operates North America wide -- it's called freedom of expression, a concept that we hold dear. While we appreciate the continued deluge of letters such as yours, one must wonder if, in these most uncertain of times, there might not be more important issues to address. As Americans, surely there must be far more pressing concerns on which to focus your letter-writing efforts. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom