Pubdate: Mon, 05 May 2003
Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2003, Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact:  http://www.fyiottawa.com/ottsun.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329
Author: Chris Buors
Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor, headline by newshawk

MORALITY CANNOT BE LEGISLATED

There will be a terrible social justice price to pay for the hypocrisy Jean 
Chretien is planning to saddle Canadians with through a change in the drug 
laws. Morality cannot be legislated and attempts to do so have simply bred 
disrespect for the law and the government from Day 1.

The Senate committee of Pierre Claude Nolin specifically warned about the 
dangers of decriminalization rather than legalization of cannabis. Too bad 
the press and Canadians did not read or study those recommendations or we 
would reject the decriminalization notion out of hand because it will not 
deal with the ugliness drug prohibition has delivered to Canadians.

It was Richard Rumbold, leader of the Levellers, who fought for religious 
freedom in medieval England, whose last words before the king hung him were 
"I never could believe that Providence had sent a few men into the world, 
ready booted and spurred to ride, and millions ready saddled and bridled to 
be ridden."

Jean Chretien can continue to please those with vested interests in 
controlling our thoughts on drugs and the drugs themselves or he can end 
medical serfdom. Either way, I am honoured to pick up Rumbold's mantle. 
There still ain't going to be no saddle on my back, no matter what lies Mr. 
Chretien cares to legislate into truth to send moral messages about drugs.

Chris Buors

(Actually, it seems that Chretien's proposal pleases no one)
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart