Pubdate: Sun, 12 Sep 2004 Source: Province, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2004 The Province Contact: http://www.canada.com/vancouver/theprovince/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476 Author: R. J. Wolf Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Da+Kine MAYBE NO ONE TOLD THE STORM TROOPERS THE CAFE'S DOORS ARE ALWAYS OPEN I watched helicopters overhead, my street shut down and invaded by law enforcement, and SWAT members with weapons forcing their way into Da Kine Cafe in masks to lay down the law on a few hippies. Maybe no one told the storm troopers Da Kine's front door is always open. Maybe no one told them heroin is dealt on Main Street right in front of the police station doors, hundreds of times every day and is shot up across the street in "safe houses." A hippy won't break into your car for pennies in your ashtray or steal your lawnmower or family dog. Exactly who are the police protecting us from, anyway? Again, Vancouver is the butt of jokes around the world. R.J. Wolf, Vancouver - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake