Pubdate: Wed, 29 Sep 2004
Source: Macon Telegraph (GA)
Copyright: 2004 The Macon Telegraph Publishing Company
Contact:  http://www.macontelegraph.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/667
Author: Lindsay D. Holliday
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n1335/a03.html

STINGS ARE FOR SHOW

I agree with your editorial that the drug stings are mostly for
show.

I will go further to state that the cost of this noble but
self-righteous show is not affordable.

A number of carefree, careless and mostly black teens are now labeled
with a criminal record. Now each can view (him)self as beginning a
career path towards criminality.

These kids are now inoculated with a disrespect, fear and hatred for a
system that has singled them out for punishment for a crime that most
white kids do, too.

The long-term result of these stings are costs that are higher than
our society wants to pay for - hate, fear, massive jails, disrespect
and lawlessness. An imperfect model of our current quagmire is the
"unconstitutional" Prohibition Act 1920-33, known also as the 18th
Amendment to the Constitution.

Lindsay D. Holliday

Macon 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake