Pubdate: Wed, 09 Mar 2005 Source: Wainwright Review, The (CN AB) Copyright: Wainwright Review 2005 Contact: http://www.wainwrightreview.awna.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3413 Author: Jonathon Koroluk Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) ENOUGH IS ENOUGH Last week, the worst single killing spree of Canadian law enforcement personnel since the Northwest Rebellion occurred in the small rural community of Mayerthorpe, Alberta. Four mounties, and their killer, died. A week later, Canada is still shocked by these events--a killing spree that started with the simple repossession of an automobile which grew into a marijuana grow-op bust which then grew into four officers needlessly losing their lives. I say needlessly, because a drug bust, however noble, is not worth the lives of four mounties. It should never have happened. The killer, a 46-year-old man named Jim Roszko, was already known to police. This gentlemen would openly state to family, friends, basically anyone who would listen, how he despised the police and was willing to use force against them. This isn't my own speculation but the words of Jim's father, Bill - a man who called his own son ' a devil.' So this week, civilians and law enforcers alike will pay homage to the young men who perished in the line of duty. And after all of the memorials and kind words are said, what will be done? Probably nothing. Sure, those who are liberal minded in our society will say that it was a tragic event and Mr. Roszko was simply a 'misguided' individual. The conservatives will simply blame the government, as usual. And in the meantime, we're still going to send our police into the boxing match that is society with their hands tied behind their backs, while Roszkos everywhere dish out haymaker after haymaker. After all, we friendly Canadians would never want to offend any minority, including criminals. Our society has gone full circle, unfortunately for the worse. We have taken the power from those who defend the thin red line between order and anarchy in the interests of preserving the rights of those who have little to no regard for peace and security. Meanwhile, the brave men and women who risk their lives every day so that we can safely enjoy the freedoms that we do, are rewarded with open chastising and ridicule. I consider myself to be a liberal person. And by liberal, I mean that I believe that every person in Canada, regardless of age, sex, race, sexual orientation, whatever, should be treated equally. But unfortunately, it's gone so far that Canada's overpacification of minority rights (unless you're gay) has now spread to criminals. You have your rights, you say? So do the police. They have the right not to be killed by some crackpot during a routine drug bust. I have no problem with the police knocking on my door with a warrant this very instant and asking to have a look around. You see, I don't bother them, and they don't bother me. I would like to encourage everyone who may read this to question not only the government about the rights of our police officers, but our own as well. After all, I'm sure not all of us are called 'pigs' when we go to work. Deal with it. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin