Pubdate: Sat, 09 Apr 2005
Source: Anchorage Daily News (AK)
Copyright: 2005 The Anchorage Daily News
Contact:  http://www.adn.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/18
Author: Michael Boshears
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

MARIJUANA LEGISLATION IS PROOF OF HOW FAST ALASKA IS TURNING REDNECK

Could the governor and those who support this legislation be any more wrong 
about marijuana and its effects? Comparing it to heroin -- are you kidding 
me? I am in absolute awe of such blatant ignorance and misrepresentation.

This bill is ludicrous and will do nothing but criminalize large segments 
of the population who are not a danger to society and greatly increase law 
enforcement and consequent costs. Maybe that's what its adherents really 
want: more "criminals" and "crimes" to provide job security for Alaska's 
growing Law Enforcement/Correctional Industrial Complex. I guess "our" 
government thinks finding ways and means to lock up its citizens is not 
only a nifty way to maintain our current correctional industry but will 
create even more jobs. Or maybe Alaska just wants to beat out some other 
state for highest percentage of incarcerated population? If this is true, I 
guess Alaska comes by this bent (and I do mean bent) honestly: After all, 
the United States already has the highest incarceration rate of any 
"civilized" country in the world.

That Alaska is considered a red state is one thing; that it is fast 
becoming a redneck state with a "Little Texas" mentality is just plain 
embarrassing.

- ---- Michael Boshears

Palmer
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom