Pubdate: Thu, 08 Jun 2006 Source: Smithers Interior News (CN BC) Copyright: 2006, BC Newspaper Group Contact: http://www.interior-news.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1631 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n604/a06.html Author: George Kosinski COPS TERRORIZE PEACEFUL GARDENERS Editor: I was stunned by the RCMP's immature and inappropriate posturing as reported in the May 10 edition of The Interior News. Publicly threatening to visit terror and violence on gardeners of unauthorized plants can hardly be considered acceptable in a democratic society, especially in view of the fact that such threats have never been addressed to murderers, rapists, child molesters, and thieves -- all of whom make much less desirable neighbours than gardeners growing plants that millions of people love. Is there anyone left who fails to note the obvious, that allowing individuals to grow a few plants for personal use, or legalizing and regulating marijuana as alcohol and tobacco are regulated, would eliminate 95 per cent of the grow-ops? What would constitute an appropriate avenue of redress for this dangerous verbal abuse by individuals allowed to carry guns in public and to point them at people and threaten to shoot them? At the very least, I believe Corporal Warren Brown should be required to submit a statement to The Interior News offering his response to the mission statement of the organization, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (http://www.leap.cc/), whose members include former and current members of the law-enforcement industry. The RCMP refers to its goal of "Safe Homes, Safe Communities," but encouraging hatred and violence toward peaceful gardeners providing a valuable service can hardly be viewed as increasing the safety of your communities. It's not about enjoying marijuana, it's about enjoying liberty. George Kosinski Gibsons, B.C. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake