Pubdate: Sun, 11 Jan 2009 Source: El Paso Times (TX) Copyright: 2009 El Paso Times Contact: http://www.elpasotimes.com/formnewsroom Website: http://www.elpasotimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/829 Author: Steve Smith Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09.n021.a05.html GANGSTERS CHEERING Hooray to the El Paso City Council for its courageous attempt to pressure the feds to legalize drugs. Sure, it's a political hot potato, but so was any mention of stock derivatives being worthless. Then the shoe dropped and now everyone is wondering why our government was promoting this garbage. Nobody expects to be able to buy heroin at the corner Walgreens, but how about allowing drugs in a locked, clinical setting? For the cost of the present drug-enforcement program, drugs could be given for free and doctors provided. And no lives would have to be lost. Mayor Cook vetoed the measure. I guess it's politically correct to take a "tough stand" on drugs, even though that gives this business to the criminals. It really tells you something that he vetoed "an open and honest debate on ending the prohibition on narcotics." In other words, our elected representatives should not study this action, nor should they be able to talk about it. Go ahead and support the status quo, Mayor Cook. I'm sure the gangsters are cheering you on. Steve Smith Alamogordo - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin