Pubdate: Tue, 01 Dec 2009 Source: Langley Advance (CN BC) Copyright: 2009 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc. Contact: http://www.langleyadvance.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1248 Author: Russell Barth Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n1043/a10.html PROHIBITION BASED ON ABSURD FAITH Dear Editor, The problem with prohibitionists like Langley City Mayor Peter Fassbender [Mayor offers drug advice to Ottawa, Nov. 6, Langley Advance] is that they are like religious fanatics: they "believe" in their position, and no amount of facts and history and science can ever sway them from their belief. In fact, the more evidence you present to prove them wrong, the more they dig in their heels. It is faith-based drug policy-making, and it is beyond absurd. Actually, attitudes on drug prohibition are a good litmus test for any politician: If you cannot grasp the simple, third-grade-level math of prohibition's folly, or if you choose to deliberately ignore that evidence, then you are not even qualified to vote, let alone run for office. Travis Erbacher [Mayor's stance dangerous, Nov. 20 Letters, Langley Advance], will have a tough time beating this nincompoop in an election, because as we have repeatedly seen, the general public is too myopic, visceral, and misinformed on drug policy issues to vote for the most sensible candidate. Russell Barth, Nepean, Ontario - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D