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 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D