Pubdate: Wed, 18 Feb 2009 Source: Tribune, The (San Luis Obispo, CA) Copyright: 2009 The Tribune Contact: http://www.sanluisobispo.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/391 Author: Scott Ziering ANTI-POT MONGERS DISTORT Once again, the anti-marijuana crowd's campaign of disinformation is in the spotlight. World champion swimmer Michael Phelps smoked pot on his own time and yet continued to succeed. His suspension is pathetic; a sacrificial lamb to appease these fear mongers whom, through their own ignorance, destroy regular people's lives, all the while pontificating how they are protecting society. If only they had real world experience with the cannabis plant, they would find it impossible to maintain their level of fear. Instead we have a modern day reefer madness. If only Michael had stood up for himself instead of feigning remorse to appease the mob with his obligatory public apology, pot heads would have someone to look up to. And what did he apologize for anyway? Enjoying his life the way he sees fit? He is not responsible to the world's parents as a role model. I ask other parents, why do the rest of us have to pay for this bogus war on marijuana so you can continue lying to your children about its effects? I ask law enforcement, why do we have to pay for this bogus war on marijuana so you can continue your overbloated paramilitary enforcement of a detrimental and dogmatic policy? Scott Ziering Paso Robles - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin