Pubdate: Thu, 28 May 2009 Source: Goldstream Gazette (Victoria, CN BC) Copyright: 2009 Black Press Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/vvfJCciY Website: http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1291 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n546/a05.html Author: Ken Lane SENTENCES CRITICIZED WITHOUT ALTERNATIVE Re: 'Tough' drug bill all politics, Our View, May 20, 2009. The editorial with respect to Bill C-15 that would impose mandatory minimum sentences for drugs crimes takes the approach of an "official opposition" in that it simply opposes the initiative while offering no alternatives towards reversing this growing challenge to society. Perhaps we can paraphrase Churchill -- who described democracy as the worst form of government, except for all the others -- by suggesting that the minimum sentences may be the worst response, except for all the other responses, other than making no response at all. Ken Lane Langford - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake