Pubdate: Wed, 05 Aug 2009
Source: Lake Country Calendar (CN BC)
Copyright: 2009 Black Press
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/uDzqLFOG
Website: http://www.bclocalnews.com/okanagan_similkameen/lakecountrycalendar/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2229
Author: Mel Wilde
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?199 (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing)

IT'S TIME TO LOCK THEM UP

Perhaps the strangest logic I have heard from left wing activists in 
Canada is that tough sentencing of drug dealers doesn't work. 
Somehow, they claim that mandatory minimum sentences for serious drug 
dealers will undermine our judges ability to hand down appropriate sentences.

Most of us know that the drive-by and targeted killings we read 
about, particularly in the lower mainland, are drug related. We also 
know that our children are inundated with the opportunity to "try" 
these killer substances. Yet, our vocal activist would have us 
believe that the home "grow ops" are not really dangerous. These 
"grow ops" are just simple small time mortgage payment helpers.

The so-called "Mom and Pop grow ops" are the beginning of the food 
chain that fuels the organized crime empire in British Columbia. Like 
an invisible spider web that chain begins the financing and 
organization of a monster threat to our society.

We need to reject the cherry picking statistics of the so called 
activists and pay a lot more attention to the folks in our town who 
have families torn apart because drugs are so available. It is heart 
breaking to listen to everyday folks tell of their children and other 
loved ones who have their lives destroyed by terrible drugs.

After watching these tragedies, I'm very willing to send them (the 
dealers) away for a very long time. At least they won't be organizing 
and dealing while they are locked up.

Last February our Federal Government tabled a bill in the House of 
Commons that would apply tougher mandatory sentences for drug 
dealers. It took from February 27, 2009 until June 8, 2009 for Bill 
C-15 to pass through the House.

Since then the Bill has languished in the Senate. This wonderful 
unelected group (dominated by Federal Liberals) has effectively 
stalled the progress of a Bill that would help protect us.

I don't have a problem with the NDP opposing this Bill. They have 
been honest about their point of view. While I believe that the 
safety of the Canadian public comes before the rights of criminals, 
at least left wing activists like MP Libby Davis take an honest 
public position.

The Federal Liberal Party has used rhetoric to cover up their 
stalling of this bill. The Toronto Globe and Mail says that Liberal 
Leader Ignatieff has had a quiet summer.

Good for him, but what about the peoples business? Using the Senate 
to stall improved legislation from becoming law is unacceptable. 
Michael Ignatieff needs to order his Senators to pass this bill so 
that drug dealers can be locked up for reasonable periods of time.

When folks complain about crooks getting off lightly or let out of 
prison early to restart their criminal activity they need to remember 
this stalling by Liberal senators. Every political party has a 
responsibility to put forward their arguments and debate the 
substance of legislation. To shy away from a public position or cloak 
themselves in vague moral garments to avoid be recognized as being 
"soft on crime" is not acceptable.

This stalling game is nothing more than cheap political back room 
games. When it places Canadians in harms way by keeping crooks on the 
street, it's not funny. The destructive effects of drug dealing are 
horrific. Every day that a drug dealer walks free on our streets 
means someones life is terribly harmed.

Many reasonable Canadians would prefer an elected Senate. The 
behavior of the current bunch helps me understand why.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom