Pubdate: Sun, 05 Dec 2010 Source: Flathead Beacon, The (Kalispell, MT) Copyright: Kirk Muse Contact: http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4870 Author: Kirk Muse STOP THE NANNY STATE I'm writing in response to Wilma Beck's letter (Dec. 1 Beacon: "Marijuana, Nut No `Happy Meals'=94). If our government can criminalize a natural herb that has never killed anybody in the 5,000-year history of its use, it can criminalize any food. What could be more pro nanny-state than marijuana prohibition? Beyond the fact that marijuana prohibition is counterproductive and a complete waste of money, what about the right of adult citizens to be left alone =ADespecially in the privacy of our own homes? We don't punish those who attempt suicide and survive. So why do we punish those who consume the wrong (politically selected) recreational drugs? I don't want my government attempting to protect me from myself. I want my government to protect me from those who want to harm me against my will. Today, our nanny-state government tells us which recreational drugs we may or may not consume. Note that nicotine is OK, but marijuana is not. If Beck is opposed to the use of marijuana, medical or otherwise, don't buy it and don't use it. Period. Kirk Muse Mesa, Ariz. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart