Pubdate: Wed, 30 Jun 2010 Source: Quesnel Cariboo Observer (CN BC) Copyright: 2010 Quesnel Cariboo Observer Contact: http://www.quesnelobserver.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1260 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v10/n486/a12.html Author: Todd Birch RULE OVERLOAD Editor: Re: Solving The War On Drugs, Observer, June 25. Once again Damon Faulkner nails it in his usual succinct manner. Several drug enforcement officers would agree with him, the "war on drugs" dragging on interminably, costing billions, many lives and accomplishing nothing. However, he needs to understand that laws intended for the public good don't necessarily work out that way in the real world. We live in a gun-paranoid society that has seen fit to criminalize guns and firearms ownership. An unlicenced citizen apprehended with an unregistered firearm is liable to a sentence of 10 years, far longer than any meted out for drug offences. Ask yourself which constitutes more of a threat and costs society more lives and money - drugs or your neighbour's firearms? For that matter, look at the cost to society because of alcohol related incidents. Governments and businesses make a fortune from its sale. But criminalizing alcohol as was done during the prohibition era didn't solve the problem; making millions for the illegal trade in booze. A couple of quotes for Damon and others to ponder. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. When there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking any laws. -Ayn Rand Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of it's victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end ... for they do so with the approval of their own conscience. -C.S. Lewis If the mere passing of laws was sufficient to make society safe, then with the number of laws on the books, we ought to be very safe. God was content with 10. You cannot legislate morality or regulate human behaviour with statutes. But, it does keep a lot of legal and judicial people employed and gives law makers something to rant about between elections. Todd Birch Quesnel - --- MAP posted-by: Matt