Dear editor,

Tragedy is often accompanied by hysteria and misplaced blame. This can be excused, to some extent, as a natural human reaction ruled by emotion rather than reason, though one can hope that reason will eventually prevail.

However, a tragedy can also be used by shrewd ideologues to push certain aspects of their agenda that would, under normal circumstances, be seen as irrational.

For example, some are using the recent killings of four police officers as a means of attacking marijuana and its users. Never mind the fact that the perpetrator was obviously a dangerous individual, regardless of which criminal enterprise he had chosen to pursue; that he chose a marijuana grow-op is apparently an indictment against this otherwise benign substance, peacefully enjoyed by millions worldwide without incident.

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