Pubdate: Tue, 23 Jul 2002 Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON) Copyright: 2002 The Ottawa Citizen Contact: http://www.canada.com/ottawa/ottawacitizen/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/326 Author: Chris Buors LET'S LEARN FROM U.S. MISTAKES Re: U.S. to Canada: 'Lax' marijuana laws hinder war on drugs, July 18. Who cares what American "drug czar" Asa Hutchinson thinks about Canadian drug law? The Americans have sacrificed almost every freedom they owned while fighting for the moral righteousness that drives the drug war. It is often said that the United States is Canada's best friend, whether we like it or not. One of the duties of being best friends is to tell your pals when they are over the line of acceptable behaviour. The Americans "lost it" on the drug war years ago. The drug war has manifested itself into a full-blown scapegoat persecution with the Americans leading the witchhunt worldwide. All the characteristics of a police state are evident in Washington: ID badges, dogs and cameras everywhere. Would we pay any attention to what Stalin or Hitler wanted? Why does the answer change when the totalitarians are American? Chris Buors, Winnipeg - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom