Pubdate: Thu, 08 Dec 2005 Source: Arbiter, The (Boise State, ID Edu) Copyright: 2005 The Arbiter Contact: http://www.arbiteronline.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3516 Author: Bruce Symington Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1915/a03.html LIES, THEY'RE ALL LIES I read the Opinion Editorial in the Dec. 5th issue of The Arbiter entitled, "Shoot This Idea Up." I have read many such items, and love reading them. They are usually a mix of half, quarter, and non truths-twisted around, and put together with a lot of straw man arguments. For those who do not know, a straw man argument is one where you compare two non-similar things, and claim they are the same. Mr. Stoker makes this error when he compares something done by one to oneself, such as smoke a joint, to something bad done to someone else, such as rape or assault. However, few writers, are able to encompass as many lies, damned lies and misinformation into one piece. It boggles the mind, I know not where to begin. Of course, it is much easier for gentle reader to look it up themselves. The information which puts forth the truth countering everything Mr. Stoker says is found at http://www.drugwarfacts.org/ and the distortions are summarized at www.drugwardistortions.org/. This whole opinion piece is redolent with the odor of livestock. Bruce Symington Medicine Hat, Alberta - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake