Pubdate: Wed, 16 Mar 2005 Source: Langley Times (CN BC) Copyright: 2005 BC Newspaper Group and New Media Development Contact: http://www.langleytimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1230 Author: Colin Walker Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n437/a09.html BALANCE WAS NEEDED Editor: So it was disgusting for activists to decry the evils of prohibition, but not for top cops and authorities to use the tragedy to call for harsher penalties on cannabis when cannabis was not even the reason for the police to be present? (Guest editorial from Prince George Free Press, The Times, March 9). Everybody jumped the gun because of poor reporting, yet this editorial only grills the BCCLA and BCMP? On the day after the shooting, the media trotted out every MP and cop who called for harsher penalties for grow-ops. Harsher penalties do not work and would cost taxpayers billions, and ratchet up the violence associated with grow-ops. Their condolences were equally hollow. A little balance would be nice, instead of using a newspaper to attack your political enemies. Prohibition may not have killed the four officers in question, but it has killed more people than cannabis ever will. Colin Walker, New Westminster - --- MAP posted-by: Josh