Pubdate: Wed, 12 Mar 2008
Source: Dallas Morning News (TX)
Copyright: 2008 The Dallas Morning News
Contact:  http://www.dallasnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/117
Author: Gary Funderburk

JUST SAY NO - TO LEGISLATING MORALITY

Re: "My view's evolving - William F. Buckley approved of drug 
legalization. Is it time more conservatives reconsidered? asks Mark 
Davis," Sunday Points.

Reflecting on William F. Buckley's progressive drug stance, Mr. Davis 
does not seem to have evolved his view at all. It is Mr. Davis' 
opinion that the teen who passes on drugs out of fear of arrest 
proves the system works. How? His hypothetical drugs were 
manufactured, distributed, made available and probably sold to someone else.

The real problem is threefold for the average citizen: theft/robbery 
committed to pay for drugs, a criminal culture arising from drug 
distribution, and bloody turf wars and the rise of international drug cartels.

Mr. Buckley may have agreed that the government cannot legislate 
morality, a painful lesson learned with the Prohibition. The money 
stream created for organized crime allowing them to finance 
prostitution, gambling and racketeering far outweighed the evils of 
"demon rum." Americans wised up. They also continued drinking.

Gary Funderburk, Dallas
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom