Pubdate: Mon, 1 Sep 2008
Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2008 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact:  http://www.ottawasun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329
Author: Paul Hansen
Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor, headline by newshawk.

MORALLY WRONG?

Re: "Cashing in on casinos" (Aug. 27). Kanata Coun. Peggy Feltmate 
said, "The fact is
casinos are going to exist no matter what you do, so why shouldn't we 
try to get more
money from their operations?"

Well, there you go, I've been saying that for years -- about drug
addiction, prostitution and some of the other revenue-producing
juggernauts which exist no matter what you do.

For decades, governments have gleaned billions from alcohol, tobacco
and, most recently, gambling, all of which prove deadly to some of
their users.

If Feltmate is correct, is it such a difficult leap to legal, safer,
health-regulated, controlled, recreational drugs and prostitution,
which is rarely fatal? Or is all of it simply morally wrong?

Paul Hansen

Ottawa

(Some of that money does go to gambling addiction programs)
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake