Letters to the editor

Going Dutch
BY DAVID DOWNIE
(03/13/00)

Boy, there's a good idea: let's replace our present drug laws, which are unjust, irrational and ineffective, with new laws that are even more vague and which effectively put more power into the hands of the police in determining when a "crime" has occurred. What we need is new drug laws which clearly articulate the legality and/or illegality of the sale, possession and use of various hard and soft drugs, based on the realities of the negative impacts these substances have on society. Only then will the United States have a sensible and just drug policy, one based on the reality of drug use and abuse.

-- Nick Fryer

Even in a presidential election year, where issues large and small are supposedly debated in detail, America is inundated with candidates who propose no change to our current policies, which have flooded our prisons with hundreds of thousands of non-violent drug offenders. Ignoring scientific reports highlighting the benefits of certain substances, America continues to spend billions and billions vainly attempting to stop the inexorable forces of supply and demand.

In this year of papier-machi prop-up political candidates, isn't it time for some intelligent, non-dogmatic debate on the effectiveness of our drug policies? Shouldn't the United States, the so-called leader in human rights and freedom of the world, begin to at least consider alternatives to the policies that lock up thousands of people per year in stinking, crowded jails for using a few substances declared illegal decades ago by the same legislature that denied whole segments of our population the right to vote?

-- Vincent D'Nofrio

This modern world
BY TOM TOMORROW
(03/13/00)

It is time to form a new group called "The Bush-Utters-a-Coherent-Sentence Spotters." It should be a purely voluntary organization with chapters in all states.

After all, we never know where or when George W. might utter a coherent sentence, and we all want to be informed when he is spotted uttering one. It'll be sort of like trying to spot a spotted owl -- possible, but not easy.

Any person, journalist, pundit or English teacher would be eligible. Political junkies are especially encouraged to try to spot the elusive Bush-uttered coherent sentence.

-- Lois Erwin
Waldwick, N.J.

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