AN ATTACK ON NATURAL RIGHTS

Editor, The Star, Sir,

What a world of difference between Tory Senator Claude Nolin and Member of
Parliament Randy White.

Mr. Nolin understands that drug prohibition has been a failure. Because he
need not face voters, Mr. Nolin can speak about decriminalization of all
drugs as a benefit to Canadians. Mr. White, on the other hand, seeks to
stiffen sentences and increase the already formidable powers of the police.
This is sure to get him re-elected; since he wages war against "evil," his
very effort is synonymous with success.

Mr. White errs to think there is "a problem" parliamentarians can somehow
fix. No doubt the Spanish Inquisitors saw a "problem" that needed
government fixing too. The Nazis also had a "problem" that needed a "final
solution" to fix. "The problem" is the amoral think they have a right to
tell the immoral what drugs they can and can not use for ceremonial purposes.

Great thinkers of the past, like Thomas Jefferson, believed in the concept
of our "Natural Rights." Governments were instituted among men to protect
our natural rights, said Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence. We
have the natural right to self-medicate with whatever substance we damn
well please. We have owned that right since time began.

The solution to Mr. White's problem is evident in the history books.
Perhaps he ought to consider the same solution that was applied to the Jew,
witch and heretic "problems" of the past, or he could just leave drug
choosers alone!

"Was the government to prescribe to us our medicine and diet our bodies
would be in such keeping as our souls are now." --Thomas Jefferson: Notes
on Virginia Q.XVII, 1782. ME 2:222

CHRIS BUORS,

Winnipeg