STOP PROPERTY SEIZURES

Now that the die has been cast and the dust has settled, it is time
that our new president and Congress tackle the job of running our
great country. We know that there is a whole slate of problems now
facing this new administration. It is hoped that our nation will have
a smooth and productive transition.

Here on the home front we face, once again, a threat to our freedom.
No one is safe in this state (or the whole nation for that matter)
from the over-zealous and heavy-handed Drug Enforcement
Administration and other government agencies which have the power to
seize your property on the flimsy excuse of probable cause. One would
think that, when 952,792 Oregonians passed Ballot Measure 3 (by a 2-1
margin) which guarantees that we are innocent until proven guilty in
a court of law, that would be the end of the story.

But now we are back to square one, having to go into court because
these money-hungry government agencies have had their gravy train
derailed. Do we want the DEA and the other Gestapo agencies to serve
as cop, judge, jury and executioner? I for one am dismayed and angry
that any agency has unbridled power to seize your property and never
have to prove any wrongdoing. Let=EDs nip this outrageous attempt to
thwart the will of the people. And to do that your voice needs to be
heard. The folks in Salem are a good place to start, from governor on
down. Talk to your friends, people at church and service clubs, etc.
Let them know that the battle for our freedom is hanging in the
balance.

Our message we sent on Nov. 7 was loud and clear. However, some folks
are deaf, so let's shout so loud that even they will know we mean to
keep our freedom.

Hap Happenstall