THE GREATEST JAILER

Editor - We, as Americans, must hang our heads in shame on February 15, a
date when our nation is estimated to reach another milestone in history.
Our prison and jail populations will be reaching the disturbing 2 million
mark, with more than half being nonviolent offenders.

Earning the title of "The World's Largest Jailer" is an atrocity. Our
nation must begin serious debate of its current policies.

The political foolishness of imprisoning the masses for the illusory
benefit of societal need must be brought to a swift and just end. And our
government hypocrisy only becomes more embarrassing when our leaders
self-righteously criticize others such as China, Iraq and Cuba while it
works slowly to erode our own cherished rights and freedoms. We, as a
people, must say no. We must scream: Enough!

Glenn H. Early
The November Coalition
Colville, Wash.