U.S. FUGITIVE DESERVES OUR MERCY

To the editor:

I was deeply moved by the story of Allen and Amalia Richardson (Wife
pleads to save her husband from U.S. prison, Nov. 11). I find it
unbelievable that these two people are on the verge of having their
lives completely destroyed by a proud and callous U.S. justice system.

One would think that Mr. Richardson should be applauded for turning
his life around. This appears to be a rare success story. Instead,
Mr. and Mrs. Richardson will be punished by a senseless system that is
nothing more than vindictive.

And shame on Immigration Canada for contemplating Mr. Richardson's
extradition. Surely he has proved his worth in what appears to be 28
years of upstanding citizenship.

Does Immigration Canada ever make mistakes? You can bet on
it.

It must be disheartening for Mr. Richardson to realize that the same
U.S. establishment that he rebelled against in 1971 - an establishment
that sent thousands of its young people to their deaths in a
meaningless war - is still willing to ruin people's lives rather than
admit a mistake. How tragic.

GLEN TAYLOR
Coquitalm