SHOULD THE RATSAS BE ALLOWED TO SMOKE POT?

FOR ONCE, I have to agree with Jack Straw, even if only partially. Before
Lord Irvine endorses the advice to judges that they should be lenient with
Rastafarian cannabis use, he should ask himself some very soul-searching
questions.

Can our youngsters suddenly grow Rastafarian locks and claim leniency for
drug use as part of their religion?

Can he console the young lady sentenced the seven years hard labour in Burma
because she sang a pro-democratic song - after all, in our country freedom
of speech is part of our culture.

Can he explain why foreign visitors in many Middle Eastern countries will be
prosecuted for the use of alcohol or embarking on extramarital affairs?
After all, this is common here.

Can he explain why a young teenager is flogged in Singapore for vandalising
a car? After all, in this country, although it's against the law, police
will not even actively look for such an offender.

This also reminds me of the Sikh group, who don't have to wear motorcycle
helmets because it is against their religious beliefs. Never mind that we
are sending out a double-standard signal to our children.

Lord Irvine has to make up his mind whether our laws are to be upheld or to
be made a mockery of. 'The Law of the Land' means just hat - one lives by
the laws of the country one resides in.

I would invite those who cannot abide by the law of the country they have
'chosen' to live in to return to their own country, where they can indulge
in their religious beliefs without compromising the integrity of what we are
trying to teach our children and, therefore, our future society.

How can the Lord Chancellor, and therefore the Government, expect to be
taken seriously while showing double standards like this?

Mrs A. Newsham, Newbury, Berks.