A DOUBLE STANDARD IN DEALING WITH DRUGS

I am not concerned about Gov. George W. Bush's virtual confession of using
illegal drugs sometime before the age of 28 and then asking for
understanding, because I want to explore his personal life. I am concerned
because it shows the double standard in how he and we as a society are
dealing with drugs.

The governor has admitted to committing the same crime as the thousands of
mostly poor and minority young people under the age of 28 now housed in
prisons across America.

In New York, for example, over 92 percent of those imprisoned for drug sale
or possession are black or Hispanic. They have been imprisoned because of
the so-called "tough on crime, no tolerance for drugs'' legislation that
conservatives like the governor have supported and advocated.

Perhaps the governor can argue that he did not sell any drugs in those days
of youthful indiscretion, but he did not have to. He had the cash. It might
be asked if he shared drugs with other indiscreet wealthy young people in
those days, but no matter.

His call for understanding in his case would make more sense if he was
willing to show similar compassionate conservatism to those we lock away in
our prisons.

Jim Murphy, Scotia