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