BILL KAUFMANN'S column re: ("Losing the drug war -- criminalized users are
dehumanized while wealthy dealers take smarmy refuge.)" Kudos to Kaufmann
for writing a brilliant article on the facts of life.

- - Aaron Lagadyn

(Pass it on.)

A THOUSAND miles of distance appear to have given Staff Sgt. Mike Cullen of
the Calgary Police Service the courage necessary for a groundless personal
attack, evidenced by his comments about me in Bill Kaufman's July 6 column.

This certainly contrasts with his silence at April's Fraser Institute
conference, when like all attendees he was invited to take the microphone
and publicly hold me accountable in person.

Whether it's a lack of guts, or simply that he has no evidence to support
any disagreement, I'm not sure. What I am sure of is that I'd be happy to
publicly debate him on the illicit drug issue anytime -- an offer I've made
to many drug squad types and which I've yet to have accepted. As far as
being "out to lunch" goes, I'll be doing that shortly and will enjoy my
favorite wine, a nice B.C. pinot noir. Taxpayers should be wary of the drug
warrior's favorite whine, however, as stated by Cullen himself -- give us
more money!

- - Gil Puder

(Well, Staff Sgt. Cullen?)

Checked-by: (Joel W. Johnson)