WHY RESTRICT A PERSONAL CHOICE TO USE MARIJUANA?

Mr. Rovig's opinionated My Side column of Aug. 15 about the evil
effects of the killer weed on our very impressionable youngsters
called on all "decent" citizens to fight ever on in our inane crusade
against drug use. Isn't it strange, I thought, for a member of the
school board to be so unaware of history.

Doesn't he remember what a dismal and deadly failure prohibition was?
Our own war on drugs has ruined millions of lives and wasted a
trillion dollars for over 40 years. Every new drug law is in reality
a price support for production and distribution.

Drug laws create a black market demand so lucrative that violence and
death follow easily. Thirty-thousand Mexicans have been murdered in
their drug war in just five years. So I think Mr. Rovig and his
fellow purists should take some credit for their drug war's fatalities.

Why does Mr. Rovig find it necessary to restrict the personal choices
of responsible taxpaying citizens? The war on drugs is responsible
for making prisons one of our biggest growth industries.

I and millions of Americans have and will continue to use marijuana
recreationally. The question is, will my money be going to an
American business or to a Mexican drug cartel?

Since we're so terrified over kids smoking pot, why not target the
cause of their concern instead of innocent bystanders? Make it a
mandatory five-year sentence, with no early parole, for anyone caught
selling pot to anyone under 18.

I figure at that age they're old enough to catch a bullet in war, so
they should be able to catch a buzz at home.

All those gung-ho drug warriors out there should put their and their
childrens' noses to the grindstone of personal responsibility and
keep their noses out of my personal preferences.

Bruno Kirchenwitz

Rifle