DEATHS POINT TO NEED TO CHANGE OUR DRUG LAWS

Most of us have heard of the recent shooting deaths involving
individuals in an attempted home invasion in rural Blanchardville.
And, we also have heard the official press releases clouding, and even
to some extent mitigating, this tragedy, by the deliberate mention of
a marijuana growing operation in the home. It is irrelevant whether
the man suspected of the shooting was growing marijuana, tomatoes or
peanuts. The fact is, this informational release had no place in the
facts of the incident. And certainly not in the manner in which it was
released.

These people broke into this man's home with the intent to commit a
robbery. The homeowner was fully justified in taking them out. Period.
An extremely unfortunate occurrence? Yes.

However, the blame lies not with the individuals attempting the home
invasion nor with the man suspected of pulling the trigger. The true
blame lies entirely with the real trigger puller -- the Department of
Justice and its convoluted drug laws. Thanks to these absurd policies,
these three people are dead. Why?

These individuals all would be alive today if our Congressional and
senatorial representatives would just show a little bit of spine. This
past year, the Untied States Supreme Court handed this issue to them
to rectify. With the opportunity to do something about the problem,
they instead once again chose to comfortably parasitize themselves off
the blood and backs of the American people; all the while allowing for
the continued killing of people over a weed. What is wrong with this
picture? Thirty-plus years of failed drug policies haven't taught us a
single thing. We're still killing people. Over a weed.

This rural, Wisconsin, tragedy never would have occurred if we as a
society would just wake up to the stupidity of our nation's drug laws.
Demand that our political leaders stand up and change these pathetic
policies.

BILL SMEATHERS

Freeport, IL