NEW METH SENTENCES DON'T GO FAR ENOUGH

WHAT A silly performance in federal Justice Minister Irwin Cotler announcing
Ottawa is getting tough with methamphetamine producers and distributors by
increasing the maximum sentence to life, "Crystal clear," (Aug. 12). Cotler
knows darn well there isn't a single Liberal-appointed judge in the country
who would impose a maximum sentence. If Cotler really wanted to do something
tangible, he would have announced mandatory minimum sentences, or even
better a full set of mandatory sentences, for all crimes, getting tougher
with each conviction. While at it, he could have redefined a life sentence
to mean the only way the prisoner gets to leave prison is in a coffin.

John Robertson

(That's the way it should be.)