JUDGES SIT, SIPPING TEA, WHILE DRUG DEALERS DESTROY LIVES

This letter is being reprinted to correct an error that resulted in
important content being left out.

If al-Qaida were landing on the shores of Canada how do you think our
government would react in order to protect the citizens of this country?
Hopefully, with a lot of force that would totally control the situation.
You would also expect that the terrorists would be treated in such a manner
as to never be a threat or put our people in harm's way again.

Now, let's change the name from al-Qaida to "drug producer/pusher." How can
our government think so little about the safety of our young, naive
citizens as to not come down heavily on drug pushers?

There is extreme concern across this country regarding drugs, and in
particular crystal methamphetamine. This is a severely addictive and
hazardous drug that is destroying lives and our government and court system
treat it like its another economic piece of work.

Do we really need jobs that badly in this country that we would sacrifice
our young and our future?

The sentences for these producers/pushers are ridiculous. If there is no
deterrent why wouldn't this illegal trade continue?

A slap on the wrist for destroying your child's life is just not right. You
must always remember that the sentence, which is generally lenient to start
with, is cut in half for good behaviour.

Why not a sentence such as 20 years in jail (cut in half would be 10) as a
nice deterrent?

The only way they should get out of jail early would be if they got a full
education so they can be a productive person in society. After that, should
they reoffend by harming our children again, they lose all privileges
afforded them in our society.

Anything less than dealing with this major problem severely makes me think
our judicial system is something to be seen on some comedy network.

Have the judges got no respect for themselves or the innocent society that
they are sworn to protect? It is time for them to stand up for what is
right even if it means taking away the rights of some of the scum that run
wild among us!

The citizens will be glad to stand behind them. Anybody with half a brain
and earning considerably less could accomplish as much as they are now.

Crime should not be a make-work project but that is what it appears to have
become. The sooner the criminal is back on the street, the less likely he
is to have learned any fear from his bad behaviour.

Al-Qaida just has to be patient. Drugs are probably better than any weapon
that they can come up with. Our society is on a slippery slope and the
government and judges are in the chalet having tea.

Barry Riege

Red Deer