POT IS NOT THE ISSUE

Nothing is more reprehensible than making political hay out of a tragedy.
But that's exactly what some potheads are doing. The corpses of four slain
RCMP officers were still lying on the frozen ground in Northern Alberta
when the press releases came flying off the fax machine.

"Make no mistake. It is the prohibition of marijuana that caused this
tragedy," wrote B.C. Civil Liberties Association president John Russell.
"Rather than reducing any harms associated with drug use, criminal
prohibition on marijuana create an incredible incentive for criminal
elements to get into the supply business."

And then came the B.C. Marijuana Party's paper rolling off the fax machine:

"The shootings would likely never ocurred if marijuana were able to be
grown legally in an above-ground, regulated market," Marc Emery, B.C.
Marijuana Party president stated.

Frankly, the thought came to mind to take the two press releases and
instead of rolling something in it and smoking it, to use it for another
human purpose, but flushing may be an issue.

Toke, don't toke - personally I couldn't care less. But to try to use a
tragedy of these proportions to make even the slightest point is so
repugnant, one quickly realizes Emery and Russell have to be smoking something.

Just a couple of weeks ago, New Hazelton RCMP were in a situation very much
like the fallen heroes of Mayerthorpe, Alta.

A grow-op, guns and a wanted fugitive... the same elements of the Alberta
tragedy were all there. Fortunately our local heroes managed to put the
cuffs on the suspect, and everybody except the alleged criminal, went home
safe and sound to their families.

Let's be clear.

These four dead RCMP officers are not a marijuana issue. It's not about
laws, politics or personal opinion.

This is about one person so socially deviant, he fired upon and killed four
police officers.

If, as Emery and Russell suggest, marijuana was legal, this murderer would
have found another illegal activity to make his money. And still those RCMP
officers would have done their jobs.

It has nothing to do with the pot. It has to do with one of our worst who
decided to kill four of our finest.

To try and disguise this as a marijuana issue is an apalling disservice to
four fine men.

Next time Emery and Russell issue a press release, they may want to smoke
the joint after they write it.

Tip Of The Tuque:

The hunt for Mel Gibson has proven fruitless, however, the stories continue
to pour in. One wonders if Disney-fever isn't causing hallucinations.
According to another uninformed source, Christopher Walken took over Boston
Pizza last week.

Regardless, during my Thursday night karaoke search, I did run into Paul
Walker, the star of Antarctica.

Walker was doing more than his fair share of handshaking with the Smithers
equivalent of the paparazzi. He was cordial and affable... and without a posse.

Now if we can only get the Disney boys to cooperate, we'll get an
interview... heck, I'll even throw in a free tuque for Mickey.