USING A TRAGEDY

Disgusting. It's the first word that came to mind and really the only word
to describe this level of opportunism. With the shots that killed four RCMP
officers in Alberta Thursday still ringing in the air, the B.C. Marijuana
Party and the B.C. Civil Liberties Association are attempting to use the
tragedy for their own gain.

Early Friday afternoon the fax machines sprung to life as the Marijuana
Party put out a press release under the title "Prohibition Claims More
Casualties". The civil liberties folks soon followed suit urging an end to
criminal prohibition of marijuana.

"Make no mistake," wrote the BCCLA, "It is the prohibition of marijuana
that caused this tragedy." In its own leap of logic, the BCMP suggested the
"shootings would likely never have occurred if marijuana were able to be
grown legally."

What happened to the thought that if police officers didn't have to deal
with violent criminals with guns they would be a lot safer on the job?

Both groups included condolences to friends, families and co-workers of the
slain officers but they rang all too hollow - mere lip-service - taken in
the context of their overall message.

BCMP president Marc Emery went so far as to say, "Increased penalties and
enforcement will virtually guarantee that Canada has more of these tragic
incidents."

In the past we've expressed our support for the decriminalization of
marijuana possession. We've also pointed out that people like Mr. Emery and
his antics do the cause of decriminalization a great disservice.That he and
these two organizations would try and use the tragedy of a violent criminal
with a firearm slaying four RCMP officers in the course of their duties,
for their own gain, is just another example of the bad timing and bad
choice of tactics that is the hallmark of many who would see marijuana
decriminalized.

- -Prince George Free Press