PUBLISHED LETTER TO THE EDITOR WRITER OF THE YEAR - 2004

Two letter writers are so close in their total number of published letters
for the year that DrugSense wishes to recognize both for their accomplishments.

ROBERT SHARPE had 171 letters published last year that we know of, raising
his career total to an amazing 1,177 published, very likely a world record
for any writer.

In 1999 Robert started writing letters as a student at George Washington
University and a member of their Students for Sensible Drug Policy
(http://www.ssdp.org/). Then he often used his SSDP chapter membership in
his signature block to improve his chances of being published.

Today Robert writes as a volunteer for CSDP (www.csdp.org). He signs his
letters "Robert Sharpe, policy analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy,
Washington, D.C."

Robert tells us that he is spending about an hour a day after work and a
D.C. commute home sending out letters, and yes, many more are not
published than are. Robert has provided us with his tips for letter
writing success at http://www.mapinc.org/resource/tips.htm

You may read all of Robert's published letters at
http://www.mapinc.org/writer/Robert+Sharpe

KIRK MUSE of Mesa, Arizona had 155 letters published during 2004 that we
know of, bringing his career total to 466.

You may read all of Kirk's published letters that MAP has archived at
http://www.mapinc.org/writer/Kirk+Muse

Kirk also supports the Media Awareness Project of DrugSense by newshawking
news clippings, well over a thousand in the past year. By newshawking Kirk
sees targets and frequently sends his letters to the editor to the
newspapers before others are even aware of the news clipping.

Kirk sends copies of his letters to MAP's sent letter email list where they
can be seen at the list's archives at
http://www.mapinc.org/lists/sentlte/index.htm

Like Robert, Kirk sends many more letters than are ever published.

Every drug policy reform organization encourages writing letters to the
editor. It is one of the most cost effective ways for activists to keep
our issues before the public. DrugSense recognizes the efforts of all our
letter writing activists, giving recognition through links from this
webpage http://www.mapinc.org/lteaward.htm We also provide a graphic
display of the Top 100 Letter Writers here
http://www.mapinc.org/lte/topwrit.htm

Thank You Robert and Kirk for all you do for our reform efforts! This
recognition is well earned.

LETTER WRITER OF THE MONTH - DECEMBER

DrugSense recognizes Bruce Symington of Medicine Hat, Alberta for his three
letters published during December, bringing his career total that MAP is
aware of to 58. You can read his superb published letters at this link:
http://www.mapinc.org/author/Bruce+Symington

Unlike the Letter Of The Week which is selected after review of the past
week's published letters to find the best in the opinion of a committee,
Letter Writer of the Month is based strictly on success in having letters
published that newshawks find and MAP archives. The person with the most
published in a month is recognized. In case of a tie, the recognition goes
to the person with the most letters published as a total. But, once
recognized, the person is not eligible for recognition again for a
year. You may review the list of writers recognized in the past at
http://www.mapinc.org/lte_awards/monthly.php

LETTER OF THE WEEK

THAT IS IMMORAL

By Max Obuszewski

Of course the medicinal use of marijuana should be legal. What person of
conscience would deny treatment to someone who is suffering by arguing that
marijuana is against the law?

Anyone against medicinal marijuana must not understand the difference
between law and morality.

Slavery was legal but immoral. It was illegal for women to vote, and that
was immoral.

Nelson Mandela broke the law in South Africa, but apartheid was immoral.

Alcohol, with all its baggage, is legal, but not medical marijuana. That is
immoral.

Max Obuszewski,

Baltimore

Pubdate: Sat, 25 Dec 2004

Source: Baltimore Sun (MD)