IF YOU LIGHT IT, THEY WON'T COME

The great pot protest of 2004 was snuffed out Thursday, quicker
than a spliff on a windy day.

Blessed with perfect sunshine and loads of traffic, Marijuana party
candidate Tim Felger's plan to create a 200-person protest outside
Conservative candidate Randy White's campaign office fell just
short - by about 192 adherents.

And the eight pro-pot proponents who joined Felger at the busy
corner of Marshall and Sumas Way never did manage to stop traffic
at 4:20 p.m. as planned.

Probably because the baked eight would have been the paved eight
had they attempted to hijack what is likely the busiest intersection
in town. Nevertheless, the question remains: Did their sign-waving
antics ("Legalize Pot Now!") sway public opinion?

Well, there was plenty of honking, though it is unclear whether
drivers were tooting their horns in support of the message, or
merely trying to tell the one jittery, buggy female Felger fan to get
the hell off the street.

While the pot party's placards may or may not have affected voters,
their appearance could well have upped sales at a nearby pizza
joint.

As Felger and family were exhorting the public to legalize weed, a
lone chap was positioned just west along Sumas Way, waving a
sign urging folks to drop in for a slice of pepperoni and
mushroom.

I'm not a psychologist, but I would think the subliminal effect of
pizza after pot could be dynamite for sales.

* Our Web poll, in which we have asked readers to tell us, via e-
mail, which candidate they are supporting, was silent - until
Thursday, when a few votes began trickling in.

As of yesterday, we had received about a dozen responses, with
Harold Ludwig of the Christian Heritage Party taking an early lead.
Then again, Ludwig himself was among his own supporters.

The Web poll, which is completely unscientific - as difficult as that
may be to believe - continues until 6 p.m. tomorrow.

* Still want to showcase your political prognosticating skills?

Tell us, via e-mail, how the 308 House of Commons seats will
unfold, listing the number of seats to be won by each party (and
independents). E-mail your predictions to letters@abbynews.com,
with "308" in the subject line.

We plan on scrounging up some kind of prize for the person
coming closest to the final tally on June 28.

* Aren't sure who will get your vote? Unclear as to what the heck
you believe?

Here's a Web site that may help you on your path to political
awareness:

http://www.politicswatch.com/VoteSelectorQuiz2004.html