DRAGGING SOCIETY BACK TO DARK AGES

While your editorial writer and columnist Col Newman gloat over the alleged
success of the NT Government's attacks on the civil liberties of drug users,
I am reminded of a quote from Pastor Niemoller of Germany in 1945.

He said: "When Hitler attacked the Jews I was not a Jew, therefore I was not
concerned. And when Hitler attacked the Catholics I was not a Catholic, and
therefore, I was not concerned. And when Hitler attacked the unions and the
industrialists, I was not a member of the unions and I was not concerned.
Then Hitler attacked me and the Protestant Church and there was nobody left
to be concerned."

This Government, in its determination to drag our society back to the Dark
Ages, is attacking the rights of illicit drug users.

As an emphysema sufferer from the use of a legal drug, the hypocrisy of the
Government and the Northern Territory News appalls me.

The NT Government has violated the rights of prisoners serving life
sentences, along with trade unionists and political activists, with its
terrorism laws.

The Government is introducing legislation to cement bigotry and hate
associated with sexual offences. Laws that will deter male teachers from
entering the profession for fear of being jailed for life based on
allegations made by some sexually mature and rejected adolescent student.

You say the critics have been silenced - only because their voices cannot be
heard.