ASHCROFT'S PRIORITIES ARE MISPLACED

I am responding to the opinion piece that ran on March 5, written by Ben
Shapiro, age 19, "Whiners, liars and John Ashcroft."

John Ashcroft has a sick sense on homeland security. Since 9/11 Ashcroft
has been busy raiding sick and dying Californians. With the threat of
terrorism, Ashcroft has been responsible for dozens of Medicinal Cannabis
Clubs and growers being arrested and charged under federal law for their
state-sanctioned activities.

Two weeks ago there was a raid on pipe makers across the country; over 50
people were arrested. These were not pipe bomb makers but pipes for
smoking. These artisans are not threats to our security. It is a waste of
tax dollars to think that stopping glassmakers will stop drugs.

After 9/11, Ashcroft stated he would pull agents from the failed drug war,
so they could focus on terrorists. He seems to have a misguided sense of
priorities.

Let us end prohibition again, bring drug money into the nation's economy
and make sure the drug trade does not fund terrorists. Taxing drug sales
could finance treatment and prevention education options.

Non-violent and medicinal drug users are not a threat to security.

Where is Osama?

James Reinke, Madison