A DOUBLE STANDARD

If Judge Gilbert's behavior is acceptable, then let's apply the same
standard to everyone in society. If it's acceptable for a judge to smoke pot
without consequences, then why not your surgeon, pharmacist, pilot, school
bus driver and police personnel. Yet for most of us in the real world, any
drug use would be cause for immediate dismissal from our job.

Take, for example, Home Depot. They clearly have signs posted stating if you
do drugs, don't apply because they test all applicants and will retest. If
you fail, you are gone - no I'm sorry, no rehab, no second chance and
certainly no paid leave. Other local companies will test any employee
involved in an accident even if they are not at fault; and again, if the
person fails, they're out. Many companies go as far as randomly testing
employees. If the standard for the business world is no second chance, why
shouldn't it be applied to those in the highest positions of sitting in
judgment over individuals?

Judge Gilbert continues to be the joke at every gathering because no one
believes that someone who is not held accountable to the highest level
should have the right to hold anyone else accountable. I can only assume
that from now on, if you are in Judge Gilbert's court room, all you'll have
to say is, "I'm sorry, I have a drinking problem and I'm going to rehab."
The judge should then sentence you to time off from work with pay - just
like he received.

Bottom line: If Judge Gilbert isn't good enough to work for Home Depot, why
should he work for us? It is time for him to resign or be removed from
office because only then will the community stop laughing at how
hypocritical the legal system is.

Mark Howie

Traverse City