SCHILLINGS DIED AS MARTYRS IN DRUG WAR

The deaths of Dennis and Denise Schilling after prosecutors moved to seize
their home after a minor marijuana bust do, indeed, make them martyrs to
Drug War Inc. opponents everywhere, no matter what hogwash the prosecutors
may spout to cover their political assets ("Pair were martyrs in effort to
legalize pot, their children believe," Oct. 8).

These folks died because the pulpit-pounders have a sick obsession with a
simple plant. Such stories as the Schillings' are not rare. We read of
Attorney General John Ashcroft's ridiculous medical marijuana raids in
California - with their images of bedridden paraplegics being handcuffed,
and guns in their faces. Meanwhile, in Florida, President Bush's niece gets
a pass to a posh facility after a felony prescription fraud case, and is
caught twice with hard drugs and nothing ever happens to her. The police
can't even question the people who found the crack on her while the other
clients protest that her constant drug use is disrupting the atmosphere of
recovery.

Now, Wisconsin children lose their parents and home over a little
marijuana. I am mad as hell. This drug war has become a monster, and we
must drive a stake of compassion, decency and freedom through its vile
heart. Those prosecutors who abjectly excuse their role in the Schilling
deaths should hang their heads and look in their conscience for an
indictment of manslaughter from a higher power.

Dave Michon, Eau Claire