DON'T LET UNCLE SAM DICTATE TO CANADA

Mr. Dana Cooper:

I enjoyed your slightly paranoid column re: Readers from everywhere
commenting on articles.

It's true the Web makes it easy to survey areas of interest. I am one of
those who regularly read and comment on the marijuana issue. It is an
issue, especially in the United States, of immense significance concerning
freedom. Totally innocent people are killed by narcotics police. People are
incarcerated for ridiculously long sentences. Privacy is a thing of the
past. The list is endless.

Enlightened Americans (and there are many) look to Canada as a light in the
drug-war darkness, and are invested in how you handle this mess. The
Canadian Senate report is a case in point. We live in northwest Montana,
and regularly visit Alberta and B.C., two of our favourite places. Although
we haven't been to Medicine Hat yet, we love Canada and friendly Canadians.
We believe many of your social programs (health care, litter-free areas)
are superior. OK, one jab -- your environmental policy, particularly
regarding forest issues, is horrible! Ours is not good, but -- keep up your
individualism, don't let Uncle Sugar dominate!

John McKee

Columbia Falls, Mont.