ONE LOUSY MESSAGE

Yale University has become the fourth institution of higher education to
reimburse students who lose financial aid because of convictions for drug
possession.

Yale's move is in response to a federal law that prohibits such students
from receiving federal financial aid, The Hartford Courant reports.
Hampshire and Swarthmore colleges already have such a policy.

And believe it or not, Western Washington University goes as far as to give
a scholarship of $750 to convicted drug possessors who lose their federal
financial aid.

Yale spokesman Tom Conroy says Yale's decision "comes from a desire that
... students not have their education interrupted because they could no
longer afford school."

Oh, for heaven's sake - spoken like a true purveyor of fine liberal
intelligentsia. Perhaps, just maybe, these Yaleies and their counterparts
wouldn't have their educations interrupted if they hadn't bought or
otherwise come to possess these illegal drugs, hmm?

And perhaps, just maybe, they could better afford to help pay for their
educations if they weren't buying drugs, hmmmm?

Darrell Rogers is the national outreach coordinator for Students for
Sensible Drug Policy. He says Yale's decision, and those of the others,
"sends a message loud and clear not just to the education community, but
also to the lawmaking community."

Sure does, Mr. Rogers. The message is this: Flout the law and reward
irresponsible behavior.