INTERNET READER OBJECTS TO COLUMN BY JOHNSON

Editor, Sheila Johnson dragged the Times-Journal low when she attacked
readers (Internet Not Always A Fun Place, Feb. 27), who responded to her
story on dog searches in our schools.

Ad hominem attack, calling a reader an "idiot," and a large group of
grass-roots activists a "bunch of irresponsible, mindless nutcases bent on
promoting drug use and permissiveness," are not the sort of responses
readers should expect for taking the time to read your work and then
contributing a reasoned and rational rebuttal.

Furthermore, that "bunch," The Media Awareness Project (www.mapinc.org), is
actually "bent" on saving our kids from all the dangers of the Drug
Prohibition drug world and bringing sensible policies to bear on drugs
rather than mindless demagoguery such as Johnson's drivel. It is not a "web
ring." Does she ever check facts?

The number of Americans who oppose the drug war is growing rapidly, despite
the clamps the corporate media has on the story. A poll in Wisconsin just
came out showing over 80 percent in favor of medical marijuana, for
instance, and all the referenda passed thus far legalizing medical
marijuana in the face of frenetic government opposition speak for themselves.

The drug warrior's desperation is still best embodied in the refusal of
Congress to allow the votes cast in the District of Columbia for medical
marijuana to be counted. This kind of anti-democratic treachery and
constitutional circumvention is just what we are fighting, despite
Johnson's shoddy unsupported statement, "Hey pal, the last time I looked,
real Americans were in total support of the war on drugs in this nation."

Well, Sheila, the last time I "looked," the Constitution was still the law
of the land and compassion the law of God. You would do well to bone up on
both. Then you can move on to ethics, integrity and common courtesy.

Dave Michon

Eau Claire, Wis.