INTERNET NOT ALWAYS A FUN PLACE

The Internet is a wonderful thing. It puts us in touch with the world and
allows us contact with people we'd never know otherwise.

I've discovered lately that's a situation that's not always enjoyable. My
recent story about Ross, Fort Payne's drug-sniffing dog, and his visit to
Plainview School was picked up by another of those web rings and passed
around the Internet.

Unfortunately, the group circulating the story is apparently a bunch of
irresponsible, mindless nutcases bent on promoting drug use and permissiveness.

I have been appalled and infuriated by some of the e-mails I've received.
Here's a sample for you:

"Anyone who knows dogs know what they do first on encountering a new
person, be it male or female," an idiot from Wisconsin wrote. "I would not
let my daughter submit to such indignation to soothe the sensibilities of
the Public Drug Avengers."

That writer showed me he knows nothing of how drug dogs are utilized. My
story made it clear Ross checked out only lockers and empty rooms. No
student was allowed near him at any time. In fact, it was a hard job for
Ross's handler to keep them away from him, for the students all wished they
could pet him.

Mr. Wisconsin Liberal Druggie goes on to say anyone who doesn't protect the
freedoms that make this country great "doesn't deserve the distinction of
being called an American."

Hey, pal, the last time I looked, real Americans were in total support of
the war against drugs in this nation.

Another idiotic e-mail came from Canada and wanted to know if Plainview's
administration explained to their students why governments the world over
prohibit certain drugs.

"Is it to protect users from harm?" they asked.

No, they said, "because users suffer more when a drug is banned."

"Is it to distract our attention from more important issues," they asked,
"and provide bigger budgets and free drugs for our police officers by
conducting a brutal, Hitler-like pogrom to ruin the lives of the innocent
few who ingest or sell certain drugs?"

That, these fools proclaimed, was the real reason drugs are banned.

"It seems if the dogs were trained to sniff out bigotry, ignorance and
hipocrisy at that school, they would be much more useful," the e-mail ended.

I find it hard to believe there are people out there with such a warped
perspective on drugs and drug use, but I'm glad they don't live in Alabama.