JOHN ASHCROFT

John Donham's Nov. 23 letter claims that John Ashcroft is just doing his
job to raid pot clubs. If so, why is the attorney general simultaneously
complaining that the war on terrorism is stretching his resources thin? The
writer acts as if Ashcroft has no choice. In actuality, Ashcroft is not at
all "required" to raid pot clubs or issue edicts against states that
practice democratic self- determination. Rather, these are a matter of
discretion, which he has abused.

As an American who was taught that the Constitution is as sacred as
anything can be within a state supposedly separated from church influence,
the letter's most-offensive suggestion is that California's Proposition 215
is an attempt to "defy federal law." I would suggest that the author read
the 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, the law of the land that
Ashcroft swore to uphold, then look up the definition of "democracy."
Ashcroft's America respects neither.

Ray Carlson

Redwood City, Calif.