The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current, October 14, 1987, Image 2
Page 2n"he Battalion/Wednesday, October 14, 1987 Opinion Legalizing drugs won’t solve prison problem C a When I saw the item on our budget of stories from tiie Associated Press, my first reaction was laughter. The item read: “The Libertarian Party, urging Texans to vote against proposals that Sue Krenek would pay for new prisons, said Monday the best way to reduce prison crowding is to legalize drugs.” Right, I thought. Then I thought twice and went off to see if the full story was in our computer files yet. After reading it, I’m back to laughing. I’ve heard lots of arguments for legalizing drugs, some of which have been reasonable, and lots of theories on prison overcrowding, many of which haven’t been so reasonable. This is the first time I’ve seen the two combined. The Libertarians’ logic is that current drug laws have forced drug prices up unnaturally. This, they say, means drug users often must turn to lives of crime to get the money to pay for these overpriced drugs. Many of them land in prison, causing Texas’ current overcrowding. For the Libertarians, drug use is not a moral problem but an economic and practical problem. Even ignoring questions about the morality or immorality of drug use, however, the Libertarians don’t make sense. Their solution to prison overcrowding is to legalize what they call “victimless” crimes such as drug possession. Once this is done, the street prices of drugs will drop, and drug users will quit committing all those nasty crimes. The corresponding reduction in prisoners would mean the state won’t have to worry about releasing inmates early to end overcrowding. None of us (with the possible exception of the criminals) are thrilled with the state’s early release program, but the Libertarians would have us believe that rapists and murderers are being released early while the guys who happened to get caught with a joint stay behind bars. Somehow I don’t believeit. Our state officials were foolish enough to ignore the growing prison population until overcrowing had saddled us with a court order, but they are bright enough to release those doing time for minor crimes before they let the mass murderers loose on society. I hope so, anyway. My main problem with the Libertarians’ stand is their characterization of drug abuse as a “victimless” crime. Gary Johnson, the Libertarians’ Texas secretary, was quoted in the Associated Press story as saying the state should “stop locking up peaceful citizens for harmless activities.” The inference is that drug use doesn’t cause anyone to lose out on anything. The drug user, the Libertarians say, affects only himself, and our legal restrictions on drugs create a falsely inflated market for them. At first glance, it may seem to make economic sense to legalize drugs. The fact that they’re now illegal no doubt has much to do with their high price, and legalization would bring prices to a more natural level. The economic gain of legalizing drugs, however, would be more than offset by the economic loss caused by loss of productivity. Drugs aren’t “victimless” as long as there are drug users whose ability to work is hindered by their drug use. Just because you and I didn’t have our lives or belongings taken by these people doesn’t mean we aren’t their victims. In effect, we provide them with subsidies by compensating for their lost productivity. Recreational drug use, like recreational alcohol use, may not present problems for most people, drug addicts no more need easy access to drugs than an alcoholic needs an open bar. Our society allows alcohol users legal access to their drug of choic and the Libertarians say users of marijuana, cocaine, LSD and heroin should be treated in the same way.,Is Johnson said, “Posession ofmarijuari cocaine, LSD or heroin shouldbeas legal as possession of a six-packoftier But the bottom line is thatoursooe has deemed drugs to be of greater potential danger than alcohol,of enough potential danger that theyn illegal. Any argument thatchangesa judgment will have to address theK issues surrounding drug abuse.Wi the Libertarians address only the economic issues — well, it’s enough make you laugh. Sue Krenek is a senior journalism major and opinion page editor[m^ Battalion. Th Orchi Jamei day e rium audie sored tee. Thi orche States Thi That’s the ticket: Pat Robertson, Oral Roberts in ’88 I have decided who I will vote for in the next presidential election. I have decided to back that wonderful man the Rev. — Richard Williams Guest Columnist If Pat and Brother Oral were in the White House, we could start a war with anyone we wanted. All Pat and Brother Oral would have to say is that God told them to do it. Who, I ask you, is going to argue with God? make that ex-Rev. — Pat Robertson. Pat is the perfect candidate. He no longer believes in pre-marital sex, so he appeals to the moral majority. On the other hand, he had pre-marital sex, so he appeals to the not-so-moral majority. Pat could also change the laws regarding marriage. He could save us lots of money by getting rid of those expensive marriage licenses. He could declare that anyone ’ who ' wanted to get married only had to have sex. Think about it: America would no longer have any illegitimate children. With Brother Oral as vice president, we would never lose a war. Every time the enemy shot one of our guys, Brother Oral could heal him. The way he heals uses no medicine, so it must be cheaper than using regular doctors. And with the mighty Brother Oral healing our guys, we would never run out of soldiers. Think about it. This would mean that only those die-hard commie-killers would have to fight. Those who don’t want to fight would not be forced to. Pat served in the military. There have been questions about his actual service record, but with a good public relations hack, Pat could make that work for him. All he has to do is appeal to the military majority with the fact he served in the armed forces. He then can appeal to the not-so-military majority with the fact he wimped out of real combat and never killed anyone. This also would mean we could declare a war on any non-Christian nation and just call it a holy war. No one could stop us then — with Pat and Brother Oral leading us, the world would know God is on our side. I’m sure God would want us to nuke all those heathen, un-American, flag-burning, baby-killing, un-“safe sex”-practicing foreigners anyway. Like all really good candidates, Pat could come down squarely and firmly on both sides of the fence. Pat has only one problem — his vice- presidential choice. He needs to choose a man who could help his campaign. He needs someone who could make a passionate plea for votes, a persistent plea for funds, and someone who has a large following. Brother Oral coiild retire the national debt in less than six months. If elected, Pat and Brother Oral could get on their new presidential press conference/fund raising show, “Prez Prayers,” and make a plea for funds. Brother Oral could say God had threatened to “call him home” if the funds weren’t raised in six months. I think his home is in Oklahoma, so even if he was called home, no one would go there to find him. Pat should pick Brother Oral Roberts as his vice-type guy now. What better vice guy is there then Brother Oral? Think about it. With Pat and Brother Oral, America would never have to suffer through another joke about having a B-movie actor for president. Instead of a man who co-starred with a chimp, we could have two chumps in the White House. Once the funds were raised, Brother Oral could do like all vice-presidential types do and hide in the woodwork until he decides to run for president himself. Or he could declare the White House his official home, and since God had called him there, no one could ever make him leave. After Pat left the White House, Brother Oral could become president for life. After all, God called him to the White House, and who’s going to argue with God? There would be no way for Pat and Brother Oral to lose. Behind in the polls? Have Brother Oral bring back the needed voters from the dead so they could win. Brother Oral can do this; I believe him because he said he could —I think. I urge all red-blooded, die-hard Americans to write Pat and urge him to tap Brother Oral — for the good of America. Think about it. Richard Williams is a junior agricultural journalism major and a makeup editor for the Battalion. The Battalion (USPS 045 360) Member of Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Conference The Battalion Editorial Board Sondra Pickard, Editor John Jarvis, Managing Editor Sue Krenek, Opinion Page Editor Rodney Rather, City Editor Robbyn Lister, News Editor Loyd Brumfield, Sports Editor Tracy Staton, Photo Editor tAVyexv'gow'msag < ® v ' TTrVws tor &eto\\S AAAftSWl l ■ CON ‘STFC^-Z*’— major Berlin and tl ral la States. He three Frescc by Bo No. 2 Orche and “5 gei Ra The was th includ by Bel TSSc ’setovs. Mail Call Spam, Spam, Spam, Spam EDITOR: Wasn’t it Mark Nair who philosophized, “I’m pink; therefore I’m Spam”? Just checking. Mark Fisher grad student In closing, il you consider these jokes “insignificani please drop them. My advice is to tell clean jokes. I’ve heard Bill Cosby makes money at it. Cody Blair ’91 accompanied by 20 signatures 'Grode' stories harm students EDITOR: Don't knock the cops EDITOR: In response to Mr. Martin’s letter of Oct. 8: I disagree with your statements concerning “grode” stories and those who protest them. Allow me to explain my point of view with an analogy: its ere of cla; States Soviet Th< includ gie H severa Seoul, Th< ties. Cor tor an and v\ throu: Conlo Suppose that it is a tradition to smoke at yell practice. So at every yell practice, cigarette smoke is piped into Kyle Field for five minutes. In the smoker’s opinion it is “insignificant,” “totally harmless” and fun. In the meantime we, the “self-appointed saviors of Aggieland,” must hold our breath or leave. Since our Aggie spirit prevents us from doing the latter, we get cancer along with everyone else. If we protest this smoking, we are accused of “censorship” (which is “un-American”) and intolerance and soundly rebuffed with words of wisdom from a cartoon character. It is even hinted that we are not proud of our school. To you, the stories are “harmless,” but we believe they are harmful to us. I also would like to comment on your quote from Bloom County. It is hardly American to roll over and quit trying because someone ; said something is impossible. We don’t know who the At Ease staff interviewedoi surveyed, but it must not have been any of us. Itisasad fact that most of the student body views the Universil' Police only in the role of “enforcers.” And it is probaH' very hard to keep a pleasant attitude when dealingwiil 1 students when officers are quite often complained to, yelled at and taunted. The Schuhmacher Hall Council staff have enjoyed a good working relationship withtlt' University Police for the past two years. “Wiatt’swar# have been involved in projects and programmingwi Schuhmacher and support our charity work as well. Unfortunately, the only contact people usually haverf officers is during negative situations (waiting in line getting a ticket). If people would take the time toasso® with UPD in more positive situations as we have,] that they aren’t such “bad” people after all. Staff and council of Schuhmacher Hall Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 words in length. The edilons - serves the right to edit letters for style and length, but will make mt) maintain the author’s intent. Each letter must be signed and mustmluk 1 " sification, address and telephone number of the writer. I BLOOM COUNTY by Berke Bread 1 Editorial Policy The Battalion is a non-profit, self-supporting newspaper oper ated as a community service to Texas A&M and Bryan-College Sta tion. Opinions expressed in The Battalion are those of the editorial board or the author, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Texas A&M administrators, faculty or the Board of Regents. The Battalion also serves as a laboratory newspaper for students in reporting, editing and photography classes within the Depart ment of Journalism. The Battalion is published Monday through Friday during Texas A&M regular semesters, except for holiday and examination periods. Mail subscriptions are $17.44 per semester, $34.62 per school year and $36.44 per full year. Advertising rates furnished on re quest. Our address: The Battalion, 216 Reed McDonald, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4 111. Secona class postage paid at College Station, TX 77843. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Battalion, 216 Reed McDonald, Texas A&M University, CoUcge Station TX 77843-4111. THING6 AREN'T exfiCTLY f\s 'meYweze eeFoxe/ /uyy /noxe wexpecTEp chfiNees anp i mr i/V5T teTNWSeWd// V l&LL n