EASY MONEY AND POWER

"We need to look at what drives youths to gangs," comments the Sun in
response to a letter (Jan. 4). That's easy: Money, drugs, guns, easy
sex from stupid girls who think grimy little punks with drugs and
guns are appealing. Respect, or whatever passes for respect in
gangster circles and the power that comes from being able to instill
fear. All this, and the knowledge that they won't suffer any real
consequences if they're caught. We can work to make money, drugs,
sex, and power unappealing to kids -- or overhaul the justice system
so that there are real consequences for criminal behaviour. Either or
both would be good but the latter is a more realistic solution. If
these worthless gangsters know they're going to jail for a long time,
and that no judge has the option of letting them off with a fraction
of the sentence they deserve, their attitudes will rapidly change.

Darrell Goodman

Toronto

(Absolutely)