Pubdate: Sat, 05 May 2001
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Copyright: 2001 Los Angeles Times
Contact:  http://www.latimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/248
Author: Paul Marsden, Stephen Adrianson
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n759/a01.html

LA Times URL: http://www.latimes.com/news/comment/20010505/t000037922.html

RIGHTS AND THE DRUG WAR

* Peter H. Smith's "In the Grip of Drug War Logic, an 'Isolated
Incident' Isn't" (Opinion, April 29) seemed to be on track until he
suggested that the drug war's proponents simply need to regroup. If
the "U.S. government should give top priority to the reduction of
demand," what form should such efforts take. More government-approved
sitcom scripts on network television. The demonization of
cash--another one of Smith's suggestions--has already led to the
seizure of assets belonging to innocent people here in the U.S., many
of whom have to fight to get back what rightfully belongs to them.

Libertarians are the only people to continually point out how many
politicians are addicted to the war on drugs. Hopefully, the tragic
death in Peru of the American missionary and her child will be our
final wake-up call.

Paul Marsden

Garden Grove

* * *

The slaughter of innocent missionaries and suspected drug traffickers
with CIA support reveals a revolting double standard in our society.
Within our borders we wring our hands over the legality of detainment,
searches and racial profiling by our law enforcement agencies, while
abroad we tacitly endorse the execution of those merely suspected of
drug trafficking. Would we be comfortable with a standard of justice
like this at home.

Stephen Adrianson

Sherman Oaks
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager