Pubdate: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 Source: Tennessean, The (TN) Copyright: 2002 The Tennessean Contact: http://www.tennessean.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/447 Author: Jim Bellar DRUG RAID WAS MORE ABOUT SYMBOLISM To the Editor: "Get them boys in the air, we got drug money to spend" was my first thought when I read about drug agents seizing pot in East Tennessee. The photo image of agents rappelling from choppers left me both amused and outraged. In a year when we have seen state parks closed, state employees humiliated and tuition at colleges climb beyond reach for many, our priority is to send machete-wielding men (they're only doing what they're told) on a symbolic, media event that has little to do with the drug war. If we have designated money to spend, let's focus on the crack and crank houses that continue to destroy families and drain medical and law enforcement resources all across our state. Oh, I forgot, those are probably not easy to spot from the air. Jim Bellar Nashville 37206 - --- MAP posted-by: Beth