Pubdate: Thu, 28 Dec 2006
Source: Billings Outpost, The (MT)
Copyright: 2006 The Billings Outpost
Contact:  http://www.billingsnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2933
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n1722/a05.html
Author: Kirk Muse

DRUG WAR, IRAQ WAR ALIKE

I'm writing about Redford Givens' outstanding letter:  "Drug war worse
than Iraq" (Outpost, Dec. 21). I'd like  to add that the Iraq war and
our drug war have a lot in  common.

Both were started under false pretenses. To most  Americans the word
"democracy" is a noble word. To most  Iraqis the ideal government and
only legitimate  government is a Muslim theocracy.

The drug war was started to solve problems that didn't  exist. Our
so-called war on drugs has created many more  problems than it has
solved. Prior to the passage of  the Harrison Narcotics Act of 1914,
the term  "drug-related crime" didn't exist. Neither did drug  lords,
drug cartels or even drug dealers as we know  them today.

Prior to our invasion and occupation of Iraq, our  so-called leaders
told us it would be like hitting a  pinata, and all sorts of goodies
would fall down (like  cheap oil). Instead we have whacked the side of
a  hornet's nest.

Now our so-called leaders want us to stay the course  and keep
swatting at the hornets (while the so-called  leaders and their
families are safe and secure and  enjoying the good life).

Both the drug war cheerleaders and the Iraq war  cheerleaders keep
telling us that terrible things will  happen to us we fail to stay the
course.

In the meantime, the war and occupation in Iraq is  getting worse and
the war on drugs is proving to be  counterproductive.

Stay the course is good advice if you headed in the  right direction
and making progress toward your goal.  Stay the course is terrible
advice if you're headed  down a dead-end road or off a steep cliff.

Kirk Muse

Mesa, Ariz.
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