Pubdate: Tue, 16 Nov 1999 Source: San Jose Mercury News (CA) Copyright: 1999 San Jose Mercury News Contact: 750 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, CA 95190 Fax: (408) 271-3792 Website: http://www.sjmercury.com/ Author: Steve Beitler MORE DRUG WAR MISINFORMATION? IS it true ("Flow of cocaine underestimated," Page 1A, Nov. 14) that our government has grossly misjudged how much cocaine is being bought and sold? If yes, it's the latest in a long list of examples of drug-war ineptitude on a scale that would doom any business in the real world. If no, it's the latest in a long list of examples of well-timed misinformation designed to soften up Congress and the voters. The timing and content of the report seem intended to bolster drug czar Barry McCaffrey's recent request for $1 billion in "emergency assistance" for Latin America. We should be extremely skeptical, as should our representatives in Congress. Steve Beitler Palo Alto - --- MAP posted-by: Thunder