Pubdate: Tue, 20 Feb 2001
Source: Capital Times, The  (WI)
Copyright: 2001 The Capital Times
Contact:  P.O. Box 8060 Madison, WI 53708
Fax: (608) 252-6445
Website: http://www.thecapitaltimes.com/
Author: Pat Nash

U.S. SHOULD END WAR ON DRUGS

"The war on drugs is a war on the family" is a line from the movie
"Traffic."

To the millions of Americans who would rather relax with a joint rather than
a drink after a long day of work, police truly are "enemy officers." Just
ask any of those imprisoned for nonviolent, low-level drug offenses (450,000
per day, according to William F. Bucklry Jr.).

Last year, Amnesty International's main complaints against the United States
included police brutality and women's prison conditions.

Locally and nationally, war tactics such as wee-hour home invasions (yes,
invasions), seizure of property, detention of suspects without due process
and brutal psychological interrogation techniques, among others, are common
practice.

To law enforcement personnel: Remember that "I am only doing my duty" is the
same rationale employed at My Lai, No Gun Ri and Wounded Knee, to name a
few.

To leaders (that includes you, Mayor Bauman), legislators, and those in the
criminal "justice" system, your political and financial war profits are
immoral. Stop the war now. Give peace a chance.

Pat Nash, Madison
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