Pubdate: Fri, 30 Mar 2001 Source: Chicago Sun-Times (IL) Copyright: 2001 The Sun-Times Co. Contact: http://www.suntimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/81 Author: Paul Wheeler TRAFFIC FATALITIES The drug war continues to rack up its absurd body count. An innocent child is killed in a gang-related firebombing, a hardworking cop is murdered by drug-pushing gang members, and politicians swear tougher action. In truth, their actions couldn't possibly be tougher than sacrificing impoverished communities and innocent lives in order to harvest a handful more of conservative votes. Innocent people are dying, gang violence is continually well-financed, and the addicted are cast as hardened criminals in this preposterous ideology of good and evil. Every drug-related crime or death is almost certainly related to this failed drug policy. And the politicians and policymakers are the ones pulling the trigger. Paul Wheeler, Willow Springs - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager