Pubdate: Sun, 02 Jun 2002
Source: Lawrence Journal-World (KS)
Copyright: 2002 The Lawrence Journal-World
Contact: http://www.ljworld.com/site/submit_letter
Website: http://www.ljworld.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1075
Author: Donald Phipps

PETRO-TERRORIST?

To the editor:

I am concerned with the Bush administration's attempt to link drug use here 
at home with support for terrorism abroad. National TV ads surfaced during 
the Super Bowl claiming that kids buying illegal drugs were funneling money 
to terrorists. In fact, the Bushies have created a new term to describe 
this linkage: "narco-terrorist."

It seems clear to me that terrorism, like that which destroyed the World 
Trade Center and 3,000 American lives, was sponsored by Middle East madmen 
willing to commit mass murder and suicide to vent their hatred of the 
United States. And contrary to the Bush assertion, the money trail has led 
to oil-rich sponsors in the Middle East - not to, for example, 
marijuana-growers in Mexico, Canada or even here at home.

If the Bush administration were really concerned with eliminating the 
financial wherewithal of Middle East terrorism, it would take steps to 
reduce the need for oil-based transportation and energy. According to the 
Energy Information Assn., over half of the world's oil reserves reside in 
the Middle East.

Instead Bush, whose campaign was financed by oil money, shows little 
empathy with those who would argue for increased conservation via higher 
mileage standards for vehicles (including trucks and SUVs) or nonpolluting 
renewable energy (solar and wind power).

In truth, the Bush administration should run national TV ads accusing those 
of us who drive vehicles of supporting terrorists. Perhaps they could even 
come up with a new term to describe the linkage. "Petro- terrorist" anyone?

Donald Phipps

Lawrence
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth