Pubdate: Wed, 10 Apr 2002 Source: Amarillo Globe-News (TX) Copyright: 2002 Amarillo Globe-News Contact: http://amarillonet.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/13 Author: Rev. Charles Kiker IT'S TIME TO EVICT THE BUSHES FROM PUBLIC HOUSING The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that it's OK for public housing authorities to evict tenants based on illegal drug use by anyone in the tenant's family, whether that family member was present on the premises when the alleged violation occurred or not. Housing authorities do not require a conviction to evict tenants with family members accused of drug violations. The ink hardly was dry on the arrest warrants in the 1999 Tulia drug scandal before public- housing occupants began receiving eviction notices. It seems to me that the White House, since it is owned by the public, should be considered public housing. And if the governor's mansion in Florida is owned by the residents of that state, it's public housing, too. I recall reading a few weeks back that Florida Gov. Jeb Bush's daughter was arrested for forging a prescription. Isn't that illegal drug use? And the president's daughters have pleaded guilty to alcohol violations. Isn't that illegal drug use? I would propose that President Bush and Gov. Bush be evicted from their public housing on the basis of illegal drug use by members of their immediate families. I know full well this proposal is going nowhere, but it highlights once again that the war on drugs is waged disproportionately against people of color, the poor and those without connections, while the rich and the well-connected usually get off scot-free or with a slap on the wrist. Brethren, this ought not to be. The Rev. Charles Kiker, Tulia - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager