Pubdate: Fri, 25 Aug 2006 Source: Los Angeles Times (CA) Copyright: 2006 Los Angeles Times Contact: http://www.latimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/248 Author: Tom Ogren PRIORITIES QUESTIONED IN BEVERAGE BUST Re "DEA's Khat Sting Stirs Up Somali 'Cultural Clash,' " Aug. 22 I am not particularly surprised to see the Drug Enforcement Administration in Seattle arresting a bunch of Somali Americans for using their native beverage, khat. With effects very similar to strong coffee, it may well have been becoming a competitor to java in Seattle. What bothers me most about the big khat bust is the DEA's priorities. Is there any valid reason that khat should be illegal and vodka legal? Seriously, in this age of growing international terrorism, surely our federal agents have far better things to do than this. TOM OGREN San Luis Obispo - --- MAP posted-by: Steve Heath