Pubdate: Wed, 25 May 2011 Source: Seattle Times (WA) Copyright: 2011 The Seattle Times Company Contact: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/409 Author: Kirk Muse SURRENDER AND SIGN HERE I'm writing about Neal Peirce's thoughtful column: "Failed U.S. policies on drugs take a toll south of the border" [Opinion, May 22]. Our so-called drug war and our war and occupation of Iraq are very similar. Both were started with lies and false pretenses. The war in Iraq is over. We won. What we have now is an occupation of Iraq. Occupations cannot be won. Who is going to surrender and sign the peace treaty? The so-called "war on drugs" cannot be won. Who is going to surrender and sign the peace treaty? The war on drugs is an occupation, a career, an industry and huge bureaucracy. The goal of the drug war is not to win, but rather to continue and to expand. The only way to end the drug war is to legalize the products that are now prohibited and sell them in legal, licensed and regulated business establishments like we do with the drug alcohol and tobacco products. Those benefiting from our drug-prohibition policies don't want this to happen and they will do everything in their power to make sure it doesn't happen. Kirk Muse Mesa, Ariz. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake