Pubdate: Thu, 17 June 1999 Source: New Times (CA) Contact: http://newtimes-slo.com/ Author: Myron Von Hollingsworth Note: Original: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v99.n618.a04.html DRUG LORDS LOVE DRUG LAWS Congratulations on publishing a great article with a great title ["All Strikes, No Balls," the Shredder, New Times, June 10]. I hope it won't be much longer before the truth of the drug war becomes obvious to the public at large and the media as it has to me. There is no profit in an end to the drug war. In short, the alternative to prohibition - legalization - will not produce the profits that the drug war does for its proponents. Maybe the polititians are required to adhere to the party line of prohibition because the prison industrial complex, the INS, the CIA, the FBI, the DEA, the polititians themselves, et al, can't live without the invisible profits, bribery, corruption, and forfeiture benefits that prohibition affords them. The drug war also promotes, justifies, and perpetuates racist enforcement policies. To those who disagree with reform, consider the following: I guarantee you that all the gun-toting, murderous, ultraviolent, "drug-lord kingpins" who sell to and addict our children in order to generate huge, tax-free amounts of bribe money and profits to buy bigger and better homes, cars, lawyers, and weapons are on your side. They not only appreciate but also thrive and depend on your point of view for their very existence! Myron Von Hollingsworth, Fort Worth, Texas - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D