WAR ON DRUGS

Really, It Has Become A War On Americans

It seems that we have come to the point in our misguided war on drugs that
the murder of a Christian missionary and her infant child by the Peruvian
air force, guided by CIA employees, barely stirs a ripple in the news for
more than a couple of days.

What a waste. Without any positive results to speak of, our war on drugs
has again taken another life. Unfortunately for all of us, hers was a life
dedicated to service, and our society is now deprived of her contributions.

Most people probably don't know that we now waste $731 million a year
providing for anti-drug operations in South America. Or that since this
particular program was created in 1992 more than 100 planes have been shot
down or strafed under a "shoot first ask questions later" policy, described
by Republican Senator Lincoln Chafee as "a very successful policy." You
see, the good senator didn't share in her pain or her husband's grief.

More and more people are beginning to see that the war on drugs is really
just a war on Americans. The only rational move left in this battle is to
end it.

Those on the left who think it's OK to kill an unborn fetus because "it's
her body" need to realize that the same argument applies to the drug user,
who also owns their own body.

Those on the right need to realize that freedom is indivisible and is the
birthright of every American. A government big enough to ban pornography is
big enough to ban the Bible.

Perhaps when these two camps end their hypocrisy we can take a fresh look
at the drug war and sue for peace.

TONY SMULLIN, Libertarian Party of Snohomish County