THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY HAVE SACRIFICED MUCH TO THE INSANE WAR ON DRUGS

Thank you for publishing letters expressing outrage over the death of an
innocent man who was killed when the Denver police "mistakenly" stormed his
house in a search for drugs. Ismael Mena no longer will be able to provide
the American dream for his family, a dream he worked hard to secure. He's
another casualty in our insane war on drugs.

As in any war, sacrifices are made, and we as a country have sacrificed
much. We have sacrificed our right to due process of law. We are no longer
innocent until proven guilty -- not when the DEA and co-conspiritor
agencies can jail anyone suspected of drug possession, confiscate their
property, sell the property and keep the proceeds. All prior to conviction
or the accused's day in court.

We have sacrificed our right to believe in a punishment that fits the
crime. Not when possession of a small amount of a controlled substance can
result in life or near-life sentences with no chance of parole.

We have sacrificed our right for equal treatment of all people, regardless
of skin color. We can quit pretending we are not prejudiced. Our
legislative bodies have decided that one type of cocaine is worse than
another. And, or course, the "bad" type just happens to be the type that
victimizes an unduly high percentage of black Americans. Of course, this
means black Americans pay an unreasonable higher cost in jail time, while
the country club cocaine users manage to minimize or evade punishment
altogether.

Finally, we have sacrificed our right to feel safe in our own homes from
our own government.

If you think this is overblown, or simply just desserts for drug users, you
may want to think again. The precedent has been set. Now, when our
government deems it necessary, it can suspend the Constitution and operate
under martial law permanently. It is an issue that the Ismael Menas of our
country are dying to address. I only wish Mr. Mena could speak.

Byron Bergman
Littleton, Colorado