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