CASUALTIES OF WAR

Once again I must remind you that the drug war and the resistance to
medical cannabis are fully bipartisan efforts [Re: "Choosing Science,"
May 11]. Your article only acknowledges Bush administration
intransigence on the issue while completely ignoring the Clinton
administration's equal intransigence on the issue and that of the
Democrat leadership in the Congress between 1996 and yes, 2001, before
Bush took office.

The Democrats have had 10 years to impart change in the federal
government's stance on the issue, and each branch, in whichever time
period you choose has come down solidly in favor of abusing the sick
and dying in order to save the drug war from any kind of defeat or
perceived setback. And they have refused to do so, just like Bush and
his administration.

The Democrats have even let a tremendous opportunity escape them which
would help smash the "compassion" in Bush's "compassionate
conservatism" by calling him on this issue. But they didn't. They
don't, and they won't.

Further, Clinton reigned for half of the 10 years of Proposition 215,
and Bush the other half. Sen. Dianne Feinstein has been there the
whole time. Harry Reid, too. What have the Democrats in Congress done
to help matters? Why are they seemingly immune to the bashing on the
issue?

Eric Johnson

Los Angeles