THE ENDLESS DRUG WAR

Dear Editor:

I'm writing about the thoughtful letter from Henry Temple III ("DEA is
out of line," Feb. 17, The Aspen Times). I'd like to add that the DEA
is a huge bureaucracy. Like all bureaucrats, his goal is the
continuation and expansion of his bureaucracy. All bureaucracies want
more power and more money.

The drug-war bureaucracy is no exception. The only way to achieve
victory in the so-called drug war is to re-legalize all of our now
illegal drugs so they can be sold in licensed, regulated and taxed
businesses.

Victory is not the goal of the drug war. Victory in the drug war would
mean that the drug-war bureaucracy is out of business. Victory in the
drug war would mean that our robust prison building industry would
come to a screeching halt. Victory in the drug war would mean that
thousands of so-called drug warriors would be looking for a job or
working at quickie marts.

Kirk Muse

Mesa, Ariz.