DID WE LEARN FROM CAPONE?

I'm writing about Bernard C. Carman's thoughtful letter: "Asheville Should
Arrest Marijuana Policy"
(http://www.mountainx.com/opinion/2004/1117letters.php) [Letters, Nov. 17].

I've been doing some thinking outside the box, so to speak, and I've started
to suspect that many, if not most, of the most vocal so-called "drug
warriors" are perhaps being paid by the drug cartels to keep the drug
cartels in business.

The notorious gangster Al Capone made most of his money from alcohol
prohibition. Capone often boasted that he "owned" the city of Chicago.
Obviously, he didn't own all of Chicago. However, most - or perhaps all - of
the politicians and high-level police officials who ran the city were on his
payroll.

Al Capone was a very successful businessman. I wonder if perhaps the drug
cartels of today might be following his business model?

Usually, to understand why a counterproductive policy continues - follow the
money.

Kirk Muse

Mesa, Ariz