KUBO FUDGES THE FACTS TO BOLSTER HIS AGENDA

It appears that the U.S. Attorney for Hawaii, Edward Kubo, has a
full-blown case of "George Bush syndrome." Kubo claims that one out of
every 10 Hawaii residents uses methamphetamines (Star-Bulletin, Aug.
6). His remedy includes changing the state Constitution to ease
wiretapping and search-and-seizure laws. The researcher at the
University of Hawaii who had been cited as the source for the claim
disavowed it. But the affair certainly revealed the authoritarian
tendencies of some of our government officials. Instead of proposing
treatment and counseling for ice users -- methods which have been
proven to work -- Kubo proposes radical changes to our
Constitution.

Like Bush and his war-mongering cabinet, Kubo and other "drug
warriors" know that the public cherishes the freedoms granted under
the Constitution, so they lie and exaggerate to scare us into going to
war or giving up our civil rights. We are in year 30 of the "war on
drugs" as declared by President Nixon, and further from our goal than
ever before.

It's time to stop believing the hype. This is a complex problem that
requires deft handling. We need politicians who aren't lying when they
put their hands on the Bible and vow to "preserve, protect, and defend
the Constitution of the United States." There are far too many who
want to subvert, ignore and suspend it.

MATT BINDER

Kealakekua, Hawaii