DEATHS INEVITABLE IF U.S. IS WORLD'S POLICEMAN

I have comments on the front-page stories of Friday, July 18:

1) "Body parts found off Libby Road." The article quotes the property
owners as saying, "It's not the kind of thing you normally find on
your property." I say, "Well stated."

2) "State gives $5.8 million to improve local schools." I say it
should read that state taxpayers gave the money. The state agency was
only the medium through which the money was paid.

3) "Jail project advisors say price tag will offend voters." I say
more than 6 million adults, 3 percent of the adult U.S. population,
are in "corrections." No other society has ever done such a thing to
its people. I do not know the crimes for which people are in jail, but
I suspect many in Thurston County are there on marijuana charges.
Portugal and Spain have decriminalized all drugs. They penalize drug
dealers and provide treatment to drug users. We should make a start on
this.

4) As for the long article about Iraq, I say we are trading blood for
oil. We must expect a few U.S. deaths in Iraq. If we are to be
policemen of the planet, these deaths will continue.

Herb Legg

Tumwater