LIBERAL RECOUNTS ACTIONS SINCE 9/11

Editor, Times-Dispatch: A recent Bottom Line challenged readers to list the
left's post-9/11 positive contributions to the war against terrorism. As a
self-labeled flaming liberal, I initially hesitated at the challenge. Just
what had I been doing since 9/11? But then I began to think about what I
(probably like many other liberals) had done since 9/11 to counter terrorism:

- -I continued to write and call my Senators, urging them to restrain the
military from its use of ordnance that has killed and continues to kill
many civilians in Afghanistan.

- -I also urged my Senators to advocate for restraint in the administration's
plans to invade Iraq.

- -In spite of the vast majority of the government's "war on drugs" funds
going to interdiction (or just plain support of a repressive government in
Colombia), I managed the treatment component of a drug-court program in
which addicts in the criminal-justice system really do end their drug use
and associated crime. I don't know how much longer I will be able to manage
this program, however - there seems to be plenty of money in Washington for
ordnance and ads against terrorism, but little for treatment programs.

- -I drove at or below the speed limit, in hopes I would not contribute any
more than I already do to our country's blood-thirst for petroleum, which
leads it into political and military actions in the Middle East, fueling
the smoldering hatred of another generation of terrorists-in-waiting.

- -Finally, I prayed. I pray every night for Kamal. Well, really, I pray for
Kamal as a symbol of many children in Iraq and Afghanistan. The real Kamal
was a 4-year-old boy who died a year ago for lack of a 50-cent medication
that American-led sanctions on Iraq prevented him from having.

So, that's what this leftist has done since 9/11 to make a positive
contribution to the war against terrorism.

Thanks for asking. Dwight McCall. richmond.