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From: JPLILER%SIMTEL20.ARPA@BU-IT.BU.EDU (John R. Pliler)
Newsgroups: comp.society.futures
Subject: Re: Terrorism on American soil
Message-ID: <12393408775.18.JPLILER@SIMTEL20>
Date: 26 Apr 88 02:27:42 GMT
References: <293@aplcen.UUCP>
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Drug use in the United States has reached alarming numbers.  It has
been stated that at least 40% of all crimes committed today are drug
related.  There are not enough jails to hold these criminals.
The distribution of illegal drugs should be considered an act of
terrorism.  People shouldn't have to worry about drug-crazed
zombies walking the streets.  But this is reality.  There are
many parts of this city, El Paso, which I wouldn't dare go into
and it shouldn't be like that.  I don't blame the police or 
the Judicial System.  Courts are backlogged years in many places
with drug-related crimes.

I believe the way the United States should tackle the problem is at
the source.  We have to *stop* the flow of illegal drugs into this
country.  The use of the military would be an effective way to
curtail this problem.  The introduction of drugs into this country
should be considered an act of war against the United States and
those countries should pay the price, both militarily and 
economically.  This is particulary true if these introductions
are supported by the foreign governments themselves, such as
Panama.

The penalty for the distribution and use of *illegal* drugs should
be very stiff.  Major drug dealers and distributors should, in my
opinion, face the death penalty.  There is good justification for
this penalty.  These dealers are inflicting alot of pain to society
with the increase in serious crimes against innocent people.  

Currently the prison system is in a shambles.  Rehabilitation does
not work.  Prisoners should not lead the life of luxury at the
taxpayers expense.  Prisoners should be out in the fields busting
rocks and not watching cable television in "color".  If people
understood the penalties for serious crimes this would be a
good deterrent.  Right now criminals ignore the Justice System.

I don't agree with the "semi-legalization" of drugs, including
the use of marijuana.  Drugs pose a serious threat to society and
should not be tolerated...

John Pliler
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