Pubdate: Wed, 27 Sep 2000
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Copyright: 2000 Los Angeles Times
Contact:  Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053
Fax: (213) 237-7679
Website: http://www.latimes.com/
Forum: http://www.latimes.com/discuss/
Author: Preston Rose
Note: headline by MAP
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n1414/a07.html

ENFORCING MORAL PRECEPTS THROUGH COERCIVE POLICE TACTICS

Dolovich's criticism of SWAT team tactics  correctly highlighted one of the 
most dangerous movements in recent American history: the growing 
willingness of the government to enforce moral precepts through coercive 
police tactics. Dolovich is correct to say that the metaphor of a "war on 
drugs" produces a military style, take-no-prisoners mentality among police 
agencies.

What she didn't stress was that SWAT teams across the country, as well as 
our national moral police force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, are 
trying to purify America with the same misguided zeal we have so long 
abhorred in Iranian mullahs and Taliban fundamentalists. With the 
encouragement of that high priest of moral conduct, Gen. Barry McCaffrey, 
soon every American will have to urinate in a cup to prove his or her 
purity, and those found unclean can expect a nighttime knock on the door.

PRESTON ROSE
South Pasadena
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