Pubdate: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 Date: 09/20/1999 Source: Time Magazine (US) Author: Florian Koelsch George W. Bush would be politically dead if a crime other than possible past illicit drug use were uncovered [Nation, Aug. 30]. To his advantage, this case indicates that in the public mind certain drug use is no longer considered a crime. What makes you gag is that a politician who attempts to criminalize drug use by means of tougher laws takes advantage of the situation. Florian Koelsch, Cambridge, Mass.