Pubdate: Sun, 12 Dec 1999 Date: 12/12/1999 Source: Denver Rocky Mountain News (CO) Author: Byron Bergman Thank you for publishing letters expressing outrage over the death of an innocent man who was killed when the Denver police "mistakenly" stormed his house in a search for drugs. Ismael Mena no longer will be able to provide the American dream for his family, a dream he worked hard to secure. He's another casualty in our insane war on drugs. As in any war, sacrifices are made, and we as a country have sacrificed much. We have sacrificed our right to due process of law. We are no longer innocent until proven guilty -- not when the DEA and co-conspiritor agencies can jail anyone suspected of drug possession, confiscate their property, sell the property and keep the proceeds. All prior to conviction or the accused's day in court. We have sacrificed our right to believe in a punishment that fits the crime. Not when possession of a small amount of a controlled substance can result in life or near-life sentences with no chance of parole. We have sacrificed our right for equal treatment of all people, regardless of skin color. We can quit pretending we are not prejudiced. Our legislative bodies have decided that one type of cocaine is worse than another. And, or course, the "bad" type just happens to be the type that victimizes an unduly high percentage of black Americans. Of course, this means black Americans pay an unreasonable higher cost in jail time, while the country club cocaine users manage to minimize or evade punishment altogether. Finally, we have sacrificed our right to feel safe in our own homes from our own government. If you think this is overblown, or simply just desserts for drug users, you may want to think again. The precedent has been set. Now, when our government deems it necessary, it can suspend the Constitution and operate under martial law permanently. It is an issue that the Ismael Menas of our country are dying to address. I only wish Mr. Mena could speak. Byron Bergman Littleton, Colorado