Fighting the War on Drugs in the U.S.

Congratulations on your editorial. The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 should be upgraded to the status of a constitutional amendment. It distinguishes us from dozens of other countries where the military is involved in the enforcement of civil law.

This relatively obscure bit of legislation has done as much to recognize and maintain the primacy of civil authority as any legislative activity since its passage. Relatively unknown to the average citizen, it is recognized and respected as a major constraint on the military. Tampering with the act by purblind politicians is a sure way to drift towards quasi-military control of the country.

The mission of the military is to kill and destroy in the name of the United States in time of war. Let’s leave it at that.

ALEXANDER S. BOND

Long Beach