Terrorism in the Streets of South Los Angeles

Re “Safe in War, Sailor Slain at L.A. Club,” May 26: The tragic murder of Brian Butler Jr. should remind readers of the unbearable costs of our war on terror as well as the narrowness of our definition of terror. As Congress approves billions of dollars to secure the streets of Fallouja in Iraq, 9th and Florence avenues remain as deadly as ever.

No one should be so naive to think that simply throwing money at South L.A.’s myriad problems would create an inner-city utopia. But any reasonable person can see that if even a tiny fraction of the mounting cost of our Iraq war were devoted to improving the quality of housing, education and healthcare -- and increasing the presence of law enforcement -- the streets of South L.A. and the hundreds of U.S. communities like it would be far safer. If we called the gang violence what it is, terrorism, would it make a difference?

Josh Sides

Pomona