Let us all pray that we will not be going through this again for a long, long time. My heart goes out to the families of the fallen officers, because you are the ones who have lost the most. May their memories be for a blessing.

No, I don't think you are missing anything. An illegal alien is a person who has not gained residency in accordance with the laws of the land, which makes him/her a criminal.

What are the chances of Miss Seattle being a UW grad? Wow, film at eleven!

Hollyhail, yesterday when I read your comments on the marijuana cafe story, I thought you were merely one of those people who choose to ignore facts that do not validate your opinion. Having read your comments today, I see it goes way beyond that. At least in the marijuana cafe story you were defending a valid point of view, one which I happened to disagree with. In this case, however, you are basing your argument entirely on your imagination, without any facts to support your position.

Personally, I post here because I wish to express my point of view in the hope that I can make some kind of difference (unlikely as that may be).

I have to assume that the Oregonian published this report with the desire that the lottery be abolished. As far as I can tell, there is no significant difference between a state-run lottery and state liquor stores, or even liquor/tobacco taxes. In each case, it is shifting the burden of funding public services to people with addictions. Would the Oregonian like to go so far as to suggest eliminating all of the above?

Great response! I wish I could give you more than one thumbs up on that one.

Is there a good part of Detroit?

I would argue that the level of criminal activity associated with drug use is a direct result of the "war on drugs". It has basically turned our streets into a war zone. We have to look for a better solution.

Yes, there has been a war on drugs for the past 40 years. It has successfully squandered billions of taxpayer dollars, fostered armed criminal gangs and spurred the growth of drug labs in our neighborhoods. About the only thing it has not accomplished is a reduction in drug use. Isn't it about time we looked for other solutions to the drug problem? Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Wake up, America!

Very well said, usnrbb.