Drugs, gangs at root of Chicago's violence

Years ago, there was heavy publicity on Memorial Day and Labor Day regarding traffic deaths on long weekends with heavy travel. This attention faded once it was "discovered" that long weekends were no more dangerous than any random three-day period.

In fact, holidays were safer considering increased traffic. It's no surprise that the carnage in Chicago is not a weekend phenomenon. The same is happening in New York, Baltimore, St. Louis, and Los Angeles.

This year's total of shooting victims in Chicago through Sept. 29 stands at 2,27l. September is now recognized as the most violent month of the year.

There can be little doubt that this violence is fueled by drugs and the gangs who fight for their rights to profit from their distribution. Chicago street gangs have become the agents of Mexican drug cartels, which stems from this nation's weak border and immigration control.

In a misguided spirit of fairness, Obama continues to release prisoners convicted of possession and dealing drugs, because they are disproportionately minorities. Of the thousands of persons caught with illegal weapons, most serve only a few months in prison, and none are prosecuted under federal law, which carries heavy penalties.

Politics plays a large role not only in Chicago, but also in New York City, Baltimore, St. Louis and Los Angeles, where gun violence has spiked. Strict law enforcement alienates the electoral base of those in charge of the cities, largely hereditary Democrats.

It's much easier to blame outsiders for urban problems, especially for exercising their constitutional right to bear arms, while dismissing that Chicago is not only a sanctuary city, but that it has served for many years as a gateway city for the trafficking of heroin from Mexico.

Nancy J. Thorner

Lake Bluff