Finally, someone sees the Connection Between the War on Drugs and the War on Terrorists... if Drugs can get into Amerika,so can terrorists and bombs

today's papers

Return of the Swine Flu

By Daniel Politi
Posted Monday, Aug. 10, 2009, at 6:38 AM ET

The New York Times leads with word that the Pentagon has placed 50 major Afghan drug traffickers with ties to the Taliban in a list of targets to be captured or killed. The paper got an early look at a Congressional study set to be released this week, and notes that by putting drug traffickers on the same list as insurgent leaders, the United States is drastically changing its counternarcotics strategy in Afghanistan. The Washington Post leads with a look at how the United States, along with other countries in the Northern Hemisphere are preparing for a second wave of swine flu, which could start hitting with a vengeance in the next few weeks. Several countries in the Southern Hemisphere have been hit particularly hard during their winter, and everyone expects it to continue spreading. Britain has reported a recent increase in swine flu cases, and set up a system to distribute drugs. Meanwhile, there are growing concerns the H1N1 virus could cause a huge number of fatalities if it begins to infect many people in some of the world's poorest countries.

USA Today leads with a poll on health care that shows how people's opinions are all over the map and sometimes conflict. Seniors are certainly the most resistant to change, and with the exception of the youngest age group, the idea of controlling costs is seen as a higher priority than expanding coverage to the uninsured. Those with insurance and no significant health problems don't think the issue is so urgent that something must be done this year. The Wall Street Journal leads its world-wide newsbox with an interview with Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top American commander in Afghanistan, who warned U.S. casualties would remain high in the coming months as more soldiers are sent to population centers. Several officials say they expect McChrystal to ask for as many as 10,000 more troops. The Los Angeles Times leads locally with a look at how lawyers are having considerable success at getting courts to declare that certain budget cuts passed by the legislature are illegal. These lawsuits are one reason why most expect the recently approved spending plan that closes California's massive budget gap will end up collapsing.

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Daniel Politi writes "Today's Papers" for Slate. He can be reached at todayspapers@slate.com.