I’m nowhere near what I dreamed I’d be I can’t believe what life has done to me

* Eighth grader writes letter to editor against the war on drugs:

"Time and Money Are Wasted Now

"I think drugs should be legal because of all the people that use drugs. The war on drugs takes a lot of money from the government that could be used for other purposes, such as education. Cops spend time trying to bust drug users instead of real crimes like rapes, murders and child abductions.

"Since drugs are illegal, smugglers must smuggle the drugs into our country and that would cause violence. But if drugs were legal, there wouldn't be a need to smuggle drugs in and have conflict about the drugs.

"Government could tax the drugs if they were legal. If companies make drugs, it will make the drugs safer because of better and cleaner equipment and supplies. There would still be an age limit if drugs were legal.

"Tony Wang, eighth-grader, Pershing Middle School"

* Il Cavallo Cattivo posted a photo of David Berman and Rian Murphy from last month's Chicago event.

* In DC: The Fall tonight at the Black Cat; Smog Thursday at Iota.