The following letter was addressed to writer E.J. Pagel: (local NORML director)

TO: E. J. Pagel

Your strident tone in your letter to the editor dated July 8th left me
unsettled.

I'm afraid your approach to further-ing the drug law debate was not was not
done a particular service by your harshness.

Reasoned debate is needed.

As a leader of NORML, you're not exactly the most impartial spokesman;
perhaps there is a middle ground that can be explored. The
de-criminalization of marijuana for adults is an issue that needs serious
addressing. Surely,the argu-ment can be made that the weed is less
destructive than alcohol; while not a ringing endorsement of its use, the
truth cannot be denied.

Medical benefits of marijuana seem to be making the news on a regular basis.

It does seem that the days of locking up pot smokers should be ending, but
does this also mean the legalization of cocaine and heroin. NO-let's not
condone, promote or otherwise look the other wayat drugs that are so
completely devastating. We know the serious health effects of tobacco and
alcohol. Why would any society want to give their seal of approval to
behavior that is clearly detrimental to one's own health, but also to the
betterment and sanity of a society already stressed to the max? Take it
from a friend and a semi-Libertarian at heart.

You can do your cause more good by embracing reasonable debate. Words like
"land of un-free" and "home of the gutless" will not further your debate.

We have a great country, we're reasonably free, and open debate is the
LIBERTY we're all celebrating-lets move it ahead.

Ron Tenin

Checked-by: (Joel W. Johnson)