I'M BEING READ

Three cheers! There were three responses to my July 30 letter in the Aug. 6
News-Globe. I am being read from coast to coast, and my name was mentioned
11 times!

At this rate, I will have name recognition and be able to run for president
by the time George W. finishes his eight years in office. Thanks for making
my day.

Too bad none of those people read my letter with understanding. Never once
did I advocate any solution to the drug problem. All I did was cite the two
extremes.

I'm sorry that Charles Kiker is addicted to coffee. My weakness is iced tea.

Six years ago Aug. 7, I lost my wife to tobacco, and I don't know why our
prosecutors haven't charged the tobacco CEOs with her murder, as well as
the murder of thousands of others each year.

Robert R. Poore asked me "to explain where and at what point in history
drugs were both 'legal and free' and why that solution failed." Then he
answered the question when he referred to the number of people killed by
drunken drivers.

It is unfortunate the editor didn't print the quotation from Shakespeare's
"Othello" that prefaced my original letter: "O God, That men should put an
enemy in their mouths to steal away their brains! That we should, with joy,
with pleasance, revel and applause, transform ourselves into beasts."

Laws alone will not solve the problem. It will take a change of heart and
education.

Jesus gave us the answer when he said, "As a man thinketh in his heart, so
is he."

I thank God every day I live in a nation where we can debate these and
other issues openly. In time we might solve these problems.

Keep up the good work, guys, and thanks for reading my letters. Your votes
eight years from now will be appreciated.

OSCAR G. GARNER
Amarillo