WOULD BUSH BE GENEROUS ABOUT OTHERS' IMMATURITY?

The media should stop asking George W. Bush if he ever used cocaine.
It has become obvious that he did -- he just won't say when.

The question now should be: Mr. Bush, if elected president, will you
issue pardons to the tens of thousands of men and women currently in
prison as a result of cocaine use prior to their 28th birthday, if
they state, as you have done, that they have now grown up?

If not, Mr. Bush, why is your situation of having achieved adulthood
at age 40 any different from theirs?

JACK ALLAN JONES
Lake Wylie
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BUSH'S REFUSAL TO ANSWER LEAVES CHOICE TO VOTERS

People feel they have the right to ask any question. Bush feels he has
the right to refuse to answer any question. As voters, we must decide
which we prefer: "I refuse to answer," or "I didn't inhale."

TONY CAPRANICA
Huntersville
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LET'S KEEP EYE ON BALL, FORGET ABOUT TRIVIAL

Youthful indiscretions dot everyone's life; do they really make
headline material? This preoccupation with the inconsequential diverts
public discussion from the important issues constantly sidestepped by
elected officials. Focus on that which is important when interviewing
candidates. Press hard on the issues that truly affect our lives.

DICK BROLIN
Cornelius