CONGRATULATIONS

For far too long, America's news media have cut our federal government an
unreasonable amount of slack on its pursuit of a lunatic "drug free" utopia
at the expense of our schools, our personal freedoms and the lives of the
unfortunate addicts its policy hands over to the care of callous police,
jailers and criminal drug dealers. Congratulations on being among the first
newspapers (Tribune editorial, June 25) to speak out clearly and
articulately on this folly. Do not worry about remaining alone for long; you
are almost certain to be joined soon by multitudes of others who are finally
noticing -- however belatedly -- the emperor's total lack of clothing.

TOM O'CONNELL

San Mateo, Calif.