GOVERNMENT OUGHT TO ALLOW FREEDOM OF CHOICE

I'm writing about Casey O'Connor's outstanding letter: "Marijuana not
drug at root of U.S. problems" (Aug. 5). Perhaps we should remove the
words "freedom" and "liberty" from all American national monuments and
currency. If American citizens cannot decide for themselves what
substances they can put into their own bodies -- even in the privacy
of their own homes -- then the words freedom and liberty are just
empty words.

Perhaps we should sent the Statue of Liberty back to France, or else
rename it the "Statue of Hypocrisy."

Today our government tells us which recreational drugs we may or may
not consume. (Note that Viagra is OK, but marijuana is not.)

Note that tobacco is OK, but marijuana is not.

Tomorrow our nanny-state government will tell us which foods we may or
may not eat. For our own good and protection, of course.

Kirk Muse

Mesa, Ariz.