Maxine Waters

* Re "Undeterred, Waters Crusades for Answers," March 4:

Despite her admirable tenacity, it is unlikely that Rep.
Maxine Waters (DLos Angeles) will find any feasible cause of
action against the CIA in the crack cocaine affair. In a cordial
farewell session with the Senate Intelligence Committee,
retiring CIA Director John Deutch made it clear that the
inspectors general charged with investigating this matter can
subpoena witnesses or documents only with the director's
approvalthus virtually assuring no surprises.
With Republicans in control of Congress and reluctant to
revisit IranContra, and with Democrats not eager to rock the
boat, evidence of drug trafficking much broader than the Los
Angeles sideshow will almost certainly remain quietly swept
under the rug. A conspiracy of silence seems to enjoy the tacit
approval of the main media, which are understandably loath to
reveal how they had knuckled under to thenCIA Director
William Casey's "Office of Public Diplomacy," charged with
repressing criticism of the Contras. Under his freewheeling
"whatever it takes" policy, there is ample testimony that many
private contractors flew guns down and drugs back without
proper customs clearance.
MARSHALL PHILLIPS
Foreign Service Officer (Ret.)
Long Beach

* You paraphrase Waters as saying that "crack has so
viciously undermined personal responsibility and exacerbated
other social problems such as crime." We heartily agree.
We would also add that power lust has the same effect,
undermining the personal responsibility of refraining from
making unsubstantiated allegations, and worsening the social
problem of racism.
TOM and MARY LOU CLAYTON
Santa Clarita

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