GUILTY AS CHARGED

In your paper Saturday, I think I was insulted by writer Daniel Levine
because I stated use of marijuana was immoral even though legal. My
criticism was directed to letter writer Robert Galia. Levine praised
Galia as sensible.

Of course, Galia had a few unkind things to say about the Chico Police
Officers Association. Many people don't like our government enforcing
laws that protect them and others. It's too bad they couldn't help the
poor woman from Magalia, whose life was snuffed out a few weeks ago by
some youngster who crossed a double line and hit her head on. I read
he was arrested for being under the influence of marijuana.

Even though legal marijuana use would seem to be the main thrust of
Levine's criticism, he was not satisfied to end his lambasting there.
No, he had to fault me on my poor use of the English language. In my
letter, when I asked the question about whether certain acts of
Congress were legal or moral, he said they were neither, that they
were discriminatory. Isn't it possible for things to be defined by
more than one adjective?

His last condemnation of my writing was that I was biased toward the
Muslim law of Sharia. I guess I have to plead guilty. I believe Muslim
law is cruel and inhumane. I also believe our Congress needs to be
reformed and I believe smoking pot is injurious to the smoker's health
and can and will alter a person's senses.

Richard A. Douglas

Paradise