HONEST TALK ON TABOO TOPICS

Thank you, Lonny Pulkrabek, for having the guts to stand up to the
drug war mentality by calling for more sensible penalties and
policies for small-amount simple drug possession and public
intoxication ("White responds to marijuana ideas," Feb. 10).

It's regrettable that lame duck county attorney J. Patrick White is
hostile to reform. The candidates to succeed him, Janet Lyness and
Nick Maybanks, should be asked about this issue at every candidate
forum. So should our legislators and legislative candidates -- and
they should not be let off easy with non-answers about how this won't
reach the floor.

Sheriff Pulkrabek has taken a step forward in promoting sensible
discussion of this taboo topic, and Iowans should take advantage of
the opportunity.

John Deeth

Iowa City