SUCKING UP

Dear Editor,

Thank you, Ernest Eich, for taking an active role on two of the more vital
issues our nation and community face. In this age of the suck-up, it's
refreshing to see someone take a stand.

Drug laws enforced in such a way that a rich white man can partake and find
himself President of the United States while a person with less money and
fewer connections has his freedom taken away, is wrong, immoral and
unproductive.

My fellow Republicans seem to have only two solutions to our nation's
difficulties: Jail 'em or bomb 'em. You are right to not accept the status
quo and to challenge this community to take a stand.

Why do you suppose it is, Ernest, that when John Steel makes a stand or has
political ambitions, our community is somehow worse for the wear? John, you
should think about running for mayor of New York City. You have my full
support.

Ernest, your position and active role in energy conservation and
alternative energy are of the highest moral calling. As a conservative, I
have always had a cautious approach to the obvious negative impacts of the
extraction and burning of our fossil fuels.

I consider fuel conservation one of the more patriotic acts that an
American citizen can undertake, especially considering how aggressive this
nation can get when it thirsts for oil. I consider it morally
unconscionable that our President and Vice President - oilmen from way back
- - are actively engaged in discouraging consumer conservation. It is a
transparently immoral position that W tells us is moral and even the
reasonable Republicans don't seem to have the courage to publicly disagree.
I tell ya', my fellow Republicans fascinate me. But I digress.

Thanks Ernest. I don't know you and I don't know if I like your style but
who cares? You are taking a stand when so many others just suck up.

Tom Slocum

Telluride

P.S. I'm still waiting for a Republican to put pen to paper and challenge
the party. I know you guys know how to suck up. Who in San Miguel County
can speak out?