DON'T POINT TO RACE AS DECIDING FACTOR

Cynthia Tucker's column contrasted the case of a young, poor, black drug
addict with that of Rush Limbaugh, a rich white man who is addicted to
prescription painkillers. Why, she asks, must the former undergo treatment
and possible incarceration if he fails testing when the latter can simply
get voluntary treatment and no jail time?

Her answer is based on race. My answer is based on economics and law. One
pays for his own treatment and the other is publicly funded. Second, one
abuses illegal drugs, the other abuses legal drugs.

Finally, a person who cannot afford his addiction poses a threat to the
community if he turns to crime. The rich guy poses no threat, except for
his political commentary.

Limbaugh may be a windbag, whose style and opinions annoy me, but he is
unlikely to rob me.

R.E. MESSINA, McDonough