BAD MEDICINE

The recent flap in the news regarding the prosecution of the two Air Force
pilots for mistakenly killing friendly Canadian troops while on patrol in
Afghanistan should be classified as the height of stupidity. The ones that
should be considered for prosecution are the idiots who dreamed up the idea
of mandatory medications for the pilots.

One would be in serious trouble if caught driving while on speed. To be on
mind-altering drugs or drugs to alter the nervous system is a serious offense.

During World War II, I was an aircraft commander of a B-29, flying missions
from Guam to Japan - missions ranging from 14 to 18 hours. I was issued a
Benzedrine table to be taken one hour before landing in order to be alert.
I leveled off on my landing approach about 50 feet too high and we bounced
and bounced down the runway.

After the mission, my nervous system was completely on edge. That was the
first and last time I took their pills, and we all survived the rest of the
war.

I would suggest to today's "flyboys" that if they issue any more
medications, flush them down the relief tube. They will never know the
difference, and you will not stand in peril of years in the brig.

Charles H. Miller

Joplin