WAR AGAINST INTRUSION

Rep. John Peterson ("Random testing will help schools fight drugs," July 6)
tries to get his political points with several factoids. I'll let others
argue about the size of the problem in schools and the relative
availability of the various narcotics. And testaments from former drug
enforcement officials can tell better than I how ridiculous and
discriminatory our current system is.

My specific complaint is the lie that Americans accept drug testing in the
workplace. If that is the case, then let's start testing all elected
politicians right now. If there is any job that presents a "public hazard,"
it is that of lawmaking. Let Peterson and his colleagues find out how
humiliating it is to have to comply with having hairs clipped, urine
samples taken and other methods used to invade one's person.

I sincerely doubt that our forefathers, in framing the Constitution, wanted
businesses, employers and other institutions to have more control over
individuals than we, the people, allow the government itself to have.

Worse is Peterson's lack of understanding of the Constitution. The Bill of
Rights provides for people to be "secure in their persons." This applies to
children, too. Earlier court decisions have provided that dangers to the
public can allow the testing of individuals in, for example, public
transportation. Then, it was spread to athletes. Now, an activist court
(remember when that was supposed to mean a "liberal" court?) has gone too far.

If we treat our children as criminals and prisoners, then how do we expect
them to act in the future?

By the way, Rep. Peterson, a 5-4 vote is hardly "unequivocal."

Ken Tarr

Renovo