DR. GRAVES EDITED THE HIPPOCRATIC OATH FOR FINANCIAL GREED

In response to the recent letter from Dave Michon ("Witch hunt," March 11)
of Eau Claire, Wis. (and similar letters of same sentiments) regarding the
case of recently convicted Dr. James Graves, methinks the Graves "support"
group doth protest a bit too much.

Michon argues that people like Assistant State Attorney Russ Edgar, for
example, "have no feelings" when it comes to people in pain.

First, let me say, I agree with Mr. Michon's claim that Dr. Graves'
"customers" were (and are) "in pain." If kicking a drug addiction were
"painless," certainly more people would make an effort to do it. The fact
that an addiction exists will create "pain" whenever a "craving" takes
place. Coincidentally, the "pain" typically worsens whenever a "source"
disappears.

The case against Dr. Graves wasn't based on the effort to dispel the truth
that real pain exists in certain individuals. The case against Dr. Graves
was based on the fact that senseless "pain" was created (and supported) by
Dr. Graves' desire to edit the Hippocratic oath to suit his own financial
greed.

Dr. Graves edited the line of his professional oath that reads "First, do
no harm" to read "Show me the money."

Randy Compton,
Pensacola