PASS THE THREAD

Thank you for publishing Robert Sharpe's outstanding letter, "An
inquisition" (Feb. 26).

Since the annual kill ratio of tobacco vs. marijuana is greater than
400,000 to zero, perhaps our government should practice "compassionate
coercion" on tobacco smokers instead of marijuana users.

Since heart disease and cancer kill a lot more Americans than drug abuse
does, perhaps our government should practice "compassionate coercion" on
obese people by sewing up their mouths.

Better yet, let's practice "compassionate coercion" on politicians who want
our government to protect us from ourselves, and sew up their mouths instead.

KIRK MUSE

Mesa, Ariz.