FOR THE CHILDREN'S SAKE

IT IS always instructive to read the remarks you append to the letters your
readers send you. In Matthew Elrod's Nov. 18 plea for a common-sense
approach to regulating medical marijuana, he said, "Better to light a
single candle than to curse the darkness." You made this statement in
response: "Better to buy a flashlight than inhale candle smoke." I'm glad
that a newspaper of your stature is finally coming out against the
well-known dangers of candle smoke inhalation. It's about time! Some may
scoff at your crusade to save us from this pernicious and immoral practice,
but such persons have clearly not thought matters out. After all, the
burning of candles is undeniably associated with dreadful things of which
no decent person would approve, such as hurricanes, ice storms, tornados
and other natural and unnatural disasters, and candles often make these
events worse, by setting the curtains on fire and burning down the house.
Candles are also associated with Satanic rituals and illicit romantic
assignations. It's enough to make the blood run cold. We must not listen to
those who will claim that candles are sometimes useful and even pleasant,
because this is a fight we must not lose. For the children's sake.

Ray Aldridge, Ft. Walton Beach, Florida

(They putting something in your drinking water, Ray?)