Pubdate: Thu, 14 Dec 2000
Source: Amarillo Globe-News (TX)
Copyright: 2000 Amarillo Globe-News
Contact:  P.O. Box 2091, Amarillo, TX 79166
Fax: (806) 373-0810
Website: http://amarillonet.com/
Forum: http://208.138.68.214:90/eshare/server?action=4
Author: Heyward Dixon

THE NAKED TRUTH ON DRUG WAR

Since you brought it up in your Dec. 11 editorial, "New Mexico governor
doesn't help own cause," I went ahead and examined the list of people who've
been the subject of Playboy interviews in the past.

I was astounded by the breadth of diversity I found. From William F. Buckley
Jr. to Gore Vidal, Edward Teller to Anita Bryant, for the most part a Who's
Who of luminaries. Playboy has put forth tremendous journalistic effort in
its quest for varied and pertinent opinions on the issues of the day.

The very fact that your paper made light of the interview belies what seems
to be the main point of your editorial. After all, who in Amarillo would've
read such a publication (much less looked at the pictures)?

Now the good people of Amarillo know about Gary Johnson's stand against the
failed drug war without being sullied by pictures of naked women.

As for Johnson, I think you're wrong in saying that he is taking his message
to a national stage. In fact, the national stage came looking for him.

Politicians with the courage to speak aloud the obvious - that the drug war
is a terrible flop - are rare, and people in this country want real
leadership on this issue.

The Amarillo Globe-News could easily have scooped Playboy on this interview;
New Mexico is only a stone's throw from your front door. Instead, you
settled for one ludicrous quote from the not-so-noteworthy Ron Godbey.

The next time you have such an opportunity, you should go after it like good
journalists instead of sitting back in your easy chairs writing silly,
holier-than-thou editorials.

HEYWARD DIXON

Houston
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