Pubdate: Fri, 01 Mar 2002 Source: Northwest Florida Daily News (FL) Copyright: 2002 Northwest Florida Daily News Contact: http://www.nwfdailynews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/313 Author: Kirk Muse 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. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart