Pubdate: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 Source: Houston Chronicle (TX) Copyright: 1999 Houston Chronicle Contact: http://www.chron.com/ Forum: http://www.chron.com/content/hcitalk/index.html Author: Jim Trimble DRUG USE SURE DOES MATTER Concerning politicians and presidential candidates: It bothers me that a politician running for office can say that whatever he or she did 20 years ago now doesn't matter. It was OK to have used drugs back then even though they didn't get caught. But what about the person who was caught 20 years ago with drugs? Even if they are out of prison, they are still considered a felon and are denied the right to vote. Is the only difference that one got caught and no one ever forgets it and the other gets to live a life with all past mistakes "forgiven"? Are we saying it's OK as long as you didn't get caught? The courts aren't that forgiving. If they are that forgiving of their own errors, shouldn't they be that forgiving to others who have made similar mistakes and choices? Jim Trimble, San Augustine - --- MAP posted-by: Don Beck