Pubdate: Thu, 06 Sep 2001 Source: Kansas City Star (MO) Copyright: 2001 The Kansas City Star Contact: http://www.kcstar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/221 Author: Deborah R Kemp OUTRAGEOUS MISTAKE I was saddened to learn of the I-70 fatalities late last month, and I was outraged to learn of the "mistake" made in connection with the drug test of the tractor-trailer driver, John Kendrix. Broadcasting Kendrix's picture and reminding viewers time and time again that he tested positive for illegal drugs was more like a conviction than a news report. Now the technician who presumably reported inaccurate results is being shielded by a hospital disclaimer and a hospital chief executive who refuses to comment on this matter. Consider the irreparable damage to Kendrix's reputation caused by all of this. Were these drug test results reported inaccurately because of human error or is the erroneous report indicative of a much larger problem in our society? Media representations of blacks and other minorities are generally in the most negative light possible, and the headline conviction of John Kendrix was no different. Deborah R. Kemp Kansas City - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom