Pubdate: Mon, 26 Aug 2002
Source: Times-News, The (ID)
Copyright: 2002 Magic Valley Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.magicvalley.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/595
Author: Walter F. Wouk
Note: Walter Wouk is the director of the Thomas Paine Project, a nonprofit 
organization defending the Bill of Rights.

PATRIOTIC AMERICANS SHOULD DEFEND THEIR CIVIL RIGHTS

Your editorial, "Principals build credibility by accepting random tests," 
(The Times-News, Aug. 18) misses the crucial point that random drug testing 
of presumably innocent individuals is a repudiation of everything America 
stands for.

We are currently engaged in a war against terrorism. A war to defend 
"American Values." The Bill of Rights are, for all intents and purposes, 
America's Ten Commandments of Freedom -- the bedrock of this nation's value 
system.

At this critical time in our history, patriotic Americans have an 
obligation to defend their rights -- not surrender them.

WALTER F. WOUK

Cobleskill, N.Y.

(Editor's note: Walter Wouk is the director of the Thomas Paine Project, a 
nonprofit organization defending the Bill of Rights.)
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MAP posted-by: Beth