Pubdate: Tue, 23 Sep 2003 Source: Tribune Review (Pittsburgh, PA) Copyright: 2003 Tribune-Review Publishing Co. Contact: http://triblive.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/460 Author: Roger J. Lodge TASTELESS TEASE This is in response to your Sept. 12 article on actor-comedian Tommy Chong being sentenced to prison for selling marijuana bongs and pipes. The first line of your story is a poor, out-of-context tease: "Actor-comedian Tommy Chong admits he had become the pot-smoking loser he once played in the movies. As a result, his freedom will go up in smoke ...." Chong's complete quote is this: "I admit I did become that character for a while. I'm back to who I am." I don't think it's funny to poke fun at pot-smokers. What I find less humorous is poor and distasteful attempts to attract attention to your article. Leave your opinions of marijuana use out of your journalism. Leave the comedy to the comedians (Tommy Chong). Since the War on Drugs has proven itself to be a complete, money-sucking failure, must you now resort to the use of "put-downs" as the next deterrent? How about becoming a role model instead? It's cheaper and more effective. Please leave "high-brow" editorializing away from balanced reporting. Roger J. Lodge Squirrel Hill - --- MAP posted-by: Beth