Pubdate: Mon, 08 Nov 1999
Date: 11/08/1999
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Author: Mona Davis

Re "Actor Downey Doing Hard Time for an Illness," Nov.
3:

I agree with Mike Downey's position opposing the incarceration of drug
addicts.

However, I object to his using Robert Downey Jr. as his poster boy. He
does not so much as acknowledge the poor and unknown who constitute
the overwhelming majority of those who find themselves in prison for
drug use. Most of those have not been given the special considerations
that Downey Jr. received.

One's acting ability, moneyed connections and charm should not
determine incarceration or freedom. I find Mike Downey's pandering to
celebrity offensive.

Mona Davis,
Cypress