Out of Context

Recently, Tom Gorman did an article entitled “Head of MADD Tempers Group’s Image to Keep Message Alive” (March 22). Mr. Gorman interviewed me for this article and I would like to point out at least one quote that he took out of context. I explained to Mr. Gorman when we did the interview that I could not disparage MADD due to my contract with this organization. I also told him that I would not do so and I would refer to “the movement” every time we talked about drunk driving since I thought there is much more to the anti-drunk driving crusade than just MADD.

I asked him specifically not to use the word MADD when quoting me since I would not be using the word MADD, I would always be using the words “the movement.” The story says: “It has become a bureaucracy, we’ve become complacent. MADD has peaked.” I never used the words “MADD has peaked” in that context. I pointed out to him much later in the discussion that a study was done, giving him the name of the professor who is doing the study, that showed that MADD actually did peak in 1983, began a gradual decline in 1984 that rapidly accelerated in 1985. I did not use the words “MADD has peaked” in the quote which he has attributed to me.

I would also like to point out that I was never asked about my supposed elevation of Norma Phillips to “MADD’S California Representative for Legislative Affairs.” I never elevated Norma to that position. I haven’t the slightest idea what anyone is talking about and I certainly never put her on the national board of directors, nor did she chair, at least while I was there, any executive committee overseeing national issues, which frankly did not exist. Again, at least while I was chairperson of the board.

I do not believe that Mr. Gorman’s intent was to hype Norma Phillips, which she certainly needs, but to somehow compare the two of us and to intentionally discredit me, if possible, attempting to make Norma look better. I’ve never appreciated this kind of reporting and I certainly don’t appreciate the inaccuracies in this article.

CANDY LIGHTNER

Founder

Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Arlington, Tex.