Bennett on Culture

Twenty months as drug czar afforded William J. Bennett the opportunity to effect changes that should have resurrected our society from this sad “moral ecology” that he now laments (Commentary, July 3). Bennett had the power but lacked the courage to shift national focus from the drug war to substance-abuse research and treatment. Had he done so, we might have already realized a cure for the cause of four in five crimes.

This personal-responsibility huckster and self-appointed guardian of the American conscience now points the finger of culpability at the news and entertainment media. Art echoes reality. Bennett hates the reflection so he wants us to destroy the mirror. Our former drug czar, in searching his own soul, may find something very personal about responsibility.

CHRIS CAUHAPE

Indio