Hatch’s Image at Odds With Ephedra Support

Re “Senator, His Son Get Boosts From Makers of Ephedra,” March 5: It must just be me. Somehow the concept of the pristine Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) -- a Mormon, who I assume denies himself alcohol and the stimulant of caffeine -- relishing the “high” of ephedra (be it physical or financial) boggles my tired brain. Can we attribute it to a faith-based double standard (let the masses pollute their bodies) or merely greed?

Either way, it belies the carefully crafted image of wholesomeness he serves up at every turn.

Joan Mumford

Cardiff, Calif.

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Perhaps ephedra should be a controlled substance. However, its side reactions pale when compared with other over-the-counter items such as aspirin and acetaminophen.

B.W. Overn RN

Santa Ana