LETTERS: NO TRUST FOR THE EPA

To the editor:

In response to a letter from T. Addington regarding my previous letters about the Environmental Protection Agency, I am not sure I am addressing a male or female, but my senses tell me it's probably a female, so I will refer to her as such.

She invited me to recite from memory what publications (and, I suppose, the page and date) from which I received this information. Of course, just a little common sense will tell anyone that I cannot do this. This is something that happened probably 30 years ago, and maybe before T. Addington was born. However, by the same token she cannot prove me wrong. She only insinuates that I am.

She states that she is a biologist, but this does not impress me one bit. I find that people who specialize in one field usually don't know much else. The whole scope of the EPA's activities involve politics, economics and priorities and also should involved constitutionality and common sense.

She also stated that the EPA has made some mistakes in the past. This is inexcusable, since mistakes are made by brashly charging ahead with a project before first using the thought processes that are available to everyone. This is serious business that affects the lives and pocketbooks of every citizen and shouldn't be regarded as just fun and games where mistakes can be made with impunity.

She also asked a very naive question: If we cannot put our trust (and our money) in the EPA to fix these problems, whom, then, should we trust?

I don't have the vaguest notion as to whom she should trust, but I can give her some pretty sound advice as to whom not to trust. I do not trust any government agency that ignores the Constitution and the best interests of people, makes mistakes, engages in propaganda and does not have any money left at the end of the fiscal war.

I know nothing of T. Addington's character and wouldn't comment on it if I did, but I will say that couldn't trust her judgment.

RAY UMBDENSTOCK

Cape Girardeau