Saying Sorry To Crack Addicts

A Washington Post reporter, a music critic, wrote back to Marion Barry's organization after getting unsolicited emails.

"Must we hear about it every time this crack addict attempts to rehabilitate himself with some new -- and typically half-witted -- political grandstanding? I'd be grateful if you would take me off your mailing list. I cannot think of anything the useless Marion Barry could do that would interest me in the slightest, up to and including overdose."

Brilliant. And, of course, the reporter gets in trouble for it and has to apologize.

Barry said in an interview that he was "outraged" and "incredulous" at the "despicable" e-mail, "particularly coming from a reporter at a reputable newspaper like The Washington Post, not a rag." He said the note amounted to "character assassination" at a time when "around the nation, it's almost open season on black people."

Yes. Well. Right.

The email was a smear to crack addicts and corrupt politicians everywhere. Shouldn't we all be 'outraged' and 'incredulous' that a convicted drug user is allowed to operate in the political arena without the slightest sense of shame?