I don't know who censors opinion at the Morning Sentinel, but it's clear that someone does; John Christie, no doubt.

This letter is addressed to him. The seat-belt law was passed in robotic-like unison by 49 of the 50 states. Democracy in action? They acted under threat and for pay, as you well know. A functionary at the U.S. Department of Transportation informed the states: "Do this or else."

"If you do what I, as an unelected hireling, tell you to do, you will receive millions."

Tell me, why is that not as tyrannical, as unconstitutional, as un-American as it gets? Given that, why do you not print letters that point that out? Think that kind of censorship of legitimate opinion has anything to do with the turn away from the media?

Now you may argue that fascist or not, the law is needed and saves lives. That last would not stand up in a 101 class in statistics. The validation of even one small statistic is a tedious, painstaking task. Ask the people who put together the SATs how much goes into the least of the questions. Each finding must be validated by closely monitored control groups.

Control groups must replicate every aspect of a crash before they can conclude that the failure to wear seatbelts can be blamed. Such control situations are obviously impossible to establish; therefore, conclusions worth their salt are not available, all shouts of anguish to the contrary.

Victor Lister

Athens