To: president@whitehouse.gov (Bill Clinton)
From: mkb4@cornell.edu (Matthew Belmonte)
Subject: in support of Joycelyn Elders
Cc: borden@netcom.com (David Borden)

You've just cast off the best Surgeon General the United States has had in my
lifetime, and you've thrown her away because of a soundbite. At an event on
World AIDS Day, Joycelyn Elders responded to a pointed question about
masturbation. There is nothing wrong with talking about masturbation. And if
masturbation can take the place of risky sex, if it can keep even one person
from contracting HIV or from bringing an unwanted child into the world, then I
suggest that the nation's youth limber up their wrists. (After all, it's less
expensive than drugs, and often more convenient than sex.) Let's get rid of
this ridiculous national neurosis, shall we? 

The report (gopher://gopher.voa.gov/00/newswire/fri/ELDERS_RESIGNS) by the
Voice of America, a news service controlled by your administration, is slanted.
It states that Elders suggested that masturbation be taught in public schools.
In reality, she offered a rather low-key response to a question from a member
of the audience. Also, by mentioning your agents' arrest of Elders' son on drug
charges, the report insinuates some link between this incident and Elders'
support of drug legalisation. 

Dr Elders' ideas on sex education, like her ideas on drug abuse prevention and
drug legalisation, have been innovative and practical. The cost in human
suffering of their not being implemented is on your hands.