Your lead editorial, “Earth Summit,” on June 12 was both depressing and a joy to read. It was depressing because it accurately reveals that President Bush does not deserve the label of “environmental president.” Those words ring hollow as our president eviserates the United Nations’ global warming treaty in Rio de Janeiro and allows Vice President Quayle and his Committee on Competitiveness to butcher the very laws that EPA administrator William Reilly attempts to enact at home.

It was a joy to read because it spoke out so courageously and eloquently for greater awareness and stronger controls now to reduce the threat of global warming. In addition, it brings into sharper focus the plight of the underprivilaged Third World nations and the damaging environmental effects that result from the population explosion in those countries. Ned Randall, M.D. Blue Hill Falls