Dear Mr. O'Reilly,

	On last night's show, you and your guest discussed the link between
rap music and harm against black women.  Your guest cited evidence comparing
the circumstances of black women who listened to rap music and those who did
not, and then drew a conclusion based on a correlation.

	This is the same mistake that is so often made in studies by
self-proclaimed experts with political agendas: the existence of a
correlation does not indicate cause-and-effect.  When comparing the two
groups--those who listen to rap music and those who do not--the most obvious
thing that stands out to me is the fact that there is indeed a group who
does not listen to rap music.  The question should be asked, "why is that?"
And then, is it true that listening to a type of music affects your
environment, or is it more likely that your environment will affect your
choice in music?

	This is exactly the type of issue that gives both liberals and
conservatives a chance to unite and show their darker sides.  Liberals will
use this as a chance to relieve people of any personal responsibility for
the actions--i.e., "the music made me do it"--while the conservatives will
use it to encroach on our freedom of speech--as you seemed to imply by
attacking the industry as you did last night.  Both are equally disastrous.

	I am not speaking out in defense of rap music because I like--the
fact is that I despise it--rather I am speaking out in its defense because 
it is not the primary target being attacked.  What is being attacked are 
issues much bigger than any particular concretes they may subsume: these 
are personal responsibility and freedom of speech.

Eric J. Lakits
Sterling Heights, Mi