Letters: Nov. 22, 1982

De Lorean's Fall

To the Editors:

The John De Lorean story [Nov. 1] has a haunting quality that goes beyond the personal tragedy. He may be typical of the best, and possibly the worst, in the free-enterprise system's hustle for success. Others, including some astute corporations, have been succumbing with alarming frequency to overwhelming pressures and strains that have caused them to spin out of control like De Lorean.

Hans Kleefeld Toronto

Many businessmen have gone under after decades of success. I lost my home, career and pension. Unlike De Lorean, most of us started again from scratch without resorting to the drug trade.

Ian Bulloch Moraga, Calif.

Certainly no one would condone John De Lorean's actions. Nevertheless, we should be grateful to him. Our society craves such people in order to reaffirm our self-worth and goodness. The higher they are and the harder they fall, the greater our fix.

Carol J. Moola Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

John De Lorean probably saw his auto company going down the drain and subconsciously courted disaster. For many highly successful people the only alternative to spectacular success is dramatic failure. De Lorean was too shrewd not to be aware of the dangers a novice faces in the drug trade. Your story noted that he appeared calm and unsurprised when he was arrested. Perhaps De Lorean was also relieved.

John Pritchard Somerset, N.J.

Do not worry about John De Lorean. Once he gets over this crisis he will revert to being the entrepreneur. He will begin work on his autobiography, which will be made into a motion picture, and he will become a highly paid speaker on the lecture circuit. If he goes to jail he will be born again and will make inspiring sermons.

Martin Elkort Beverly Hills, Calif.

The De Lorean bust is a typical case of entrapment and sensationalism. The Drug Enforcement Administration claims that he stood to make $50 million from the sale of 100 kilos of cocaine. I'm a former dealer serving time on drug charges, and I can tell you that a dealer would get a return of between $10 million and $15 million. The standard rule in selling drugs is that you can double or triple your money in a very short period of time. The notion that someone can make a 900% profit is an affront to anyone with any business sense.

Earnest Paul Tress #334287 Sugar Land, Texas

Your Essay "The Man Who Wrecked the Car" asks, "Why have the adventures of John De Lorean attracted so much notice?" The answer is that the media have sensationalized a criminal event beyond all reason. Rich or poor, De Lorean is a suspected dope dealer who hardly merits the attention.

Gerd S. Grombacher Sierra Vista, Ariz.

After reading your extensive coverage of John De Lorean, I was reminded of the story of a junior high school student whose assignment was to write an essay on penguins. At the end he wrote, "This is really more than I cared to know about penguins."

Dickie S. Allen Pacific Palisades, Calif.

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