To the editor:

I am beginning to believe that in Ray Umbdenstock's view, I just cannot do anything right. In one of my letters which occasioned his letter of March 25, I agreed with him that conservatives ought to be allowed to be as nasty to oppressed groups as they want to be. Of course, he, being a conservative, characterized his position as a stance against political correctness.

Terminology aside, though, the important thing is that we two arrived at the same conclusion. What must I do to avoid being taken to the woodshed by Mr. Umbdenstock -- use exactly the same train of thought as he in arriving at that same conclusion? If so, who then is exercising thought control, he or I?

Contrary to what his letter stated, I had no objection to his letter at all. In fact, I wish the Southeast Missourian would hire him as an op-ed columnist. The progressive movement could well use such a shot in the arm as regular exposure of his views would provide. Write on, Mr. U.

DONN S. MILLER

Tamms, Ill.