KATHY MITCHELL AND MARCY SUGAR \ Annie's Mailbox He wants his parents to know he hates them

Dear Annie: I have a problem with my parents, both in their mid-60s. To put it bluntly, I hate them. I no longer want anything to do with them and would like to send them a letter saying so. My wife thinks that's a bad idea.
For my entire life, my parents have been mean, manipulative, verbally abusive and unpleasant. Two years ago, my youngest sister committed suicide. The first thing my mother said was, "We did everything we could for her." Hah. The two of them are so selfish, I cannot bear it any longer, and I don't want my sons around them.
I am 38 years old and do not blame them for anything. I simply want my parents to know that I can't stand them. I've kept my mouth shut long enough. I've decided to move away and start a new life with my wife and our children. What do you think? Had Enough
Dear Had Enough: Your parents must be pretty awful to drive you away so completely. If you feel further contact would be harmful to you and your children, by all means, keep your distance. Sending them a vitriolic letter filled with angry recriminations, however, means you are trying to hurt them. Please don't do it. If you need to vent your anger about your parents, talk to a therapist who will help you let go of your animosity, so you can move forward as well as across the country.
Dear Annie: I hope it's not too late to respond to "Tired in North Carolina," whose grown sister, "Selma," is manipulative and irresponsible. When I read that one of Selma's ploys is to skip her epilepsy medication, my blood ran cold. It's bad enough that she'd exploit her condition to manipulate her family, but as a fellow epileptic, I know she also is endangering her health and the health of those around her.
Selma is responsible for anything that happens to other people as a result of her seizures. If she has one while driving, for example, she could easily kill herself and anyone unlucky enough to be in her path. Her doctors must be told what she is doing. Please print my letter so "Tired in North Carolina" and anyone else with a "Selma" in the family will realize the danger. A Concerned Epileptic
Dear Concerned: Your warning is right on target. Most epileptics are responsible about medication and take pains to keep their seizures under control. If Selma is a risk to others because of her selfish behavior, her doctor should be notified so the authorities will know if Selma's driver's license needs to be revoked. Maybe that will be the incentive for her to grow up.
Dear Annie: When I saw your response to "Hopeful in Miami," I had to write. "Hopeful" asked how to address the president of the United States. You correctly pointed out that, in conversation, one calls the president by his title or "sir."
It seems to me that starting with former President Clinton, newscasters began the disgusting display of calling the president "Mr.," along with his last name. It continues with President Bush.
I am sure some of these newscasters see your column, and I think it is well worth chastising them over this matter. It is disrespectful and, in fact, I can think of no social graces that allow for him to be addressed other than by his title. Respectful of the President of the United States
Dear Respectful: You are technically correct, but reporters' language tends to be in a class by itself. It is unwieldy for newscasters to continually say, "Mr. President said this" or "President Bush did that." For reasons of verbal variety, the president is sometimes referred to as "Mr." It is not intended to be disrespectful.
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