13 JANUARY 2001, Page 34

Wacky baccy

From Lt Col (Retired) J. C. Wakerley OBE Sir: In my pensioned-off wisdom, I felt much obliged to James Delingpole for what I initially considered to be an instructive, fact-packed piece (`Your children are rap victims', 30 December). However, my son has been sufficiently 'victimised' throughout his formative years to alert me to at least two errors. A 'blunt' is not 'strong Californian marijuana' but, rather, a short cigar — originally a Phillies brand — which is hollowed out and used as a means to smoke said marijuana. Furthermore, 'The Chronic', which is strong marijuana, though not necessarily of the indigenous Californian variety, should be capitalised only if Mr Delingpole is planning on smoking Dr Dre's 1992 multi-platinum album.

Now, off to swap my Acker Bilk Christmas CD for the latest banging Wyclef beats.

Charles Wakerley

Virginia Water, Surrey