Not Much To The Story

To the Editor:

We have read with interest the continuing coverage of the after-prom party at the Gissen home. We were left with a cliffhanger earlier in the week about a more detailed report planned for the May 11 issue; having just read that article, which only repeats and rehashes the original article, one has to conclude there really is not much to this story.

We are Lisa’s sister and Tom’s sister-in-law and brother-in-law to both. We do not endorse underage drinking under any circumstances. It is illegal, unhealthy, and dangerous in sadly familiar ways. Here is what we can tell you about Lisa and Tom (those who know them know this already — others will think whatever they want to, or read in The Bee): There are no more conscientious, concerned, involved citizens or parents than the Gissens. I spoke with Lisa the day before this party and she detailed to me the plans they had in place to ensure that the guests at this party were kept safe: mandatory surrender of keys, an adult presence maintained in- and outdoors, among an exhaustive list of every conceivable other precaution.

What is the reporter of this story suggesting? That the Gissens should have strip-searched these kids? Built a moat around the house to keep crashers out? Hired a security force? Done breathalyzer tests at the door?

The facts are that the Gissens were at home, they took keys, they served food; they did not serve liquor. They let no one drive drunk. No one was hurt. No one was raped. There were no drugs (the reporter’s insinuations aside — there were no drugs found). There were no weapons. No fights. No injuries.

When you make nothing into something in order to make a name for yourself as a reporter, or to sell newspapers, you dilute the impact of serious coverage of serious news.

Shame on the reporter and this newspaper.

Barbara & Bruce Stacy

341 Ascot Ridge Lane, Greer, South Carolina             May 11, 2007