Only In Newtown

(The Bee has received for publication the following letter addressed jointly to Bee Publisher R. Scudder Smith and Managing Editor Curtiss Clark.)

Dear Scudder and Dear Curtiss:

There are many places in the world where the owner of a newspaper is free to write an editorial supporting a bankrupt presidency. But only in Newtown (and I hope in other parts of America) will the newspaper owner provide the editor space on page 2 for a well-reasoned, fact-filled, intelligent rebuttal.

Scudder, I salute your innate, rock-ribbed kindness and decency; I know that despite your political confusion your heart is in the right place. Curtiss, I agree wholeheartedly with your second, humble opinion; I pray that by the time this is in print we will have put our nation back on track.

I thank you both. As do, I am sure, parents who are trying to explain to their children the excesses of a hard-fought campaign.

Justin Scott

Parmalee Hill Road, Newtown                               November 1, 2004