A Difference Of Opinion

On School Trips

To the Editor:

I applaud The Bee for continuing to air all sides of the very emotional and controversial school trips issue. However, I am disappointed that you would print such an inflammatory letter as written by Ms Mary Taylor on October 19. Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion. But simply because your opinion differs from another’s does not make theirs invalid. I will not continue to use this forum to justify my position with a point-by-point clarification of inaccurate statements and a complete misunderstanding and misrepresentation of my last letter as stated in Ms Taylor’s response.

As any one who knows me, which Ms Taylor clearly does not, I do not cower. No other person, at this point in time or any time for that matter, has the right to label another’s fears as irrational. I didn’t live in fear before September 11. But, for now, I’m certainly not going to put my head on the chopping block, facing up to “the sky at high noon on a clear day,” seeing the sun while reading “Winston Churchill’s Their Finest Hour.”

How any individual reacts while this nation is at war should not be judged by another as not having “spiritual fortitude” or “rational prudence” or living without “valor and grace.” Now is the time when we should be adopting a more accepting attitude towards others.

Let’s agree to disagree. Enough already.

Sincerely,_Mrs Janis R. Solheim

Harvest Common Road, Sandy Hook                October 22, 2001