Lexington C.A.R.E.S.Regarding last week's guest commentary by Lexington C.A.R.E.S: we applaud this group's commitment to inclusiveness in Lexington Public Schools, and its members' courageous and respectful activism in the face of recent campaigns to undermine that basic value. We also applaud Lexington C.A.R.E.S's commitment to publicizing the truth when some in the media have, through sensationalism, shoddy research, imprecise use of language, or all three, failed to meet the most basic journalistic standards while reporting on recent events at Estabrook School.
Children can't learn in school unless there's discipline. And there's no discipline where there is ostracism and intimidation. Every student, gay or not, child of gay parents or not, benefits from a school policy that forbids bullying, that welcomes individuality, that sees difference as a strength. Children not only learn better when they feel safe to be themselves; they also learn to see for themselves and thus think for themselves - to our minds, the ultimate goal of a good education. This is the approach of a responsible school department. And it is the approach of Lexington Public Schools.
Joe Pato and Jeri Zeder
Massachusetts Avenue
In the article "Parker Responds to Recent Flap" (Lexington Minuteman, June 2, 2005), David Parker claims that he "... has no affiliation with any of the many groups which have taken on his cause. He said he shares a certain 'unity of purpose' with the Article 8 Alliance ... but is not a member."
On June 5, Mr. Parker attended and was the featured speaker at a rally in Wayland in his support, organized by the Article 8 Alliance. This was the same weekend that, as a result of Mr. Parker's actions, the Westboro Baptist Church was picketing houses of worship and an elementary school in Lexington, as well as the high school graduation in Lowell. A picture of Mr. Parker in handcuffs at his arraignment still remains as the first image you see when you go to the Article 8 Web site.
And on June 13 and 14, Mr. Parker joined Article 8's Brian Camenker in Maine for what was billed as the "Wake Up Maine" tour. This was a road show to gather signatures in support of overturning an anti-discrimination law enacted earlier this year. The law in question outlaws discrimination based on sexual orientation in areas such as housing, employment and education. The same image of Mr. Parker in handcuffs was used on promotional flyers for this tour.
Finally, Mr. Parker's lawyer, Neil Tassel, said in the article that "Parker's complaint was not the book itself."
I have to agree with this last statement.
John J. Krawczyk
Outlook Drive