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The March 1 edition of the Sun-Gazette ran a "NEWS" article, "Jersey Shore man criticizes school field trip to see play put on by 'Marxist' company." The article is not news, rather it is a regurgitation of unchallenged political rhetoric. Don Peters is not only a "Jersey Shore" man, he is, as noted only in the fifth paragraph, the Chairman of the Lycoming County Republican Party. It is not likely coincidence that he finds time to research the comings and goings of 7th graders only at the onset of an election year when his party finds itself with no ideas and precious few popular positions.
Mr. Peters is utterly wrong in finding conspiratorial fault in an educational field trip, but he has every right to his opinion. Such an opinion, genuine or political would be rightly aired in an editorial rather than presented without rebuttal as news.
The Sun-Gazette has through its news reporting given voice and credence to a modern and dangerous form of McCarthyism. Rather than fear diversity of thought and opinion we should embrace the open and honest exchange of ideas as one of America's enduring strengths. Let's hope that next year's field trip is for a production of "The Crucible."
SCOTT BRION
Liberty
Submitted by Virtual Newsroom