Distorted View

Your reporter who covered the rally at Hancock Elementary School had to reach a great distance in order to throw cold water on an event designed to help build morale among the students (“Help or Hoopla? Rally to Ease Pupils’ Fears Over Mideast Crisis Stirs Debate,” Sept. 8).

Congressman Duncan Hunter and Randy (Duke) Cunningham were not the organizers of this event. They were invited guests because of their positions and because both men are military combat veterans and could relate to the children and families.

The rally itself was very upbeat and the comments from Congressman Hunter and Duke Cunningham were uplifting and encouraging to the children. Cunningham stressed the importance of doing well in school, listening to teachers and staying away from drugs. This is the same message he has delivered to schools all over San Diego county for many years.

Congressman Hunter, who arranged to receive the message from President Bush--which read in part, “America does not seek conflict, nor do we desire to chart the destiny of other nations”--similarly delivered a positive message which sought to encourage and comfort the students.

None of the so-called peace groups mentioned in the article were present at the rally. It was not a rally designed to “gain publicity for the U.S. military deployment.” To imply that it was does a great disservice to the goals of the rally.

Your readers may also be interested to know that Hancock Elementary School is not in Hunter’s district nor is it in the district where Cunningham is running.

FRANK COLLINS

District Administrator for

U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Coronado)