John Spindler

In the case of the Simi Valley junior high student, John Spindler, who was suspended for violating the dress code (Oct. 4), the ACLU has once again put questionable principles before common sense and added to our overburdened court system with frivolous litigation. There is no consitutional issue at stake. Parents and school board members approved this dress code. Spindler says he wants to return to school but is reluctant to bend to the school’s policy. Welcome to the world, John. Sometimes you have to bend to policy.

I applaud the Simi Valley Unified School District for promoting a “professional learning environment.” Shame on Spindler’s parents, who should have insisted that their son put on a proper shirt and buckle down to his studies.

JEFFREY G. GENTILE

Redondo Beach

* Bravo Simi Valley! Boy, you really taught that criminal 14-year-old a lesson by prohibiting his attendance at Valley View. Do you really want us to believe that Spindler’s wearing a patriotic T-shirt is against the law? What law? If the law prohibits patriotic gestures by our young people, then the law is desperately wrong and should be opposed. Instead of supporting the young man, you blindly and cowardly follow some ridiculous school code banning patriotic attire.

Shame on Simi Valley. Shame on its school district. In an era where American pride is nonexistent among our youth, that’s just what we need. When I was attending high school in the late ‘80s, wearing a patriotic T-shirt would cause me insults and threats. There was a physical threat to me. But persecution from our school leaders and government officials is beyond horrific--it’s evil.

ARA PIRANIAN

Granada Hills