AIDS Education

* The Times has done the people of the Antelope Valley a terrible injustice by publishing a column by Sgt. Kevin Carney (“Aids Curriculum Alive and Well,” May 12). Instead of this “second opinion” you should have published his “first opinion,” as it appeared in a local newspaper. While he would like readers and editors of The Times to believe his intent regarding AIDS education is an “unemotional, logical and factual” exploration of the truth, the truth is he has apparently misrepresented his beliefs in this recent statement.

In his opinion piece in the local newspaper, Carney stated that AIDS education is a “shield” to introduce a homosexual agenda into public schools. He further stated that “condom users are no safer from the AIDS virus than nonusers.” He castigated AIDS education curricula for failing to present the opinions of “medical professionals” who claim that AIDS is unrelated to HIV, as an example of the suppression of truth. And he has repeatedly declared publicly his opposition to sexuality education on religious grounds.

So, thank you for your first editorial exposing the ignorance rampant in the Antelope Valley masquerading as enlightened education leadership. But realize you have done this valley a tragic disservice by giving a voice to that ignorance.

ROBERT B. HARRIS

Lancaster