Here’s an Announcement: It Was Entertainment

Bill Dwyre’s March 29 commentary about the tragic death of sprint car racer Casey Diemert was a cheap shot. His criticism unfairly portrayed Irwindale Speedway personnel and the sport of motor racing as callous and uncaring. Why? Because no public announcement of the fatality was made or moment of silence called for during opening ceremonies that evening.

On a night when one of our brave lads was shot down and still missing in Kosovo, should Irwindale be faulted for not mentioning that too? And Dwyre for not writing about that instead of going to a sporting event? Or are sporting events, as entertainment, of value precisely because they inspire us and lift our spirits and thereby help us deal with the difficulties of life? To mention Casey Diemert’s death would have been inappropriate that night.

TIM CONSIDINE, Los Angeles