Saluting Teen’s Sense of Justice

Re “Dove Drives Campus Debate,” Nov. 14:

I’m glad to see students at Fullerton Union High School, led by Caitlin Orr, take an interest in U.S. foreign policy. I also agree with Caitlin’s view that we should not blindly support President Bush’s incursion into Iraq at this time. The problem is much broader than that.

Before committing our troops to the possibility of being bogged down in the Middle East, where we are so hated, many of us believe we should attend to more urgent matters first.

Homeland security, Al Qaeda and finishing the job in Afghanistan come to mind.

Whether they’re for or against the war, I hope the students (and all of us) are reading and listening to many viewpoints so we can speak from our own depth of knowledge rather than being brainwashed by one side or the other.

All politicians “play politics.” Our job is to learn to extract the truth from the propaganda, then use our voices to influence the direction of our country.

It’s the American way -- thank goodness.

Bette Balliet

Mission Viejo

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A salute to Caitlin Orr for spreading the word among her classmates and teachers that there are alternatives to war -- especially to war against Iraq -- that will make the world a better place. The Berkeley bumper sticker says it all: “War doesn’t decide who is right, only who’s left.”

Nora Gorchoff

Laguna Woods

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I welcomed your report on Caitlin Orr, who vigorously supports peace.

The article speaks well of her and her teachers. Teachers who want students to look at things critically have welcomed this opportunity to discuss a vital current issue on which there is much diversity of opinion. This discussion could be the start of more students seeking to understand important issues.

Zelda Rose

Laguna Woods

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Renewed hope for this generation in the form of Caitlin Orr, the pride of Fullerton.

At least in that high school, students and faculty can debate without fear of reprisal by those who would stifle any question as to the moral authority of any government, ours included.

Gene Geary

Garden Grove