I am writing in response to a letter from Gail Nielsen printed March 17. A law prohibiting people from teasing others, as Ms. Nielsen proposed, would be a blatant violation of the First Amendment's guarantee of free speech. Certainly the murder of children by other children is horrifying and has become far too frequent. Proposing that lawmakers disregard that Constitution in order to do something about it, however, is also a horrifying idea.
Perhaps we need to look to politicians less when we want problems solved, and work harder in our homes, neighborhoods and communities to promote feelings of acceptance and love. I agree with Ms. Nielsen that something needs to change so that tragic school shootings cease. Let that change begin with us.
Doug Hansen
Murray