It was with great sadness that I read your article on November 1, 2001 concerning the suspension of Katie Sierra from Sissonville High School because of the message conveyed on her T-shirt.

If Katie’s attire was disallowed because of a prohibition in the dress code banning hand printing on clothing, or some other physical attribute of her attire, then the school board's action was justified.

If, however, her troubles result from the unpopularity of her opinion, as Pete Thaw seemed to indicate, then I am disheartened and disgusted by their action.

Those who would silence Katie because they disagree with her message are an affront to the freedoms for which this country is supposed to stand. As Americans, we can abhor Katie’s Anarchist message, but we should be willing to fight tooth and nail for her right to express it.

Patriotism is a dangerous thing when it is mindless. We should not be surprised by such things from immature high school students eager to blend with the herd, but we should be shocked when it comes from our educational leaders.

Elliot M. Namay, Jr.

As published in the Charleston Gazette, September, 2001