Writer's remark was degrading to many

In her Sept. 18 Fence Post letter (Would Dems not let a Republican speak?), Donna Hathaway said two things to which I must respond.

First, I'd like to address her primary topic. When George Bush Sr. gave a very similar address to schoolchildren in 1991, the Democrat-controlled Congress did worse than encourage schools not to watch. After his address, they began weeks of investigations and hearings accusing the president of misusing taxpayer dollars for the address. He was cleared of any wrongdoing, but he had already been slandered. President Obama had it comparatively easy.

But what I really take issue with is Ms. Hathaway's statement regarding public pressure not to show President Obama's address. She wrote, "I do not believe ever in the history of our country has there been such a degrading act." You have got to be kidding me. How about the forced relocation of Native Americans? How about slavery? How about the internment of U.S. citizens during World War II?

Please, Ms. Hathaway, either go to your nearest community college and take an American History course, or choose your words more carefully. Your careless statement was, in itself, more degrading to more people than a school choosing not to show a video.

Tyler Benjamin

Wheaton