We must fight it or end up in a mess

Published 9:00 pm Wednesday, May 5, 2004

I am writing in response to Robert Angel’s letter, “Cross-Burning: We should put it behind us” in your April 26 edition.

He stated “Arlington contains no more or less bigots than any other community.” Sorry, I am a 40-year resident of East Snohomish County and I can’t recall a cross-burning, which is a precursor to a lynching, in our community.

Arlington has a problem if 50 or so of its students claim to be racists. The two 16-year-old perpetrators got off easy. They should have been tried as adults for their felonies.

Timothy McVeigh, when he was 16, was considered a “normal though immature kid.”

Hate, bias and intolerance on the campus and in the community must be fought vigorously. Otherwise, America will become like the Middle East, a terrible mess.

PAT PAULSON

Snohomish