!I also want to thank Mr.

also want to thank Mr. Tieckelmann for his thoughtful response to my letter. The

§ Supreme Court has stated gf that a primary purpose of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution is to encourage “robust” debate on the important political issues of our day. I also want to thank the Rappahannock News for permitting citizens to express their views and exercise their First Amendment rights on its pages.

While I appreciate Mr. Tieckelmann’s expression of his views, and believe that we should all defend the right of others to express their views, I do not agree with Mr. Tieckelmann on the issues. My letter began with the thought that “we have lost focus” in the debate over public education. The view I expressed was the need to “focus” on the safety of our children and the importance of environment in producing quality education.

I understand that there are other issues involved, including the issue of whether Federal funds can be diverted to religious education. In my opinion, this aspect of the debate has drawn attention away from what I believe to be the primary issue.

The fact is that religion is a secondary issue that has become a “red herring” in the debate. A voucher plan could be adopted that would exclude their use at religious schools. Since vouchers could be limited to use in a non-religious environment, it is not necessary to oppose vouchers simply because you oppose use of Federal funds to send kids to religious schools. That is a separate debate that I have avoided, because it distracts from the primary issue, assuring our children a quality education in a safe environment.

With respect to Mr. Tieckelmann’s allegation that I lack understanding of the difference between the different “kinds” of discipline discussed in my letter, he is entitled to his opinion. However, I stand by my view that the proper environment for “academic discipline” is best achieved when proper behavioral discipline is in force.

When children are being openly disruptive in class, it is difficult to learn, that is just plain common sense, Mr. Tieckelmann.

With respect to Mr. Tieckelmann’s accusation that my mention of Columbine is an improper “tactic”, it was not intended as a tactic at all. Furthermore, Columbine is not an isolated incident as Mr. Tieckelmann contends. It is simply the situation that drew the most media attention and thus the best-known event.

Violent crimes are perpetrated every day in inner-city schools and go unnoticed. Media attention is drawn to events in White suburban communities, and Columbine !does not stand alone in that catficrnrv.