Thursday, January 18, 2007 Older Editions

LETTERS

League offers voter services

Editor, Townsman:

The League of Women Voters encourages citizens to run for elected office but does not endorse specific candidates. As election season approaches, we would like to clarify the League's voter service efforts and nonpartisan policy.

In an effort to provide support to all candidates, the League organizes candidate debates and provides opportunities to educate the public about the issues. The League does not discourage the political activity of its individual members as long as they are acting as individuals and not on behalf of the League. The president, Voter Service chairwoman and the League itself do not endorse candidates and always remain strictly nonpartisan.

Running for office is a generous offer on the part of all candidates, and the League looks forward to helping all candidates get their message out to the public. The deadline to file nomination papers for elected office in Andover is Feb. 6.

Stefani Traina Goldshein

6 Roulston Circle

President, LWV of Andover/North Andover

Wheels forum was not about education

Editor, Townsman:

Andover's superintendent, high school principal and faculty members justified their invitation to Wheels of Justice for the purpose of educating our children about ongoing events in the Middle East. If this is their purpose, they have failed miserably.

As one of the concerned citizens who attended the Jan. 5 "educational" forum, presented by the Wheels of Justice, I was incredulous at the number of slanderous, inaccurate statements presented as the truth. If education was Andover's intention, this was surely not the best venue. An even-handed, non-vitriolic discussion between representatives unaffiliated with propagandist organizations would have been an appropriate forum.

I overheard adults leaving the meeting saying that they had learned something. If learning something is predicated on lies, what have they learned? If this is the forum that was presented to our young, impressionable, unprepared students, what have we done? We have fostered the ongoing sickness of prejudice, based on lies.

Judy M. Messinger

4 Garfield Lane East

After the arguing, a lot for us to think about

Editor, Townsman:

At the protestations of many over the Wheels of Justice forum, I finally looked at their site www.justicewheels.org. On first pass, I found nothing anti-Semitic therein, though I admit that I did not look in every dark corner, nor read every bibliographic reference for intellectual integrity. Those who would condemn this Web site should argue from facts, not summary judgment of it. The site seemed to criticize the political state of Israel, and the United States for human rights violations. The site fails to mention the human rights violations of Palestinians, as expected. Wheels of Justice is under no moral or legal obligation to present a balanced perspective. We are left to provide the balance, as is happening.

I usually worry about process, and the abuses of process which impinge upon the Bill of Rights. I find on this issue now I have something to say about substantive content.

To the learned professor who represents that he holds the pure and right accounting of history, and that others who disagree are ignorant, perhaps he forgets that history is subjective because it is written by the victor, not the vanquished.

To the parents who somehow feel that the school administration is obliged to balance any teaching with countervailing views, perhaps they forget we live in a Hegelian world where the process is thesis, antithesis followed by synthesis, not balanced presentation followed by synthesis. It is a harsh, unorganized intellectual world out there. We should try to prepare our children for it. Sheltering is poor preparation.

To those off whose lips the word "anti-Semitic" flows like water over a dam, perhaps they forget that creating the environment where such bile is permissible creates it for everyone, and that political correctness is a fickle mistress. I have become so hardened by this term, my first impression now is that the target of "anti-Semitic" must be someone who has somehow disagreed with the author of the term.

To those who think that this controversy was not a First Amendment issue, perhaps you forget that the ACLU and the town's counsel disagree. These are lawyers trained to recognize constitutional issues.

To those who rankle at the criticism of Israel for human rights violations, perhaps you forget that once Iraq was a good war and now it is a bad war. The only difference is public opinion. As the free press well knows, public opinion can change the world.

In my wanderings at the Wheels of Justice Web site, I found a link to Pax Christi and found this quote by Maya Angelou: "We cannot change the past, but we can change our attitude toward it. Uproot guilt and plant forgiveness. Tear out arrogance and seed humility. Exchange love for hate - thereby, making the present comfortable and the future promising."

Who can argue with that?

The lyrics to Peace Train are equally wise and beautiful. I remember what happened to Cat Stevens. He became a zealot.

Don't let it happen to you.

Don Michelinie

1 County Road

Shame on us

Editor, Townsman:

What a disgrace! As I picked up my newspaper in the driveway after the Wheels of Justice appearance and walked back to my door I found it staring back at me from the front page. An article about how free speech was stifled in Andover. I never thought I would ever see something like this happen here. Oppression of this type happens elsewhere. We may find evidence of it in our newspapers or on the evening news but it is always somewhere else. Or at least it was always somewhere else. No matter what opinion a person may have on this issue (or about the Wheels of Justice in particular), no matter how strongly a person feels about the issue they have no right to restrict the free speech of another. Shame on us. Shame on Andover.

Bob Piantedosi

6 Marland St.

Why was presentation worth lawsuit?

Editor, Townsman:

As a parent of two Andover High students, one of whom is in a social studies class that saw the Wheels of Justice presentation, and after seeing it for myself, I would like to comment on the relevancy of the lecture. To boil down WoJ's presentation, a scientist, a zoologist, and a 25-year-old theater major "taught" our children their own version of Middle Eastern history, society, politics and more. They did this by presenting slides, lecturing and singing, but never citing sources for their statements.

Six teachers, who I assume have at least a bachelor's or masters degree in history or politics, turned over their classes to these individuals whose main qualification is that they have their own biased ideas about this subject. If we are going to bring in guest speakers, let us find experts; presenters who know more than our teachers, who can present real facts, not just ideologies. A person whose qualifications are that he spent eight weeks in Iraq, has a Web site that advocates the "overthrow of US led global capitalistic oppression" (isn't that kind of advocating the overthrow of the US government?), and spends his presentation singing, isn't quite the quality of speaker I expect in my son's senior honors social studies class. How embarrassing is this not only for AHS, but for our town?

I really hope the teachers were taken aback by WoJ's lack of professionalism. I know some of the teachers explained to students ahead of time that they would be witnessing a one-sided discussion by people with no academic credentials in the subject, and made a lesson plan around that. What I don't understand is why this one presentation, by uncredentialed presenters, was so important that the head of the teachers' union was eager to get the ACLU to sue the town. What kind of educator would put his school system in fiscal jeopardy? Shouldn't the students' best interests come first?

When the Wheels of Justice appearance was first canceled, Ron Francis passed out fliers (which I am not sure he has the legal right to hand out in school without first getting permission, but if he did, I really hope that he made these with his materials, not taxpayers'). The fliers asked, "Do you trust teachers to present educationally sound material?" My answer, after seeing this presentation, is, absolutely not from the social studies department.

As an American citizen, I am proud of our constitution and our rights, including the First Amendment, a cornerstone of our democracy. In the United States of America, WoJ speakers have every right to present their point of view. Let them petition in a park or in a street, or let them rent out a hall or the town library. I am all for the students seeing intellectually stimulating and controversial topics. However, it is difficult for anyone, student or adult, to make informed decisions when the issues are not presented in a forum that simultaneously shows both sides of the issues by credentialed educators.

Scott Israel

Abbot Street

Disillusioned that discussion didn't occur

Editor, Townsman:

I became interested in the Middle East after hosting a Moslem student from Afghanistan for one year. I quickly became "mom" to him and have stayed his "American mom," although he has returned to his home.

My family was very interested when our son, a senior at Andover High School, announced that an organization was coming to share information about the Palestinian perspective on the Middle East conflict. Unlike Pam Lebowitz, who has led the charge against the forum, I was not "appalled" that only one side of the issue was being presented, as I felt the Israeli side is frequently presented. Every time one watches the news or reads a mainstream newspaper, the Israeli perspective is being presented. Americans, I felt, needed to hear the opposing viewpoint.

I followed the controversy in the Townsman and I was shocked by a letter that expressed outrage simply because the group "Wheels of Justice" compares their situation with the injustices once suffered in apartheid South Africa. "Well," I thought, "so does Nobel Peace Prize winner and ex-president Jimmy Carter." I was intrigued by the conflict over this message and I wanted to learn about the Palestinian position.

I was pleased to see so many familiar faces of various faiths at the meeting, but I was disappointed that the number attending was so small in a town as large as Andover. Uneasily, I sensed as the meeting got underway that the moderator was unwilling to ensure the success of the presentation. Those who were there to rudely and crassly disrupt communication of the Palestinian position were allowed to succeed. I believe the reason for the hecklers' action was that they feared folks might develop a position in opposition to their own. Perhaps they feared the students might as well. I was not afraid. I have lived in this town for 27 years and raised five children who, by high school age, were capable of listening to a particular viewpoint, evaluating and filtering this information and, with the help of an interested and interactive family, arriving at their educated opinion.

I was impressed with the presenters as they, in a calm and peaceful manner, offered their message and an opportunity to discuss concerns and questions at length, but I was embarrassed for our community as the hecklers were allowed to egregiously harass and defame the presenters. I was trying to reassure myself that soon they would be escorted away by someone in authority, but then I realized there was no such person there.

The opportunity for questions was brief, and the audience was told they could only ask questions without making a comment. However, when a School Committee member broke this rule by accusing the presenting group of extremist behavior and beliefs, order was lost, and after one last, embarrassing outburst from a local attorney, Principal Peter Anderson quickly claimed the opportunity to end the meeting.

I never got to ask my question: Why were people so filled with fear? Who is it they do not trust? Is it themselves or their neighbors? I had thought of Andover as a place where questions were asked and answers were civilly discussed. I was disillusioned, however. I am discouraged and frustrated that if the truth is to be heard on this issue, it will need to take place in a town that respects and treasures the quest for truth more than does my own community.

Diane Espindle

25 Dascomb Road

Appalled by behavior

Editor, Townsman:

I have a 10-year-old daughter who enjoys music, reading and is just beginning to learn about her heritage and ethnicity. She is Palestinian-American. We discussed bringing her to the Wheels of Justice forum. Knowing that there was significant organized resistance to the program, we decided against it.

I went alone and was appalled at the behavior of many adults who attended. Mazin Qumsiyeh, a Palestinian-American scientist who is a volunteer with Wheels of Justice, was constantly interrupted, heckled and berated. He was treated disrespectfully because of his attempts to portray a history of Palestine that certain audience members disagreed with. The slide presentation, for those who chose to listen, was excellent. It showed the systematic confiscation of Palestinian land and water sources by Israel, the demolition of houses that is a daily occurrence, and the many organizations that participate in non-violent resistance to the Israeli occupation of Palestine.

While the presentation would have been informative for my daughter, the behavior of the audience members was disheartening. There was angry questioning of the speakers and school administration by a School Committee member among others. There were times when the crowd grew so loud and hostile the program was almost stopped.

I was encouraged, however, by the attempts of Principal Peter Anderson to provide an open and civilized setting for the speakers, and the respect he showed them regardless of the antipathy of the crowd. My respect also goes to the teachers who initiated the program, and more importantly, fought for the right to educate students despite the immense pressure placed on them to stop the program.

Mona Igram

5 Heritage Lane

Lessons from World War II mother come back to writer during Wheels of Justice saga

Editor, Townsman:

I am a Christian who was raised Catholic and attended Catholic schools. I know this issue with the Wheels of Justice is felt strongly by the Jewish community and with many American Christians who support Israel, thus in many ways I feel that it is an American issue of fairness. Wheels vilify the Americans as well as the Israelis and put their spin on what is happening in Iraq. I ask the school administration, why not have an American solider who has been to Iraq rebuilding schools and hospitals and doing good come and speak to the kids?

To understand why I feel so strongly about this issue you need to know a little of my personal history. I am the first American in my mother's family. She was from the Netherlands and lived through the Nazi occupation not far from where Anne Frank was hidden. She witnessed many horrific things and made a strong impression on her children to never let that happen again. She used to tell me "you would be surprised how quickly something like that can happen." She was a teacher at the Leslie Ellis School in Cambridge when she first came to this country and her major push on all five of her kids was education. Why? Because when the Nazis came into her parents' store and started taking out everything, her mother turned to her and said, "They can take whatever they want, but they can't take what you have up here (as she pointed to her head) and as long as you have that, you can rebuild again."

This whole thing angers me especially because it involves the education of our children. If this group had to present their opinion to our children then it absolutely should have been in a forum where the opposing view would have a chance to address the inaccuracies on the spot. Why didn't they allow for this ? Are they afraid of being exposed by the truth? Why would they not allow themselves to be taped? Are they afraid they could face legal ramifications if their words are on record? Would the school have allowed the KKK and the Black Panthers to hand out "sign-up sheets" to our minors?

This group has been promoting itself as anti-war and pro-peace. They are wolves in sheep's clothing and know exactly what they are doing by trying to get to the young, impressionable high school kids.

As for Iraq, I do hope that there is a democracy there so that the people are free and open to the rest of the world and especially able to share experiences with Americans and Jews. A large number of young children in the Middle East are brainwashed to hate from a young age and the only way for that to stop is for them to be exposed to western culture with a free and democratic Iraq. Maybe there will be an Iraqi-American who, like me, is extremely grateful for the Americans freeing her family from a dictatorship. Maybe in our grandchildren's life time they will see a peaceful Middle East as we now have a peaceful Europe.

This will never happen if all the hard work the Israelis and Americans are doing in the Middle East is vilified by groups like this. They do not want to see a peaceful Israel or a peaceful Iraq. Maybe they also support the "right of return" for the Taliban in Afghanistan?

Alexandra Troy

Heather Drive

Simple solution

Editor, Townsman:

I have been a proud Andover resident for over 30 years. Both my grown sons went all the way through the Andover public school system, and I'm proud of it.

I also believe in the importance of the First Amendment, and see the ACLU as a valued organization. I do not, however, believe our schools should be driven by threats of legal action by the ACLU. Years ago, the Nazi Party rallied and marched in Skokie, Ill.; we also see how pro-life supporters are allowed to protest outside of abortion clinics with signs showing partial birth abortions. These activities were and are protected by the First Amendment, and supported (for that reason) by the ACLU, but I sure wouldn't want any child of mine exposed to those radical ideals and graphic visualizations. What's next?

There is a simple solution. Our schools now provide sex education, starting in the elementary schools. When these lessons are scheduled, letters get sent home. Those parents who do not wish to have their child exposed to these lessons can instruct the school to assign them to some other activity during that time. We could institute this practice in our high school when a non-mainstream, radical or otherwise potentially disturbing lecture is scheduled. Letters describing the scheduled event could go out ahead of time, and if the parents do not wish to have their child participate, they can instruct the school to move their child to another classroom (or a study hall). No protests from opposing sides, no threats of lawsuits, no soapbox speeches about First Amendment rights, and radical groups are allowed to present their views ... to potentially empty classrooms.

Holli Marrs

3 Rutgers Road

Forum provided no real chance to ask questions, was poorly moderated

Editor, Townsman:

Principal Peter Anderson outdid himself by the way he "moderated" the Wheels of Justice presentation to the Andover community. At the very outset, he declared that, since the speakers "were not militants," we should all treat them with "civility." By making such a declaration about the political views of the WOJ, Anderson was either: 1) openly siding with the speakers or 2) was so clueless that he seemed to have no understanding whatsoever of just why such a large segment of the population has strenuously opposed the decision to allow the WOJ into our schools.

Not "militants"? In the course of their presentation, the WOJ speakers somehow failed to offer a single word of criticism about the countless acts of terror committed against Israel. Over the last six years, more than 1,000 Israeli civilians have been murdered as they sat in cafes and pizza parlors, rode buses, and came together for Passover seders. Yet in all their phony rhetoric about "non-violence," the speakers chose to ignore all this. Not one word of criticism. Not militant? The speakers also openly called for the dissolution of the state of Israel. Needless to say, Anderson's nonsensical seal of approval did not sit very well with the great majority of those in attendance.

Let's fast forward to the end of this event. By that point, Anderson had repeatedly threatened to call off the meeting if people did not stop shouting out their strong disapproval of the lies and distortions the speakers were attempting to pass off as facts. Yet by the time the question-and-answer period began, those brief interruptions had come to an end. But after only a few minutes into the Q and A, Anderson abruptly ended the entire evening because he was angered by one man's emotional insistence that a previous question - about the fact that the WOJ had been allowed to collect the personal contact information of a number of students during their classroom presentations - be answered rather than dodged (and it was very clearly being dodged).

Out of a crowd of around 200 people, the overwhelming majority had mostly come to the event to help expose the WOJ for being the extremist group that they so plainly are (Anderson's unbelievable denials not withstanding). We had been promised, by Anderson, that there would be an extended discussion after the WOJ presentation. Yet because the principal arbitrarily decided he didn't like one particular question (or perhaps the questioner), he took it upon himself to deny the right of reply to a large number of people who were eagerly awaiting the moment when they could have their say and call the WOJ to account for their deeply offensive views.

Judy Sciabarrasi

16 Countryside Way

Ken Brociner

Somerville

Forum shouldn't have been halted

Editor, Townsman:

Peter Anderson set the tone when he early on stated that if there was a problem he would shut the meeting down.

From that moment on, no one was monitoring or setting boundaries on those who clearly came to disrupt the presentation. Anderson said, "the high school should be an educational center for the town" yet he allowed planted obstructionists from out of town, including one who thought he was in Sharon, to stifle the process. Anderson took the easy way out by ending the forum at the first opportunity, rather than taking control of his school and allowing the educational process to take place.

Steven Trussell

Boston

The writer is a former Andover student.