Dear editor,
While I applaud your willingness to print letters from across the political spectrum in a fair and balanced way, I cannot believe that you would consider printing the hate-filled letter from Comox resident Dave Beise (Record, March 28).
One can disagree with teachers and the BCTF on their demands and their tactics in achieving them, and indeed the history of the BCTF's negotiating with the government, without the kind of hateful character assassinations he smears all B.C. teachers with.
When this kind of negative view is projected onto an entire class of people based simply on their chosen profession, it is a kind of prejudice.
That sort of commentary has no place in the debate. None.
Mr. Beise cites only his personal anecdotes in regard to supporting his views. It is clear he has had personal issues related to whatever level of education he has received, and perhaps with his mother that he describes as an angry, militant teacher.
According to Mr. Beise, teaching is not a profession that exists in the "real world." This kind of prejudice against all teachers, and his assertions that "most" of them, and "few, if any of them," are based entirely on what he describes as his personal observations.
He cites no other evidence to support his claims.
Please continue printing views from all perspectives, but this sort of letter can only be described as one full of militant anger and resentment, with no regard for the issues or the people who might respectfully disagree on them.
Keith Porteous,
Denman Island
