By Tom Padden Santa Monica
Ryan Hyatt’s front page article (SMDP, Nov. 3, page 1) on the kids taking off from school to protest the war was nothing but a biased description of what happened. This was definitely not a protest of children who were afraid of being drafted. The “protest” was a boondoggle for the mostly 14-year-old screaming girls who wanted to get out of class. They were led by a very few parents who manipulated their children into their pro-terrorism anti-Bush bias. Was one of Ryan’s kids among them? How come Ryan didn’t ask any of the “protesters” any questions about why they were there. No, Ryan just happens to find some people on the street who share his bias.
These weren’t thoughtful students displaying their First Amendment rights. These were approximately 45 very young teenagers who have no idea what the draft is. Who wouldn’t want to get out of school and run up and down the Promenade with your friends screaming? All they did was annoy all of the patrons and business on the Promenade. Shameful journalism, Ryan, shameful and you know it.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 8, 2005. Read the original PDF.