Insightful, not silly

This is in response to Jean E. Carter’s letter in Wednesday’s edition. While praising the Bangor Daily News for the caliber of its editorial pages, she proceeded to personally rip apart a young student for her “silly ramblings” on college life. I also read that piece of writing (“Academic and life lessons,” BDN op-ed by Brianne Steele, Oct. 17), and found it well written, yes amusing, and perhaps delightfully insightful – obviously the product of an intelligent and well-educated young women.

If Carter knows anything about college life, particularly at a prestigious university like Georgetown, she would know that students hardly ever have “too much time” on their hands. I also happen to know the Steele family, and can assure Carter that neither Steele girl is “overindulged or preoccupied with trivia.” I would be extremely proud if my own daughter followed the academic and personal examples of either one of those girls, and delighted if my daughter ever writes a piece like that herself when she goes off to college.

Carter is right; this is a time of “great international and national drama.” Must we devoid ourselves of humor and levity as well? Save your attacks for someone who truly deserves it. My own dismay is that this newspaper would even print a letter such as yours on its “noteworthy” editorial page.

Kathleen M. Strout

Bangor