Let me start this letter with the first paragraph of Emmet Meara’s article in thew Dec. 13 Bangor Daily News: “Fruitcake is the Al Gore of holiday food. No one really likes it. Few even respect it. No one wants it in the house for the holidays. It’s just kind of there.”

We are guaranteed the right to free speech in this country but I feel Meara was rude to make such a statement. It is no wonder our young people are having a difficult time with respect when all they have to do is read the morning paper and find statements like that. If he indeed likens Gore to a fruitcake he should keep that opinion to himself and think of another way to tell us about this holiday treat.

If I were to tread the same path I would say that finding the BDN on my front porch each morning would be just about as welcome as the deposits left by the neighbor’s dog. I won’t go there -but it’s close.

Donn Mac Lauchlan

Pitsfield

I don’t understand what Meara and so many other people have against fruitcake. It’s one of my favorite foods and I can’t get enough of it. Tangy dried fruit and delectable nuts surrounded by spicy cake! Delicious! Mr. Meara, you and all your fruitcake-hating friends can give me all the fruitcake you get. It won’t go to waste.

Julia Emily Hathaway

Veazie