6/15/07

Editor:

James V. Lee's comments about the spanking of children had the scent of nostalgia -- a kind of bittersweet lamentation for those once-cherished certainties that dissolve with the passage of time. He cites the statistics that demonstrate, alas, the inexorable erosion of corporal punishment's approval rating. I am reminded of a recent visit to my high school of many decades ago -- especially to the old "smoking room." It was, in fact, a shed where the janitorial supplies and equipment were stored. But for the elite members of the Smoking Club -- one had to be a senior to qualify -- it doubled as a sanctuary where, for 10 precious minutes a day, one could absorb the potent magic of smoldering tobacco. And what magic it was! I can see us now, crouched in that windowless, dimly light little room with the door shut, serious as Bogart, earnestly puffing away. We were convinced it had its benefits. Anyway, reasonable and moderate smoking never did a young person any harm. I'm still here, aren't I?

Sincerely,

Jordan Riak, Exec. Dir., PTAVE