My letter to the Baltimore Sun appeared in the Letters column this morning. (July 5, 2005)
The bit I replied to appeared on June 30. I do mean bit as it was just the last two paragraphs of the article “Laws on parkland, bullying go into effect: Sale of state forests harder; schools to track harassment” by Tom Stuckey

Here’s what I was reacting to:

The anti-bullying law requires schools to maintain records on harassment and intimidation of students by other students on grounds such as race, religion, gender and sexual orientation.

Some conservative lobbying groups opposed the bill, arguing that it would result in schools telling students that it is OK to be a homosexual.

You have to scroll down on the page to see my letter (I’ll include it here)

Schools must quash all forms of bullying
It’s great news that Maryland laws on school bullying went into effect Friday (“Laws on parkland, bullying go into effect,” June 30).
But it’s unfortunate that Maryland’s law seems to be concerned, according to The Sun, only if the “harassment and intimidation of students by other students” is “on grounds such as race, religion, gender and sexual orientation.”
What if your ears stick out, or you’re too tall, or your mother left you in a basket at the church? Are those acceptable reasons for bullying?
Bullying must not be considered a normal plight of childhood – or any other part of life.
Kerch McConlogue
Baltimore

I wonder why they left off my final line: I hope the schools will pay attention not only to the victims but also to the bullies who surrounds themselves with others who encourage his (or her) aggressive behavior. It’s not a good life model.