I read with interest Mr. Matt Diederichs’ letter to the editor (Gazette, Oct. 18) describing MP Michael Cooper’s mailout (re Omar Khadr) as “hate mail” and “right wing views.” I gather Mr. Diederichs is a teacher given he makes reference to his Grade 9 class. Mr. Diederichs is more than entitled to express his opinions and political views, and he does so by adamantly voicing his anti-right wing view in his letter. However, I take issue with his statement that “my students are aware that it was the PC Harper government that did not provide Omar Khadr with his rights.” I find it extremely coincidental his students unanimously align with Mr. Diederichs by placing blame squarely on the former PC government for the Khadr fiasco. A more plausible explanation for his students’ position is that Mr. Diederichs is using the classroom to indoctrinate students with his biased views, which is apparent in the strong anti-right wing tone of his letter. I would suggest Mr. Diederichs stick to the curriculum while in the classroom and leave his personal political beliefs at home. Allow students to form their own political opinions based on a balanced view and rigorous debate of all the facts. Don Schneider, St. Albert
