First of all, thank you! Your

letter praising these middle schoolers was exactly what I wanted someone

to do.

It wouldn't have done much

good for me to stick up for the kids because my daughter is a J.C. Booth

Middle School student, and I figured people would think I am prejudiced.

Which I am.

But Ms. Loftin, it wasn't me

who "has taken one comment and applied it to all Booth students."

That was done by our councilwoman, Ms. Annie McMenamin. She is the person

who so badly misjudged the Booth students.

I am upset with Ms. McMenamin

for insulting these students. She used them as an excuse to totally disregard

my request that the city support the idea that parade participants use

their candy money for better causes.

But they wouldn't even consider

it and then Ms. McMenamin blamed the decision on the Booth eighth graders.

Ms. McMenamin belittled their efforts and portrayed them unfairly and

unjustly.

So, thank you, Ms. Loftin,

for "saying it isn't so." I knew that all along. I thank you

for defending these kids so eloquently. I hope to see you and your students

at the parade!

And to Ms. Mobley, who wrote

in to support me, thank you for your kind remarks. But please don't desert

the parade! Please come and support your country and all of us participants.

Especially those brave enough not to throw candy!

I am hoping that other parade

participants will do as I am and just carry a sign that says, "Throw

kisses, not candy. We donated (amount) to (charity) with our candy money."

Perhaps the judges will see a new version of "the most patriotic"

golf cart this year.

Kim Morrison

Peachtree City