LETTERS: NEED MORE RESPECT, LESS HYPERBOLE

To the editor:

I was just noticing Peter Kinder's rather impassioned diatribe July 29 on environmentalists. He begins by refuting the obviously distorted and sensationalized notion that all southern Missourians are "black helicopter lunatics."

What is most troubling to me is that he then launches into a similar volley of equally distorted rhetoric when describing those of the environmental movement. In doing this, he is perpetuating a kind of conflictual stagnation which characterizes many of our various government bodies these days.

The truth is that most of those in the environmental movement are honestly dedicated to what they perceive as a real and imminent threat to ourselves and to future generations. They are just as sincere and as well-intentioned as Kinder is when he defends individual rights.

I hope the senator will move toward a position of respectful dialogue rather than continue to perpetuate a political atmosphere of paranoia, division and fear. A little more respect and a little less vitriolic hyperbole would go a long way toward redeeming the image of southern Missouri.

ROBERT J. POLACK JR.

Cape Girardeau