George,

My take on the Schilling affair is different from Page Nelson's. The "X", after all, originated this political season not as a mark to "demonize" Bush but as an indication of one's decision to oppose his re-election. Just after the "W" began appearing, folks began putting an "X" over it. No demonization. Political expression.

My guess is that the second grader put that "X" there for precisely the same reason. If so, the analogy to a classmate doesn't hold up. And the first amendment right holds up, too. Youngsters need to learn from actual experience, not just classroom talk and pious textbooks, that they can express their political views without recrimination.

Paul Gaston (electronic mail, December 1, 2004)