IF DR. JOEL BECKER IS GUILTY OF ANYTHING, IT'S PRAGMATISM

If Dr. Joel Becker is guilty of anything, it's pragmatism. Yes, we
want our kids to grow up like Beaver Cleaver, but that's not how our
globalized world affects them. Why not use Becker's words as a
jump-off point to a more honest discussion with kids? Boulder Weekly
reported a "resounding applause from kids" when Becker spoke. They
blew it in Athens in 399 B.C. by killing a messenger seemingly of
similar charges (corruption of youth), when actually Socrates
probably was telling youth "how it was" to the displeasure of most.

Don't blow it, Boulder. Use this event as an opening to what might
really be going on in your kid's life, not a possible machination.
It's too late to talk honestly about life and harm prevention when
the diagnosis is HIV or addiction.

Peter Christopher/Hurdle Mills, N.C.