letters.

Forget the Blue Hair

Until reading "The Clampdown on Teen Rights" in your September 6 issue, I did not realize the extent to which authorities are overreacting to the Columbine shooting.

School officials are right to look for warning signs in students that are a potential threat to the school. But how far should they be allowed to go? Personally, I don't think a student should be suspended for dyeing his hair blue. There is a difference between individual expression and potential threat.

Instead of concentrating on suspending students who dress differently, school officials should be keeping an eye on students who have easy access to guns, or have the knowledge to make bombs. The gunmen at Columbine gave directions for building bombs on their Web site.

School officials need to stop taking away basic teen rights and putting a damper on free expression, and instead should be watching for the real warning signs.

ALEXIS CAPKO Altamonte Springs, Florida 

The story about the guy missing his graduation because of a fictional story he wrote made me livid. There are some things that all teenagers will do. We will make cracks about teachers. We will watch violent movies, and play violent games. How many adults played cowboys and Indians? We're doing the same thing, except with a bit more technology. Nothing in the nature of kids has changed. There are some bad ones out there, but don't let them spoil the fun for the rest of us. I'm a pacifist in real life, but I've been killing Nazis and monsters and the like in video games since I was 4, and I'm 16. Games aren't the problem; it's human nature.

KEVIN VILBIG Dallas, Texas 

The Columbine killings are causing the authorities to take very strict precautions against "warning signs" teens may be showing. But some of these precautions are violating students' constitutional rights, such as privacy and freedom of speech. Students are getting punished for expressing their thoughts. That leaves the question: How far should these precautions go?

AINSWORTH MARSHALL Bridgeport, Connecticut

The kids in your article did nothing violent, but were disciplined severely because of adult overreactions to the Columbine shootings.

Yes, teens want to have rights, but adults need to be the good example for us. We need a national dialogue to help all of us, adults and teens, get on the right track in this country.

MATT CLOVIS Princeton Junction, New Jersey 

The Duties of Power

A certain responsibility comes with the power of the U.S. ("When Is War Worth It?" 9/6/99). While anyone could complain every time soldiers are sent across the sea, what would they say when their friends and family are being brutally murdered in a faraway land? Americans should recognize how lucky we are. We should willingly help when help is needed. Deep in my heart, I wish that nobody knew of war.

But without the heroic help of American soldiers, many people wouldn't know the freedoms we take for granted.

JESSICA BROOKS Great Falls, Virginia 

More Than Mia

Thanks for your article on Mia Hamm (9/6/99). I am a big fan of women's soccer, and love to read about the person Mia is off the field as well as on.

STEPHANIE HARMON Brunswick, Georgia

I enjoyed reading the article on Mia Hamm. However, I find it very aggravating that soccer is the only female sport that gets a lot of publicity. I am a lacrosse player, and lacrosse happens to be the fastest-growing collegiate sport for women.

CHELSEA LANDON Upper Montclair, New Jersey