Julie McDonald-Smith, the Cumberland County Anne Coulter clone, has a knack for pinning a “Kick Me” placard on her back every time she posts her column. In her latest screed she invokes parents and grandparents to have some after-dinner chats about the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Federalist Papers. One hopes that the relatives are at least knowledgeable and conversant about all these, but let us continue.

First off, how many of her neoconservative friends and she are able to discuss all the constitutional amendments and not just the first two? Does she realize that one one the major contributors to the Federalist Papers, Alexander Hamilton, was an advocate of a strong federal government?

If McDonald-Smith wishes to have our schools teach accurate American history she should have no qualms about teaching about the forced expulsion of the Cherokee and the other “civilized” tribes, the Fugitive Slave Act, Scott v. Sandford (Dred Scott), Plessy v. Ferguson, and the McCarthy-era witch hunts. All of these are part of an accurate American history curriculum and should be included. Her version of American history is the usual jingoistic curriculum favored by her ilk and is genuine codswallop.

In closing, McDonald-Smith might be wise to consider the words of my old boss: “If one is to engage in a war of wits he had best carry a full load of ammunition.”

James A. Pierce
Portland