As an independent, I welcomed the addition of a conservative view to the Opinion page. Unfortunately, I feel the need to join the growing chorus of readers requesting the end to this failed experiment with Julie McDonald-Smith.

McDonald-Smith’s column about teaching children what it means to be an American is yet another example of her unwillingness to challenge her own assertions through diligent research and reflection. Which accurate history would she like in our curricula? Her story is simply a collection of stories. As Paul Harvey taught us, there is always “the rest of the story.” Unfortunately, this part is full of inconvenient truths.

I have an idea. Rather than fill our kids’ heads with facts, why not teach them to think critically? My hope is that the editors can find a columnist willing to engage in reasonable and constructive discussion. Your readers deserve this.

John Auble
Yarmouth