Give Credit to Thompson and His Strong Argument

Jim Murray said he didn’t want to be cynical about John Thompson. Funny that his column (Jan. 26) was oozing with cynicism.

If Murray had done his homework, he would have known that Thompson, as a child, almost became the victim of a standardized test. How many bright children whose thinking diverges from the norm are classified as learning disabled?

Murray, in his omniscience, attributes mercenary motives to Thompson and other coaches who have protested Proposal 42. He does not so much as mention their arguments, many of which are compelling. Nor does Murray give credit to Thompson for his teaching and nurturing of young men like Patrick Ewing. Presumably, Murray would have been one of the people in the stands holding the “Patrick Can’t Read” signs.

JEFF HITTENBERGER

Los Angeles