Parents, Squirt Guns Soak Up Criticism

The Times blames the squirt gun instead of the gunman for violence in areas of Boston and Harlem, where even a look can start bullets flying.

I feel sorry for the children of these two uptight, silly mothers who forbid them to play with Super Soakers. I’m sure the other kids in the neighborhood will be merciless in the water fights this summer.

Children have feelings of anger and aggression just like adults, and allowing them to vent those feelings in a socially acceptable manner is a big part of growing up. Bottling these feelings by not allowing them to have water gun fights with other kids seems the height of stupidity.

MICHAEL PACER

Glendora