I recently read an article reporting that a 7-year-old child was suspended for two days in the Anne Arundel County school system. The reason for the suspension was that the child nibbled away portions of a Pop Tart pastry during lunch so that it might have resembled the shape of a gun. It was reported that the child pointed the pastry to the ceiling and might have said, “Bang.”

Really? Maybe they should remove the upper case “L’s” of the alphabet in the classrooms, as well. Horizontally, the L looks like a gun. Have we reached a point in our politically correct society where common sense is now abandoned? With this action, I would state unequivocally that, yes, we have reached that point, and it is truly sad.

We charge our public school teachers and administrators with the care, safety and education of our most beloved beings, our children. I would hope that these people would at least have a little bit of common sense. Again, apparently that is not the case in Anne Arundel County.

Our four children were educated in the Charles County school system, and I would argue that they were well-prepared for their college and professional careers. I have nothing but kudos for the fine teachers and administrators here in Charles County.

The horror that was exhibited in the Connecticut massacre at Newtown was devastating to all, but it seems that since that event, many of our national and state leaders have entered a dialogue that does not represent reality and does not exhibit good common sense. Our governor and our president have created an environment where our First and Second Amendment rights are being attacked each day. In a liberal state such as Maryland where the Democratic Party is supreme, I would expect such an attitude to prevail.

For those of us who are conservative and believe in a strong military, smaller government, low taxes and traditional American values, I am probably living in the wrong state and am frequently told that by my conservative friends.

That being said, I enjoy living here. My community and neighbors are wonderful people. Spring and fall are terrific. The politics are horrible.

This incident in Anne Arundel County is just one more case of where the government has over-reacted and shown poor judgment. No one was harmed, according to the article, except the young child who has been suspended. I would urge that the teachers and administrators involved in the incident sit down with someone who can educate them in simple, good common sense. A Pop Tart can only increase your weight and is not a weapon.

I sincerely hope that such lunacy will not spill over into Charles County.

James W. Chappelear, Waldorf