Concerning the student Mr. Mike Simpson and his teacher, Ms. Candy Gleason, there are a host of current issues inherent in this story; allow me to comment on a couple of them (April 19).

The foremost is that if one believes that only our sovereign Creator gives the unique gift of life, it logically follows that only He can withdraw life; no man has the right to kill another human being without God’s sanction. That includes taking one’s own life. It, simply, isn’t his to take. Only the atheist believes otherwise.

Another point: Dr. Thomas Shields did not suggest suicide to Mr. Simpson. Who opened the subject, may I ask?

Further, I discern no disrespect in any of Dr. Shields’ observations, but a simple delineation regarding the choices of methods available to any potential suicide. Is this supposed to be a revelation and a suggestion to commit suicide to a high school senior?

Mr. Simpson was, “stunned”?

What, a 17-year-old in the year 2003?

Do I perceive here, rather, an attempt by Ms. Gleason to air her viewpoints through her student? What ax is Ms. Gleason attempting to grind?

And where was the mocking? Satire this was and nothing more; talk about overreaction and much ado about nothing. Sputtering, indeed!

Ms. Gleason does her profession a disservice. And after 26 years?

George Stilphen, Bolster’s Mills