Call me one of the lobotomized weirdos that Mark Laflamme takes such glee in denouncing (Aug. 30). I enjoyed the back-to-school season for all of the reasons he decries. I was eager to see my friends; summer was getting a bit long; yes, I was even excited about new teachers and subjects.

Laflamme, who has in past columns proudly proclaimed his anti-intellectualism and lack of fondness for higher education, owns an increasingly vast amount of real estate in the Sun Journal, and his role is clearly to bemuse and talk smart, keeping abreast of paintball high jinks and “the beast.”

Here, I admit to being entertained from time to time. But with the recent news of a wonderful new school in Auburn and the grateful and happy students and teachers clamoring to get in, Laflamme’s rant was particularly sour and unwelcome.

As a teacher and parent, I know that school is not a day-to-day utopia for those on both sides of the desk, but there is much to celebrate, and I encourage the Sun Journal to tell that story as often as possible.

We need to hear it!

Kirk Read, Auburn