I used to fly a flag. I bought it, cleaned it, put it out and took it down. One day when I brought it in from outside, a corner of the flag touched the floor. My husband, seated in his chair across the room, scolded me for violating the flag code. I don’t remember what my response was, but I doubt I said, “Why thank you honey!” I do remember thinking he could do a little to help.

From the tone of the original letter about the flag situation at the Coupeville school, I doubt the writer came in and asked what he could do to help. I expect he scolded the principal and expected an immediate chastised response.

From yesterday’s News-Times we learned there was, indeed, more to the story. It should be a lesson to all who judged the situation by one letter to the News-Times: If you do want to help, ask questions. Don’t make demands.

Remember the old saying: You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.

Rita Dybdahl Cline

Oak Harbor